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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  Happy so far - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Tom - September 1 - 6:31 pm

  Comfort and looks sold me. Has more room for 6 passengers than my minivan. Rides very nice and above average pick-up. Cargo area with 6 passengers is small but overall it is vesatile.

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  Great Car to impress your friends with - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Frank Smith - September 1 - 6:06 pm

  Most of my friends either have a Honda or Toyota, and they are all impressed by the quality and comfort of the car. They also like the fact it is bigger, so we can fit five much more comfortably. One thing I will say is that the V6 is lacking in low-end torque. I drove a 91 Olds before buying this car, and even though it has 40 less horses, it had better acceleration. Chrysler also needs to pay more attention to the tranny, shifts are sometimes rough.

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  Convertible Fun in the Sun - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Dave D - August 31 - 9:47 pm

  This is a fun car to drive, despite a high degree of cowl shake. The leather seats are very well done, and the vinyl panels and dash look and feel high-quality, although the faux wood dash panels look a bit tacky. The white electro-luminescent instrument displays look great, especially at night. Acceleration is modest, but can be fun when using the manual feature of the auto transmission. The 2.7 liter v6 is not a barn-burner, bu fuel economy is good, about 22 mixed city driving, 28- 29 on the freeway. It is surprisingly quiet at highway speeds. Overall quality is mediocre. Repairs were required for the tops raise/lower system, passenger door window mechanism, engine stalling at start.

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  LOVE the car, HATE the problems!!! - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Amanda S - August 29 - 1:13 pm

  I bought the car at 63,000 miles and it was 4 years old. It was alright for the first 1 1/2 years. Besides all of the wear and tear, I have had 3 transmission problems (never had to replace it, but have come close to it), the AC AND heating unit doesnt work (I have to put it on full blast for anything to come out...the first 3 settings produce NOTHING), and for the past YEAR there is this annoying beeping sound that is CONSTANT!!! Its the beep that occurs when a door is open. I have to put my radio up OVER it...4 auto technicians said they wont touch it! While the beeping is going, the locks are going crazy, and at random times, the car alarm sets off! This all started at about 85k miles.

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  Was Good While It Lasted - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By BCM - August 29 - 6:50 am

  Very nice car for the money. Ok, the negatives.. the top did not disengage easily. Once I found just the right way to turn the handle, it worked like a charm. Cruise control lever gets in the way of turn signals. Also when using cruise control it does not keep the same speed when going up hills. Needs premium fuel so make sure you have plenty of cash. Although a summer car, it was not bad in snow with the traction control and antilock breaks especially in the mountains of VA. Very nice pick up for the base V6. I am sure the SRT-6 would be radically faster. I also like the speed shift automatic. It gives more pickup faster when engaged... just make sure you remember to change gears!

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  tonies ride - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bob t - August 28 - 1:23 pm

  So far its been a pleasure. Planning first trip, Houston to Jacksonville Fl. Leaving in two days.

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  Bang for your buck - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Eric L - August 28 - 10:00 am

  If you want to impress people, just pull up in one of these babies and the Jag owner next to you will do a double take and think twice about looking at Ford again. This car is ride to get what you want as luxury for your buck. I just wish the model I had offered piviting side mirrors, power passenger seats, six disk changer, digital temp. console, an auto dim rear view mirror and last but not least Sirius Radio.

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  Love it or Leave it? - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Frank - August 27 - 9:50 pm

  After waiting over three months to take delivery of our Chrysler 300C, it finally arrived. An extremely well assembled unit, nice fits inside and out. That all lasted about three weeks,and then the problems started. With no warning whatsoever, the battery was totally dead,and were now working on number four battery! Just one electrical problem after another! More often than not, its back to the dealer so they can search for the problem. In 3-1/2 months we have managed to drive it 1349 kms (800 miles) Things such as dash warning lights (engine, ESP/BSN) inop auto wipers, inop daytime running lights and who knows whats next! Other than that, a beautiful car...wish I could drive it!

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  2002 Sebring Limited Convertible - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Richard - August 26 - 4:11 pm

  Have been looking at Chrysler Sebrings for some time as they are one of the few sporty type convertibles I can afford. I am amazed at the equipment I have on my Sebring as I own a 2000 Cadillac Deville and a 2001 Lincoln Town Car and the Sebring has all the equipment they have including all the little toys like compass, thermomitor, etc. So far, I have had a great deal of fun driving this little car. In my opinion, it is a great car for the money.

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  Good car overall - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Skip - August 24 - 12:02 pm

  I have over 157,000 miles on it and it still runs great and the AC is ice cold. I bought the car new in 2000 and like many went through brakes quickly. I had to replace brakes and rotors before 30,000 miles. Rust appeared on the hood lip within two years, but was out of warranty for miles. There was a recall on the power steering hose mine blew a year before the recall. I will be giving the car to my son soon and expect it to last a couple of more years.