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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  My 1997 Chrysler Concord - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Jim Hedderly - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Weak Air Conditioning

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  What a machine! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Branson - June 22 - 1:06 pm

  I always liked unique things. The 300C with its break-away styling and powerful engine fills the bill. This is a fun car in every way. I drive 64 miles each day and the 300C is a pleasure to drive. The ride is comfortable and the sound system with with Sirius shortens the trip. As an original member of the rock and roll generation (now in my 60s) I couldnt afford a muscle car back then, but I can now and Im loving it. If all you want is transportation dont buy this car - get an Avalon. My wife has 2005 Avalon and she would rather drive my car, but I wont let her!

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  Fix the little things-shell keep runnin - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Ohio Die-hard - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Cirrus used at 32K, it now has 175K and is still ticking. Have replaced crank sensor, oxygen sensor, front end stabolizer bars, distributor (big $), rear brake line, and the brakes/rotors mutliple times. It still runs great. Still has original muffler, battery, starter etc. Gas mileage o.k., great pick up with just enough power. Overall, for the amount of miles and daily abuse, it has performed very well. It is paid for, so I plan to keep fixing her till she croaks

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  Mr. Bananas LHS - 1996 Chrysler LHS
  By Mr. Banana - June 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new as a leftover and got $8000 off the sticker. Wouldnt have paid more for it since the MRSP is overpriced. Great car, huge trunk and back seat. Nice styling especially the curve of the rear window. 112K miles on it and intend on keeping it until it dies. However, when I left it at the dealer today for them to do an inspection, their incompetant technician took it for a road test and ended up in an accident. 5 star service dealer? Not any more!

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  Chrysler Sebring has flaws.... - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Roger Rabbit - June 17 - 2:00 am

  We (my wife and I)feel the car is not a comfortable as we thought it was during the test drive. The seats are hard and the car sits too low for our comfort. The main problem we have had is in the transmission. Outside of the obnoxious clicking noise it makes while shifting (which the shop says is typical for Chryslers) it has hesitated time to time while shifting and accelerating. We had the transmission replaced after a month of ownership, but it still seems to be doing the same thing. I guess its "just the way it is." So, if you want comfort and performance, DO NOT buy this car. If you want looks and style, its the car for you.

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  Great style, wouldnt buy another - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By waldf - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Great style, amazing fuel economy (24MPG), comfortable, enormous space (the back is like a limo), good performance considering the engine is only 3.2 liter in such a large car. Handling not bad either. Dealers unpleasant. Horrible buying experience, worse service - snotty attitude, rip off pricing including doing unneccessary work Quality a problem. Squeaks, rattles. Leaking power steering. Problem starting at one stage. Transmission failure. A/C fan failure. Drivers power window failed twice, including collapsing into the door in a rainstorm, electrical problems, including flashing headlights. I decided that was the end...

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  Not Bad - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By GB - June 14 - 2:00 am

  No problems so far. Runs and looks great. I still love the platinum color on my JXI Limited. My only complaint is the stupid cup holders. Come on! Cant fit my Big Gulp in there.

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  Good car, bad Service - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By xxx - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought it at 40k miles, with extended warranty (excellent idea, as it turned out) and I only had very minor problems with the car. However, all dealerships I dealt with were so incompetent, it took a lot of effort each time to have the car fixed (e.g. 3 visits time 3-4 days each to have the sunroof fixed, 3 visits to have the wheel hubs replaced, 4+ visits for an intermittent no-start problem (they replaced a lot of things, but it was a $12 fuel shut-down relay, etc.) If you know a reliable mechanic, buy this car, its fun to drive. Otherwise, stay away from it.

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  Powertrain Computer Module - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Shannon - June 11 - 10:50 pm

  I have 2001 Pt Cruiser with 100400 miles on it the Computer has been replaced 3 times in less then 2 months. Does anyone have idea as what could be causing this problem. The EGR valve has melted and needed to be replaced 2 times in less then a month.

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  300M after 3 years - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By cor - June 11 - 2:00 am

  OK, so Im ashamed to admit it but, I leased this car, and proceeded to put 70,000 miles on it in 3 years. The car has been in the shop twice, once for front stableizer, once for a speed sensor. Neither was a major deal, and I was told both are a common problem. Two issues with build quality: driver side door doesnt seal 100% so some wind noise, and engine makes tappit when first starting. Otherwise a very nice car, comfortable, stylish, poweful, and for the most part reliable.