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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  Fun, but ... - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Computerguru - May 1 - 5:36 am

  My wife and I bought this car brand new, but it has had problems ever since and Chrysler refuses to cover them. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings went out at 36,700 miles, BEFORE the tires. It also has a stalling problem, that nobody seems to be able to figure out. I will not buy another Chrysler. Thats for sure..

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  Still Going Strong - 1995 Chrysler Sebring
  By sjh1400 - May 1 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great car. I have 193000 miles and its still going strong.

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  The best, funnest, most luxurious car - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By DD - May 1 - 2:00 am

  The best, funnest, most luxurious car for the money. Putting premium gasoline will pay off. Would beat anybody off the light. Ultimate luxury, excellent seating, very stable. HVAC system is the best Ive ever experienced. Most comfortable auto-stick. (ive tried lexuss and acuras)

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  The best, funnest, most luxurious car - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By dd - May 1 - 2:00 am

  The best, funnest, most luxurious car for the money. Putting premium gasoline will pay off. Would beat anybody off the light. Ultimate luxury, excellent seating, very stable. HVAC system is the best Ive ever experienced. Most comfortable auto-stick. (ive tried lexuss and acuras)

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  I am glad Chrysler folded, they deserved it - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By gbw123 - April 30 - 11:25 pm

  This car is the biggest piece of junk ever built. I bought it for a college student with a long commute for semester breaks. Everything that could go wrong with this car did. Brakes, calipers, air conditioning, radiator, electrical, engine leaks, engine light coming on, heavy vibrations when idling. I have to believe this vehicle was built as a bad joke. Someone at the head of the old Chrysler must have had an inept kid they gave a job to and they designed this car. The value dropped by 80% in one year. The only positive thing about this vehicle is the amount of interior space. We can fit a lot of stuff. Gas mileage is also pathetic. Shame on you old Chrysler. Your car is a disgrace

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  what a car! - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By wags - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive put 41,500 miles on this car. And what a beauty. The best car Ive ever had, and Ive bought plenty of them. It never fails to turn heads. All of my friends and co-workers marvel at the beauty of the car. Excellent acceleration, tight steering, and smooth braking. This car packages many of the performance a sports-car enthusiast loves with the classy looks and comfort of a great luxury car. My only slight annoyances are that it can be a little rough and it picks up a little road noise. No other problems at all with the car-Zero.

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  Awesome 4 Door Sedan - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Joe McNamara - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Has everything an Audi A6 has and more for 20k less your stupid if you buy a car with a foreign price tag on it with the same features.

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  traveling van - 2002 Chrysler Voyager
  By yorkstl - April 29 - 2:00 am

  The overall look of this paticular van was appealing to me. I wasnt quite ready to give up having a car, but we travel with our two children and dog quite frequently. So we bought it. So far the van has been in the shop twice and both times has taken a week or so to fix. The first time it was due to the emergency brake not being able to disengage, which in turn caused all of the rear brakes to need replacing. The secong time it wasnt starting at all and it needs a new fuel injector part. I have been out of my new car for two weeks out of the one year I have owned it. Maybe I should have done some researc before buying this one.

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  A Car to Grow Old With - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By westminister - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car with all the creature comforts. I have the LXi (3.5l, leather, etc...). Smooth ride, easy handling, loads of room, a joy to drive! A little noisy in the cabin, but not bad.

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  Best Sedan For Value - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Bill Klockenkemper - April 28 - 2:00 am

  For the price you cannot beat it, it has everything an Audi A6 has! Im in sales and travel alot and have had no problem!!!