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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  Transmission - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By soburone - May 30 - 10:00 am

  the transmission let go after only 60000 easy driven miles.

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  First SUV - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Jake - May 29 - 9:47 pm

  Bought this as a left-over new 2007 after looking at a Pacifica, and glad that this is what I chose. Highway miles with the 5.7 Hemi are between 21 and 23 MPG. Keeping the tach under 2000 rpm helps a lot. Towing is no problem recently towed a 6 x 12 U-Haul trailer loaded and still got 14 mpg. Towing a boat is like it isnt there. Comfort is great, the ride and handling are excellent. Fit and finish are excellent. Even with gas going through the roof, I dont see me trading down.

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  Fantastic Automobile - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Indiana Dave - May 28 - 9:41 pm

  Both my wife and I were attracted to this car because of its distinctive styling. After 2 years, we still think it looks great and love driving it. We considered a midsize but, in hindsight, the larger car was the right choice, especially with two boys 12 & 15. The 3.5 L engine provides plenty of power. I was concerned about getting rear wheel drive but the traction control performed magnificently in the Colorado snow, and it was snowy, this past Christmas. This car has definitely surpassed my expectations.

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  Its a Keeper - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By happyowner - May 28 - 7:38 pm

  This is my second Concorde. I like its style and my previous experience with the same model and my local dealership made me hardly consider any other car. Im never embarrassed to give someone a ride, always enjoy its comfort on long trips, yet get good enough gas mileage to drive by myself. Ill drive it to 200,000.

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  Great Car for the money - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By David - May 28 - 3:47 pm

  This is probably the finest car Ive ever owned. I have owned Cadillac, big Buicks, several Pontiacs, and this one tops them all. I traded a Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab (HEMI) because of gas mileage, and I am very happy I did. The mileage has been averaging in the mid-20s with the 3.5 L HO engine on a 35 mile one-way daily commute. Plenty of power, and good mileage too. Best of both worlds. The car rides and handles great, a true road car, but nimble around town as well. Lots of room inside and creature comforts galore. I absolutely love it!

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  Nice SUV but read this before you buy? - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Ms. Frugal - May 28 - 2:57 pm

  I really do like my 2008 Aspen but I wish I would have noticed a few things before I purchased it. #1, the sunroof does not go all the way back as in flush. Therefore, it causes a bit of noise that will require a wind deflector. #2, The Antenna, I dont know how I missed this but being as though none of my past models had it, it just slipped by. But, why in 2008 are there still visible antennas? Its really annoying going through a car wash! #3, Even though it is an SUV, it SUCKS gas like crazy. I did get the Hemi engine but I dont stomp on the pedal at all. A full tank of gas gets you about 350-375 miles, so I guess its not to bad but dont forget the 5.7 engine requires 89 octane gas!!!

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  Great SUV crossover - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Cindy - May 28 - 1:13 pm

  Its a fun car to drive. It handles well in snow. I like the idea of having a minivan size but a SUV look and handling features. Its comfortable to drive with lots of storage and plenty of sitting.

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  Go Get It - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Scott - May 28 - 5:06 am

  Im 7 feet tall and this is one of the few cars I fit in. Get a clue, GM and Ford!

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  Outstanding vehicle - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Demetrius - May 27 - 8:02 am

  I have not had any real problems out of the car since I bought it. I have only had some pinging from the engine and it turned out to be a failed valve. Other than that, it handles great, has enough power (if I wanted more then I would have bought the SRT- 8) and has a very comfortable ride. Outstanding reliable vehicle for the pricing.

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  Accident Problems? - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Steve - May 26 - 8:46 pm

  Love my 06 300C but recently had a freak problem with only 22K miles on the car. Accelerator assembly (gas pedal) broke loose and jammed behind the brake resulting in not being able to stop and a rear end accident at less than 10 mph occurred. The front end looked trashed but worse resulted in $7K worth of body work plus $5.4K+ for a used Hemi motor (mine was out of balance after the impact) and a used $2.4K transmission. This low impact resulted in > $14K in repair and the car has not run right since. Chrysler has turned a deaf ear on this incident even thought it is fully documented. Lost my shirt on the residual value, time to dump and buy foreign at any cost.