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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  Love my pacifica!! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By taxi mom - November 29 - 4:23 am

  I have a 2005 fully loaded pacifica. I love it! I have had no problems. I have almost had it a year now. The back window does take some getting use too (size) backing up. But no problem after you have had it a couple weeks. The ride is great, gas Id say average for the size of the vehicle. Son loves the dvd. Cant go wrong with this one... Recommend!!

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  My LHS - 1996 Chrysler LHS
  By Suzette - November 29 - 2:00 am

  Have had problems with thermostat replacement twice otherwise normall wear and tear items

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  Wish It Were Better - 1991 Chrysler Imperial
  By AbCdEf - November 29 - 2:00 am

  Handsome, very comfortable, roomy car, but considering my low mileage and the high-end price, seriously unreliable. Since I have owned it, the ABS, electrics, suspension, transmission, wires (computer) and air compressor have failed and had to be replaced between the ages of 6 months and approximately 6 years. Engine seems fine because oil was changed every 3- 4,000 miles without fail. Transmission is particularly poor. Brakes not good either. After 88,000 miles, I will sell it because I have to keep putting big money into it.

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  A Real Head Turner - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By rahthrift - November 28 - 9:43 pm

  I cant say enough good things about this car. Strangers tell me what a beautiful car it is every time I drive it. It is the smoothest ride imaginable. Both my children instantly fall asleep in the roomy backseat whenever we take a ride. It really is a great value and quite a car.

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  Excellent car - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Peter Larsen - November 28 - 2:00 am

  I have been close to 100% satisfied with my Sebring conv. True: Its not quite at Audi or BMW levels when it comes to interior plastics, but if it had cost $15000 more, it probably would have. It is very rigid (a pleasure to drive over diagonal RR- crossings !) Engine is happy to do what you ask it to, excellent. Transmission adjusts itself to shift a bit on the slow side, but thats most likely due to my agerage driving style (bumper to bumper traffic). I have had a couple of minor problems, one power window went bad after the car was rust- proofed (by the dealer). Not their fault really, and handled without discussion. Highly recommened.

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  Cruizin in Style! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ParksPlacePT - November 27 - 2:13 am

  Ive had my 05 PT Convertible for a little over a year, and I love this car! Its gorgeous, fun to drive, and fun to show. I drove my vert all over New Mexico for vacation this year, and the gas mileage was great. Ive never had any trouble with it, save for a flat tire, and Ive driven it everywhere. The trunk space isnt great, but once you get used to how low it is, you get used to it. The top still looks brand new, as does the inside, with little more than weekly cleanings. I am always asked about my car whenever Im out on the road, and am proud to recommend everything about this Chrysler product!

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  1999 LHS - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Hemi2 - November 27 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful to look at. Great ride. THe only problems were the motors on all4 windows had to be replaced over time. Windows would stick shut. Also annoying wind noise. Other than that, wonderful long distance driver. Hugh trunk, great sound system. Comfortable seats. Strong engine. Will cruise all day 90mph.

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  Chrysler Concorde - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By wbnet - November 27 - 2:00 am

  This car is great for long trips.It Has a powerful engine. THere is a lot of space for tall people and a huge trunk for traveling.

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  Sebring Convertible - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By Matrixfin - November 27 - 2:00 am

  The car is comfortable. Has a great sound system. But needs some acceleration.

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  Different from the rest! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By BJ - November 26 - 6:23 pm

  I have owned this great car for 3 months. At first I had some concern about gas mileage and figured I had bought power and it would cost me. REcent 600 mile trip with AC on and Interstate travel at 65-75 mph averaged 23 mpg which included about 2 hours of city driving. 100% interstate yields about 25 mpg. Fun to drive and it gets the looks and thumbs up!