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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  reiview of all the concorde reviews - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By helen - July 3 - 10:47 am

  We purchased our concorde new with only 7 miles on it. After reading all the previous reviews it is funny because I can agree with all of them. I love the style , comfort and size of the car. Also through out the 12 years of ownership have had to go through the AC problems Chrysler dealers could never get it right but another private mechanic fixed the problem something with the thermostat once that was taken care of ir only requires the normal TLC since it is a big engine and takes midgrade gas we are going to trade it in when the gov. CARS program is official it qualifies. I will miss it great sound system , great on the turnpike, and roomy enough to keep kids happy on long trips

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  Love in Bloom - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By LLG - July 3 - 1:56 am

  I really love this car. It is fun fun fun to drive and I love fussing over it at home like I was seventeen again and its 1969. The dealership was totally awesome..no pressure they didnt know they were making a sale by leaving me alone with this beauty. The ease of the top is great and makes it accessible at a moments notice. I named mine "The Last Hurrah!!" Also the PT cruiser itself never really did much for me...but this convertable just said we were made for each other!!!

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  Jivedoggys 2002 PT Review - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jivedoggy - July 2 - 8:20 am

  I love my PT Cruiser! 2002 Limited Edition with 4A trans. Even with the automatic, its quite peppy and fun to drive. The only bummer about my PT is the crappy gas mileage. I ran out of gas in Pasadena at 273 miles (for those with poor math skills, thats about 17 miles to the gallon)! I have yet to get over 20 mpg and Ive been watching my foot.

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  Best Car I have Owned! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Andy - July 2 - 8:06 am

  I purchased my 300 Limited just 2 weeks ago and LOVE this car! The stylish exterior to the wonderful smooth ride you cant ask for a better car in the low to mid $30s. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a large sedan.

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  Love my LHS - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Kay - July 1 - 2:34 pm

  My Chrysler has been such a reliable vehicle and the design is great. Even though it is now 9 years old, it does not look or feel like a dated car. It is the most comfortable ride - for driver and for passengers.

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  Love My Crossfire Convertible - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Crossfire Lover - July 1 - 12:14 am

  Since my drive home from the Dealership in August 2004, I still love my Crossfire. I got the Pearlcoat Yellow exterior color with black leather seating. When driving on City streets or the Highway, I still get thumbs up from other drivers. The Mercedes engine gives it wonderful power and "super get up and gone". The Mercedes suspension handling is first-class and the ride is always a thrill. Lots of sensors, 3 braking systems, 18 and 19 inch tires, beautiful looking engine and a sexy as heck exterior design. And with all that, it is a totally fun car to drive. Try one and see.

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  HEMI!!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By R.D. - June 30 - 10:00 am

  great, great, look , everyone who sees it tries to figure out what im drivinr....., can ya say Hemi????

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  King of the Road - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By dbd - June 30 - 10:00 am

  GM & Ford better go back to the drawing board. Chrysler is onthe come back, BIG TIME.

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  Sweeeeeeeeet! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By mochamixx1 - June 30 - 10:00 am

  Attention getter! This is an awesome car.

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  The best care for your money - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Kenneth Ison - June 30 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best care any one can wish for hope for and have. We purchased this car 3weeks ago, we have 2 other vehicles and we havent been in them since. The car is very roomy and the style of the car is awsome, we get so many complaments on the car we get looks questions all the above, my fiance was going to buy a BMW before I saw this car and told him he better not, I took him to the dealer and that was all she wrote. This car is the bomb I love it, I love it, I love.