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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  Worst Money Pit Ever - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mw - July 27 - 12:43 am

  I bought this car with low mileage as a dealer shuttle car. I figured since the dealer used it to simply shuttle people back and forth it would be reliable. Wrong, even the best mechanic couldnt save the horrible reliability of Chrysler. I have spent over $3500 in repairs to keep the car from over heating and to regulate the engine fans. My mechanic said he sees this all the time on Chrysler cars. No wonder this company cant stay afloat. I will never ever buy another Chrysler again. Thanks for making the WORST American made cars around. Stick to Ford.

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  Tranny at 65K - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By MDH - July 24 - 1:50 pm

  I like my cruiser, but I feel leery of the reliability. Ive replaced the control arm bushings at 50K miles(known problem) and now the transmission went at 65K miles. Luckily the tranny was covered under the 7/70K warranty for a $100 deductable. Just an FYI for anybody buying a used one, Chrysler will let you register the car for warranty coverage even if you are not the original purchaser(I’m technically #4). I registered mine right after I bought it in 12/08. Just call them and say you want to register. Might just be the 7/70 warranty (2003-2004), so check. Im not sure I would buy another one, especially when I drive about 20K miles a year.

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  head turner - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By earlthepearl - July 24 - 2:00 am

  What is there to say about this car after you have seen it? We endure the archaic German "appointments" because the car is so attractive. The ride is barely smoother than a skateboard, but who cares? We paid $1425 for all season tires, because the factory rubber is similar to racing slicks, & would promote off-roading in the winter. The Crossfire is way too much fun to drive.

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  Great car@affordable price - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Seagreeneyedlady - July 24 - 2:00 am

  This is my second sebring convertable.. I love the car the way it handles the affordability and the open air drives on beautiful sunny days. It has a sleek yet not too classy look to it. Any one looks great!!!! Driving a Sebring

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  Good job chrysler - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By dba - July 23 - 2:26 am

  As a typical hater of american made vehicles, I astounded myself by taking a double take the first time I saw this amazing vehicle. At the time I was riding in my german made suv which I had just purchased. When my wife started to complain that she needed a new vehicle, I jumped at the opportunity to own this vehicle. For the money outstanding vehicle. Since its my wife car, the engine size is adequate. Ive added a number of aftermarket features which has added trememdously to the overlook of the already classy looking vehicle. Just looking at the vehicle not many people will know that this car is a base model. We love it.

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  Cant wait for summer - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By fred64 - July 22 - 2:00 am

  What a suprise. A solid, quiet ride from a convertible! With features like roomy back seat, glass rear window, tight handling and peppy engine, it feels more like a sports sedan. Of course that feeling will disappear in a few weeks when temp hits 65 and above. Then the top comes down and the real fun begins -- cant wait.

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  PT pity - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By why pt - July 22 - 2:00 am

  2002 Ltd has 7000+ mls on it. Sure it has a lot of features for the price, but what is with the build quality? Drivers window rattles from day one. About 3000 mls lower dash lights stopped working. At 7000 mls the vehicle rolled backwards in park with key out of the ignition. And most recently I had an accident from brake problems at highway speed. But Chrysler had a special investigator look it over and he said he couldnt find any error codes. So in his opinion there is nothing mechanically wrong with it. Good for him, he can have the car. I will NEVER drive it again. I am trading it in, and it looks like Chrysler is unwilling to help me at all. How very Ford/Firestone of them.

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  Wheel Bearings @ 60k - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bob - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Have to replace both front wheel bearings & rotors @60k! $700+. Never had to do this on any car Ive owned. Cant find the horn to repair it, weird. Otherwise car is alright for basic transportation. Hopefully no more expensive repairs.

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  Watch out - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By PortlandORCodyH - July 19 - 2:16 pm

  I love my CrossFire, but it has been in the shop four times now for the transmission. It pops out of first gear. Not all the time, about every 100-200 miles it will just pop out. Everytime I take it in, the dealership trys to tinker with something else. IT would be easier to just replace the transmission. Now im told "Star" has no more sugestions since there unable to duplicate the problem. So I paid $39k for a car that pops out of gear. All I can do now is take legal action for Chrysler to fix/replace/buy back the car. If you have a choice, buy the automatic. I know its not as much fun. I plan on buying an automatic once this gets resolved.

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  Young looks and fun - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By george - July 19 - 5:40 am

  A very sporty young looking vehicle with excellent road handling qualities, some lack of confort due to the performance low profile tires which is normal.Try it you will love it.