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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  PT Excellence - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Fredric - September 19 - 10:00 am

  Zero problems in 80000 miles. Car is as tight now as it was new. Car is as comfortable now as it was new - no noticeable wear on anything except brakes and tires. Car drives as well today as it did new. Paint and interior look as good today as they did new. Spends most of its life outside subjected to the elements (salesmans car). Versatile as a minivan without the bulk. Only service has been recalls and routine maintenance. Liked it so well we bought another only a loaded Limited this time.

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  Near perfection from an American auto. - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By csclancy - September 19 - 10:00 am

  Overall is a great vehicle. The acceleration is pretty pathetic, but then again Im a 19 year old driving a car for a 50 year old. I love it though. The Mercedes inspired load leveling suspension is a thrill on the highway as well as on city streets!!

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  Happy and shocked - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Black - September 19 - 10:00 am

  Overall I have been very happy with my PT. I like its reliability, style, and comfort. It is a well built vehicle. The one shock I received today was that the front rotors are non-turnable, in other words they are throw away rotors according to my dealer. I have owned other vehicles for many years and miles and I have never had a problem with worn out rotors. My PTs rotors had to be replaced after only 30,000 miles.

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  Excellent car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Cary - September 17 - 5:43 pm

  My last car before this one was a Porsche 911 so I really didnt expect much when I got behind the wheel. But I was very pleasently surprised by the strong, predictable power band, incredible cornering, excellent braking, and styling that never seems to lose its appeal. For a small car, it isnt particularly fuel efficient but apart from that, no complaints.

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  Cool looking good value - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By rubbertoe - September 17 - 10:00 am

  Chrysler transmissions are fine they require proper service that means use the mopar fluid and change it when recommended. If you are not a mechanic dont mess with it. My pt has 70,000 mi. With no serious problems. The downstream o2sensor went out simple fix. A/c needs one can of Freon a year no big deal. Mileage isnt great but its adequate I get 17 city and 24 hwy remember its a wagon and its heavy.

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  A fun car to drive - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By L E Magnuson - September 17 - 2:00 am

  I selected this car over a Lincoln LS because I liked the styling. It was the same size, shorter than my Park Ave, but had a more "perky" look. The new shifter capability is fun to use on windy, hilly roads like we have in NC.My only complaint is there is a high degree of wind and road noise at high speeds on the highway. Also the only flat I had in several years occurred on a Sunday and it was difficult to find someone stocking a 17" tire.

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  Kajs Take - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By kajjax - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Generally have enjoyed the vehicle, like its sleek and understated design, have found it to be somewhat unreliable having to have several major overhauls already!

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  to good to be true - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By bsmooth - September 17 - 2:00 am

  This is a beautiful car, but not only does it have too many mechanical issues, the dealership people hardly knew how to properly diagnose the problems.In the first 3 months of ownership wed spent over 3,000 on things that the warranty didnt cover. from the a/c going out, window motors, constant cooling system problems which eventually led to the engine having to be rebuilt, which took three days to properly diagnose. did i mention that chryler dealerships do not offer loaner vehicals? after finally getting the car right we had and accident which totaled the car out. blessing in disguise.

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  Great looking fun to drive - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By gyrocfi - September 17 - 2:00 am

  My sebring is just great. I love to drive it and we look good in it. It was the best car for the price and the only sport convertable that has plenty of room in the front/back seat and trunk. It has good gas milage.

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  My 2005 PT Cruiser Touring Edition - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Kyoti - September 15 - 10:33 pm

  I bought this car new in 2005. Decided to wait on a review until it was a few years old. I like to test something out for quite awhile before giving a review. It has low miles because I mainly use it as my work/commuter car. But it is a pretty reliable car. Havent had too much problems with it. My oil relay went out and my CD player went out as well. Thats the only problems Ive has with it in the 4 years Ive had it. It doesnt get as good of gas mileage as I would have thought...it gets the same as my old 1998 Mustang V6 and I think thats pretty bad actually, it should get better than that. All-in-all good car.