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:

• 

  Breakdown - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By PAUL - October 2 - 7:16 pm

  I started my trip from texas and brokedown in ind., With a grinding in the right front wheel. The dealer said that i should not be driving the car, with 3000 miles on it. They gave me a rental but was without the car for three days because they had to order the whole front wheel. We also had water dripping on my wifes foot from the air. Cond. They replaced the filter and filter door. It is still leaking with 9,000 miles and the dealer said that i should change the temp. In the car to correct the problem? We also had an emissions pump go bad with 8,000 miles and had to spend four hours at the dealers waiting for them to get the part from some other dealer.

• 

  Nice car - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Ken - October 2 - 2:06 pm

  I have owned this car about a year. It is comfortable, sporty and fun to drive. I like the auto-stick. However, some flaws are present. I had to replace the evaporator($700+) and there is a clunk in the front end that no one seems to be able to identify and fix.

• 

  great - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By donnie - September 21 - 1:03 pm

  i love the car. the only thing i dont like is the wear on the tires and rims along with the alignment issues. it also gets very poor gas mileage, not to mention the upkeep on the car is insane ($).

• 

  Very dissapointed! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By IHATEMYPACIFICA! - September 15 - 10:56 pm

  I was shopping for a new SUV and looked everywhere for great price. Well finally found it and this crossover has been horrible for us. First thing wrong 4 days after buying it car shuts down on expressway no reason, next oil leaking, next starts making clapping noise, next starts kicking back while driving as if changing gears! Next had to have pulley tensioner replaced now making horrible noise that wont go away, now alternator is failing! What else can go wrong, this was supposed to be my dream car n turns out to be a nightmare!

• 

  I guess Ive been a lucky one! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Winter1227 - September 11 - 10:36 am

  Ive had my 2004 Pacifica for almost two years now & I am the 2nd owner. It rides *SO* smoothly (& weve had to take MANY road trips for work) and with my 8 month old son, I feel VERY safe. Only been to the mechanic once for a U joint--other than that, no problems at all. I have a base model, no GPS or DVD, & the 3rd row was a bit snug when me and my SIL sat back there once (and Im 58" and she is 510") but my husband is 61" and is a SOLID 245 and has ROOM to stretch in the front two rows, and has great head room. With the side air bags, I dont worry about my baby as much on the road! If I won the lottery, Id buy this car again.

• 

  Fun Car - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ironmike - September 10 - 10:34 pm

  One of the three most enjoyable cars Ive had in over 40 years of driving. Looks great. Bought it with about 50,000 miles and now have about 145,000. Has been very reliable. Fun to drive. The only improvement I would make is more comfortable cushions on the front seats. Im looking for a newer one with low miles.

• 

  Beware the 2.7 L V6 - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jim - September 9 - 11:35 pm

  I have had this car about 6 months. No problems until a few weeks ago with the oil light coming on. Was told it was a bad oil pressure sensor. My extended warranty that supposedly covered everything didnt cover it. It was replaced, 10 minutes after leaving the dealer it came on again. Was told it may be a bad oil pump, though the Nissan dealer i bought it from took it to a Chrysler dealer and all they did was replace it again and do an oil flush and change the oil ,free of charge. Took it home, found the Fog Lights stopped working. What next? Its too bad the under the hood issues take away from a great looking car. Cruises nice and gets good mileage with the V6.

• 

  LOVE IT - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mrtyrez - September 9 - 2:00 am

  I love to drive this car.

• 

  Beautiful SUV, but options DO NOT WORK! - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Amy - September 7 - 11:22 pm

  This vehicle is very fun to drive, however I have had mine in and out of the shop 30 days in the past 6 months due to electrical problems with the electronic options. The DVD player which has been replaced 3 different times is still not fixed, so I need take it back to the shop once again. I definitely think mine is a LEMON!

• 

  1 of Americas good values - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By aaron lance - September 7 - 6:53 am

  Great car for around town and short drives. Easy exiting the car from all doors, better than sedans. Ride is smooth and uneventful and handles well. If you want reliability, fun and good economics, this is your car.