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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  I Hate This Car ! - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By M&M - November 26 - 2:00 am

  I hate to say it but this is the worst car Ive ever owned. The front end is way too low... bottom out everywhere. Both door handles have fallen off @ different times. Had transmission problem with a computer chip in 1st. year. Paint on molding has faded to dull grayish/black. Power windows seem to "stick" sometimes and just wont open. The worst was when a black tar- like substance started leaking from inside the doors. The dealer repaired it, TWICE! Then I had to demand new floor mats because that junk got on my mats. I go through tires like crazy!

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  This suv is the best thing - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By L boogie - November 25 - 12:03 pm

  not sure why reviews down the pacifica its great get 23 on average mile per gal. it drives like a top notch car mercedes. this is great people who complain must not keep up maint. anything will break if you dont do maint. on time. also consider driving conditions as well. if you drive like a race car driver you put the engine under stress its not designed for. its an suv guys not a honda accord.

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  2000 LHS Review - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Kevin Rohrer - November 25 - 2:00 am

  My LHS has been a pleasure to own and drive. In 60k miles, I have only replaced the tires once, brakes once, and the ignition lock. It gets good mileage on both city and highway driving (drove 380-highway miles on one tank of gas).

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  BAD EXPERIENCE - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By radcliff - November 25 - 2:00 am

  WE LIKED HOW THE CAR HANDLES AND DRIVES, BUT IT ALWAYES HAS SOMETHING GOING WRONG WITH IT AND CHRYSLER WONT STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT. THE POWER WINDOWS HAS BROKE FOUR TIMES. THE POWER LOCKS HAVE BROKEN TWICE. THE A/C WENT BAD AFTER 41000 MILES. THE FUEL SENSOR WENT BAD. THE LIST GOES ON & ON. WE WILL NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT AGAIN.

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  Fun car! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By laconiajack - November 24 - 10:00 am

  Amazing quality. The 03 model has body color bumpers rather than gray ones. Added a Continental Kit, extra chrome outside, carbon fiber and chrome inside. Strangers compliment it. Does 0 to 60 mph under 9 seconds. Accomodates five. Remove or lower rear seat plus passenger seat to carry things. It may resemble a hot rod, a hearse, a gangster car, or "woody", but not every other car.

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  I love my Concorde Ltd - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By mhjjr - November 24 - 2:00 am

  This is a replacement for a 1999 LHS. I am extremely satisified with my new auto. I has the standard features I wanted and fully expect this auto to be as trouble-free as my 1999 LHS which I traded in at 74,000 miles.

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  Satisfied Senior Citizen Owner - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By Robert324 - November 21 - 2:00 am

  Mom traded her Olds 98 for this car after Dad died. She likes the smaller car size and ease of parking, handling, etc. Very comfortable "road car". Maintenance has been minimal. (Had to replace hood "cylinders".) Very fuel efficient, but plenty of power on highway for Mom.

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  Lemon Car - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Nancy M - November 20 - 9:20 am

  I have had nothing but problems with it since I bought it. The transmission has been slipping since 2 weeks after I brought it home! The dealers computer cant find a problem, so they wont fix it. Now Im past my warranty period and they tell me that the repair is at my cost! also, I had numerous problems with it that arent supposed to happen. The Strut spring snapped in half, covered under warranty (but should never happen), the engine mounting bolt flew out and took out my power steering pump with it (that should never happen), the battery cable spontaneously burned up (mechanic was surprised my car didnt catch fire!) and that should never happen,either! Im trading it for a Honda!

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  Nice Design Poor Build - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By rocketman - November 20 - 2:00 am

  My 300M is a nicely designed car: good looking, comfortable and roomy. But the quality and reliability are awful. I have a 3 year lease which is about to run, and so far Ive had problems with: electric window (2 times), electric drivers seat, air conditioning compressor, and stereo speakers. No way will I keep it or get another.

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  Great car! - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By Megolfer - November 20 - 2:00 am

  Have loved the looks and ride of this car since I bought it. Was looking for a second car to go to work with and this has now become my primary car.