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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  Buyers Remorse!! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By ITMATRS - February 10 - 12:59 pm

  Looked great, and preformed ok on the small test drive but by the time we hit the freeway the truth became clear. 1st - Road noise> lots of road noise in the cabin, reminded me of a Dodge Caliber i rented and hated!! Feels cheap and plastic 2nd - Blind Spots - small rear window with blind spots from the rear body lines - again like the Caliber <:os 3rd - Door windows are so narrow you can barely see out 4th - Cramped. Im 54" and reach the brake and gas fine but have to have my knees in the dash to get the clutch all the way in <:o| 5th - Gear gates are small! Clunks into 2nd and hard to get to 3rd w/o hitting 1st or 5th..not 4 me..<:o(

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  Love it, and love hurts! - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Albee - February 5 - 7:10 pm

  I love this car, I have owned many Chrysler/Dodges from 70s, 80s 90s and 00s. I currently own a 60 Dodge Charger R/T. This LHS is great but some of the problems included replacing trany at 142,000 miles but hey thats 10 years. Plenty of power for the freeway passing and dusting kids in lil toy cars like Hondas. Smooth but noisy and bumpy on bad roads, almost rides like a sports car and feels better in high speed corners than my Charger R/T. Gas mileage for me has been very poor really, about 16- 20 average. I do live in Seattle where there is nothing but hills. But love it, there is too much room! Only complaint in interior is there is no spot to pt cell phone.

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  Was great while it lasted - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bill - February 3 - 12:19 pm

  Purchased car originally in Nov 2004. First time we purchased American and was really hoping car would last 8-10 years. Had all the maintenance performed at regular intervals. In Dec 2009 check engine light came on. Apparently a TSB for engine sludge if car is mainly driven in city (as my wife has). Now car bucks and hesitates. Weve had it back multiple times and now have given up and purchasing a new one, as this is our people mover and the check engine light will not go off. Overall, the interior of the car was very nice. Seats were comfortable and material quality good, but after we had our third child, the 2/2/2 seating was a problem- although not Chryslers fault. Great while lasted..but

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  Cost alot to own one - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By curt - February 1 - 12:25 pm

  This car costs alot to own and maintain. At 40,000 miles new tie rod ends, then again at 90,000 miles. new lateral arms, right rear axle seal leak, transmission leak, power steering leak, and several front end alignments. I was going to give this car to my Son to drive, but I wouldnt be doing him any favors there. If you have alot of money to spend keeping this car on the road, this is the one for you.

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  my biggest mistake - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By chigalnomore - January 25 - 1:08 pm

  I wanted a car loaded that looked good and that is what i got. Too bad the car spent more time with the mechanic that being driven. I less than 2 years repalced radiator , water pump/timing chain twice cooling fan motors, starter, numerous sensors, 3 power window motors fuel pump and engine ocntrol module. I invested 5,000 in parts and repairs on top of the 5800 i spent when i purchased it new Car has been in shop for over 8 weeks with electrical problems and i am hoping to get at least 250. as is. Will never buy a chrysler product again.

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  bad problems - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By vipcrunked - January 17 - 12:18 pm

  their a po300 problem that no one can fix i replaced the following distributor, cap, rotor, egr, vac leaks, spark plug, plug wire, fuel pump, and still says po 300 dealers cant figure it out 6 garges cant figure it out and the funny thing is it run great and always has $2,500 later

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  I know why they really quit making these - 2009 Chrysler Aspen
  By Travis - January 13 - 11:38 am

  I have only put on 2000 miles on this and its been to the shop twice. And still has problems. Wont start all the time. Engine light is one, sometimes flashes (that means there is something seriously wrong and not to drive it). The ignition light flashes, going back to the shop tomorrow. Only goes 35 mph right now. My navigation system is broken again. It lasted two days. The dealership says there is nothing wrong. But then I get it and it wont start. There is not much leg room in the second row. No cargo space. If you travel you need a luggage carrier. If it didne keep breaking down I would love it, but there is always something wrong. I only have 2000 miles on it.

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  Nice to look at, frustrating to drive - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Unhappy customer - January 11 - 7:22 am

  I bought a 2008 brand new after trading in my 2001 Dodge Durango, which was bought new. I was told the Aspen was a step up. WRONG. At 22k miles it started making this loud churning/humming noise. Dealer made me buy new tires. Didnt resolve the issue. They have replaced everything that rotates and spins from drive shaft, trainy, front end, rear end .. now the steering wheel vibrates. I have never had as many issues with a vehicle than I have with this. My Durango was in the shop once for a recall. I wish I had that SUV back!

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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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  ok - 2001 Chrysler Voyager
  By turk - January 2 - 11:58 am

  bought car with 10,000 mi at 20.000 passenger power window stopped working. this van has had new stabalizer bars at 100,000 mi battery,alternator at 200.000 mi and now the transmission is shot. took my family safely around country 4 times pulling a u-haul trailer. i hate this van because i needed it just a little longer. born jan 2001 died jan 2010 cause of death transmission failure and many nagging ailments. 210,983mi.