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:

• 

  love my baby car! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By IMB - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I love the get up and go and the solid feeling and weight of the car. The rounded old fashion look is very appealing. You also sit higher then in the average car. I drove my cruiser in the Smokey mountains and it handled the altitude very well.

• 

  love the cruiser - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tahoelen - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I love the 2002 pt i bought new, only flaw is it should be all wheel drive as i live in snow country in tahoe

• 

  wouldnt give it up - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By speed42 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I fell in love with this car the day I saw it at the Detroit Auto Show as the Pronto Cruiser. Back then it was just a cute little two- door coupe. Before it hit the lots, it grew two doors and lots more versatility. Unfortunately it also gained a few pounds, and lost some sportiness. I wouldnt trade my stylish inferno-red hauler for anything. Its already helped me move twice. I wish Id waited for the turbo model, but Im glad I got the 5-speed and cloth instead of leather seats. Also, the optional ABS brakes have already saved my butt a couple of times. Well worth the extra bucks.

• 

  Best Car I Have Ever Owned!! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By gooma50 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  This car is my "baby"! Fun to drive, it will haul almost anything. I love the "retro" look, it reminds me of the 50s and 60s, but is so modern with all of its features. You cant go wrong, go out and buy one!!

• 

  Lacking Build Quality - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Srpass - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Drives nice. Eats a lot of gas and am concerned about the safety factor. Car feels like its made pencil thin. Nice design and interior design.

• 

  get one - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ali. - September 5 - 2:00 am

  just go out and try one yourself, you will love it.

• 

  Excellent Ride - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Sherlena - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I have been keeping an eye on the Crusier, since they brought them out waiting for a higher performance engine. After they brought out the Turbo,my husband and I decided to go try one out. I had my eye on a decked out green on with detail and the chrome wheels. We found out it was not turbo, but we tried both to compare and I do not see that much difference in regular driving. Also, the regular ran smoothier and not as rough as the turbo, I was not impressed. We ended up getting the one I had my eye on all along and I am very happy with it. It is a fun vehicle to drive.

• 

  PT Cruisin - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tequilapeg - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I love my PT Cruiser - first time I saw a car I just had to have. It is fun to drive and very comfortable. I was concerned about pick up...but it is fine for me. I do mostly city driving...but when I need to merge onto turnpikes, etc., it picks up speed much quicker than my last car (also a 4 cyl). You sit higher than the regular car but not quite as high as a van...and the PT cruiser is much easier to get in and out of. I am short and not physically agile so the vans, etc. are a hassle for me. The PT cruiser is just right for me!

• 

  LOVE THAT PT - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By JOJOHNNY2 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR HAS DONE EVERYTHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT FOR A CITY DRIVER. I LIKE IT BETTER THAN MY 1998 HONDA ACCORD.

• 

  excellent car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By 1ptfanatic - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I love my pt This car is great.In would buy this car again.Try a test drive.