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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  Solid Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By JTJ - March 27 - 10:33 am

  I am 6 3" and drive quite a bit so I wanted something comfortable. The front seats are rooomy.. But they could be softer and more comfortable. My friend has a BMW 535xi and those seats are like sitting in a recliner. Soft and supportive. So, on long trips, I def tend to get a little stiff in the back and my leg hits the door and the door should have a little padding there.. Not hard plastic. Its not a luxury vehicle, but its a solid, dependable car for me so far.. Dealership cleared up a few issues that could have been costly, but they said it was a manufacturing error and fixed it all for 100 deductible even though I didnt extend the warranty. Thats service.

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  I got one of the few good ones - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Ken N - March 27 - 10:33 am

  I got lucky. I have had only one tow bill for this car and it was for a tank of bad gas. The car is really picky about the quality of gas you put in it. I drive about 120 miles a day and get around 27 MPG. Yes the windows stick in the summer. (use baby powder between the rubber seal and the glass and it stops this) Plenty of room for the wife and kids. Bought it with 63,000 miles on it for $7,600 and now have 183,000 miles showing. Only have to change out the filters and the oil and it just keeps on going. Like I said I must have gotten one of the few good ones.

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  Excellent Hybrid SUV - 2009 Chrysler Aspen
  By M J Reardon - March 26 - 9:19 pm

  Theres one simple bottom line for the Aspen...VALUE. This is an excellent full size hybrid SUV, and the gas mileage is good and improving with break in, which you should expect. Interior and electronics are outstanding. Handling and ride are very very good, and the big HEMI is there when you need to fly...which you will. With the tremendous incentives and willingness to deal right now, we purchased this vehicle for a price we simply could not pass up...FAR FAR below the MSRP. With the identical two mode hybrid system as the Cadillac Escalade, you could pay >twice the price we did...but in this economy that simply begs the question "what planet are you from?". If you can find one, buy it

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  Love the Chrysler LHS - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By mheather28 - March 26 - 5:03 pm

  The LHS is a gorgeous car even today (10 years later)Comfortable, sleek, nice ride. Some problems weve experienced as follows, Front window brackets bent and broke. AC condenser replaced but still leaking. Rack replaced twice. Alloy wheels erode and tires go flat have to have them sanded down and sealed. center caps rust and break off .Trunk supports needed replaced and most recently the windshield washer fluid wont squirt out. Thought it was an easy fix (pump) but not so easy after all they tell us the problem is one of the three computers for the car has a component that isnt working, But all and all has been relatively good car. And still looks and drives beautifully.

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  Great Mid Size Car - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By D.B. - March 26 - 9:46 am

  Just got this sebring, but I already love this car. Gets great mpg as opposed to the Dodge caravan I had. Four cylinders are all noisy so that doesnt bother me, performance is good for a four banger, could use more headroom up front but thats the trade off for its sleek styling.

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  Worth the price- by FAR! - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By TSS - March 25 - 11:17 am

  The 300M cannot be passed for the price you pay. You get many features (heated seats, power everything) for much cheaper than most cars of its class and mileage. This is my 2nd 300M, and can say, that repairs have been few, and the car has been great! Take good care of it, and it will take good care of you!

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  Vehicular Prozac - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By KimPossible - March 24 - 9:27 pm

  This is the perfect second car for anyone unless you have knee problems (in which case you shouldnt be getting into ANY sports car). I know a lot of people who also use them as a daily driver, but I dont trust the other people on the roads enough. This is a head turner .... I get so many stares that it is almost embarrassing. Right after I got it, I walked out of a take out place to see a group of people gathered around my car. My heart plummeted - I was sure it had been hit. As it turns out, a crowd of people just wanted to stand around a look at it. That will make you smile every day.

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  Great, economical car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ray - March 24 - 8:59 pm

  Bought it used, former rental car. Has a 2.4 litre 4 cyl. that has good power. Handles freeway speeds quite well. Have had no major problems with it. Gets good gas mileage, 27-29 mpg around town and have gotten as good as 32.5 on the highway.

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  Used Crossfire - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By 2004 Chrysler Crossf - March 24 - 5:07 pm

  The car looks great except for the plastic headlight covers that fog over from the sun and look awful. They cant be replaced unless you buy the entire light assembly at $400+ each. The back hatch door rattles real bad and mine has etched through the paint where the hard rubber has worn through it. I wish it had an off switch for the back fin. Its distracting, embarrassing and blocks your view in the rear view mirror. Other than that its been a fun driver!

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  Chrysler Sebring 2006 Touring - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Alexandre - March 24 - 12:27 am

  I have a Touring since 2years. I bought them at 31 000km. Now,My car have 107 000km and hes still running perfectly. The only thing I hate from this car is the quality of plastics used for dash & doors. TOO CHEAP ! Its my second car and I love them. The V6 is smooth,the car is very light so 200hp is sufficient for me,for the moment. Fuel efficient is very great on highway but can be better in city. 10km/l (25% city,75% highway). The best fuel economy for all V6 sedan like Mazda6,Camry,Altima,Accord or Sonata.