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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  should have been better - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By larry neel - February 2 - 12:01 pm

  The car is a very pretty car. The inside looks very good. The quality of leather is very good. The gas mileage could be much better. You can use only one size tire and it cost $900.00 for a set of four. The brakes are really bad from the factory, and the ride is poor. The features on the car are really nice. The really bad part is how low it is in the front end.

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  This Car is CRAP! - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Vania - January 31 - 11:18 pm

  I bought this car and I have never had so many problems let alone recalls on any of my cars like I have with this one. The value of this car is very low after purchase and the Fuel Mileage is Horrid I drive a lot and commute with my family. I have had this car 2years and had 4 recalls and enough problems NOT covered by the Warranty or Extended Warranty to have placed a large down payment on another car! Not to mention its body it like plastic!! If you dont get the only changed Immediately the gas mileage is Crap. I would NEVER buy this car or a Chrysler made EVER AGAIN! The customer service is great by phone and fair at the dealer that is the only good part!

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  Wow... - 2003 Chrysler Voyager
  By Doc - January 19 - 2:48 pm

  The van had a clean carfax, low miles, and checked out fine at auto shop. However, after 1200 miles from purchase, the transmission went out, had a complete rebuild done on it. now about 1200 miles later she is going into the shop again to get the transmission rebuilt again. Also, the alternator went bad, tie rods went bad, has a new electrical issue, and has just become a pile of junk we get to pay for.

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  Awful - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By Hated it - January 6 - 6:47 pm

  We bought our car in 2006. Our biggest problems have been....in order to get to the battery, you have to jack up the car and take the front wheel off You cant possibly change the headlight bulbs yourself the brake lines went the front drivers side seat broke the gas gage broke the headlights have to have the scratches buffed out at least once a year the check engine light never came on untill the day the engine went...no warning oh, and the windsheild design makes you feel sick when you drive it.

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  Why Chrysler is Bankrupt - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By David - January 6 - 1:28 pm

  This a horrible example of why Chrysler almost went out of business. This car has little power and was built with the cheapest parts they could find to forestall bankruptcy. The rotors will need to be replaced under 20000 miles. If you need roadside service, be prepared to wait several hours past the time allotted as the vastly reduced number of dealers is completely overburdened by volume of calls from their unreliable cars. Go buy a Ford or GM if you want an American car - you will be much happier in the long term.

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  PT NOT FOR ME - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By myhoganybrown - December 25 - 5:36 pm

  I only got the car because it was the most affordable. I ended up hating this car 1 year later not because of its reliability but because of its looks. This car is definitely perfect for older people. Why anyone under 50 would drive this car is beyond me? Although, I wasnt forced to purchase, it was a regret. However, no big maintenance issues. I just think it has no sex appeal.

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  DO NOT BUY - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By angela - November 16 - 9:10 pm

  This car has been nothing but problems. Since I have bought this car in o7 it has been in the shop over 20 times. They keep finding problems but then the big problem keeps happening. When accelerating we lose all power and the car shakes uncontrollably. It has had flight recorders installed and still nothing. Still trying to resolve the issue however the dealership stinks. We have already sued Chrysler and have settled. I would never purchase a Chrysler again. Thinking about selling which will result in us losing money

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  Touring 2009 Model - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ani - November 4 - 9:07 pm

  I have to post this here because there is no place to do the 2009. Our daughter bought the new 2009 Touring Model in January. She loved it at first but it has given her nothing but grief. Bad motor mounts. Transmission knocking and dealer says that is normal. One more thing also that I cant remember. She is so disgusted. In the garage again and again.

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  water stains seats - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jane - October 19 - 8:13 pm

  This care is loud, as far as being noisy while driving on the highway. To hear the radio, you must turn it up very loud. The seats stain from water. After 3 months, this vehicle looks old and junky on the inside - come on - rain water staining seats!!!! I am not happy with this vehicle.

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  what have i done - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By robin - October 11 - 8:28 pm

  i purchased my pacifica from carmax in raleigh and it has been nothing but trouble. i purchased it on 16 aug 09 and it has been in the shop 4 times and this last time they still dont know whats wrong with it. each time i took it to be repaired the techs kept telling me the noises were normal. it took the sup of service to ride with me to tell them the noises werent normal. the car has been with them more than with me. maybe they should be making the payment.