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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  Biggest Piece Of Garbage Ever - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Donald Anglin - September 8 - 2:00 am

  This is the worst car i have ever had Transmision went two months after i owned it Air conditioning compressor caught fire tachometer has never worked yeah it has power but what good is that when the dealer has it more than i do Noise in front end nobody can find they just tell me they all do that

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  Ridin in Style - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By josie314 - September 7 - 6:43 am

  Ever since the first TV commercial I saw for the Pacifica I was taken by its stylish appearance. I love the width and road hugging feeling when I drive it. It has been a very safe car for me I had some problems with it initially that I have come to attribute to its first manufacture year as well as some malfunctioning assemblers on the line. Chrysler and my dealership were top notch in dealing with me and the vehicle. My lease will be up in another year. I am looking forward to that notification that offers me a buy-out so I can get myself into an 06 or an 07 with all the new bells and whistles. I believe in this car. I would get another one without question. A red one this time!

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  Chrysler jxi convert - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By herman - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I own a 2002 Caddie, a 2002Dundra pickup and the Chrysler jxi convt and I enjoy driving the chrysler jxi the most

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  This is a great car! - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By jej - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Crysler has built a great America car (cant wait until the 300N comes out in 2004). I had my 300M for a year now and the only problem I had was the cigarette lighter. Other than that minor incident the car is very comfortable (can fit 4 large adults no problem)handles very well and has a lot of power

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  I love my car. - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Kathy Furnas - September 5 - 11:40 am

  I love my PT Convertible. I have had it a year now and for the first time am not ready to trade it off. Such fun to drive, especially with the top town. Comfortable, fun and sexy. Cant beat that!!!

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  Reliable Transportation with Comfort - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By chri - September 3 - 9:40 am

  Purchased this car used in 2008 a Limited Auto-trans (drop down menu didnt have an auto choice) with 14000 miles on it. Moonroof. It never let me down or left me stranded. I just recently sold it last week with 40000 on it. This car ride is very pleasant. On long trips 200+ miles seats can be uncomfortable, but after a stretch you can continue. Flexible interior lay out allows you to haul lots of "stuff" and at times I have filled this car up with almost as enough stuff that I could fit in a pick up. Fuel economy wasnt great, although with age seemed to get better, best I got was 25 mpg with tail wind, worst in city with lots of stop signs was 13.8 mpg.

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  BOYCOTT THE CHRYSLERS!!!!! - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Tidepride824 - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I had this car for 7 months and it had trouble only 3 months after I puchased it! I paid 22,900 and only got approx. 14,000 for it. I had a Chrysler LeBaron Converible before, it was a lemon, but I just thought it was a fluke. I got this to replace it and it has been just as bad. Suspension trouble, refusal to back up, headlights that worked intermittently, all dangerous things! Had I known better, I would have gone back to the cars Ive driven trouble- free sooner--Hondas. I now have a CR-V and a new Accord, and have only been to the dealer to have them serviced. HONDAS RULE!

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  Concorde LXi Rocks! - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By FL - September 2 - 2:00 am

  No two ways about it, the Concorde LXi is Aces over Kings. Great buy. Awesome ride: sporty but smooth, responsive with pick-up and power to spare. Perfect for family -- plenty of space and cavernous trunk. Well appointed and classy interior with a body that is easy on the eyes with its killer curves. Chrysler nailed it on this one!

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  We call her Smiley! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By pebbles-Cruiser - September 2 - 1:06 am

  Was love at 1st sight, I order it and waited months. Have loved driving it every since. At 199,000 miles she still starts like the day I bought her. I got the stick. The clutch held out until 165,000 mi. Had to replace the fan motor at about 100,00 and replace timing belt as general maintenance. If you take proper care and maintenance it goes for ever. It is fun to drive and handles very well on the curves. Took it to Ohio (3500 mi) and back when it had about 185,000 mi on it with no problems and that was with it filled from floor to roof and back hatch to front seats with boxes of my mother-in-laws belongings. We love you smiley! Just bought a Dodge Caliber, but Im keeping my Smiley!

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  impressive - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By greenmopar - September 1 - 2:00 am

  i have over a 130k miles on this car and the only probs i have had is the power steering air compressure i used to race the car at the track not a good idea i tore the differentale out of the tranmission but thats my fault only thing i dont like about i tis lack of aftermarket parts