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 fun!! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Yvonne - February 25 - 3:50 pm

  My last fun car was a BMW M3. It was hard to get in and out of, difficult to shift, impossible for rear passengers, very expensive and not driven very often. The PT GT is a kick to drive, comfortable, versitle, and oh so cute. I wouldnt trade it for anything.

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  First Year Gremlins Plaque My PT Cruiser - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PT-Loser - February 24 - 7:10 pm

  This car is the worst ever owned. Poor mileage (average 16 MPG), poor performance. It stalls when cold. The clutch slipped from day one. The engine has always had a rough idle, and is the loudest ever owned. Paint started flaking after 6 months. Door trim has broken off twice. Drivers seat has been replaced. The clock wont keep time, and every CD played skips. On windshield number 4. They seem to crack from stress. Front windows have came off the track twice. Burns a quart of oil a week.

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  Love It! - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By joes - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Bought this JXI convertible with 25,000 mi on it. It now has over 100,000 mi and has had no major problems. Very reliable and as smooth and good looking as the day I bought it. Only real problem has been the tach going out.

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  Love my LXi - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Mackerz22 - February 23 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love my Sebring LXi, it is a lot of fun to drive and handles well. It gets great milleage on the highway and in town. Plus I love the sporty look Chrysler has given the LXi.

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  Body Creaking Noise - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ernie Weber - February 22 - 5:40 pm

  Wife and I love this car which now has 79000 miles. Trouble free with great ride and handling and versatility. For the past year we have had a creaking noise in the chassis. Local mechanic cannot locate nor could local dealer. This noise occurs primarily after coming out of a right hand turn. Not while driving straight. Bouncing up and down while standing still fails to duplicate the noise. Has anyone had this problem and how was it fixed?

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  Love the 300M, Hate the Service - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By sbo - February 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is FUN to drive! It has the "get up and go" (250hp) when you need it, still gets respectable mileage (avg 21-22 mpg). Back seats fold down very helpful when you need more room in the trunk. 1 week after purchasing it new, the back window shattered! Also, this car had a dead battery when I purchased it. Kept having problems and took it back to the dealer their service department refused to replace the battery. Kept saying the battery "did not fail their tests", yet the car was dead (would not start) 3 separate times, and the car was less than 1 month old! Once the battery was replaced, the problems went away!

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  Cant wait til break-in period is over. - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By TXtriathlete - February 21 - 7:40 am

  Just picked up my new 06 300 SRT8 yesterday. Previously had a 2000 Caddy STS. Took some reading thru the manual to find out all the cool features, which meet or exceed the Caddy. Car has a great combination of power/acceleration, handling, and braking. All in a package that is comfortable, quiet, and reasonably refined. Just close the doors on one and youll immediately sense the Mercedes-Benz spillover. Some interior bits arent as plush or refined as MB or Audis are, but for $20k less (or more), its a tradeoff I was willing to take. I got a big car with plenty of space, gobs of performance, and tons of features.

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  Typical LHS - 1994 Chrysler LHS
  By Typical LHS - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Fun, elegant, reasonable gas mileage, but typical problems. Bought used with 75K, now 140K. Experienced same mechanical problems as others: A/C says Blend Door error and stays HOT, Transmission shutters and jumps into limp mode 2nd gear from hwy speed, trunk spring broke, headlamp bolts rusted solid, lower ball joint replaced.

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  Divas Divine 300M - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Diva Dog - February 21 - 2:00 am

  What a suprise ...an American car with NO issues after over 4 years. Just gas, oil every 7,000 miles and some new tires last year. Great ride, great looks, great handeling and great reliability...plys every feature you could want.

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  My 2003 Sebring - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By cooldiva - February 21 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased my 2003 Sebring LXI 2 months ago and I am exceptionally please with the smooth ride and dazzling exterior! Now it not only looks sporty, its looks more stylish and classier!! I also love the front grille and the reshaped hood. This car is so appealing and such a head turner! I feet so cool riding down the rode in my beautiful black LXI coupe. Thank you for the better paint because I had problems with my paint on my 1998. I also love the 4-CD in dash with the 7 speakers!!!! Also the new stainless steel look inside is such an eye catcher! So as you can see I am truly enjoying my new redesigned 2003 Coupe!