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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  Nice car, but... - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By wiscman - August 31 - 5:30 pm

  Nice car. Comfortable, with high seating. Aligning the mirrors is important since there are some potential blind spots. Gas mileage poor. This fairly light weight wagon only gets about 22 - 24 mpg on long drives. My 1995 explorer with 275,000 miles got the same. City mileage is far better, however. Highway ride is a bit noisy, but not objectionable. Sporty maneuvering is not in the cars job description. My explorer again could hold a tight curve much better, and the turning radius was tighter. However, the car looks cool, with nice amenities. For replacement, I will be looking at the Kia soul or forte, or the Hyundai elantra touring.

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  Classic Style - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By Nature Boy - August 31 - 2:00 am

  after a rough ride with the dealer upon original purchase (radiator replacement), this car has been a beauty. They styling has always drawn compliments from friends or strangers. The performance is quite snappy for a vehicle of this size. The sliding sunscreen for the moonroof is nice when you dont want that open air feeling and sun in your eyes. Fuel economy has been a pleasant surprise as I am averaging about 21 miles per gallon in city driving.

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  2005 Limited - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By bjd - August 30 - 5:26 pm

  love the car so far. Owned same for 1 month however there areas that are inconveinent. ex. blind spots, rear view mirror too small. display panel on dash is dificult to read. cruise control is a pain to operate. Memory seats are lacking(std on my 2001 LHS). Tilting rear view mirrors when backing up are gone, also std on my 2001 LHS. Steeing wheel tilt is better on my 2001.there are two drivers, adjustable brake in/out used once.telescoping steering wheel used once.Garage opener should be an option, I dont have a garage but had to take same.milege not even close to sticker so far.10 vs 17. LHS gets 15 in city driving. miss storage pockets on the back of front seats. i think the car will ok

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  2005 Limited - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By bjd - August 30 - 5:26 pm

  love the car so far. Owned same for 1 month however there areas that are inconveinent. ex. blind spots, rear view mirror too small. display panel on dash is dificult to read. cruise control is a pain to operate. Memory seats are lacking(std on my 2001 LHS). Tilting rear view mirrors when backing up are gone, also std on my 2001 LHS. Steeing wheel tilt is better on my 2001.there are two drivers, adjustable brake in/out used once.telescoping steering wheel used once.Garage opener should be an option, I dont have a garage but had to take same.milege not even close to sticker so far.10 vs 17. LHS gets 15 in city driving. miss storage pockets on the back of front seats. i think the car will ok

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  Disappointed - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Menace - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Drivers window motor replace twice. Car shakes dealer says its tires, tire dealer says its the car. Rubber seal came loose from around both headlights. Drivers seat moving as you drive, replacement part has been on order for almost 4 weeks. Noises from front suspension, some repaired after 2 years others we are living with. Way too much road noise. Big disappointment for what was sold as their top of the line.

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  Bad sevice - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By got stuck - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Nice car that rattles down the road.We went to 3 dealers to fix problems and all three could not help.One of them swichted the tires on my car because I did not buy rear breaks from his shop.The car needs some help with rattles But its fun to drive.I will not buy another crysler because the service is so poor

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  Happy until... - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Happy? - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Enjoyed the Car Until 85,000 miles- then the check engine light comes on. Multiple trips to 3 different mechanics over the last 8 weeks and it is still not right. Summary: Unannounced engine jumps (revs)while driving Stalling at stop lights Rough idling Slight window leaks Fogging in rear tail light assembly Recently Replaced Head Gasket Heater hose Fuel pump O2 sensors Brakes, Rotors

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  None - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By timeshared - August 29 - 2:00 am

  One of the nicest cars I have ever driven. As they say Drive = Love. I am keeping this vehicle w/ 38000 miles, and selling my 99 Volvo S70 with only 23000 miles The Chrysler is simply a more luxury riding and driving car.

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  This car was Great!! - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By Chris17654 - August 28 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle was great when I first got it. But later on in the year it started having problems. Every time I hit the gas it makes this humming sound that can really get on your nerves when on long trips out of town. Also the front axle seems to breaking down. There is some kind of rattling sound. All though it is almost impossible to get a better sound system installed because of the way everything is hooked up to the Amp in the trunk. The car is just to weird. The 1998 model should have been a manual anyway. It would work alot better so the buyers would be able to "Hook it up". Like cold air intakes etc.....

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  A Perfect Pug Mobile - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Pug Nut - August 27 - 9:06 pm

  Bought new 2002 5 spd stick 4 1/2 years and 83,000 miles later- new tires, frnt pads @40k, new cooling fan @60k,clutch, rotor, pads, tires & boogerbushings @83k, P.M. belts, hoses, battery/primary @83k Ive had lots of new cars/trucks and this has been the most satisfying overall - shes a little low slung which is part of the look oh well and sometimes a little skittish on slippery surfaces. I used to be new every 2 (or less) but I cant justify selling my PT just to buy another one. @83k 25 mpg - the whole 5 speed pkg awesome