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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  2006 300-C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Jeff Medved - September 6 - 6:23 am

  Exceptionally unique styling. Overall quality is suberb. Having driven Lincolns for the past couple decades, I never imagined myself in a Chrysler. But nearly everything about this car (in the C model) is exceptional, and in a class with its parent Dailmer products. There are more electronic/power options on this car than you can shake a stick at, so I recommend a long term bumper-2-bumper 5007+ warranty if you buy the car, for peace of mind. Probably the nicest new car I have purchased ever.

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  Not a bad car - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Scott Roosa - September 5 - 1:22 pm

  I love to drive here in Colorado with the top down, and am able to do it often. The car handles with a great suspension and has no problems in the mountains. The issue I had was the transmission going out on me with only 35,000 miles. Fortunately it was still under the warranty, but a bit too close for my liking. It is a fun care to have and drive.

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  Whats with the bumper? - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Abby - September 5 - 9:26 am

  I have had this car for about 3 months and in general I love it. Like the review below mine sometimes it doesnt turn over when starting like it should. This happens randomly and for no apparent reason. My only major complaint is the rear bumper. I think it is made poorly and within the first month I noticed a rock had hit the underside of the tire casing and made a notch in the paint. After closer inspection I noticed that there is another part where the paint is pulling away where the metal body and plastic bumper of the car meet. You can hardly see it now but I fear in time it will grow. My biggest suggestion would be to examine your bumper before purchasing this car!

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  Im mystified - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bill - September 3 - 1:59 pm

  The title of my comments says it all. I dont understand why these didnt sell well. I know Chrysler didnt market them well but Ive had an S class Mercedes, a 540 BMW and 40 other cars and this is my favorite. It is great on fuel if you consider its 2 1/2 tons and gets 30+ mpg on the highway and about 20 in the city. Ive just finished a trip to New England and the miles are effortless and Im over 60 years old! Id recommend one to anyone.

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  Hasnt Let Me Down Yet - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By samuelb - September 1 - 9:28 pm

  We purchased our Pacifica FWD Touring Edition in June of 2006. It now has almost 85,000 miles on it, mostly highway miles from my commute to work. The Pacifica is a very comfortable and pleasant car to drive. The build quality has been pretty good and so far weve had no problems with it. One of the earlier comments about these cars being lousy in winter is incorrect. Ive been through 3 winters now with my Pacifica and it gets through the snow almost as well as some 4 wheel drive vehicles do. Gas mileage hasnt been spectacular, but I think I could be doing a lot worse. Overall, were quite happy with our Pacifica.

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  2007 Sebring Touring - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Tracy - August 31 - 10:45 pm

  I leased my Sebring when they were brand new to the showrooms. It was a great car that handled well, has great features like Sirius satellite radio, 6 in dash CD player and most importantly UConnect. I found it so much easier to use than the Trailblazer I had. The four cylinder engine had more than enough power to take us where we were going and in the year and a half I had the car, no problems to report. The greatest concern with the car is safety. The car was in an accident which rendered it a complete loss. The car was hit head on and the air bags never went off. Thankfully my children werent in the car but I did suffer chest pain from hitting the steering wheel.

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  Cruiser Happy - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cuzbear - August 31 - 8:23 pm

  From the very first moment I saw the PT Cruiser I knew it was the car for me. It is the most perfect vehicle for my needs. I didnt expect to have people wave at me just because I was driving the car of the year at the time. The design is also very useful and handy. I carry all kinds of stuff in comfort and ease. PT is reliable and has never let me down.

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  5 Years, 126K, Great Engine! Bad Trim! - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By The Diamond - August 28 - 3:13 pm

  Purchased in 2003 with 28K miles, owned 5 years and 126K miles. I love the reliability and power of the engine (now at 154K). Mechanically, it performs like new and passes almost everyone on the road. However, trim components fly off the car as I go by. I expect to drive it for at least 2 more years. To avoid a new car purchase, I recently detailed the interior and ordered $400 worth of replacement trim, including the hood molding and a pair of speakers to replace the blown front right woofer. The large black hood molding seems to be a universal problem. I also paid for some significant AC repairs around 120K. Overall, I have really gotten my moneys worth and love driving my LHS.

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  Chrysler 300 Ltd - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By CAOKieMom - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Good power in a six cylinder, seats are comfortable which is very important to me as I spend a lot of time on long road trips. Love the luxury package. Recently had a family emergency and had to take an 85mph trip down a windy mountain road and it handled beautifully.

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  Chryslers getting better - 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
  By philo - August 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought this van in Sep of 2000. So far I put 41000 miles on it. No major mechanical problem yet. Been in the dealer for three minor problems, strut failure of the rear lift gate, broken sun visor holder and transmission fluid leak at the fluid transfer tube to the cooler. Good ride and handling, average fuel mileage. Chrysler did not disappoint me.