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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  Room to improve - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Gregg - December 8 - 1:23 pm

  I looked at alot of cars that could carry 6 people with many as many features that the AWD Limited offered at a reasonable price. This car does just that. The ride is great and it handles very well to.I have had it on several long trips with family and friends and all have nothing but great things to say about it.The dealership was great,very helpful with questions concerning the car.The financing and rebates definitely help make my decision to get this car but the single most fact about this car that made my decision to get it was the safety rating it had.For what I got any other car would have coast thousands more.

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  Horrible Gas Mileage - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Robyn - December 7 - 5:06 am

  I bought this car new after selling a 1996 Ford Explorer. I thought with a 4 cyl it would get good gas mileage. It was HORRIBLE. My 96 Explorer got better. I kept it for 18 months, and recently traded it in for a Chevrolet HHR. I was very disappointed in the gas, and at over $4.00 a gallon, could not justify keeping it any longer.

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  300M Special - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Tom/Allentown - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I got tired of shopping (Cad, BMW, Volvo,etc)and bought a silver one. My first Mopar. Kind of disappointed because it doesnt stack up well to my previous SLS Seville (except in price). Getting used to it but wouldnt recommend it for a traveler. 300M Special tires are only good for 20-30K, so its going to be $1000/yr for tires. The milage on the Seville was better and it was a V8 w/275 HP

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  Easy rider - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By Retired driver - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I now have 16,000 miles on my LXI and have had absolutely no problems with it. It is the best "road car" Ive ever driven. Im 61 years old and have never had a more comfortable, reliable ride.

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  mondays car - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By sandy - December 5 - 9:56 am

  My 1st pt was a 2002 5 speed loved the car after 124,000 mi I felt I should get another. I have been to the dealer to many times. I bought a used 2008 with 12,000 mi. After 2 mo. And 3, ooo mi the car died on a 4 lane road. Alternator needed to be replaced. 2 moths later a wire came loose need to be replaced. Just picked it up from the dealership and now the speedometer is not working. Gotta go back again. I do not trust this car anymore. I loved the 2002. Hate this car. I am afraid to go on a long trip.

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  1999 Chrysler 300M Deep Slate - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By ilvrr1 - December 5 - 2:00 am

  Purchased vehicle with 27k on it. Rotors had to be replaced immediately. Also had complete failure of power steering pump, which was replaced by dealer. More recently, the drivers window regulator failed. I paid for that out-of-pocket.

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  overview - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jim biles - December 4 - 10:56 am

  Fair- peeling chrome on all wheels, computer chip replaced to correct firing of fourth cylinder, flickerimg headlights due to misfiring of 4th cylinder, power steering leaks(4 different)-replaced hoses. Handling on curves a problem

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  Love This Car! - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Cirrusly Tuned - December 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Cirrus used in 1998 with 50K on the odometer and havent had a problem with her since. I have done all my own maintenance on the vehicle even though I am a layman when it comes to car repair. I have found quite a few aftermarket parts available and I have spent a little time at the track. The ride quality is good and the engine is peppy. A big bonus is the ability to carry 5 full size adults.

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  AWFUL Quality and Reliability - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By mack the knife - December 4 - 2:00 am

  This car has a nice design, but the build and quality control are terrible. I have had problems with: electric windows, electric seat, air conditioner compressor, and stereo speakers. I have leased mine and cant wait to turn it in. This is my first and last Chrsyler product.

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  2000 Chrysler LHS - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By JSemark - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I just bought a LHS with 60,000 miles on it off a lease and I could not be happier. The dealer was willing to negotiate and I got it for $12,100. They are also going to fix a few cosmetic things at no charge. Yes the resale is bad but hey- I got a $30,000 car thats two years old for $12,100. Much more car for the money than anything else I looked at.