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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  Reliability? - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dave - May 15 - 2:13 am

  You dont have to buy a Honda to get relaibility. My PT has not been to the shop for any unscheduled repair, other than brake pads at 40K miles. This car does SO many things well, and it is really a bargain. I wish the economy was a little better, but thats my only complaint. It sis room and comfortable, and has great utility. I was even able to haul a clothes dryer home from sears, in the box with the hatch closed!

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  A car to avoid - 1996 Chrysler Concorde
  By RippedOff - May 15 - 2:00 am

  This car has been the most unreliable vehicle I ever purchased. Weve repaired the A/C 5 times, its gotten new heads, p/s pumps (3), water pumps (3), and a host of assorted items that my mechanic (Ive confirmed 80% of his diagnoses with the dealer) claims he never sees on other cars. Oh, replacing windshield wipers - $150 because the motor and wipers are hard connected.

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  Road noise and pickup - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Dale M Mork - May 15 - 2:00 am

  As far as road noise, Chrysler has not advanced in the last ten years I also have A 1994 New Yorker.I cannot tell the difference in the front end road noise. Still very unacceptable.

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  Fun to drive - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Justin - May 14 - 8:13 pm

  have had it for a month know . first thing first the gas MPG could be better but i am use to as being an suv driver for years, LOVE THE LOOKS INSIDE AND OUT. wish i could have got the trubo but oh well maybe next time:+} got the car with 17k on it i know have 23k so far so good i put about... 35k ayear on my cars so hope its up to it! its a 100% better then fords focus i had it a year and ditched it!! Ilove PT!!!

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  Disposable Parts - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By JilSC - May 14 - 2:00 am

  The interior is so-so. Both door hinges POP, and the 27.00 parts will cost 350.00 to have installed. The air bag sensor, rear defogger, and visor laches need to be repaired for the second time this year.

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  Nice car - 1996 Chrysler Concorde
  By Ryan C - May 13 - 2:00 am

  I was very impressed with my Chrysler. The engine and transmission are top rate. The 3.5L is very powerful and extremely smooth, as is the tranny. The LXI trim is very luxurious and comfortable on long trips. Interior design is very classy. I didnt expect such refinement out of a Chrysler but was pleasanly suprised. Handling is also quite good for a car of this size. Now the bad stuff: It eats gas with the upgraded engine, Also, although the car is quite reliable in most areas, Ive replaced the compressor for the air conditioning 3 times and its gone out again. At $800 a repair, Im just going to have to live without A/C!

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  failed brakes - 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
  By Failed brakes - May 12 - 12:50 pm

  This van is constant need of brake repair, i have since 2006 put four sets of brakes on it, two rotors, two master cylinders, two wheel seals and now i dont have front brakes again, the back brakes are grabbing, the booster is fine. I am thinking maybe the abs box has some issues, anyways i have never had to do so much repair to one vehicle. I am unhappy with this purchase.

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  PTGTFUN - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Darryl Thomas - May 12 - 2:00 am

  The fun started the minute I left the dealership. The GT revs freely, shift tightly and stops on a dime. With the the traction control on the extreme limits are controlled perfictly. At faster speeds, the tail end tends to float around. The interior has just enough retro but not to flashy. The GTs built quality is much better then first PTs, the doors closing sound like my 3 series

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  Wow - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By FatCity - May 11 - 7:46 am

  I have had 4 cars in the last 4 years and nothing has made me happy- until now. This car is fantastic. We took it out in the deep snow during a Cleveland blizzard and it performed better than our Volvo XC90awd. Awesome power, blaster sound system, smooth ride. Too bad I didnt buy one earlier and save myself a lot of money.

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  Great Summer Car - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By LMDJRX4 - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Originally problem with leaky roof...corrected. Rear defogger contnues to be a problem. Great trunk space. Great convertible for family. Fun to drive. No problems in the snow.