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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  This is one sexy car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By ANNIE - March 6 - 8:36 pm

  This is one sexy car!!! What power! A real "guys car" but oh what fun for a woman to drive. A real head turner at every stop sign! I gave up my Lincoln Navigator for this - and never looked back!

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  Engine Failure - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By LarryG - March 5 - 3:06 am

  I purchased this vehicle new in December 2000. The car performed well until Feruary of 2005 when at 98,000 miles, the motor began making a noise and the oil light came on. Diagnostic tests revealed that the engine was destroyed due to oil starvation from oil sludge. The vehicle would require a replacement of the 2.7 liter engine. Faced with this option I decided to replace the car. Research over the past few weeks has revealed that the Chrysler 2.7 liter engine appears to have many problems. I would seriously recommend that anyone purchasing this vehicle type with tis motor, perform a in-depth check of the engine.

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  Crossfire in FL - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By 2005 Crossfire - March 5 - 1:40 am

  I love the Crossfire (yellow, Limited Convertible, two-tone leather interior). It truly has been the best car I have ever owned. The performance is good and fun to drive, even with an automatic transmission. The styling sets the car apart and impresses everyone who sees it. The handling is superb the way the car hugs the road, and my favorite feature is the electric convertible top – classy. I only have 4,600 miles on it, and I just hope I enjoy it as much years down the road as I do now. The only downside is the size; if you are over 6ft. 5 inches, you probably won’t fit.

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  too low - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By walter alvarez - March 4 - 11:56 am

  so far its been very good except when parking. The engine covers underneath are too low.

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  Yikes - 2000 Chrysler Voyager
  By Ginbers - March 3 - 2:51 pm

  I liked this van for the first year, except that after only 3 months, the power window belt broke. Then things went down hill from there. The paint is terrible, scratches easily. The brakes went several times, well before they should. The transmission is horrible. This van seems to be only good for the first year, and then look out...everything starts to go wrong. The Blue Book value is so low, it makes me wonder why I bought it new in the first place. I lost a ton of money. I would never buy it used.

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  Fun car to drive - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By caffeinefree3 - March 2 - 4:46 pm

  I have the 2.7 L six cylinder version.It handles great and has lots of punch. Very quiet ride too. I only have had one problem. One of the transmission cooling lines became loose and had to be reclamped. Happenned at 37,000 miles so was not covered under basic 3 year, 36,000 warranty. My luck!

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  Great car for the money - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By JM in NJ - March 2 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car for the money. For just under $26,000, I got a car with a V-6 engine, autostick transmission, heated leather seats, a killer sound system with 120 watts, chrome wheels, moonroof, a great ABS brake system, great sport suspension, great steering, comfortable seats, CD changer (4 disc), power everything, and great looks in addition. I would reccomend this car to anyone who enjoys driving; and with a 7yr. warranty, and friendly service centers, you cant go wrong with this car. This is definately a better car; than an import sedan, and much faster than a Camry, with less than 8 seconds 0-60.

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  From SUV to STV - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By tax374 - March 2 - 10:00 am

  A very positive experience right from the dealers lot to the everyday commute. Vehicle is responsive and safe.

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  Better than expected - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bigturk - March 2 - 10:00 am

  We especially like the trunk configuration with the shelf for place items that could break, like eggs or glass when we do our shopping. It is easier to get a 50-pound sack of dog food out of the Cruiser than out of the Taurus we sold. Like the way it sits and handles. Enough power, but needs better gas mileage.

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  2.7 will fail - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By John Durbin - March 2 - 9:25 am

  We bought this car new and we loved it. The first 120,000 miles we had no problems at all. Then the door locks started to make a bad noise when you use them. Then the engine blew. We have found out that about 2/3 of all the 2.7L engines have blown and there might be a class action suite against Chrysler. If you do get a Concorde DO NOT get the 2.7L engine. I know of engines failing anywhere from 15,000 on up. We have had a few Chrysler vehicles in the past but I will never buy another one again, it is a shame because I have a relative who works for them.