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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  PT 4 ME! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Puck - February 25 - 10:00 am

  In 16 months and over 18,000 miles Ive had absolutely no problems. The utility, style and drivability of this car makes it the most fun car Ive ever had. It is indeed "too cool to categorize".

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  Design - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Thomas Alston - February 24 - 7:26 pm

  Front end is too low and scrapes underneath in parking lots where chocks are used. Also, in parking areas near buildings where cement curbing and side walks exits. I dislike the gas tank. I have spilled gasoline on several occasions. Not much room to top tank off. I like the body style, the amount of interior and cargo space. Like the accessories.

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  Problems with my 300 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By charles lewis - February 23 - 9:10 pm

  Mileage 183,000. Engine is shot, it has a broken wrist pin. Gas gauge broken, had to replace rotors every 40,000 miles, suspension has gotten weak, car sways a lot. I am having to replace the engine, total cost: $4,200. I am not a happy camper. Period. I loved this car, hope to have put 250,000 miles on it. It did not happen! Running lights are always getting hit with debris and going out

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  Fun Car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Tfjjmc - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy driving my car everyday. It has style, but still has enough room for a family. The only thing I am dissapointed in the the fuel economy on the GT turbo edition. Also, if you drive on bumpy streets, I do not recommend the 16 in low profile wheels and tires. I have replaced 2 in six months. But that is no fault of the car, it is beautiful, and runs like a top.

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  Hot Car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tallgirl - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I saw the cruiser in an add and had to have it...thank god a buddy of ours was in the car business and had one at his dealership....i sat up all night the night before we bought it and looked at it on the websight...i knew driving into the dealership the car was comming home with me...i was so pleasantly suprised by the car...we jumped in and discovered it was roomy and very comfy...and it handled really well...i was sold and am a fan and will continue to be....i have had the car for 4 months now and am very happy with my purchase....it draws attention everywhere i drive it....everyone who sees it loves it.....

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  Youll Love It! - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Peter - February 21 - 7:29 pm

  Bought this vehicle in the middle of winter and just love it! Sitting in the drivers seat is like sitting in a cockpit of a plane. I bought the hard top and there is no indication that it is a convertible when you drive it. This car is so sexy and gets a lot of looks. The My Gig system is outstanding and there are so many other great options on the limited version. I looked at Volvo and BMW and bought my Sebring Limited hard top because it is better looking and a smoother ride. Go out and get this vehicle!

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  Liked almost everything about the car - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Ken - February 20 - 3:47 pm

  I had my 300M about 1 1/2 years. It ran and handled very well. Gas mileage was good at 21-25mpg, with an avg of about 23mpg. But, what was being stated in these reviews came to light. Condenser ($700), power steering lines ($200) and front end parts needed replaced. I replaced many parts under the front end and still couldnt get rid of the clunking noise. Finally, you need to remove the front fascia to replace a simple light bulb.

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  Solid Ride - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By DreamCruising - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I was concern about the high price of this vehicle, the low crash ratings for the driver (2 stars)in the 2001 models, and the poor gas milage (20-22 mpg city). Still, I have been impressed at how well this car is designed, both in terms of space, comfort, and design-- just very artistic. In time I have come to like this car a lot--crash ratings for 2002 model are now good & milage continues to improve.

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  Fun to Drive Turns heads - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Steve Thompson - February 20 - 9:13 am

  Have been looking at this model, as well as the BMW Z4 and the 350Z, for several months. The Crossfire has the best value, with all the great rebates offered by Chrysler. Having lots of fun driving, no problems so far, looks great, and look forward to driving this car each day.

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  I love my LHS! - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Khandilipps2kiss - February 19 - 8:40 pm

  I absolutely love my LHS. Best car I have ever owned. Ive had a few repairs done. Window on drivers side, speed sensor, starter, battery, cooling fans, transmission leak (under warranty), brakes, compressor (under warranty), and a few repairs made under recalls. I have the typical things going wrong with my car also seals around the headlights bad, replaced windshield bug guard, trunk release doesnt work. Shocks to hold up trunk are out. Air leaking around rims. Dash cracking on passenger side, window on passenger side doesnt work, windshield washer fluid reservoir doesnt work, clear coat peeling horribly, Speakers in dash are rotted out. But I still love my Chrysler LHS!