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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  My Mid-life Crisis - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Lorrie S - October 8 - 2:00 am

  A wonderful,fun, reliable, roomy car. I love it and will buy another in a heartbeat. When broadsided by a BMW, it received little damaged, while BMW was totaled. It is the best car I have ever driven and I absolutely love it!

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  Overall Excellent Car - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By alto - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Comfort, Style and Perfomance get excellent marks. The exterior design is sleek and prestigious. Interior of car as well as truck is exceptionally roomy and comfortable. All bells and whistles are top notch.

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  My Sebring - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By barbara210 - October 8 - 2:00 am

  If you cant fly a plane or surf in the ocean, a convertable is the next best thing. After I bought this I thought Id better put the top down as often as the weather allows me or it wont be worth the extra money I paid to have a convertable. It was worth it. I love the feeling of the air and openess.

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  It was great for a long time. but now. . . ? - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By hotwifey - October 5 - 11:06 pm

  I purchased this car when it was 1 year old in 2004. I loved the design and still do. This car really had no issues until the past 1.5-2 years. I was so happy with it, I thought I will just keep driving it as long as I can. Recently, at 94,000 miles- I have had one problem after another. It is a bummer because this car was great for me for many years, but now it is a hassel. Im looking to sell mine now, but not sure what type of person can afford the repairs. :( The interior and exterior looks new, but under the hood is another story.

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  love my car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Art - October 5 - 11:03 am

  Only one thing I dont like is when making a U turn for example I dont like that it doesnt turn on a dime...you need a large area...Im used to being able to turn in a small area .

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  Great car - 1996 Chrysler LHS
  By Ivan - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Lost front end at 37000 miles. Dealer covered under secret warranty.

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  Like driving a Laz-Z-Boy - 2001 Chrysler Voyager
  By blueskies18 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I know everyone sneers at mini-vans the way interior designers sneer at recliner chairs. But we still keep buying vans and recliners because they provide confort. Frankly, when I am on the road, I like my driving experiences to be pleasant, confortable and as stress-free as possible. Thats why I love my Chrysler Voyager. They have been working on perfecting min- vans for years and they got it right.

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  Perfect American car! - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By sirharper - October 4 - 2:00 am

  A perfect American offering. When compaired to Acura, Lexus, and Lincoln offerings this car is a no- brain decision. I have not had a single unscheduled maintance on it for any reason. I feel sorry for the lemmings that pay the extra $$$ for other supposidly better foreign offerings, their cars should have missed the boat instead of them!

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  2003 Special - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By sjb - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I took advantage of the 0% finance after looking at alternative 30K cars...G35,Acura, and VW. This is a big car with extraordinary road manners. The handling is superb and the fit/finnish looks good. The big surprise is that the 4 CD in-dash deck was replaced by a 6 CD deck! Next year things change for the "letter" car front wheel drive is OK for me, what with the snow. I got the 17" wheels for better bad road handling. The ride is very firm, but not uncomfortable.

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  honeymobile - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By JKIDD - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable and reliable family car. Great mileage for commuting. 48,000 miles - mainly from long trips.