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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  SWEET - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Flukeyduke - May 1 - 2:00 am

  After 4 years the LHS still turns heads. My experience has been a pleasant one. I have two sons that are both over 6 ft. and weigh more than 300lbs. The LHS transports us back and forth to colleges in comfort and with ease. Inclement weather does not pose a problem due to the LHS traction control. The 2000 LHS has many of the conveniences that are present in the new 2004 300.

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  Topless Nut - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By highlandgolfnut - May 1 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! Sure, there are some things that I wish were better designed, and I would like to get a little more performance out of a car that looks so good, but for the price I paid for a four year old convertible that was in perfect condition inside and out, you have to give up a little. I get comments everywhere I go about what a great car I have(especially in supermarket parking lots). An added bonus is that I can fit my weekly foursome AND four sets of clubs in the car, something I couldnt do in a Mustang, Camaro/Firebird, BMW, or Solare!

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  Sports Car with Class - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Elbartosr - May 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car for the sporty yet classy look not because it had a Mercedes powertrain. Definetly draws a crowd. The car is quick, 215 HP, but not up to newer V6 HP levels. The fun to drive factor makes up for lack of power. Ended up buying it over the ugly 350Z. Ive had no vehicle problems at all including those the earliest built cars had. You end up wading through alot of dealer B.S. to try to buy one. Id hate to see the non 5 star dealers. I dont find the "lack of rearward visibility" to be an issue while driving. Only when trying to back out of a parking space.

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  pikerh in Homestead - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By pikerh - April 27 - 2:00 am

  Excellent open air car...if you dont mind the 18-19 mpg range economy. Very dependable only a few electrical problems. Cloth top very nice.

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  Pretty good car. - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jstransam - April 25 - 10:00 am

  My girlfriend just bought this car in Aug. and Ive drove it often and its a nice car. I took it to the coast and I had a great ride I would recommend this car to anyone who likes convertibles.

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  No more luxury cars for me - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Angela - April 22 - 4:43 pm

  This car suits my needs perfectly. I had an Expedition, but it was too big. A van, but it was a VAN, luxury sedans, but I felt I had to be so neat and careful in them. This car is huge inside, tons of leg room, when using the autostick, you get a lot more get up and go and can zip in and out of traffic much better! I love that if I leave lights on, it shuts them off. DVD system separate from CD system ROCKS...

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  satisfied with vehicle - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By deuce - April 22 - 2:00 am

  car has space of a vehicle twice its size and drives like a car half its size. Overall very fun to drive. Handles great for its size. Auto-stick is fun but takes some getting used to. visibility over truck is very limited.

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  My 300M - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By PenJay - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I love my 2003 300M exceptional car

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  Eventual suspension creaking - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Robert Walinchus - April 20 - 9:33 pm

  After 4 years of driving, overall great fun and sexy looking. Unique shape stands out, especially with red paint.

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  Mopar Fan - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By wplets - April 20 - 2:00 am

  Ride is a little hard, as well as road noise in this LX version. Transmission began slipping in first 6 months, dealer replaced some pump, now doing same again. Had a 98 Cirrus with similar problem, but not until 85k.