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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  Make a Better Clutch - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By sandy - June 18 - 8:10 pm

  I love my PT Cruiser the only thing I hate about it is the clutch it does not work well. Already been replaced once.

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  Iffy, but nice looking - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By coeys - June 12 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I bought our pacifica 2 weeks ago and it has been to the sho0p twice for some squeeking noise. The dealer said its a belt problem that Chrysler is trying to fix but how long will it take. Seem very embarrising to drive a new car with temp tags and a loud squeak to go along with it. But when I did drive it it handled nice gas of course could be alot better. Oh the squek starts when you start the car and driv for a long time. And please dont try calling Chrysler because they are no help at all.

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  Engine Problems leaking oil - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Harv - April 29 - 10:56 am

  Last Year I saw oil in my drive way, took the vehicle to a repair shop they found a leak at the crankshaft front seal. It was replaced and a week later it happened again. Chrysler was notified and they stated that this was a service problem and I would have to have it repaired at my expense (I had insurance to cover it) and it happened again and the insurance Company replaced the Engine. With further investigation we found out that other vehicles with the same engine have had these problems (Sebring/Stratus Sedan & convertibles, and some Caravans caseK93016699).The car now runs good. This was with 44,000 miles worst vehicle ever owned.

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  What A Piece of Junk! - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By HateThisCar2008 - April 2 - 6:36 am

  Bought used with just under 20K on it, and now has 25K. Had for just 5 months. In that time, the 1st time we turned on the a/c the car would shudder/stumble and then almost stall. They replaced the compressor. After that, it did the same thing (which they said was normal, ha!), but then it didnt even blow cold. They replaced the fan control module. Then the lower control arm bushings needed to be replaced. And now the car is going out of control in traffic! Step on the gas, it doesnt kick into gear, and when it finally does go, the power steering goes out and youre lucky you dont die! But the dealer gets no codes and it test drives fine, so it MUST be fine according to them. NOT!

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  lemon - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By tad - March 28 - 10:00 am

  At 3000 miles had to have parts of car repainted because paint picking caused by debris in paint. At 12000 miles replaced rear main oil seal and bearing, also fuel line leaking replaced that also. At 12900 miles transmission cooler hose became disconnected while driving on highway draining all transmission fluid which left us stranded. Replaced hose clamps. Clunking noise in front end when taking off from stopped position. Front brakes squeal alot. Dearlership says this is normal.

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  Troublesome PT! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Chris - February 27 - 12:30 pm

  We purchased our 2004 PT (new) in Feb 2005. We are currently at 64K miles & are not happy campers. We have had 4 service calls for engine jerking when starting the car. Dealership did a tune up and changed spark plugs the first time. Back to the dealership 21 days later (same problem), changed the spark plug wires (warranty). Back again 45 days later because of defect with the new spark plug wires (warranty). Now we are back again, but we are out of warranty. We had to replace the tires at 30K miles. We were told (by the Goodyear location) that the back end is out of alignment (from the factory) and cannot be fixed. We have 2 Hyundais with +160K and have never had service issues!

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  No Soft touches here - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By smkw - February 14 - 5:20 am

  How sad it is that this car is flat and boring inside with supportive seating that feel hard and cinder box comfortable.The leather lacks that butter soft feel of a luxury sedan,but wait the right side of the front seat doesnt work the same way as the driver seat..... Whats up with that??? Try adjusting this seat, a surprise that clearly show this is a One persons show-off car, not a family car for the WHOLE FAMILY. Try riding in the back seat, SAD, SAD, SAD,....again two persons and cat?? The lack of space caused by center floor HUMP is showing how Backward this company is moving. The visor is too small, the center CD Tape console is too hard to use, and glove compartment area is very small.

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  Chrysler Man No More - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By rustydd - February 5 - 9:50 pm

  Sold Chryslers for 12 years...now at Honda for 1 1/2 years. Had Jeep, Dodge and now the worst PT Convertible. Oil light comes on every other time I start ignition...cannot be fixed after four attempts by two seperate service departments. Smart Glass is not too smart when its cold and we have any type of moisture. Glass freezes and will not go up and down until the car gets warm enough to loosen the windows and worst of all is fuel mileage. Sticker says 19 city/25 highway...hah!!! I baby the gas pedal or drive like a madman I get 18 in the summer and 17 in the winter. Sorry Chrysler, I have had it with your poor quality, poor fuel mileage and terrible resale value. Go Honda Go

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  Great look Bad every thing else - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By greg - January 24 - 5:33 pm

  The 2005 Chrysler 300 has got to be the worst car I have ever bought. Just let me start form the top. It takes for ever in a day to cool off inside, it has stalled on me about five different times, the drivers side back window goes up and down when it fells like it, it vibrates excessively when it comes to a stop most of the time the radio gets the poorest reception of any car I have owned manufactured in this decade. I plane on getting rid of the car ASAP. I pay to much money for such a crappie car I should have gone with the Cadillac CTS. All this car has is looks and nothing else I would recommend a Bike at Wal-Mart before I would recommend A Chrysler.

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  Great looking vehicle but...... - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Al G. - January 24 - 1:40 pm

  We purchased this vehicle in May 2004 and have had nothing but problems since. Vehicle constantly pulls to the right, molding falling off, moon roof shades opens on its own, rear windows occasionally dont open, ie. electrical problems. Great looking and priced vehicle but check consumer web sites to find many owners with simular problems. Based on Chrysler Corp. not willing to help with many of these problems, we are trading in for a different vehicle. Never a Chrysler again.