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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  Owner - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By joe deleo - June 26 - 4:07 am

  Super vehicle - Roomy, comfortable, quick, great look in and out. Very reliable.

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  Love Our Car! - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By AccordingtoHez - June 25 - 4:32 pm

  Bought this 6-passenger car because as a family of 4, its not too big, but theres room to grow (and carpool in the meantime). We have LOVED it! Definitely an upgrade from our economy car before -) If youre looking for a car thats just the right size with lots of amenities, give the car a look. *Disclaimer: Have only owned a few months, so I cannot attest to long-term reliability, but we are not worried about it ourselves.

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  Dont buy this - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By nelson - June 24 - 8:04 pm

  Had vehicle for 6 years poured a lot of money in this car to see if it would last but nope it wont the car is ok but there is a flaw in this car the transmission first and the timing belt driven water pump if it goes bad it pops the timing belt and bends the valves and damage the torque converter the total cost for this vehicle to be fix is 6000 dollars they dont tell you about this but trust me stay away from Chrysler there vehicle are trash straight from the factory trash I mean trash buy a Toyota they last

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  Im so disappointed in Chrysler - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By OcalaJo - June 24 - 7:40 pm

  Ive only owned Chrysler products (30+ yrs.) this is my last. The car is beautiful (after 7.5 yrs., the exterior is almost as beautiful as new, roomy, handles great, feels solid, the stereo is fantastic. Its a great ride--when its working properly. But, the car spends so much time with my mechanic, I feel like its cheating on me! Right after warranty expired, so did the transmission, and its been one thing after another since! Ive never had so many things go wrong with one car--and Ive owned two others for 10+ years each! Im really sad to be looking at other manufacturers vehicles now.

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  I Love this car! - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By tallnsexy4545 - June 23 - 11:38 pm

  I bought my 300m back in July of 2007, it had 90,000 miles. I Loved it then and still love it now. Very low maintenance since the day I bought it! The Interior and Exterior of the car are wonderful! Only negative thing I have to bring up is the stereo system,other than that Its a great car!

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  2.7 L engine failure - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By TanyaB - June 23 - 11:50 am

  I bought this car 6 years ago and was very pleased with it at first. A very nice ride and handled nicely in bad weather. For the most part, it had been a good car. Then, out of nowhere the check engine light came on and before we could get it in to the shop, the car completely died. Our mechanic told us that it was complete engine failure due to oil sludge. Keep in mind, the car doesnt even have 90,000 miles on it yet and oil was changed regularly. I have since found out by doing some research that Chrysler vehicles with the 2.7 L engine are prone to major engine issues even at relatively low mileage due to defects in engine design. Do some research before buying!

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  Crap Crap Crap - 1999 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Leah - June 22 - 10:07 am

  I got this car used. It was my parents but then the couldnt stand it anymore so they gave it to me. I have had so many problems. The AC and heating went out and after over $800 spent no one knows why. The transmission crapped out in 2007 and had to be replaced. When it gets hot outside the door panels stick and you cant open the drivers side door. Now the horn goes off whenever I turn the wheel and the only way to fix it is to disconnect it all together. This car has no redeeming qualities. Also, the gas gauge is hardly ever accurate.

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  Gas sipper - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Mike - June 21 - 1:27 pm

  Have had this car (LX Convertible 2.4 L 4 cyl) for 3 months. Gas mileage is unbelievable for a vehicle this heavy. Maybe a little under-powered acceleration isnt the best, but once Im on the open road on a long highway trip, if I set the cruise around 67 mph, I can count on getting 32 mpg or more...Ive been as high as 36.5 mpg. I traded my 2002 Sebring Convertible GTC (2.7 L, 6 cyl) in for this one -- the GTC was a lot lower to the ground and more stable, a little more sporty, the LX handles more like a sedan. Its a little top- heavy. Still a cool car though.

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  When it starts to break run away! - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Zengo - June 21 - 8:56 am

  I got the car with 45,000 km paid probably more than it should have, I traded my sebring for the 300M. First year no major problems, than it started. The front suspension started braking. I had to replace many times over the front end such as: Stabilizer bars, link-bars (upper-lower) bars, brakes etc. Parts were expensive like Mercedes or some foreign car (no wonder they are going-under). Too many electrical issues lights flashing, engine light. The sad part is, I actually liked the car and did regular maintenance. Stay away when it starts showing problems Sell fast! I had too many problems (spent over $10000.00 in repairs since 2005).

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  Woe is Chrysler - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By boats - June 19 - 7:52 pm

  I am laughing reading these reviews. I have literally had every problem listed: windows stopped going down interior lights would not shut off alternator needed to be replaced motor fans stopped working alignment is problematic radiator replaced battery (which is in a ridiculous spot) started leaking and burned hoses and now, it is finally at its death as the transmission is done. On a positive note, it does have 190,000k miles and if I did get the transmission fixed it might go 250k. But dang Chrysler! Come on!