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:

• 

  Its better than you would think - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By thebigbm - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive been driving a saphire silver blue one for a week. I was able to get one for $2K under sticker so dont fall for the dealers who are still trying to get $2K OVER sticker. The overall driving experience is very good. The Crossfires interior and exterior design and finish is superior to the 350Z the Infiniti. The engine is fine but it doesnt have anywhere near an M3s or a 350Z "push you back into your seat" power. The rear view visibility is limited and Im still raising the spoiler wing while I parallel park in order to get some perspective. Still, for 33-35K youll be the coolest kid on your block for at least a model year or two.

• 

  An Economy Luxury Vehicle - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By MikeInCA - November 17 - 6:52 pm

  The 4 cyl Sebring is an attractive if somewhat basic car. The interior is well designed and presents well. Its cruise control, remote entry/trunk release and power locks/windows/mirrors provide the basic luxury youd expect, but thats about it. The MP3 stereo is a nice touch. The MPG is as advertised. There is a recall on a part that can cause a high pitch whine while driving, though its not advertised anywhere (my car has 24k miles on it). The 4 cyl is surprisingly spunky, offering some thrill factor, but not off the line. The 2007 Sebring 4 cyl offers basic luxury in an attractive package for a reasonable price. In todays gas market, its not a bad alternative to the V6s.

• 

  A Solid and Fun Drive ... We love it !!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jon & Shari - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Although we have only driven our "tourer" for about 1000 miles, we have thus far pretty much loved every inch of it. Although we would still pick the MDX/ML350/RX/XC90 for quality, we fell in love with the stylish & slick design of the Pacifica. The other makes just looked like any other SUVs out there for our taste. Our only misgivings are not enough horse-power when needed, poor radio reception and too much problems with the the climate controls that we have read and experienced.

• 

  Why buy Japanese? - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By john herrmann - November 12 - 8:03 am

  This vehicle has been in the shop once in 11 years for a minor repair other than normal service. I have consistently gotton 28 to 30 mpg and it handles as well as most sports cars. I have driven everything with 4 to 18 wheels and cannot understand paying 30 to 45 thousand for bells and whistles when this car can still be purchased in the low 20s.

• 

  10 Month Review - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By LtdOwner - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Only one problem: extremely high wind noise with the top up. A low roaring wind noise comes through the top front and a whistling noise from around the windows. Sounds like youre at the airport watching jets take off! Loud wind noise is due to poor seal with the top front clips and the rubber seals around the windows not sealing tightly. Dealership adjusted windows and the top front clips which greatly reduced the noise but it came came back after a few days of driving. Its actually quieter driving with the top down! Before you buy take it down the freeway with the top and windows up to make sure yours doesnt also sound like youre in a wind tunnel.

• 

  Sebring Convertible - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Vince - November 7 - 10:00 pm

  Ive only owned the vehicle for a few months (it was a present for my wife) but Ive enjoyed the simplicity of the dashboard and the leg room in the front. I cant wait until the spring to put down the top on a regular basis. The cost versus other comp. cars is what impressed me along with the style of the car. Its sleek and not boxy. More like on the jaguar line.

• 

  California Pacifica 2004 AWD Loaded - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By PATRASK - November 5 - 2:35 pm

  We have owned this vehicle since it first came out in early 2003. It had always had some annoying suspension clunks on braking, and the dealer tightened something and that went away for a while. While on a trip down To San Diego with four people in the car, it had a connecting rod loosen and started making the expected clunk, clunk, getting louder as we neared the final resting place, a gas station. We had it towed back 75 miles to Irvine to the dealer. The vehilce was under extended warranty and had only 58,000 miles on it, was properly maintained at the dealer. Wouldnt do it again.

• 

  ? - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By dottie - November 4 - 10:00 am

  my car keeps cutting off when I makea a complete stop. I have took it back to the dealer ship 3 times, and they can not find anything wrong with it. I am driving the same kind of car while they are trying to fix mine. the car that i am driving now keeps cutting off on me while I am driving.

• 

  Fun but pricy - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By elljay - November 4 - 10:00 am

  it is a head turner. performance is ok with the 170hp turbo. very good seats for long drives. fuel economy is not very good even with careful driving. interior design is good. exterior is very nice,good lines. quality is ok. the fabric used feels like velcro on skin. reliability is yet to be determined.

• 

  Good thing baby - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By tom - October 30 - 2:19 pm

  I really love this car. I have had it for a year and a half and like it more now than day 1. Car is solid and very quiet for a convertible. I have had nothing at all go wrong in the 37,000 miles of ownership