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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  Why I will never buy another chrysler - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By podolj - June 11 - 2:00 am

  The power steering constantly dies, Dealership has not been able to find out why, Chrysler is no help

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  Wolf in sheeps clothing. - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Czardingus - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Recently became owner of an inferno red PT Turbo. Wow - for the unwashed who dont know the specs. of this vehicle, the actual performance is a real shock. For most, PT = cute, reliable, functional travel. You can be anonymous in the PT-filled parking lots, with only the GT badging and cool wheels seperating you from the pack. But get on the road, and you can blow doors on almost anything in the turbos price range!

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  Head Turner - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By The Islander - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Five days ago I turned in my 2000 Sebring JXI (which gave me not one bit of trouble) and am now tooling around in a 2004 Limited. With its Brillant Black Crystal Pearl Coat finish & its high shine Chrome Clad wheels it certainly has been turning the heads here in the Sunshine State. I had been very pleased with my previous Sebring but I must say this new 2004 has a better feel all the way around. Handling, ride, looks & if it gives me as many problem free miles as the previous Sebring - well for the money you just cant beat it. Its a fun Florida car & great for taking our "northern" friends out & about.

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  fun to drive - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By lastokoe - June 9 - 3:40 am

  it cuises smooth at high speed also easy to pass other cars in blink of an eye. very comfotable on long trips. my customers have made great comments about it when i pick them up.

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  better than all japanese put together - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Sean k. - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Dont just take my word for it. Go to a dealer and test drive it for yourself. My sure you have an open road in front of you when you step on the gas. I have owned just about any car you can imagine. This is one of the best if not the best one yet.

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  2005 PT Cruiser GT Turbo - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Phil - June 8 - 7:53 am

  Bought this used in 2006 when it had 4400 miles on it. It now has 20,000 miles on it. I have had no problems at all. The 220 hp motor is fun. Gas mileage can vary greatly depending on how I am driving. 65-70 gets me about 26 mpg. 80 to 85 gets about 21 mpg. It handles great and tracks great. For a small vehicle it is surprisingly quiet.

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  AWD version sits higher - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By villanpd - June 7 - 7:26 am

  AWD version which I have sits an inch or so higher than the other variants. I like the height as most SUVs do not block my view as they do in a lower sitting vehicle like a sebring (which I also have). The car is nimble for its size, corners well, and gives a great ride. Apparently, the 300 is blessed with the Mercedes Benz suspension system for a fraction of a Benz price. It also has the Benz designed transmission which is smooth and is able to be shifted manually into higher-lower gears. Nice touch that adds to the secure AWD ride on mountain roads. The exterior is great and everyone knows it. It gets lots of looks. The interior is not as impressive as you might expect, but suitable

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  car is junk. - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ptmike - June 6 - 5:26 pm

  oil leaks,oil leaks.oil leaks!!!!!!! brakes,rotors,cyl head replace!!! tires at 30000 miles. poor service from dealers & chrysler.don`t buy one!!!!!!.

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  I hate this car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By faithygirl - June 6 - 9:50 am

  I bought this car and the next day had to take it back because of it shaking. Fast forward to two years later we have had new bushings, new engine, new axle, and much much more work done to it. It still shakes in third gear they cant seem to fix it and it is not a normal shake the original dealer that we bought it from has finally said it is normal and wont have anymore to do with it. We have bought two other cars just so we dont have to drive this one anymore This is by far the worse car i have ever driven.

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  The PLAGUE - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By pjr - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Youll become close friends with the service department(quarterly visits the norm). Everything has been repaired/replaced: Engine,trans, rotors,computer twice A/C four times window, ragtop,water pump twice. The word is out! This nicely styled car has zero resale value.The extended warranty is done and so am I. I would rather walk than own another Chrysler family product again.