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:

• 

  Stay away from this car!!! - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By kitty - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Overall terrible car...transmission went out twice..once at 47,000 and then again at 83,000. Compressor went out three times! Also, rack and pinion out at 92,000 and a constant leaking of various locations. Yes, the ride is good and the sound system is good but not much of a consulation in hot weather when you are broken down with tranny problems or a broken compressor. Chrysler dealerships are way over priced for the most part (except most Florida dealers) in Georgia.

• 

  My Sebring Coupe Lxi - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jeepchic620 - July 6 - 2:00 am

  The sebring really needs a more powerful engine to go with its "powerful" look. Another thing that it really needs is better color scheme on the interior, My car has the black/beige interior. They just do not go together at all. The windows could use some color to them as well.

• 

  Great Beach Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Beach Boomer - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Fantastic beach cruiser for retired baby boomers. Great looks! More agressive looks than previous model years. Inferno red with tan top turns heads. Surprising ride with a larger car feel. Ride is quiet and tight. Build quality thus far seems very good. Very little cowl shake. Fuel mileage is very good. If in the market for a convertable, dont pass this one by.

• 

  1 of the best cars ived owned - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By blkgt - July 5 - 11:26 am

  The gt had very good bones! I have added heart throb 2&1/2" duals k&n filter ,jet performance chip, MB spark wheels, mini antenna, sound deadening, rear fender inter liners,and removed a little chrome, also replaced the goodyear factory tires with hankook, also installed heat shield for the spare tire. The duals and wheel&tire changes were best. 24.9 mpg to L.A. 25.1 on return. mixed hwy and city. Lots of room for Art easels and large picture frames. Chose GT over Magnum for usable space and performance. Magnun was a hemi but had power robbing 22 in. wheels.

• 

  California Fun in My PTeaser - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By NewtonUSA - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive had mine 3 months and love it. I moved up from a smaller four cylinder so my Cruiser has plenty of power when tied to the 5-speed manual. I never was the racing type anyway. Gets me where Im going in style and when you red- line it I cant see the real need for more power unless you want to spend more time at the gas pump!! Get one, you wont regret it!!

• 

  i love it - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Andy Hoaglund - July 4 - 1:23 pm

  this car is awesome it looks great rides great and you can customize it in alot of different ways its amazing...i would buy one if i were you

• 

  Love it love it love it - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Reta - July 4 - 10:46 am

  The first day I picked my Pacifica up I had to take a trip 5 hours one way. It was wonderful. My three year old daughter fell alseep instantly on the test drive as well and nothing was working to get her to go to sleep. That won me over.

• 

  Poor Mans BMW - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By mgkeane - July 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is a great combination of power, size, interior comfort and all-around convenience. The cab-forward design makes for an incredibly roomy cabin, with a back seat thats finally one that could be considered comfortable for an average adult. Tremendously fun to drive

• 

  300 M great car for the price - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By moparman - July 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is big inside. My parents were able to sit comfortably in the back with a car seat in the middle. The styling is still eye catching. Outside of a few minor electrical bugs in the beginning this car has been great. Chysler took care of everything and stood behind their product even when the dealer was giving us a big run around. The chysler customer service puts you first not their dealer, nice for a change.

• 

  the car is fine. the dealer sucks. - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By MWHITE - July 2 - 2:00 am

  The car has been reliable, but, at 36,070 miles,an injector goes bad and the dealer wont even look at it under warranty. Ride and comfort and noise and weather buffering are excellent, Roomy convertible. Small V6 gets you there just fine. My wife looks good in it.