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:

• 

  hi mom - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By longhorn1687 - July 3 - 2:00 am

  Great car for $12k (new!) Could do better on gas mileage but hey, its cheap.

• 

  Best bang for your buck! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Les Wentz - July 2 - 6:20 pm

  I bought this car in June of 2004,it makes me smile every time I look at it. Ive never owned a car with so much Quality, You get the best bang for your buck! Im sixty years old a had a lot of cars, but nothing like this beauty. Drive one and youll buy one, the car will sell its self!

• 

  We have a Love / Hate Relationship - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Yankeemare - July 2 - 2:03 am

  I LOVE this car and HATE the constant repairs! 2 full sets of brakes in 3 years, new transmission at 80,000 miles, fog lights wont turn off - had to have the lights disconnected, but the LCD interior light stays on all the time, engine overheating, water pump, thermostat, timing belt and serpentine belt being replaced as we speak (97,000 miles). I love the design, comfort, interior, passenger and cargo capacity, and its very easy to get my grandson in and out of his car-seat in the back seat. Im shopping for another hatchback but it sure wont be a PT Cruiser and that makes me very sad. If Chrysler could up the reliability quotient, Id be a PT Cruiser buyer / owner forever

• 

  dont get one - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By gwk222 - July 2 - 2:00 am

  My Sebring has been towed in three times in the span of 31k miles. Service is poor when it is towed in. No one returns calls at Bayshore Chrysler or at Grand Prix Chrysler in Hicksville, NY. No wonder theyre busy. If all Chryslers break down as often as mine they could stay open 24/7 and never run out of cars to work on.

• 

  I still love it - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By cohibaboy - July 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car with 7k miles. Since then driver side power window came off the track because of a broken clip inside. Back right power window has been stuck almost from day one. (I suspect the insulation around the window melted the window shut). Knob on radio and truck open broke. Back right door weather stripping coming off. Headlight insulation is creeping off. American Specifications what do you expect. Still the sharpest sedan on the planet. Engine/trans are great. What is up with the trade in value?? I love this big pup!

• 

  300m - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Art Van Allen - July 1 - 2:00 am

  comfortable & fun ride, good passing power, good mileage

• 

  Chrysler LHS 1996 - 1996 Chrysler LHS
  By BizComm - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Smooth to drive, until the front suspension wears out: needing ball joints, struts, and Bushings.

• 

  #2 and still loving it - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By bobcat - June 28 - 2:03 pm

  Purchased a 300 touring in May 04 best car i ever owned. Traded in Dec for a fully loaded 300C. I am amazed at the power of the hemi this feels even more stable than the other. Love all options, love the stereo. This car will make you want to drive all the time. I have always owned American cars mostly Fords this is the best car on the street Chrysler should be very proud. This car turns heads and meets the driving needs of the american public. Do yourself a favor if you are in the market for a new car you gotta check this car out.

• 

  ABS - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Krapfl - June 27 - 12:10 am

  I like the pacifica, i think its very confortable and drives very sturdy, almost better than my 03 camry sev6. But Ive had numerous problems with the ABS light turning on. Were on our 3rd repair, and it always seems to be the sensor, although I think the problem lies elswhere. We also had a stalling issue only when cruising at low speeds, usually after waiting at a light, the car seems to be in 2nd gear when this happens, with a really low RPM perhaps causing the stall. The dealership adjusted the chip to idle at a higher rpm. Water also builds on the doors, and had to punch holes in the plastic drains, very strange. Other than that, car is great, but needs a better sound system.

• 

  Solid - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Scott Willard - June 26 - 12:03 am

  More then we ever expected. Looks small from outside, but 4 adults fit very comfortable. Im 64" and fit fine in all seats. We love it.