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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  Sad to say good-bye - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By H Mac - May 28 - 10:34 am

  Ive driven my LHS for 8 years. At a 131,000 miles it doesnt owe me a thing. I have loved this car and enjoyed the driving experience every time Ive gotten behind the wheel. The car handles like a dream in all kinds of weather and is a comfortable ride. We had some door lock issues and repairs you would expect after 131k miles but otherwise no repair issues. I could probably drive it another 50k miles but the deals on the 09 300C are just too good to pass up. Ill be saying good-bye to my LHS tomorrow when I turn it in for my new 300 hemi. The 300 is a great looking car but I must say the interior on my LHS offers more. Im hoping I will enjoy this new car as much as I have the LHS.

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  So far Sooo Good! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sunkissed! - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car last July and Im lovin it! Its quick, nimble and has power to spare... Its really a head turner... Hope i feel the same when the warranty expires!

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  Great car with a lil TLC - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Steve - May 27 - 8:29 am

  Very dependable car with no large repair expenses, but I also do 90% of my own repairs. I love the 3.5 engine. Most issues after 60,000 miles, standard r/m in my opinion, except the poor quality paint. 30,000-40,000 miles change plugs. At 45,000 miles, replaced hood struts. 52,000, valve cover gaskets. 80,000 miles, EGR valve, solved drivability issue. Found spark plug tubes cylinder 2 & 4, not sealed at bottom, allow oil on top of plugs, removed tubes and applied RTV red sealant. Subframe bushings, sway bar struts, inner tie rod bushings at 90,000. For preventive maint, at 100,000, I replaced all 4 o2 sensors, fuel injectors, coil packs, wires and plugs. Easy car to work on for the DIY.

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  Extremely Pleased - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Vincent Black Shadow - May 26 - 10:07 am

  Traded an 03 Town & Country that served us very well. Couldnt be more pleased with the Pacifica as a replacement. Refined and quiet, well done interior and great performance for a vehicle of this size. Havent had it long enough to judge the fuel economy but Im really not concerned. This is a very well made and well thought out car. Not to mention 30% off sticker from a dealer that was on the "list".

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  i was wrong about this car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By cool man big car 2 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  i reported about this car before and said it was really bad but chrysler fixed them all and now its great after my lease is up im going to buy another car mabe the crossfire or the new hemi powered 300c.

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  wow! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By mr.mike - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I have not found a vehicle that looks this good and has all this power, its a wonderful car

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  Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Davland - May 24 - 2:00 am

  Pacifica is a wonderful ride,but lacks in MPG.Love the smooth HANDLEING.

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  What a Car! - 2006 Chrysler Crossfire
  By glmiller - May 22 - 4:39 pm

  The car is fun to drive. The power for such a sample car is unbelievable. The gas mileage is reasonable and the craftsmanship is outstanding. Some of the problems is that it only has one cup holder in the cabin. Also when getting the oil changed, if you dont do it yourself, be ready for a shock. The filter is $31.00. The engine takes 8.5 quarts of 0 W 40 which is not cheap. So the total cost for a change will run between $110 to $120. But the enjoyment of the car is well worth the price.

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  Love my 300C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Carrie - May 21 - 7:20 pm

  Got a great deal on a loaded 300C/AWD - its beautiful inside and out. Nothing to complain about at all - Ive let many of my friends and family drive it or borrow it. Everybody loves the smooth ride and comford. I would be confident to highly recommend this car to anyone whos thinking about getting one. Young and old alike, its a looker. As my teenager said, "Its a luxury race car" - it outclasses the old mans Cadillac, Lucerne and shouldnt even be in the same category as any boring Ford. Its in a class of its own.

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  PT Cruiser Convertible - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By CalvinX - May 19 - 10:23 am

  I purchased this car when I turned 40. I actually researched and purchased this car "online" before they were available to the public. Two years later I am still very pleased with my purchase. For the price, it was a very good purchase.