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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  Top Shelf - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Joe - November 10 - 10:56 pm

  Bought my 2005 300 late July 2004, after 40000 + miles, Im satisfied. The vehicle speaks for itself. The back seats opening to the trunk has been helpful on trips to NY & Colorado.

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  I will miss it - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By Randy - November 10 - 10:26 pm

  I had my LHS for about 7 years. I have had many cars over the years and I have to say that this Chrysler was my favorite. It had a great ride and was extremely comfortable. On top of this, the gas mileage was better than I or most people thought it would be. The car was reliable and I enjoyed driving it quite a bit. I had to give it up when the expenses to repair it were more that its value. Shouldnt complain....it had 221,000 miles on it at the end. It was a great car. Since Chrysler stopped making the LHS in 2001, I decided to find and buy one of those. The "new" one has big wheels to fill, but it looks promising.

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  Do not buy this car! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By bigpieceofjunk - November 10 - 6:04 pm

  Well maintained 2001 LXi, only 57K miles in 6 years. Since the 2-year mark, have had to replace the following: wheel bearings, radio, A/C blower, sway bar links, tie rods, upper control arm, transmission control module, fuel system serviced several times, transmission leak fixed twice, now needs O-rings & fuel rail, which is unacceptable on a car with such few miles on it. Im starting to believe what I hear about the Chrysler 2.7l V6. Getting rid of this piece of trash as soon as I can.

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  #1 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Shane Ellingson - November 10 - 5:26 pm

  I have loved every aspect of my 300, Wouldnt choose another car in its price range!!!!

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  billy - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By billy - November 10 - 1:42 pm

  this car is the best sedan on the market. how the engineers at Chrysler can make such a drastic improvement to an already work of art is beyond my understanding

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  Excellent - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By Carol - November 10 - 12:02 pm

  Excellent. This is the best auto i ever owned for comfort, ride, looks and mileage. This car is in excellent shape for an 8 year plus vehicle.

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  4 years later - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By RK - November 10 - 10:27 am

  I wrote a review a few months after buying this car. In four years I have doubled the mileage. It seems then that every 65,000 miles things start to break. After putting 215,000 trouble free miles on a Mazda Protege this does not speak well for the quality of materials on the Chrysler. On a practical stance I bought the car wholesale and the economics of owning this car have still worked out in my favor. But there is no chance in hell that I will ever go into a Chrysler showroom when shopping for a new car.

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  sporty wagon with european suv style - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jude Santana - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I was drawn to this vehicle after owning the Volvo S80 T6 sadan. I was tired of the expenses involved with the up keep and repairs of European cars, but I love their style. I was happy to find what I was looking for in an "American" car. Style, room, and most of all, the type of ride I expect from any other expensive vehicle. The price is right, and the extended warantee was well worth the buy.

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  A head turner - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Howard V - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Our 2005 PT convertible is a real head turner. I have never had a car that generated so much interest. This car is also very roomy, great leg room front and rear, great headroom in the front. All the controls are easy to use and gauges are excellent. The turbo-charged engine is responsive with no turbo lag and plenty of torque and power. Car is also very quiet. With the top down, it is quiet as a sedan.

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  best car ever frm chrysler - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By harlowtammy - November 10 - 10:00 am

  this vehicle truely makes you feel like the king of the road.