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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  Great Car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ro - September 6 - 8:56 pm

  I love my PT. I think its a really great car. Very comfortable and reliable. Its my best purchase yet.

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  PT GT M5 - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By TED POZZI - September 4 - 10:00 am

  STRONG PREFOMER NIMBEL HANDLING A VERY EXCALANT CAR IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE,AND THE MOST FUN CAR TO DRIVE.

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  good - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By randy oakley - September 4 - 10:00 am

  very good all around

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  My Beloved 1994 Chrysler LHS - 1994 Chrysler LHS
  By Dmagster - September 4 - 2:02 am

  I just bought this last month for only $1,100 with 121,229 miles on it. So far out of 51 cars Ive owned since 1986 (95% of them were Dodges, Chryslers & Plymouths) this is probably the best overall car I have ever had!! I have taken it on a couple long road trips and its a really smooth great car. Its amazing that such a big car can get such great gas mileage! About 18 MPG in town and about 31 MPG on the highway. So far it has needed new hood lifts from a junkyard for cheap, d.i.y. recharge the A/C with 134A which now blows very cold and replacing the console cup holders. I would highly recommend this car to anyone! This isnt the last, after this one I will buy another probably a 1997.

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  Doesnt get any better than this one - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By DEXTER - September 3 - 2:13 pm

  I had a 2001 pt, traded it in for this little power house. The performance is outstanding. The braking very precise. The convertible top is the easiest to put down, everything with one hand. Thanks for making this vehicle chrysler!

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  very satisfied - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jim Ech - September 2 - 9:00 pm

  Have had this car for two years 25500 miles on it so far excellent. I have serviced it oil every 5000 rotate tires and get 32 hwy and 22 city. No problems except the rotors replaced at 12000 under warranty, gave me a loner for the day. Sirius radio is great. Handles in snow and rain wonderful,plenty of pickup getting on the expressway, love the styling and get compliments on it all the time. Its not a sports car, or muscle racer and but a daily driver so treat it as such and this auto will be very reliable.

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  Great car - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By PC - August 31 - 3:30 pm

  Ive owned this car for 7 years and currently has 90,00KM. No major issues. Replaced some suspension parts ($700) and Transmission Solenoid (warranty)this year. Drivers power window switch died last year ($100). Overall its been a great car, good performance and comfortable to drive. Gas mileage is around 30mpg highway if not a bit more. Starting to get a bit of rust on the inside of ONE door.

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  Its ok - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By jprodges - August 30 - 7:05 pm

  I have problems getting it started sometimes and over heat problems but other than that once it gets going its really good the heat and air control lcd goes out sometime but one thing that I do love is the infinity sound system its so loud and good and clear the mids and highs are good and the lows is Wonder with that amplifier to pump it up.

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  Great Car - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By LHS - August 30 - 3:32 am

  I bought it used in 2001. It has been a great car. The only thing besides routine maintenance was a driverÂ’s side power window motor. Bought a new motor from NAPA for 65.00 and spent 45 min changing it. I have never gotten less than 22mpg and as high as 30mpg across New York. Highway average 28 and in town 23. It has almost 110,000mi and runs and looks like new. I got 50,000 out of the first 2 sets tires. I have not been back to the selling dealer for anything since I bought the car. It has been a much better car than either of my Honda accords were.

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  My First Car - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By Joey_R - August 29 - 8:28 am

  I bought my Sebring as my first car. I bought it with 150,000 miles on it and it runs great. Besides a replacing the control arm and flex pipe, the car has been amazing.