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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  A sinking ship - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Midwest Mom - June 15 - 7:38 am

  I bought this car used 3 1/2 years ago with 65,000 miles on it. I loved it for the first year, then the air conditioner stopped working, $1000 repair. The weather stripping around the doors is too small and had to be replaced. Another year later the door locks began making a horrible sound. Another year and a half later and the 2.7 L engine is trash, despite regular maintenance and religious oil changes every 3000 miles. This car does not even have 100,000 miles on it. I cant afford the $4000 repair, and many shops wont even work on this engine because they dont want to warranty it. Best offer Ive had for the car is $50 after tow cost. I feel like Ive been lied to and ripped off.

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  Pretty Good Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By bstate16 - June 14 - 6:54 pm

  I am a 21 yr old male and I have owned this car 3 months, the only problem so far is the headlights went out, other than that it has been a good car. Chicks love this car, and everyone even people in BMWs have stopped me to ask what that is, and everyone thinks this is a 50,000 dollar car when its a 20,000 dollar car. I would not recommend getting this car, maybe later if gas ever drops. I am only getting 19 mpg.

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  great car if u can afford the gas - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By andy - June 14 - 10:00 am

  I havent had the car that long and only put maybe 6,000 on it over the last 2-3 months I had it. Not sure because the tack (or whatever the thing that tracks mileage is) doesnt always work. The inside is well designed and roomy. Has cup holder issues. Great stereo, lots of bass for stock. It got me to school everyday and so far to work everyday. Not something you wanna drive from Michigan to Florida because of the gas

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  I love it - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By wilky - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I picked up my PT cruiser convertible over a week ago and love it. The ride is smooth and quiet. I was surprised even when the top is down how quiet and great the car drives. The weather has been only in the 50s and still have loved driving the car with the top down, I cant wait until the summer. I think the turbo option is a must for a little more pep!

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  300 c - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By warren mcdavid - June 7 - 10:36 pm

  so far no problems with vehicle. really loves the way it handles, adapts to the road, and with fuel prices the way they are saves me a little at the pump.

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  Awesome ride...but were trading down. - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By ~m~ - June 5 - 12:04 pm

  We love our Aspen, it handles well and the bells and whistles are awesome. We havent had any malfunctions to speak of, although my husband has noticed something strange at the pumps, he often fills up when the needle is on E, and as he fills the tank he expects the gallons on the pump to match what he knows the tank should hold, the numbers come close to matching. Its as if theres a few unrecorded gallons left in his tank (but its a significant amt). The dealer has checked it out too, and no one can explain it. Its weird. Our one complaint, the rear seats are FIXED. They cannot be slid forward or backward by the occupant to accommodate a tall driver or someone in the 3rd row!

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  One of the best - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By One of the best - June 4 - 4:17 pm

  This has been a reliable car. We bought it with 59.000 mi and it now has 101,000. My husband loves to drive it, he says it has get up and go. The check engine light came on a few days after we bought it, so it went to the shop a few times and although the light would be off when we picked it up, it would always come back on- And remains on to this day. Tires need to be replaced soon, those will cost nearly $500. My husband says were switching from Michelin to Yokohama. Love the moonroof! Timing belt and brakes need to be replaced soon, but other than that, have replaced nothing major. The long front end makes it hard to tell how close you are to anything. Good solid car. Safe for families.

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  Not bad - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By My 99 - June 2 - 5:07 pm

  First owner was an elderly man who passed away and the family did not drive for several years. Since I have had it, I put 10K on it so far and it has been great. Just wish it had more passing power when I travel, but the gas mileage makes up for it. Able to get to PHX to Las Vegas on just a little under half tank. Not bad for a sedan this size. Tons of leg room. No problems so far at almost 40K. Hope it keeps up the good work.

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  Good buy if you get a used one - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jdt - May 30 - 11:44 pm

  I bought this vehicle because my wife and I wanted a vehicle with a 3rd row that wasnt a mini van and got better than 20 mpg. I picked this out because the price was right. I bought it used with 10,xxx at under $18k. Im a big guy at over 6 ft and 285 and I can comfortably get into the front and back seats, but I havent tried the 3rd row (I own it so I dont have to ride back there.) MPG has been around 21.5 since we bought it. It has more of a car like ride than most SUVs but you still feel some roll on harder turns (it is based on a mini van frame). It is a comfortable ride for long trips, and has plenty pickup around town. Overall Im pleased with what I got for the money.

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  Poor Investment - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By bowman271 - May 30 - 11:27 pm

  I bought this vehicle with 78,000 miles. Aside from the door weather stripping problems this seemed to be a great car. Then at 102,000 the check engine light came on. I was told by Chrysler that the engine was known for trapping oil in the upper engine causing excessive oil sludge. This was the cause of my problems and because of this I had to replace the crank shaft sensor and another I cant name at the moment costing me $650.00. I was also told by Chrysler that I would need a rebuild in the near future witch would cost me $6 ,000-$7,000. This apparently is an existing problem since 1997 with the 2.7 lt engine. I will never buy a Chrysler again. Very, Very disappointed!