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:

• 

  Geat car? not with this engine - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Bilko - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I drove a 300 base in California. Thoughout San Francisco it was fine, but out on the twisty roads of Highway 1, the 2.7 liter was hopeless. If I had a Dollar for every time the engine changed down to maintain an average speed, I would never have to work again. To put a 2.7 4 cam in a 3700lb car is aksing for trouble. It would not be so bad if it was a smooth engine. Gas milegae was poor as so much time were spent in the lower gears. Therefore, go for the 3.5, which should be the standard engine anyway. The stalks around the steering wheel are ergonomically poor. Plus points: Fantastic combination of road holding, suspension and ride. Brakes are brilliant too. The shape is beautiful too

• 

  Bigs good, littles--not as much - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By OverlordR - November 7 - 7:53 pm

  I bought my PT GT used with about 37k miles. After the dealer performed a realignment the handling became quite good. I have been in a few low-speed front impact accidents, and the car has protected me quite well and been repairable. In a region of weather extremes (-20 to 105 degrees), I have never once been unable to start my car, outside of my effort to stretch more time out of my battery (college student). I commute to school, about 800 miles a week the last year, and the PT GT is quite an able speeder; it merges quickly and confidently on the highway and can hold 80 mph at a mere 2500 rpm. Much of the car is rock-simple, but the vitals (engine, drivetrain) are rock solid as well.

• 

  I used to love it . . . - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By vikki - November 6 - 6:30 am

  I got my Cruiser almost 2 years ago. I fell in love with its appearance. It is comfortable and great for traveling. I also loved that the seats can fold down or be taken out completely. One time wed went on a trip and were able to fit my 2 Dobermans, 2 mountain bikes, and 4 suitcases very comfortably in the back! I love the way the interior looks and I like that the passengers in the backseat have access to the window controls. It is a 2001 model, but I am getting a new car because in the 2 years that I have owned it there have been several problems, such as: replacing the head gasket, air conditioning went out twice, and now my dimmer lights turn on by themselves and run the battery dead.

• 

  gt cruser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By geen - November 6 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive,excellent power

• 

  Great car except fuel - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By SRT-6 - November 4 - 3:21 am

  I purchased my Crossfire in May. It is able to drive for everyday use but only for the riches, because the fuel consumption is less more than 17 L/100 km.

• 

  Fedup with Run Around - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Sandy and El - November 2 - 10:11 am

  Love the style and handling of this car, BUT problems started with blown fuses/bulbs, AC wouldnt get cold, headlights blow when weather turned cold (replaced 3). Pinging started, engine light came on (code P0405, cyl misfire). Chrysler recommended detonation process (remove carbon from valves),no help. Several more visits with engine light on (same code), found a crack in head gasket. Replaced head gasket(Aug 05, 8,000+ miles). More visits for blown fuses--wire burned at muffler, replaced front control module. Jun06 started having bad vibration in gas pedal and engine light on again. Removed carbon again-- 99.9% sure fixed, 2 days later vibration back. Currently pursuing lemon law.

• 

  Rattles, Ticking, ohhh my.... - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Donna - October 27 - 9:11 pm

  This was my second Sebring Convertible. I loved my 1999 so much, my next car had to be the same. BIG MISTAKE! I have had this car in to have the roof worked on over a dozen times. The roof is loud and there is a constant ticking coming from multiple locations. There are multiple "loose parts" in the door that sounds like a hanger banging back and forth and the windows rattle along with a vent on the dash that rattles. Ive had the car in the shop more than in my garage. They could simply replace the roof (theyve taken it off enough times)but insist on trying to repair it with no improvement. The car looks nice, but its cheaply built.

• 

  I love my PT, but - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dawn - October 27 - 7:20 pm

  As soon as I saw the first PT, I fell in love and knew I had to have one. I do love my PT, the stylin retro body and the cool interior features make this a very fun vechicle.

• 

  2005 Pac Signature Series AWD - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Roundup - October 25 - 6:16 am

  Excellent car, but as usual, poor visiblility out of back glass. Height is way too low on all armrest. Gas mileage is subpar. Needs to be able to toggle average miles per gallon. HID lights are nice for flat roads, but not on twisty roads. Too isolated of a beam. Seats need be longer.

• 

  My first new car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By C.R. MAIKRANZ - October 24 - 11:46 pm

  The 2006 chrysler, base , 300, is a beautiful car. It`s styling is outstanding. It lacks in the performance dept. With the engine, in my opinion, too small, 2.7 V6. Fuel economy is not as advertised, and the transmission leaves a lot to be desired. I like to use 2 nd. Gear a lot in winter. This can not be be done on this car. Otherwise it is a lot of car for the money. Hope chrysler changes that poor winter time transmission though. If i had noticed a little earlier, i may have had second thoughts on that issue. All in all, it is a very nice car.