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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  Highly Reccommend! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By TL - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Not comfortable on long rides but in its defense, its not a touring vehicle.

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  Excellent car - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By Big ole Al - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Concorde used, from a friend that had owned the car for a very long time. It still drives and rides like a dream. The leather seats are comfortable, the ride is smooth. the acceleration is there if I need it, It gets great mileage for a car of its size. I usually average above 20 mpg in town and I have gotten as high as 28 mpg on a long ride. I can still spin the tires off the starting line after 16 years and 240,00 miles plus. My only 2 complaints are the cruise control. It still works -- but it is a little jerky on a down grade. And the paint. the quality of the original paint really is poor. If not for those two issues my car would still near perfect. Cant ask for more

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  Great Buy - 1999 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Ernie - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought my LXI in 2003 with 86,000 miles it has 151,000 now and runs great. It has been one of the best cars I ever owned. We like the style. It does not look 11 years old.

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  Please start making the Pacifica again! - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Russ - October 4 - 2:00 am

  We bought a 2007 base model for our son to tour with his band and we had been looking for a late model Pacifica for a while ourselves. A loaded Limited fell into our laps. We could not have been more pleased. Ride is great. Seats and all the adjustments and memory are required for us with me 6-4 and wife 5-4 although I dont give up the driving duties much. It is our long distance car and I love to drive it. Chrysler HAS to reintroduce this car!!

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  Happy 300 owner - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By lou bingham - October 4 - 2:00 am

  i bought the 2006 300 touring 2 and a half years ago, absolutely love it. It had 42,000 miles on it when I bought it, has 79,000 miles now, with no problems.It has the original brakes, I had them checked last month and their still fine. I live in Kentucky, three trips to fla & One trip to miss, I got 26 mpg, that great for a car this size. I hit a deer year & a half ago, and had to drive a rental, a 2009 Toyota Camry, it was awful, it only had 9000 miles on it but drove & rode like it had 300,000. My last two cars were Cadillacs, a Seville and a sts, the 300 has them beat, I love this car.

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  Still Love MIne! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Chrysi - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Chrysler Conv used w 10k miles an I now have 62K. I use it every day! Yes I have had some minor issues and most under warranty but she purrs like a kitten. I drive every day to and from work and on trips get 31 mpg. In town 21 or 22. Used the dealer under warranty and now have honest mechanic. Replaced brakes twice because i am hard on brakes, seal went on transmission, no biggie. Drives Great, Looks great, Inside looks brand new. Have to do regular maintenance.

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  Chrysler 300 C 2009 Heritage Edition - 2009 Chrysler 300
  By saegc7 - September 29 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a gold, 2009 Heritage Edition with 4017 miles on it from NC. Flew from St. Louis, MO and I drove it 883 miles home and only filled up once! The MDS kicked in for most of the trip and I got 27 mpg on the highway. Fuel economy is excellent considering the vehicles size and weight. Acceleration is terrific and speed builds quickly. The seats are very comfortable although the view out the windows take some getting used to. Rear view is pinched to say the least. Ergonomically, the car is great as everything is right where its supposed to be. I am very pleased with my purchase and would recommend it to anyone else.

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  Great Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Chatti - September 29 - 2:00 am

  I read Consumer Reports but I hate the fact that all the "foreign" cars rate high and the Dodge and Chrysler always rate low.I love my Chrysler 300.I have owned it for 5 years and it has never failed me. At 60,000 miles I am just now replacing the tires.I have the large engine and it climbs the mountains at 80 and gets 26 to 27 mpg. For a full size car the mileage is great. This is the 5th car or truck I have bought from Oxendales and they are also great to deal with. We are a 2 car family so we have owned Chevy, Fords and Toyotas but nothing as nice as this.I have dual air, satellite radio and cooling in the back seat so my grandkids dont complain about being hot in the summer heat of AZ

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  Excellent value! - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sharlene MacLaren - September 24 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Sebring Convertible. I drove a 2000 Sebring jxi for 8 years and loved it so much I knew I had to have another one. I have since purchased the 2008 and love it even more! The style and feel of this car is wonderful. When Im behind the wheel I feel like a queen. (teehee) Seriously, this is such a great car for the price and in my opinion THE best 4-passenger convertible on the road! I love the power and surge of the V6. Will never go back to a 4-cylinder. And the radio? Hmm - to die for! Notice I didnt talk about the mechanics/engine/gas mileage. Dont care. The car is AMAZING! Just trust me on this.

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  A great choice - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By nickey2006 - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Even though I just got this car about a weeks ago I love this car. Even though I am a Ford girl I do have to say I am glad I bought this car it drives great, it turns way awesome, the radio system is great, and all around its just great!