Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  Used car Concorde - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By dexmillerga - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Transmission problems at 97,000. Rebuilt transmission at 98,000. Water pump replaced 95,000. Struts need replacing Gas mileage, about 17 mpg. Recommended fuel, mid grade 89 octane. Rear bumper paint fading,exposing prime.

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  A Great Car until it fails - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Hernan Cuevas - February 26 - 1:56 pm

  Yes, this is a great car, fun to drive, nice size, a unique -now emulated- concept of an hybrid between an SUV and a wagon. Handling is fantastic and suspension outstanding. Finishing looks great but a closer look will tell you is cheap and poor. But the real problems with this car are its mechanical quality/reliability (a lot of small troubles) its guarantee (Only 36,000 miles and in most of the cases, you will have to pay for those small failures as they are not covered) and service/maintenance network (where they will drain your pocket with expensive bills, not covered by guarantee, if they really do what is billed)

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  Not for Us...even with the Incentive - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By FDR - February 26 - 9:54 am

  What drew us in was the massive discount on this car--nearly $10,000. But the cars sluggish responsiveness and hesitant acceleration was a deal breaker. A 6 cylinder should handle better. Also problematic was the lack of rear seat room--only two adults fit comfortably--and hitting my head getting in and out. The car also did not have enough hauling capacity for our needs...we wanted to pit a trailer hitch on the car but it would void the warranty. No deal for us here.

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  never buy a chysler cirrus - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By brokedowncys - February 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought my cirrus at 32,000 mi. The dealer wouldnt come down on the price, but I loved it (the look of it) so much I didnt care. Ive learned a huge lesson!!! The exterior is beautiful, but the mechanics of this car suck!! I had to replace the transmission soon after I bought it! It was in the shop all the time!! The front end was a mess! cv joints always gave me problems. Dont judge a car by its cover!! Now its broke down and I still owe $5000 to my bank!! Im currently looking for a reliable car!!!

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  lemon - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By thesaint - February 19 - 2:00 am

  As was mentioned in several other reviews, this car is very unreliable. I just bought the car six months ago and it has been in the shop four different times. I have had the fuel pump, fuel filter, idle motor, cap and rotor, new ty rods and ball joint replaced so far. Right now its broke down in the garage because it needs a new coil pack/distributor that is over $800. My mechanic has the car more then I do. Stay away.

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  Good looking - Bad problems - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By tonid - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Dont get me wrong I love to drive my car, I put an air intake on her and this bumped the bhp to 177 and she turns heads. But she has been in the shop every couple of months, it is so bad they know my cell phone number by heart at the dealer. The roof has always leaked, I have had to have a new roof and a new carpet it has been so bad. I went through four batteries in four years due to a slight leak and corrosion. I now am experiencing a rough idle, an oil warning light, a break warning light, roof leaks and the interior panels are breaking down. I dont expect cars to last for ever but I definately will not be buying a new one.

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  LOOKING FOR INPUT - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By jrtaylor - February 13 - 2:00 am

  With the Sebring, has anybody had a problem with the doors pulling off (falling)? The LeBarons doors were too heavy for the frame and tended to fall. What about oil seals? The convertible top leaks...pretty much a given, eh? Electonic sensors (transmission)? Steering rack?

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  Chrysler Cirrus 1998 - 1998 Chrysler Cirrus
  By chrae513 - February 7 - 2:00 am

  Very rough ride, noted bad suspension, trunk leaked since purchased, unable to find source of leak (stuck w/ a defect), repairs have cost me a small fortune since warranty ran out. Not a reliable vehicle. Would not recommend or purchase in the future.

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  More leaks than a colander - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Hit -in-the-wallet - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Car had been dependable but has had numorous problems. Transmission, water pump, door locks, and inner tie-rod bushings have been replaced. Currently all transmission lines are leaking. Both valve covers are leaking. ERG sensor has gone out. Electrical wiring needs replacing. Throtle bodies need cleaning, injector need replacing $1300. Any car that has numorous leaks at 60,000 miles is poorly made. My dad said Chrysler was a piece of #%$@. I guess he was right!!

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  9 Months Later - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By byjulius@aol.com - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I am not nearly as impressed with the vehicle now as I was 9 months ago. In the past 15,000 miles...The motor knocks upon starting, ticks constantly. When backing up with the wheel fully cranked to the right something in the front makes an awful clunking noice. The low tire pressure warning stays on permanently flashing and chiming even though no tires are low. The topper...I average 12-13 mpg in town and 14-15 on the highway a far cry from what the sticker says. I dont feel that all of the good points outweigh the bad at this point.