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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  Poor quality - poor warranty - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Dont_Buy_Chry - December 20 - 10:43 am

  My wifes dream car. Definitely not mine. Car looks nice, but thats it. 2.7L V6 is okay but stalls & sputters in summer (when youd like to be driving the most). Very finicky w/fuel brands here in NE. After 2mos going back & forth w/regional mgr. they replaced fabric top ("weave direction"/wasnt sewn correctly?) Cabin fan relay (AC) died on our anniversary trip-! Dealer couldnt fix terminals on rear defrost after 4 trips & then wouldnt warranty their own repairs. (fixed myself w/flexible conductive epoxy) Drivers door still isnt adjusted correctly. Daimler Benz has surely picked up a ailing pony in Chrysler. I will NEVER EVER buy a mopar again.

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  Great Car for the Buck - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Jordan - December 19 - 10:04 pm

  My wife and I just returned or our 2003 BMW-X5 after lease just ended. The Chrysler 300 is such a great car for the cost. I can almost say I like it more than the X-5 and its half the price. Dont figure! Hope this helps. We like it a lot!

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  FUN to drive, a bit rough - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By mrsour - December 19 - 4:46 pm

  This car is a blast to drive. Moves like a rocket, and handles corners like its on rails!!! Bought it with 3k miles for $29k. Have the SRT-6 version. Took the wing off (Im 50, and thought it looked silly with that large wing). It really is a blast to drive, but watch OUT for those potholes - it drives really rough. Wish it had "tunable" suspension like I hear the corvettes have, or SOME cushioning in the seats from the road. Gets LOTS of looks, like folks say! Only had it a few months, so dont know about reliability. Also wish it had more places to store "junk" stuff (those rope-style holders on the door are pretty useless).

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  Better than old lexus - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Bob - December 19 - 2:41 pm

  This is by far the best cat I have ever driven. I had a 04 Lexus ES that was always having problems. I love this car

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  Great touring car - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By Hollis - December 19 - 12:21 pm

  Ive had this car for three years and love it. We live in a mountainous area but the Concorde has power to spare. Gas mileage on the highway is often over 30 miles/gallon. Because we are rural we often travel over three hours per trip. Our Concorde is so comfortable and roomy that we enjoy the trips.

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  Great Car but.... - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Linda F. - December 17 - 11:33 pm

  I love my 300 but I am really having problems with being able to use the mirrors and to do head checks before changing lanes. I am 57" and I have been driving many years and this is the first vehicle where this has been an issue. I am used to an SUV but still I dont think I should have this much trouble. I have the seat up but the top of the doors are still to the top of my shoulder. I am trying to get used to all of the blind spots that this is creating for me. I dont want to have to sit on a pillow! Otherwise, I love my 300. I am getting some additional exercise too as I am not parking it next to anybody...

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  My second PT - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Charles - December 17 - 10:20 pm

  This is my second PT Cruiser. The first one had 3 years and this is almost 2 years old. I have never had to take either one in for service. I feel they have done an excellent job with the convertible. It is extremely easy to operate and fun to drive. The turbo has excellent power. I would recommend this automobile to anyone.

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  montana let her run - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By gvarner - December 17 - 1:44 pm

  my crossfire has been a blast to drive and i get a lot of thumbs up. The only thing I dont like is winter driving--It doesnt go in snow.

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  Great little retro - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Keith and Aileen - December 16 - 8:06 am

  I have had zero problems with this car. It is my second PT and both (the other was a sedan) have been outstanding in every way. Ive had 60+ cars and these two have been two of the best.

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  Nice car but!!!! - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By good looks - December 15 - 2:43 pm

  The Sebring is a wonderful car except for the transmission, which goes out ever so often (lol). The interior is beautiful and the exterior look is sporty. The car just needs to be remanufactured for reliability. Other than that it drives ok.