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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  Smooth Ride - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By DanC - April 27 - 2:00 am

  Suprisingly nice ride for short wheelbase sports car. Could use a little more horsepower. Very good cornering ability. Extremely fun to drive and comfortable. Automatic transmission is extremely smooth.

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  It is a wonderful car and fun to drive - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By No Name at AOL - April 25 - 10:00 am

  The right side passenger side of the car has a blind spot that took me a while to get method seeing so that I could change to the right lane. Remedy: I moved the passenger seat forward so that I could see more out of the passenger window.

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  My little hot rod - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Hot Rod Sandy - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. It has features found on the more expensive cars. It is great to drive. You can see the road and it is easy to enter and exit the car. I will buy another cruiser. I hope it lasts as long as my Neon which has 167,000 miles and still going strong.

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  Outstanding .......quality, and class. - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By sdurand - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Weve only had the car a few days, but this is a luxury, suv, car, family car..etc.....all I can say is Ive driven BMWs , Mercedes, and any other luxury car around and this is better than all of them.

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  The best Car I have ever driven! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By twobigdoug - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I looked at a lot of different cars before choosing the crossfire. (G35, RX-8, 350Z)I have to say that the moment i sat in the car and started it up I had made up my mind. It handles great! fast turns are no problem, acceleration is quick and the auto shifts smooth. Even with the huge 19 and 18 in rims bumps in the road are all but handled. I love this car, I love this car, I Love this car! now go out and buy one.

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  Worth the Wait! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By karrick - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Took delivery on very nice looking graphite stick shift. Had to have a manual! Want to drive the car, not be driven! Best part: with dealer discounts and manufacturer rebate drove it out for 6K below MSRP. This is a car you buy, not lease!

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  Used As A Designer Car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ptcrusier - April 22 - 11:58 am

  The second owner which we were looking for a vehicle that is good on gas, is reliable, room, and with a look for the designers. Never had a only have had Jeep Wranglers with Chrysler and being a car and not a car person it is cool to drive at night how it lights up. The only problem is the AUX set broke when hooked into a I-PHONE but most factory stereo are junk any way. Very Happy with this car and am going to set up for company used vehicle runner/ designer cars. COST OF OUT COME EVALUATION!

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  crossfire for fun - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By eager15 - April 22 - 2:00 am

  this car is a ball to drive . its very responsive and handles like a dream . this car is very affortable. one test drive and you will be hooked .

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  The Big Three is Back - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By Jubie - April 21 - 2:00 am

  So far the car is very fun to drive and has been a blast to own. Ive incountered no problems with this car at all so far. Drives even better than the Acuras and other Japanese cars that was thought to be over better cars, in my opinion this car is greater than Japan could ever make their cars. Seems Diamler made a lasting impression on Chrysler cars and quality is the by- product.

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  Chrysler LXi - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By verajh - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great car. It is luxurious and very comfortable for traveling.