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:

• 

  2001 PT Cruiser - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bluedog - December 29 - 12:43 pm

  After 107,000 miles I still am very fond of this car. Like the cargo capability. Have had many approving comments from total strangers on the car and the color. (Aqua Marine) Will willing cruise at 80mph all day if you ask that of it. With the Touring Suspension it corners very nicely. Great little car. Wish Chrysler would freshen the styling a little.

• 

  Have a spare car on hand... - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Geoff Boulden - December 29 - 2:00 am

  Replaced the brain $250. Cracked rim - dealer wanted $713 but found one on interent for $360 and considered my self lucky. 3 repairs of a/c cost me $2000. Replaced brakes at 30,000 and 55,000 miles.

• 

  Driving in Style - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By madis saarniit - December 28 - 6:33 am

  Every time I drive my turbo PT Crusier ragtop I turn heads. From the ease of getting into the car to the decievingly large amount of room inside, comfort seems to be the key. It has a great sound system and is a very smooth drive. The only drawback I can see is limited visability when backing up while the top is up.

• 

  The perfect convertible - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By BarbiePrincessM - December 27 - 2:00 am

  Eventhough my 00 sebring conv. is getting older, I cant bring myself to trade it in. I have driven mercedes, BMWs, and camaros...none of them make me as content as my sebring. Everything in the interior is perfectly placed. The outside is eye catching, especially the chrome wheels. The two-toned leather is a very rare feature on any vehicle. The interior looks just as sharp as the exterior when the top is down. While a beamer or benz would be much more impressive, I am going to drive my sebring until it wont run anymore.

• 

  2004 300M - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Darrel Swope - December 27 - 2:00 am

  The 300m has all the comfort and style anyone could ask for and the features that it is equipped with is very up to date with the times.

• 

  Not that impressive! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JJP - December 25 - 10:00 am

  Nice look and features. Visibility is very poor in this vehicle because of lots of metal but little glass. As a result, some people mentioned it feels like a hearse. Blind spots are HUGE. Also, very poor access to the 3rd row of seats, which we use often since the second row only has 2 captain chairs. Overall, I regret the purchase. Its not as convenient as a van, not as smooth as a wagon, and has virtually no 4x4 abilities.

• 

  Dont Pass the Base Model! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By KJ - December 25 - 9:43 am

  When it comes to value, dont miss the value offered in the BASE model of the Pacifica. Add the leather package for under $2,000 and you have a wonderful and opulent ride you can own for something under $22,500. with incentives! The car looks like a million and is priced like a VW. As for ride, you wouldnt want anything better for a family vehicle. If you fold down the second row seats you can almost put a washer and dryer inside! The view from the drivers seat is all encompassing and there is NOTHING blocking your forward vision. With the base model you get so much as standard equipment why pay more for the higher priced models?

• 

  CH300M - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By lcouture - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Handles well, has plenty of power, no performance problems at all. The auto-stick feature allows the car to be driven like a sports car with a four speed transmission. Great for driving in the mountains! Chrysler issued a fix for the sound system at my insistance that something was wrong. Initially, little or no bass response, but after the fix, no problem! Id highly recommend this car to anyone that wants a European styled sedan, at an affordable American price.

• 

  No Regrets - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Fred R - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I have been driving my 300M exclusively for almost 5 years. Has been very reliable in all weather. Had to have a sensor on the tranny replaced at about 40k, but otherwise no problems. It still looks new at 70k and is fun to zip through traffic in. Very nimble for a bigger car. It rides much better with Perellis than those Good Years it came with.

• 

  Enjoy it - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By cousindebbie - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I just bought it but do really enjoy driving this car. I do hope it stands up tp my expectations, but think it will. I feel safer in it than I did my Saturn and it is quieter and somewhat more comfortable. Seats can be a bit more comfortable, honestly. But I do really like this vehicle.