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:

• 

  An LHS and now This :) - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By 1HappyOwner - May 18 - 9:48 am

  Well Ive had this car almost 8 years now and I have to agree that its one of the best cars Ive ever owned. I have under 60000 miles on it and no major repairs and only a few items that need attention. The black trim on the hood close to the windshield has faded and required frequent buffing. A few cracks on the drivers seat. Had to replace the climate control, easy and cheap $30 ebay part.

• 

  2006 pacifica - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Kemong - May 18 - 2:37 am

  Bought used at repo auction. Very pleased with driving and handling. Lots of room for the family. This car is fat and requires attention getting in and out of parking spaces. No problems after 7K miles of city and highway driving. Only expense so far is oil, tires and alignment. Brakes are next. No engine issues.

• 

  Money pit - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Chelsea - May 17 - 11:38 pm

  I bought my 2004 Sebring in March of 2009 with 44,000 miles on it. Ive had the car in the shop almost a dozen times during the 14 months Ive had it and have put in nearly $1,000 worth of repairs. It only has 52,000 miles on it! I had a transmission leak that was fixed five different times before it was finally solved. I have a very loud rattle coming from somewhere under the drivers side that no auto repair shop can seem to find. My spark plugs blew within months of purchasing the car and now my engine hesitates when I shift from reverse to drive. It is a good looking car, but I would never recommend this car to anyone.

• 

  Wish I Never Purchased - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By shannon - May 13 - 7:58 pm

  This was by far the worst car I have ever purchased. I have nothing but problems with this car. The blinkers dont work correctly, when I turn on the blinker the wipers come on. I have gotten it looked at a few times and still does the same thing. Like it has a mind of its own and I already had to replace the shifter on it. I could go on about problems Ive had with this car. Not a good buy at all..sorry Chrysler

• 

  Six years and still going - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Milli - May 13 - 10:28 am

  I bought my car barely used back in 2004, and Im still driving it in 2010. Nary a leak to date, with fairly minor problems...the engines been fine, but its other stuff, like the low front profile - Ive learned to be careful not to pull in too far with nose in parking - the bumper catches and pulls loose), or the comparitively fragile motor mount. My biggest complaint is the front passenger window - its temperamental. It works in cold weather but not in hot...I live in Phoenix. Enough said? All told though, its been a fun six years and Im hoping for at least a few more.

• 

  I love my LHS - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By Abouttowne - May 11 - 11:30 am

  Bought the car used and needed a bit of TLC. Beautiful lines, interior and performance. Had to change steering bushings and replace upper and lower manifold gaskets. Changed fuel rail o rings. Average mpg is 26-28. Roomy and comfortable. I love it. Better than any Lincoln or Cadillac that I have owned.

• 

  Im happy and looking for a 2nd 2004 - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By John - May 11 - 1:12 am

  Ive read the other reviews and I agree with the car having blind sides. We solved it with little oval mirrors stuck on sideview mirrors. We have actually done this to every car weve owned. My wifes pacifica has the electronic rear view mirror. If I get my own pacifica I will change that to a conventional day/night mirror.It is hard to see at night when backing up,esp with tinted windows.I would probably install back up camera. I dont think they are that costly anymore.I would love to have an Escalade or a Navigator but they are lousy on gas. The Pacifica is at least 6 mpg better and has the room I need for my 2 very large dogs.

• 

  Best Bang for the Buck - 2010 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ron - May 7 - 2:48 pm

  This vehicle with the four cylinder has excellent fuel economy. It is easy to drive and is excellent in the city or as a highway driver. The transmission is smooth. This is an improvement over the 07 Sebring I had. Chrysler has made it a lot quieter than the 07. This vehicle also has excellent crash test results.

• 

  Fun Car! - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire
  By DM - May 7 - 12:28 pm

  Sporty, looks great, overall economical, accelerates great, handles great, at less than $20K it is fantastic!

• 

  Great car - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By monkey5 - May 4 - 9:36 pm

  I have had this car from the beginning and I love it! I always get complimented by passengers. There are so many nice features- the heated seats in front and back and I can comfortably haul two adults in the third row as well. The auto liftgate is a huge help when getting groceries and the car has a really smooth ride. The entertainment options are awesome and keep the kids very happy. Great also because we can haul them and their friends without a huge road hog vehicle. Have not had any technical issues other than an electrical coil that was under warranty. Would recommend this to anyone.