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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  sporty but tame - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Nick King - April 25 - 8:50 am

  This is a well built fun car with great looks. It is not a neck popper on take off. It is worth the price if you want a good looking fun car.

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  The European American - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Dan McGinnis - April 25 - 2:00 am

  I have owned BMWs, VWs and Volvos but like the 300 M better than all of them combined. It is a car that grows on you in just a few weeks...incredibly comfortable with a large interior. It has good power throughout the range and the Autostick is great. The car handles well, and is very fun to drive...with unique styling that stands out from the crowd.

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  Mixed feelings - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Scottnjoan - April 23 - 2:00 am

  In August, I plan to walk away after 3- year lease. The car has been very reliable, luxurious and rides like a standstill at 80mph but too big for tight parking spots, rather boring to drive, and starting to show some age at 27K mi. Also, security system starting to become sensitive and triggering alarm when I park.

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  Good, not Great - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By huey44 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Have as company car. Great price for convertible. Has turning radius of a RV. Problems with rear defroster. Wire connection keeps coming unsoldered. Finally had to use duct tape to keep on.

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  Sebrings are awesome - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By landa - April 20 - 10:00 am

  I have only had this car for a month. It runs really smooth and good. The interior and exterior is wonderful. The horsepower on this bab is out of this world. The only problem I have with the sebring is that it drowns gas. whew, with gas prices as high as they are,you need to get a gas card.lol

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  4 cyl. lx - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By T.D. - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Warranty, problem with leaky trans, returned 5 times before it was corrected.

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  5 Years, No Problems - 1998 Chrysler Cirrus
  By stevef-DC - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I was a little nearvous when I bought this car in 98. I had only had Accords and questioned the realibility of American cars. I really liked the aggressive look of the Cirrus front end. Plus, I got a lot more for my money with the Cirrus than I would have with an Accord. At 57000 miles, I have had no problems at all. I am mainly a city driver. The car is louder than some others, but I often have the Infinnity stereo pretty loud so I donlt notice the road noise. My only complaint with my Chrysler experience is the dealer service. Ive been to two dealers and theyre both crooks. Chrysler really needs to reign these guys in if they want keep customers.

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  Selling IT! - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Spiko - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Only because we added a 4th child! Ive really liked this car and have all the bells/whistles, but need more room. My only grip: DOOR LOCK MECHANISMS!!! I replaced three of them (three separate doors) within 1 year of each other. SHEESH! Incidentally, the USMC bought a fleet of these cars to transport their general officers!

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  Fun car! - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By ck_anna - April 16 - 2:00 am

  I just go it. I traded my Lebaron convertible for it. Big jump in size & quality. Love it! Top is much easier to operate on the sebring. great over all car!

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  Fun car! - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By cutiewithdroptop - April 16 - 2:00 am

  I just go it. I traded my Lebaron convertible for it. Big jump in size & quality. Love it! Top is much easier to operate on the sebring. great over all car!