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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  AWESOME!!!!!! - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Scott - January 9 - 5:19 pm

  I have had this car now for 6 years and still going strong at 255,000 MILES. Other than routine maintenance I have never had much trouble with it. After 3 deer and a chevy pickup and 255,000 miles still going strong!! I am looking for another one with lower miles prefer another silver one but would consider other than gold.

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  Best car Ive ever owned (had many). - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Meyetch - January 9 - 10:24 am

  I bought this Sebring from a dealer as a "Program Car" with 18K miles on it and used it to cover a 9-State sales territory as a consultant until I retired from that a few years ago hence the high miles. It is currently garaged and seldom driven. Ive had zero problems from this car and intend to keep it forever.

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  I love this car - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Daniel - January 8 - 7:26 pm

  Best, most comfortable car Ive ever owned. Minor irritations: headlight seals, bass speakers, overheats if stands too long, one window motor, occasional short in interior lights brightness dial (and so headlights blink), A/C leaks, trunk supports died, bolts and knobs appear on the carpet. But solid on the road, peppy, smooth ride, looks great after 10 years, leather still in great condition. 14.5 mpg town, up to 33 mpg highway (flat road, no passengers). Had to have the rims specially treated so the seals wouldnt leak. I have 127,000 miles on it and its still a great car. I just wish it had held its value as well as it has held its style.

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  A real surprise - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Don_B - January 8 - 8:01 am

  I bought this car at the Chrysler dealership in Tupelo, MS so a road trip was in order just to get home. The ride was extremely comfortable for the 3.5 hour trip. The average gas mileage (Most of trip driven between 70~75mph) was 23.8 mpg. Second trip to In-Laws resulted in as average gas mileage of 24 mpg. This particular car came off of a Chrysler Lease and had 20,137 mile on it. The fit and finish in this car are excellent and road noise is only moderate (belief that this is due to the type of tires). Power is very good, and transmission shifts cleanly. The car came with about 90% of all options and we had the Factory DVD installed. Since we have had it, two road trips - No issues

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  Fantastic vehicle - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By Alex Povolotski - January 7 - 8:01 pm

  Drove 3000 miles in it in winter time across Canadian border over a couple of weeks. Didnt have any technical issues but for one -- tachometer needle went all the way around the dial and then came back to normal in an instant. That happened on several occasions. Electrical problem, I assume. It didnt rev the engine though, just the needle behaved strangely. Very large full-size (finally!) real American vehicle. Drives fantastic! Cushy ride. Rides on Merc undercarriage actually. Smooth and seamless power delivery. Chryslers and Dodges are actually known for their powerful engines. Very stylish and comfortable car to drive.

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  A problem no one can fix - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bob - January 7 - 7:20 pm

  When first starting my 2008 Pacifica, it sounds like the starter remains engaged with the flywheel for a few seconds. More so when cold than subsequent attempts. Starter replaced, problem not solved. Dealership is now saying the power steering fluid maybe thickening up due to the cold weather and the power steering maybe causing noise. Find this hard to believe for a car with less than 25k (or at all). Had other problems (tie rod, brakes, rattling noise in the interior) since purchasing vehicle with 18+k miles on it. Too many for a such a newer vehicle in my opinion.

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  Owned for 5month and nothing but trouble - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Joe - January 6 - 11:10 pm

  04 Chrysler Sebring V6 2.7l Bought this car to be the third owner of it(now I understand why that guy sold it after owning it for 7 month) got a very good deal on it but it also needed quite a few repairs(fluids were leaking, wheel bearings needed to be replaced, power windows and power locks didnt work) got that all fixed...after a while the oil light comes on(was apparently a sensor that needed to be replaced) a month later the engine just stops shifting gears when the temperature drops to a certain point...got that fixed and finally, after new year, my car doesnt start at all...something was wrong with my starter. gonna try to sell as soon as its outta the shop

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  Little known great ride - 1990 Chrysler Imperial
  By PAE - January 6 - 7:31 pm

  Overall great car. Perfect size for family of 5. Rear seat/leg space just comparable-or better- than Crown Vic. 15" wheels would have been better choice. Aquired car w/ 90000 miles & ran it another 100000. Air suspension gave out & replaced w/ New Yorker suspension. Elegant body design w/ high level interior. Would have kept it longer had there been a need for a 3rd car. Ample trunk space w/ handy air compressor for emergencies.

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  Awful - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By Hated it - January 6 - 6:47 pm

  We bought our car in 2006. Our biggest problems have been....in order to get to the battery, you have to jack up the car and take the front wheel off You cant possibly change the headlight bulbs yourself the brake lines went the front drivers side seat broke the gas gage broke the headlights have to have the scratches buffed out at least once a year the check engine light never came on untill the day the engine went...no warning oh, and the windsheild design makes you feel sick when you drive it.

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  Why Chrysler is Bankrupt - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By David - January 6 - 1:28 pm

  This a horrible example of why Chrysler almost went out of business. This car has little power and was built with the cheapest parts they could find to forestall bankruptcy. The rotors will need to be replaced under 20000 miles. If you need roadside service, be prepared to wait several hours past the time allotted as the vastly reduced number of dealers is completely overburdened by volume of calls from their unreliable cars. Go buy a Ford or GM if you want an American car - you will be much happier in the long term.