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:

• 

  never again - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By never again - June 15 - 10:01 pm

  Great car except for the Chrysler engine and transmission. if you want a nice car to look at, its perfect if you want a reliable car that wont cost you a lot after purchase for repairs dont even think about this car.

• 

  Looks can be deceiving - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Joe R. - June 15 - 9:10 pm

  I am an ASE Certified Auto Tech who owns one, so knowing these vehicles is helpful in writing this review. The 2.4L DOHC 4-Cylinder has more than enough pep for running around town and on the highway without the A/C, but you can feel a big loss of power with the A/C on. The exterior styling has to be one of the nicest I have seen. The interior styling is also very nice, good layout of all the controls. The sound system is superb! This car seems to go through rotors from warpage quite often, it also seems to wear out outer tie rod ends quickly, and the auto trans in these cars go bad just looking at them, without proper care and feeding. Overall, I would recommend this car to a friend.

• 

  A sinking ship - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Midwest Mom - June 15 - 7:38 am

  I bought this car used 3 1/2 years ago with 65,000 miles on it. I loved it for the first year, then the air conditioner stopped working, $1000 repair. The weather stripping around the doors is too small and had to be replaced. Another year later the door locks began making a horrible sound. Another year and a half later and the 2.7 L engine is trash, despite regular maintenance and religious oil changes every 3000 miles. This car does not even have 100,000 miles on it. I cant afford the $4000 repair, and many shops wont even work on this engine because they dont want to warranty it. Best offer Ive had for the car is $50 after tow cost. I feel like Ive been lied to and ripped off.

• 

  Pretty Good Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By bstate16 - June 14 - 6:54 pm

  I am a 21 yr old male and I have owned this car 3 months, the only problem so far is the headlights went out, other than that it has been a good car. Chicks love this car, and everyone even people in BMWs have stopped me to ask what that is, and everyone thinks this is a 50,000 dollar car when its a 20,000 dollar car. I would not recommend getting this car, maybe later if gas ever drops. I am only getting 19 mpg.

• 

  great car if u can afford the gas - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By andy - June 14 - 10:00 am

  I havent had the car that long and only put maybe 6,000 on it over the last 2-3 months I had it. Not sure because the tack (or whatever the thing that tracks mileage is) doesnt always work. The inside is well designed and roomy. Has cup holder issues. Great stereo, lots of bass for stock. It got me to school everyday and so far to work everyday. Not something you wanna drive from Michigan to Florida because of the gas

• 

  Fun and Lux Drive - 2006 Chrysler Crossfire
  By prof - June 12 - 10:39 pm

  Excellent comfort, fit, finish, and performance. Very cool looking and 21- 25 MPG. Solid car.

• 

  Great car to drive!! - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Mike - June 11 - 4:35 pm

  I love driving my 300C AWD. I traded in my 2006 Charger Daytona in Go- Mango. I loved that car, and what a head turner it was! I traded for a Jeep commander Limited, which I just could not get used to. I prefer a car and the Jeep was so big and was a real gas guzzler with the HEMI. I traded after 6 weeks for a Chrysler 300C AWD that is completely loaded, including Nav. and backseat DVD, which my 7 yr.old grandson loved on a recent 650 mile road trip. This is a remarkable vehicle. The 300C in infernal red is also a head turner, but more sedate than the Daytona. I think it is more comfortable than the Charger, and while not the R/T it still has lots of power, and that great HEMI sound.

• 

  Best Car I have ever owned - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By budman - June 11 - 11:44 am

  I love this car! I have had it about a month and taken it on several trips. It drives great and gets over 24 MPG out on the highway.

• 

  Great Car! - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Paul - June 11 - 10:08 am

  I love this car!! First American made car that I have purchased in quite some time. Love the looks, style, and performance. Everybody stops to look and is very impressed by the appearance. Love the roomy interior, large trunk space, and all the other features including automatic remote start, blue tooth technology, heated seats, etc. Great classy car!!

• 

  grand touring - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By blueyes - June 11 - 10:00 am

  THIS UNIT IS A TRUE JOY TO OWN, EXCEPT AT THE GAS PUMP. 18.7 MPG ISNT BAD OVERALL FOR AN SUV? OF THIS SIZE THOUGH. ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MAKES IT NIMBLE AND QUICK IN TOUGH PARKING LOT SITUATIONS. THE ADJUSTABLE AND RECLINING SECOND ROW SEATING IS GREAT FOR RIDERS AND THE FOLD FLAT SEATS MAKE CARGO HAULING A BREEZE. THE TRANSMISSION TAKES A BIT OF GETTING USED TO. USE OF THE BUMP SHIFT IS A MUST IN THE MOUNTAINS. USE 2 AND 3 AND FORGET THE D POSITION IN THE HILLS. PERFORMANCE IS GREAT THEN.