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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  Nice Car - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By Dan - September 19 - 4:04 pm

  Was happy with the LHS. At 100,000 miles I suddenly had several problems, sucked in intake gasket, AC coil had to be replaced, automatic climate control had to be replaced. After approx. $2000 worth of repairs it was good again until I traded it at 130,000 miles. I traded if for a like kind, 2003 Concorde Limite, what a mistake that has been!!!!! Wish I had my LHS back with its 130,000 miles!

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  Disappointed - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By Dan - September 19 - 3:56 pm

  I bought the car with 29,000 miles on it and have had it in the shop several times and have just now reached 39,000 miles. Several evaporative emisson problems and now a shifting sensor/valve in the transmission. I bought this car because the 97 LHS I had was such a pleasure to own. We may just have ended our love affair with Chrysler!

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  all around nicecar - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By chrysler - September 19 - 2:45 pm

  I have had no problems with the concord. I also own a 300M and a LHS and all of them have done me well. the concord is the most economical of the trio. yet my favorite is the 300M i still have fun driving the concord

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  Drop the top for exhilaration! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Terje Thomassen - September 19 - 1:02 am

  Originally purchased an 01 LXI but totaled it 13 months later when another driver ran a red light. Both air bags deployed and the unibody absorbed the impact, protecting me from any bodily injuries. I immediately purchased an 02 LXI and was happy to see that the V6 was improved with a double overhead cam. The acceleration is addicting and hitting 110 mph with the top down was a super thrill. I upgraded the tires to a high performance Yokohama AS430 and this LXI craves the curves at any speed. Drove from Texas to Georgia with two teenagers for a two week vacation and had plenty of room for all the bagage. This car was a breeze to drive for 8hrs or more at a time, plus its easy on gas.

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  looks great, but - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By michigan pt - September 18 - 8:50 pm

  wish the car rode better, mpg is very disapointing 20-22 city and highway. expected more on highway. purchased new and spent multiple times in shop for sensors. paid for bumper to bumper warranty. brakes seem bad since new and has always had weird steering shimmy-like bad rotors, was told there was no problem and they turned the rotors. thankful i bought the warranty 60 months/65000 miles. no out of pocket. learned my lesson with my LHS, which i miss, that was a great car.

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  new car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Terry - September 18 - 7:40 pm

  I said I would never buy an american car. I am glad I was wroung. I love this car, it is the best car I have ever owned. I have taken it on several road trips and it has been great.

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  Fun and Luxury - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Bill Lyons - September 16 - 6:13 am

  A very good looking car. Lots of looks and positive comments from those who see it and ride in it. Plenty of bells and whistles for the money. A good value. Plenty of room for the driver and three passangers. Large trunk for traveling.

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  Crossfire Lemon - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By RON - September 16 - 12:47 am

  Nothing but problems, water leaks, electrical and mechanical problems. In shop for days at a time. Chrysler does not correct the problems unless the problem falls out at the techs feet, wants more proof that there actually is a problem. I owned this auto for seventeen months now, and Chrysler has not corrected the problems. Have taken it to three dealerships and find shoddy service and untrained techs. The five star service that Chrysler offers should be reduced to maybe two stars. Never again.

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  Dont buy the 2000 Grand Voyager - 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
  By user4jenn - September 15 - 10:00 am

  This van has some convenience features. The mechanical reliability is nil. We replaced 9 tires before we found out there was a problem with the toe of the front tires. We have replaced the brakes 3 times along with a master cylinder..only highway and city driving. The transmission is on its last legs. Customer service above the level of the local dealership is non existant. This "family" vehicle also does not need to have the brake pressed to shift it out of gear..this van has been "driven" by my 2 year old along with the neighbors 3 year old. Luckily no one was severely hurt but it could have been a very bad situation.

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  Undervalued by several thousand $ - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Lionhrt10 - September 15 - 10:00 am

  Nicely tight handling; adequate zip (use correct octane); lots & lots of leg room in all rows; will get lots of looks and complements; compares very well to mid-SUVs considered "luxury" for $10K more; folded down seats has more storage than Jeep Cherokee; kids love riding in 3rd row; very smooth ride; truly fun to drive; great materials quality; quiet.