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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  2005 Crossfire Ltd Roadster - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By bsblair - April 25 - 6:26 pm

  Sure is nice to have a car with torque, 2 A4s, turbo 4 w/ quattro, great cars, but no acceleration 0-30. Bought a roadster, cant wait for warm weather to drop the top. Room for more ammenities, but that would just drive up the cost. My wifes RX-8 has it beat for handling, but this car is more for cruising, with the top down.

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  Big Ride for $ - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Richard - April 25 - 11:13 am

  A really big bang for the money. Great style, presence, and performance. Very nice 23MPG during easy highway cruising. Great radio, GPS, and sports like handling and large interior space.Appeals to board range from youth to CEO.

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  sporty but tame - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Nick King - April 25 - 8:50 am

  This is a well built fun car with great looks. It is not a neck popper on take off. It is worth the price if you want a good looking fun car.

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  The European American - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Dan McGinnis - April 25 - 2:00 am

  I have owned BMWs, VWs and Volvos but like the 300 M better than all of them combined. It is a car that grows on you in just a few weeks...incredibly comfortable with a large interior. It has good power throughout the range and the Autostick is great. The car handles well, and is very fun to drive...with unique styling that stands out from the crowd.

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  Love this car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dewyonna - April 24 - 4:23 am

  I would never suggest buying a pt cruiser. 1st off the Chrysler dealer has had my car more than I have. I really do hate this car. Every time I turn around something is wrong and I am always told by the dealer that the car is fine well then in about 2 weeks the car is tore up again. I really cant wait to get sell this car and just b/c I have had bad customer service with this car I would never buy another Chrysler again. Oh, wait, and when its raining if the rain gets on the seats it will stain big time. It has a really wide turning radius. Dont buy a PT.

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  Chrysler Sebring LXi Coupe - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Effie Sue - April 24 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. The only problem I have found is the 17" aluminum wheels. They are not strong enough and, according to two tire and wheel companies who have replaced them for me, it is the #1 replaced wheel in the nation. They are very fragile, and Ive had to replace 9 of them in 2 years. They are $350 apiece!

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  ...and keeps on going! - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ed J - April 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new...and it still looks new...after 230,000 miles!!!! Most fun is telling people the miles when they feel the need to say "Nice car". No major problems. I still have the original shocks, exhaust, front end. Only complaint is the front brakes. They wear out too fast, even with a lot of highway miles. I was so pleased with this car that I bought a 2001 last year. 18,000 miles on that one and no problems either. I cant imagine buying another car with a hardtop even though I dont get to drop it in the winters of New England.

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  Mixed feelings - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Scottnjoan - April 23 - 2:00 am

  In August, I plan to walk away after 3- year lease. The car has been very reliable, luxurious and rides like a standstill at 80mph but too big for tight parking spots, rather boring to drive, and starting to show some age at 27K mi. Also, security system starting to become sensitive and triggering alarm when I park.

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  Spacious Luxury - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By EMH - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I find my Concorde to be extremely reliable, spacious interior, luxurious appointments and a plenty big trunk that easily accomodates 2 full sets of golf clubs!

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  dont buy - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By lcollins - April 22 - 2:00 am

  We purchased new. The right window motor had to be replaced within the 1st six months. The rubber insulation abound both rear doors keeps poping off and the rubber insulation around the headlights are coming off. Had to completly replace the transmissing after 32000 miles and 41 months of ownership. Did the dealer help? Completly ignored all calls and letters as did the factory. Am getting rid of it as fast as I can. Will never buy another Chrysler product.