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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  Love my Van - 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
  By dsskater - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This is my 4th Chrysler Minivan. I like the way it handles and the way it pulls my camper with ease. I have the V6 3.3 engine with a tow package. The only drawback I have is the interier has a few rattles in it and the front and side cup holders are not deep enough for larger cups, as in fast food cups. I have had both Caravan and Voyager minivans and I liked them both. I would buy another one.

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  So far Sooo Good! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sunkissed! - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car last July and Im lovin it! Its quick, nimble and has power to spare... Its really a head turner... Hope i feel the same when the warranty expires!

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  An excellent car for the money - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By JAC - May 27 - 10:38 am

  I have wanted one ever since I saw the unveiling in 1998. In 2004 I was finally able to purchase one. The car was everything I expected. The overall performance is quite good for a V6 powered car of its size. As a daily driver, I cannot think of any other car that could be better except for a new hemi 300. My only gripe has been having to repair the AC (an expensive procedure), and various sensors going bad over the years). The car has only left me stranded once when the battery died. I feel that most of the problems with these cars comes down to lack of maintenance, either by the current owner or the previous owners. Take care of the car and it will take care of you.

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  Great car with a lil TLC - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Steve - May 27 - 8:29 am

  Very dependable car with no large repair expenses, but I also do 90% of my own repairs. I love the 3.5 engine. Most issues after 60,000 miles, standard r/m in my opinion, except the poor quality paint. 30,000-40,000 miles change plugs. At 45,000 miles, replaced hood struts. 52,000, valve cover gaskets. 80,000 miles, EGR valve, solved drivability issue. Found spark plug tubes cylinder 2 & 4, not sealed at bottom, allow oil on top of plugs, removed tubes and applied RTV red sealant. Subframe bushings, sway bar struts, inner tie rod bushings at 90,000. For preventive maint, at 100,000, I replaced all 4 o2 sensors, fuel injectors, coil packs, wires and plugs. Easy car to work on for the DIY.

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  hey - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By derek - May 26 - 6:21 pm

  I bought my 300m with 44,000 miles on it. It now has 126,000. Its been alright but this past year stupid things have been happening. I had to replace my tie rods twice in 4 years. My rear doors locks are screwed up. My struts in the front end are bad. I think my muffler is ripped. Its all wear and tear stuff. Nothing Major. I have maintained it very well. Tune ups oil changes brakes. Its never left me stranded on the side of the road. Overall its an ok car. Not great but I hope it last another 3 4 years.

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  Extremely Pleased - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Vincent Black Shadow - May 26 - 10:07 am

  Traded an 03 Town & Country that served us very well. Couldnt be more pleased with the Pacifica as a replacement. Refined and quiet, well done interior and great performance for a vehicle of this size. Havent had it long enough to judge the fuel economy but Im really not concerned. This is a very well made and well thought out car. Not to mention 30% off sticker from a dealer that was on the "list".

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  Lemon Pt-Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Pt-cruiser :( - May 26 - 9:50 am

  since I purchased this car, all Ive had is problems. -1st the door took air and was very noisy, had it looked at 5 times to be told, that Id have to like with it. -The the door take in water when in a carwash or when in heavy rain - Had had constant noise with the motor and of course when you take it in does not do it for them, grrr - Brakes needed to be changed 4 times - the bouching its a suspensing thing twice - I had to buy the extendeed warrenty at a cost of 1200$, was less expensive to take that then the repair cost I had to place on it at a lil over 60k - then the a/c stopped working and had to get all 4 tubings replaced and had to par a 100$ detection, yada yada yada

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  Worst car I ever owned!! - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Roadmanh - May 24 - 10:20 am

  I bought my first new car in 1968 and since that time I have owned 23 new cars everything from compact to luxury, foreign and domestic.From a reliability and performance standpoint I will give it a zero and Im being kind. It is so unreliable my wife, for whom I purchased the car, will no drive it and because it performs so poorly I will not take it on a long trip.

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  Big BUCKS in GAS - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By azsummer - May 24 - 10:00 am

  We just purchased ours a few days ago, paid $34395 they sold us the extended warranty and gap insurance (dumb, right?). Paid 27355 before taxes, etc. Drives nice, stereo is OK, cloth SEATS GAVE US A RASH! We get about 7.7 miles to the gallon. NOT GOOD! We thought the mileage was better, we feel very angry, wish we could take it back because at 8 miles a gallon, its gonna cost a fortune to use! Its a mini van basically. Now I heard about a POWERTRAIN recall?? Whats that all about?? Its pretty though, but the stereo sucks. Seats itch, having the moonroof put in today - wish me luck!

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  i was wrong about this car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By cool man big car 2 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  i reported about this car before and said it was really bad but chrysler fixed them all and now its great after my lease is up im going to buy another car mabe the crossfire or the new hemi powered 300c.