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 - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Linda - July 30 - 6:30 pm

  This is by far the best car I have owned....luxury, style and comfort at its best!!!!

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  wow - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By lebohner - July 28 - 10:00 am

  purchased April 2004 cash...Use itfor business, Real Estate Broker. Clients want to buy one so comfortable, turning radius is perfect...Get up and Go like you would not believe.

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  great car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By mario kohsmann - July 28 - 10:00 am

  great car,fun to drive, getting looks when drive and park. best car on the road.

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  Style, Elegance, and Performance - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Varney - July 28 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased a 300 Limited in the Deep Lava Red Metallic. Ive driven it 350 miles. This car shouts Style, Elegance,and Performance from every angle..interior and exterior.It has a feel of luxury like no other car, domestic, or foreign, that I have ever driven.Chryslers design team has certainly struck gold with the 300. Like many others who have written a review, people tend to stop and look at the car because of its impressive styling. The 3.5L 6 cyl. engine powers the car nicely.

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  My Frog gets up and goes - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By My 1994 Concorde - July 28 - 4:39 am

  A few reasons(even with 119+)to buy it. To start reliablity, space, and economy (fuel wise). Being able to haul what I do is a +. Shes my own tow truck as well as mobile garage. Im at 148+ with the origin tranny and my complaint was when the battery died on me. I had her over 3 yrs avr $160/yr in maintenance oil, coolant, etc and $300 for 4 brand new tires even "superb imports" need them. I change my oil twice a yr (no racing or synthetic oil, reg 10W-30) and my filter once a yr. Shes yet to let me down. My first/last car was/will be the Charger. Mopar built right. Thanks for the ride Diehard Fan.

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  Nice to look at , nice to drive - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By l. guadarrama - July 27 - 6:40 pm

  I work at a rental car agency and have the opportunity to drive many different new make and model vehicles. To date I have not driven one that give me as much pleasure as my PT Cruiser. This vehicle is comfortable, drives well, is great to look at and still turns heads. I have a 2001 model that I purchased used in 2002 with approximatel 8500 miles on the odometer. I now have a little over 40000 miles on it and I have not had any problems with the vehicle. The utility of the vehicle is exceptional, you can really load the back with bulky items such as a large 36in TV, by simply dropping the seats. All the people that have ridden in the car have been impressed by the ease of entry and comfort.

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  I am so happy with my 06 300C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Chele - July 26 - 4:43 pm

  This vehicle has great handling, a smooth ride, classy exterior and a luxury interior. It is definitely a head turner. The outside noise is reduced to such a level that even with the Boston Acoustic Speakers turned down very low you still cant really hear any outside noise. Its almost scary! And the power. Whew!!! This car has so much power that its not for the squeamish.

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  Happy owner - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Happy owner - July 26 - 9:20 am

  I have owned my PT Cruiser for over 5 years, which is the longest I have ever owned a car. I cant find anything on the market that I like any better. I have spent less than $1,000 in repairs over 5 years and it is going strong. Im sure when I buy a new car one of my kids will be driving it for another 10 years.

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  Great Toy! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By David - July 26 - 4:20 am

  Ive been searching for a toy car for over a year that my wife and I could use to enjoy the backroads of Colorado. There are many excellent machines out there, but all contenders were dismissed as "too" harsh, cramped expensive, etc.. The srt-6 roadster was the best fit with our needs. Comfortable, sufficeint space and plenty sporty. We got a great deal by bringing prices of vehicles that have sold on eBay and those listed in cars.com. We negotiated up from these prices rather than down from list. A phenomenal backroad car that I would highly recommend.

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  Ol reliable - 1993 Chrysler Concorde
  By proud owner - July 25 - 8:00 pm

  This vehicle has been the most reliable that i have ever purchased. With several trips to florida from MA under its belt and a small collision to boot. The power delivered from the 3.5 is unsurpassable from a car of its size and weight. I would like to see some aftermarket body effects for it, though.