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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  Must have one!!! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ronel - February 19 - 10:00 am

  I am surprised that this SUV...I mean Minivan... I mean Sedan...hmmm...oops...a "WAGON". This is how I can describe it...I never liked driving long trips before... Now, I look forward for the weekends... WHY just weekend??? Coz I only get to drive it during weekends. And WHY??? Because it is not mine. Its my WIFEs Wagon!

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  The ding - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By DINGER - February 19 - 4:23 am

  Cramped interior, slow pick up, headlights, poor fuel economy, poor seats do not recline back far

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  Too Many Break-downs and Costly Repairs - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By J.A.G. - February 19 - 2:00 am

  I picked up payments on my LHS from my father (who wanted a new 300M). He bought the LHS new & had no problems w/ it prior to my buying it w/ 32,000 miles on the car. It did great for a while but then.... the AC went out @ 62,000 miles. Then the water pump went out causing multiple other problems at ~72,000 miles. Then at ~ 90,000 miles my transmission went out. I have so much in the car now in repairs I dont know whether to keep it or trade it in and take a huge loss. Repairs alone have cost me at least $4,000.

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  So far, so good! - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By AggieKlin03 - February 19 - 2:00 am

  So far, I have loved this car. I have only had it for about 3 months now but I could not have asked for more in a car for the price. If you are worried about appearance, this is a super-sexy car. Ive read several reviews complaining about the wheels bending easily, but luckily, mine came with after-market wheels off the used car lot. My only complaint is that of the low front end. I find myself braking and cringing at any little dip in the road.

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  I like my car but wish it was bigger - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By butterfly22 - February 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a nice sedan. Easy to manuever, looks good, stylish for a sedan. I find it very comfortable to drive or ride in as a passanger. I am in my car a lot so this was important. The standard features are plentiful and controls are well located . My biggest complaint is a noise that the dealer has not yet been able to correct. I have made 5 attempts already to get it fixed. Also the back seat became too cramped when we added a baby car seat to it. Ohterwise this is a great commuter car for the person going further than a few miles.

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  very happy! - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By jkanejr - February 17 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Concorde for 6 months now and am very happy about my purchase. The car rides extremely well and handles like a much more expensive car. My father-in-law also owns one and is considering purchasing a new one as well. The car offers a comfortable driving position, and good head and shoulder room. The low roof line limits how close you can pull up to traffic lights, where at some point, you cannot see the traffic light at all.That is the only negative I have noticed to date. Otherwise, I am very satisfied with my purchase and highly recommend this vehicle.

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  300M Special - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By SGravatt - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Love this car ... very comfortable and good gas mileage. Be cautious with the blind spot ... take care with changing lanes.

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  Dont buy it - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By hamann953 - February 17 - 2:00 am

  For a car in the above $30,000 price range, it has too many design/manufacturing flaws and defects. It deserves the Lemon award.

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  BACK TO AMERICAN - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By NANNIE - February 17 - 2:00 am

  This car is THE MOST fun to drive, and the black 300MSpecial is so sharp-guess I am going back to my youth! I cant find a negative so far and trading in the "luxury" Hyundai 350XL which the local Hyundai dealer did not want, convinced me never to buy "luxury" with the warranty that outlasts the value of the vehicles.

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  Avalon?!? Five Hundred?!? HA! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Kelly - February 16 - 2:46 pm

  First, to the nay-sayers: you ALL know that NOTHING can touch this car for the price. The feeling you get from driving it ALONE is worth the price. Finally the opportunity was made available for average joes to recieve a little extra respect. It doesnt matter how much of a square you may be, this car will make you appear to be the most cool, together person around. The bad news is this car is such a joy to drive, you wont notice all the looks and attention youll be getting!!! Even on the mean streets and freeways of California, this car is literally able to make unmanageable traffic a thing of the past. If you think it, it will be done. The car seriously borders on the intuitive. No joke.