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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  2000 Concorde LX - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Chvanwest - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car after rolling into the dealership in a car that wouldnt move anymore. Overall, I have been very pleased with the car. I have had no mechanical problems with it so far (knock on wood), and it is truly a luxury car for the person who doesnt want to pay for a luxury car.

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  WOW What A Car!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Saint777 - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I love sport cars and I have had a Porsche, 300Z, & a Supra. I was thinking about buying the BMW Z4, but then after driving the Crossfire I totally forgot about the Z4. I had to have the car after I drove it, and this car is a buy not a lease. What I love and suprized was the handling and the attention I get. A week after buying it I took it for a test and I was doing 85mph without brakes on a 25-35mph road i was suprized felt like i was driving my porsche, i love it.

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  concorde lxi - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By cygnus - May 16 - 2:00 am

  have enjoyed this car, roomy,easy to drive, rounded fenders make it hard to tell where they are when parking,A/C went out and expensive to replace, not bad milage

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  I love this machine - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Soulive21 - May 16 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. I traded in my Grand Cherokee for it and didnt look back. I wish I couldve found a convertable but this will definitely do. You cant go wrong when the guts of the car are Mercedes.

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  Great Crossover Vechicle! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By fkeiser - May 15 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle for long trips. I traded a woody PT Cruiser for more comfort. The PT got only 25 on a long trip; Im getting a consistent 20-22 after only 5K on the odometer. Im going to full synthetic oil at the 6K oil change for more mpg, hopefully. Like my PT, I get a lot of positive comments from passers- by. I love the magnesium color. My neighbor traded their Jeep for a Pacifica after looking at mine. Stated it had more room than the Jeep.

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  Mini-Van Meets Economy Car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Heather Serlick - May 15 - 10:00 am

  The best way to describe this vehicle is smaller then a mini-van but larger then an economy car. You get great versatility with a fuel economical vehicle. Perfect for people that need cargo space but dont want a gas hog. I would recommend this vehicle to any lifestyle.

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  damn good car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By gmalexander - May 15 - 10:00 am

  This is a very good vechile for both on the road and in town. Gas milage is acceptable and the top is an extremely easy up and down.

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  Fun - but reasonable - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By fasteddie40 - May 15 - 10:00 am

  Ive really enjoyed my Sebring Convertible - My second one now - Great performance, stylish, fun to drive - no problems with maintenance or reliability - A#1 in my book - especially for the value

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  Fun in the sun... - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Tini - May 15 - 10:00 am

  When I saw this vehicle on the road for the first time I did a double take and followed the car. This has been the best purchase I could have made. Not only does the car handle beautifully, it is beautiful to look at too! The turbo engine gives it the preformance that I want and the size does not make me feel like a sardine in a can. LOVE IT!!

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  PT Turbo Convertible - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By rusgc - May 15 - 10:00 am

  Im very impressed with this car. We just returned from 1800 mile trip and comfort, driveability, and performance on the road were very good. I also have 2 Porsches, a Boxster and 1984 Carerra 911, we like to travel in. This car doesnt compare of course in the handling department, but comfort, roominess, and power from the turbo on the road, were surprisingly good. Gas mileage was 23-25, not great, but maybe OK considering the performance - cruised easily at 80 - 85 - still pushed you back in the seat when you hit the accelerator. I ran it up to 115 which it hit easily and had it had a lot more to go. Overall, very pleased.