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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  A Lot of Car for Not A Lot of Money - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dale - December 2 - 1:26 am

  If youre looking for a well appointed convertible but want to keep your purchase in the low teens, look no further than the Pt Cruiser Touring with the 2.4L turbo 4 cylinder. Build quality, ride, and handling are very good. The 4cyl is a little rough at idle but has good acceleration due to the turbo. The convertible has a heavy car feel to it. At highway speeds, the car is suprisingly quiet with the top down. You can carry on a conversation without shouting and/or listen to the radio. The PT has a real backseat for two, and the trunk is adequate. While retro styled cars are past their prime(the reason why the price is so low), the Pt is still very attractive and very fun to drive.

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  After 3 years and 35,000 miles I think.. - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Scott n Buffalo - November 29 - 9:36 pm

  After owning the car for 3 years overall I have mixed feelings. I went into this car after driving Honda/Subaru products and Chrysler failed to meet the bar set. I have been at the dealership at least once per month since getting the car – several control arms, molding items, and various suspension components broke during the first few years of ownership. Also, the initial fuel economy was terrible, but something happened right around 10,000 mile where both city and highway miles doubled.

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  not tickled - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ct - November 29 - 7:06 am

  Since purchasing this car in the last year I have had to replace the battery , 2 starters, and now the transmission due to transmission pump failure which affected the gears and no warning from engine light until the car was dead on the road. I am not confident in driving this car. Also the a/c needs beefing up and the gas milage is awful. The brakes constantly have to be adjusted and always squal.I feel i may be at the beginning of an electrical problem. This car was babied from the first owner and also by me. For the car only having 49,000 and 4 years old this is no Dream car. Dont let the looks deceive you.......

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  My LHS - 1996 Chrysler LHS
  By Suzette - November 29 - 2:00 am

  Have had problems with thermostat replacement twice otherwise normall wear and tear items

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  Wish It Were Better - 1991 Chrysler Imperial
  By AbCdEf - November 29 - 2:00 am

  Handsome, very comfortable, roomy car, but considering my low mileage and the high-end price, seriously unreliable. Since I have owned it, the ABS, electrics, suspension, transmission, wires (computer) and air compressor have failed and had to be replaced between the ages of 6 months and approximately 6 years. Engine seems fine because oil was changed every 3- 4,000 miles without fail. Transmission is particularly poor. Brakes not good either. After 88,000 miles, I will sell it because I have to keep putting big money into it.

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  1999 LHS - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Hemi2 - November 27 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful to look at. Great ride. THe only problems were the motors on all4 windows had to be replaced over time. Windows would stick shut. Also annoying wind noise. Other than that, wonderful long distance driver. Hugh trunk, great sound system. Comfortable seats. Strong engine. Will cruise all day 90mph.

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  2000 LHS Review - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Kevin Rohrer - November 25 - 2:00 am

  My LHS has been a pleasure to own and drive. In 60k miles, I have only replaced the tires once, brakes once, and the ignition lock. It gets good mileage on both city and highway driving (drove 380-highway miles on one tank of gas).

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  Fun car! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By laconiajack - November 24 - 10:00 am

  Amazing quality. The 03 model has body color bumpers rather than gray ones. Added a Continental Kit, extra chrome outside, carbon fiber and chrome inside. Strangers compliment it. Does 0 to 60 mph under 9 seconds. Accomodates five. Remove or lower rear seat plus passenger seat to carry things. It may resemble a hot rod, a hearse, a gangster car, or "woody", but not every other car.

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  I love my Concorde Ltd - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By mhjjr - November 24 - 2:00 am

  This is a replacement for a 1999 LHS. I am extremely satisified with my new auto. I has the standard features I wanted and fully expect this auto to be as trouble-free as my 1999 LHS which I traded in at 74,000 miles.

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  Great Car - But WAY Single Focus - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By HillBoy - November 19 - 12:23 am

  If youre married, over 40, have arthritis, have kids, or ever buy anything at a mall - you should probably just forget this car. I am actually quite shocked how sharp and unforgiving a blade this car is for a CHRYSLER product!!! Expansion joints in my neighbourhood cause the CD to skip. Getting into the car is best left to 18 year olds whose joints are still made out of rubber bands. All that being said, this car actually generates more envy and loathing and stares than my 1987 Lemonengelb (lemon yellow) Porsche 944S did. I love it beyond measure!!!