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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  Sebring Sedan LX - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By rosebud - October 5 - 10:00 am

  This is my 5th new car and my favorite by far. Excellent value, good looks, snappy performance.

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  Had it for ~6 months and loving it! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By trbenedict - September 30 - 4:06 am

  I was determined to own a convertible before I was 30. Financially, the choice fell between the new 2005 PT Cruiser and the 2005 Mustang (new design). Both are comparably priced, but the test drive sold me on the Cruiser. It handles very well, and actually has enough room to seat 4 average sized adults comfortably! Im 510 and my husband is 6 tall, but weve never had a problem with head or elbow room. Also, the Cruiser seats the driver higher off of the road. The seats are more like captains chairs than bucket seats. The only problem we have is that the fuel economy is comparable to a small truck, like the Ford Ranger than any car its size. We accept this because it solidly built

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  Car is nice but needs more spice - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By lori feldman - September 29 - 1:26 am

  The car is fun to drive but lacks in some amenities. I miss having electronic seats and stereo controls on the wheel. Also miss having electronic gas countdown miles to empty. The converrtible top is hard to close, I have to hang on it to clip it back in place. The car has the worst turning radius that Ive ever encountered. I have to make 3 pt turns all day!

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  New owner - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Derek - September 28 - 3:10 pm

  Not having the vehicle long does not exclude my appreciation for its style, beauty, and performance. I love the powerful V8 slowly building to its full potential instead of the turbo jolt most modern higher HP engines deliver. The center console could use a more technological touch, but overall the features are rich and reachable.

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  I wish....... - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By new_car_blues - September 28 - 10:00 am

  The car drives OK except for the noise. I have three kids and it has to be loud for me to hear in the car. There is a sever flapping noise at 60- 70MPH under the hood. As it turns out it is the fender wells are not secured and flapping around. They tried to fix... still trying. If you roll down one rear window the buffeting noise is at the threshold of pain. Is sounds like the wheel is comming off.

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  PT Dream Cruiser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Vera Conner - September 28 - 10:00 am

  I have found that the Dream Cruiser is the most fun car I have owned in over 20 years (besides the 1984 Chrysler Mark Cross Convertible that I still own). Its fun to drive and listen to the Sirrus Radio.

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  FUN CAR TO DRIVE - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By MIKEP - September 28 - 10:00 am

  I CANT IMAGINE PAYING MORE MONEY FOR ANY OTHER CONVERTIBLE. I GUESS IF YOU HAVE MORE MONEY THAN SENSE!THIS CAR IS A BLAST TO DRIVE AND I THINK IT LOOKS AS GOOD AS ANY OTHER RAGTOP WITHIN 20 GRAND.I GOT THE RED PEARLCOAT AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL.THE RIDE AND HANDLING IS ABOVE WHAT I EXPECTED.PLENTY OF TRUNK ROOM AND IT SEATS FOUR VERY COMFORTABLY.EXCEPTIONAL VALUE!

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  What a disappointment - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Travis Culver - September 24 - 5:13 am

  There are lots of high reviews for the PT...this is not one of them. This thing LOVES the shop, rocks and gas stations. In the 3 years weve owned it, it has had 3 of 4 window motors replaced, approx. 8 windshileds (no, not kidding) a rebuilt transmission, squeaky brakes, a bad EGR valve, and malfunctioning fog lights. Even though my wife and I love the PT for its looks and functionality, we are sick and tired of the cost of gas and the trips to the shop. If the tranny hadnt one bad less that 500 miles within its 70,000 mile warranty, we would have been in for $3,000+ in repairs. Wish I could say better things about a car we had high hopes for, but just wishing wed never bought it.

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  Perfection - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By c/o - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Its abeautiful car with lots of features. looking inside reminds me of the benz so much. It needs just a little bit more speed and the front grill has to be refined it needs to look a little more pretty than that.

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  I love it! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By kbp - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I went from a PT Cruiser to the Pacifica. I love the look & style of this car. The interior is very quiet, love the stereo system & while I thought the DVD player was unneccesary I must say it keeps four kids very quiet!