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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  Why Did They Ever Discontinue This Car? - 1993 Chrysler Imperial
  By zenduane - March 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is one of the best autos that I have ever owned. Probably if it had been promoted more it would be with us today. It has a quiet elegance that says quality luxury car but is not ostentacious. When I give folks a lift, I always get "What kind of a car is this?" They dont believe that it is as old as it is. It is comfortable, quiet, peppy, and filled with useful features that easy to use and understand.

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  Terrific car! - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By A Brown - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but good driving from this car. It is zippy and fun, yet roomy enough and with features which allow haulage of larger items. Great!

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  Cute car, poor quality mechanically. - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cathi - March 4 - 1:10 pm

  I was so excited to get this car. That didnt last long, we had to replace the battery the first week we brought it home. It was purchased new. We have replaced the battery 2 more times since. Head gasket leaked the first year, a/c has been out several times, radiator leaked, now the transmission is completely out, needs rebuilding. I have had this car only 4 years. Turn radius is limited, gas mileage is poor. Drawer under the passenger seat wont close without much difficulty. Very disappointing.

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  Id buy one again - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By gravesbi - March 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car brand new and had over 123,000 miles on it before someone ran a red light and totaled it. Basically everything still worked except for a dash light here and there. Im sure it had lots of miles left in it. Reliable, no problem starting in 27 below zero even though it was parked outside. It did have a coolant leak problem that needed fixing on more than one occasion. And I didnt care for the way air hit you in the eyes when the defrost was on (contacts).

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  Just Average - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By morsborn - March 4 - 2:00 am

  Weve it for a couple years. Wife loves it, to me its just OK. We too had a shift problem hung in 2nd. A leaky water pump, dripping on a sensor. Took months to find. PS had a small leak. Some trouble with electrics. Radio sucks. Replaced under a bulletin and new one lasted less than a month. Tach, LR door lock and elec window fail intermittently. The ride is a little harsh for a "luxury" car. But I like that part. It is certainly no lemon, but no better than average. Our experience is better than average on reliability. Big complaint: resale-no one wants it. Over 50% drop in 2 yr.

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  A great company car - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dave l - March 3 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car after driving Subaru, Ford Explorer, Buick Rendevous, and looking at Honda Pilot. I think we made the best decision buying the Pacifica. WE have 7000 miles in less than 6 weeks, and it has performed flawlessly. A great new car!!

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  My New Ride - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jim Baldwin - March 3 - 10:00 am

  The car is quick and smooth. It has all the qualities of a luxury car. I am very impressed with the controls and the information panel.

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  300 C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Kartboy - March 3 - 10:00 am

  OK gas mileage around town. 25 MPG on highway. When you need to go the HEMI knows just what to do. So glad I got this car.

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  Fun car or worst piece of crap!!! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By wewing - March 3 - 9:27 am

  I bought my PT Cruiser used. It is a 2003 and I bought it in 2005. I have replaced the waterpump (inline), the power steering,I have had work done on the struts,front bearings, I have had electrical problems and replaced the battery, and it eats oil at a rate higher than I would like. I have spenr over $3500 dollars on repairs and it had 30,000 miles on it when I bought it and I have just less than 70,000 on it now. There is a small leak somwhere in the cooling system either coming from the water pump$700, the head gasket $1000 or the engine block $2000. I am a little unhappy with the reliability of this car.

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  I love my Cirrus - 1999 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Smitty615 - March 3 - 2:00 am

  On the whole, I love this car.The only problems I have had have been the sun roof getting locked up whenit was open, and having the front seat bolts come loose, causing the seat the wobble. Both occurred while car was still under warranty. Driving the car is a pleasure, though I do not get the gas mileage others have reported.