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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  Performance after 75000 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By 300 owner - February 26 - 9:48 am

  This vehicle did a lot of highway driving and was great up to 75000 mls, afterwhich started having problems with head gasket, water pump and thermostat which were all related to the heating system, very costly and after speaking with several Chrysler professionals it is to be expected with this 2.7 engine the problems and more not described here. Ive met technicians that would not touch this engine. For one thing the water pump is behind the timing chain which becomes faulty because of the head gasket issue, resulting in high labor costs. Really liked the vehicle but dont have time to spend at the dealership spending money in these hard times.

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  Inbetween - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By amber - February 25 - 3:10 pm

  Very comfortable and nice looking car. Have been through several tires due to the rims on the car. Almost weekly have a flat tire. The car is great if your not driving in snow, then it is awful. Locks also make a loud sound, they still work but is a screeching sound. Power windows get stuck occasionally.

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  Quality of craftmanship - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By cscott - February 25 - 10:00 am

  The windshield leaks when it rains and headlight is already getting condensation. This leaves me with concerns of quality of the product. We only have 5500 miles on it so far. It was purchased new.

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  Very Nice SUV - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Don - February 24 - 7:45 pm

  I am 6ft 7 300lb man with a wife and 4 chidren. I wanted a big vehicle that I could get in without breaking my neck and if I hit a bump not knock myself out. I test drove 5 other big SUVs. The only other SUV I could fit in was Ford Expedition and it was OK but it didnt do anything for me so I kept looking. My wife saw an Aspen at a dealership and asked if I would test drive it so I did and I purchased it the next day. I got the fully loaded limited. We love it. I dont have a heavy foot so when I drive I can get in the city 17mpg, on the hwy going 70 mph got 25 mpg. I think that is great for a big SUV. The Aspen is as good or better than SUVs that are a little higher in price.

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  I hated Chrysler - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By kb - February 20 - 11:53 am

  Never thought i would own a Chrysler. By chance rented the Touring version and was extremely impressed with the fit and finish, handling and comfort. I had bought a dodge avenger for my daughter,a college student, and watched her car quickly deteriorate during a 3yr period. I must have put half as much money into repairs relative to what I initially paid for the vehicle.Her car looked good and drove well but quality and dependability was poor to say the least.In any event I swore Id never own another Chrysler product-that was until I test drove a 300c, with all wheel drive. I had test driven the LS, Avalon, A6,Infiniti and STS before the 300c. The 300c was undoubtedly the best car.

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  Great truck for the money! - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By cvh - February 18 - 2:03 pm

  When I first saw the Aspen, I had no idea what kind of truck it was. Chrysler does not advertise it, but am I glad I found it! We purchased a limited 5.7L Hemi and couldnt be happier with the performance. Compared to the Chevrolet trucks, you get a lot of nice extra features for the money! We love the heated leather seats, navigation system, rear DVD, Sirius radio, and roomy third row seats. Gas mileage not great, but we didnt expect it to be. The ride is smooth and quiet and the pick-up is outstanding. We previously owned a Chevrolet truck and I would never buy another one after finding the Aspen. Its a great buy!

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  Good solid family car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Todd - February 17 - 1:12 pm

  I like this car. It has done everything we needed it to do. My wife and I have three young kids and the car fits them and their car seats fine (one seat had to be taken out, though). It is much safer than any minivan out there. The handling/braking of the Pacifica is very good and definitely could factor into avoiding an accident.

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  Cheap Thrills! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By stig - February 17 - 12:32 pm

  Bought it 5 yr used at 112k miles. I wanted a car I could take to university that didnt say "Cheap" or "Eco". Bought it below PP price from a dealer (5.5k). It ran great and was reliable till the time i broke it... wasnt the same after repairs. Sold it off 4 months back. The car is quite powerful. 200HP in a light car is not gonna be slow. The Daimler Influences are evident because this "American" car is a decent handler. The 4 speed gear box isnt great but it does let you slam the accelerator and use the full RPM range before it shifts. The car looks great and the drop top is nice for the 3 months in a year that it can be put down. I liked the noises the engine made as well.

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  I loved it one time too! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Aggrivated in Ky - February 16 - 6:51 pm

  Ive owned my 300 for exactly a year now. I agree with others it looks fantastic. Granted I bought it used, but The car idles rough, shifts badly, currently need sway bars, wheel bearings, EGR Valve system repair. It sways badly lags in power especially in take off. I have check engine light and 2 lights to do with breaking illuminated. And beware if you ever have a flat tire. The lug nuts have casings on them that go over the lip of lug nut. They are not the removable caps. When you try to take the lug nuts off they caps just spin. I have had to cut the caps off my lug nuts and have to buy all new. On top of that, whoever heard of a car you have to have software updates? Wish I never bought it!

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  Good Car - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By AL - February 12 - 10:38 pm

  Bought this car used with only 30K and it has been great. The gas mileage is the best. Not much power but I can get 340 miles before the low fuel light comes on. Great when gas prices go up and down. Has the smaller 2.7 liter but Ice cold A/C. OH, and the trunk space is even better. I hope this car can last me. No complaints here.