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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  LHS Lover - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Hawkeye - June 1 - 2:00 am

  Great Car - my 2nd LHS - also had a 99. No problems with either one except for sticking power windows (stronger door motors installed). This was because the seal was so tight it gripped the windows - a testament to its quality.

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  My Dream Pacificia - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Maribeth - May 31 - 10:00 am

  I saw my first Pacifica along side the dealership in the ditch..It caught my eye immediately. Once I found the time to go for a test drive I purchased the car that day. It has comfort for everyone and ease for me when Im shopping. I love the ride and style. I feel that Im driving a much higher priced car than what I had to pay for it. It far exceeded the 2001 Highlander that I traded in because the Pacifica offers so many more gadgets. I cant say enough about the Pacifica. I absolutely love it and feel that it is the best car that Ive even owned in luxery and looks.

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  Great Value - 1999 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Maryland - May 30 - 2:00 am

  This is alot of car for the money. That was true when I bought it new and its still true today. It has many standard features, including leather interior, that are expensive options on other cars. 45,000 miles and not a single problem. I think it holds its own against much more expensive cars.

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  What a Car!! - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By nuffer - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car about a month, bought it used with only 19,000 mi and it is show room condition. This car has it all! All the bells and whistles, the looks, ride and quality of build. Im a Dodge/Chrysler guy and this car is not disappointing. I usually go for sporty or Pick-up but it was time for a little luxury and this car has it!

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  No problems here I love it! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By djk10 - May 28 - 12:30 pm

  Besides normal ware and tare breaks tires etc. This car has been a blast to own. I just paid it off and after a set of tires and my normal full tune up it has been better than any car that I have ever owned! Lots of room to haul groceries etc. I dont understand all the complaints I believe if you take care of a car routinely it will run great I bought it 3 years old 18k miles I deliver in it everyday 160k still going strong

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  great to own - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By beth smith - May 27 - 2:00 am

  chrsyler cirus lxi black with gold trim - great to look at- leather seats- nice and soft - great looking wheels -

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  Nice car. - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By epanico - May 27 - 2:00 am

  The 2.7 engine is a bit underpowered, and the transmission could use some refinement. Otherwise, the car is great. 70,000 miles and its still as solid as the day I drove it off the lot. The only problem I had with the car was small gasket leak in the transmission. Very reliable compared to other American made vehicles. Chrysler vehicles should retain their value better.

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  I finally bought one... - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By midwestdriver - May 25 - 2:00 am

  After reading about this car for months, I finally bought one - was held back by some of the reviewers talking about lack of power. I finally test-drove a stick (45 min) - this car doesnÂ’t lack power! It feels great! I used to drive a Maserati with a 24 value V-6 and find that the Crossfire feels as strong (except for 1st gear). The car is fast - drive a stick for more than 10 min and youll agree. The car feels good and is as tight as you would expect a Mercedes to be. Handles well and turns heads. But most importantly, it is comfortable, well built and fun to drive. It feels great at 90 - seems to always want to go faster. Buy the car!

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  Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By R. Johnston - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I had a van and disliked it and the ride. This one is without a doubt a very comfortable diving vehicle and the interior features excellent.

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  my pt - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By lth - May 25 - 2:00 am

  i love this car and would have another one.. however, i feel there is always room for improvement- the seats could be more comfortable. it could also be more quiet- i think the engine is kind of loud.