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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  Wifes 300M - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Tlman - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Nice car and very comfortable to drive. Lots of great features that are simple and easy to operate. However, the A/C leaves a lot to be desired, very slow to cool the interior and has to work hard to stay at a constant temp. (My 2001 Grand Caravan Sport company car has a much better A/C at a lower sticker price.) And two trips to the dealership has not seem much improvement.

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  Into the 50s - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By Bossman - July 10 - 2:00 am

  I recently traded in my 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee for this vehicle. I was already familiar with the Concorde having had one in the mid 90s. I was truly delighted and satified with what Chrysler has done to this model. Lots of power both under the hood (engine) and dash (stereo). For the price this is porbably the best value of any car on the market. The interior and exterior looks are second to none. Having just turned 50 Im enjoying myself as much as I did in the 60s- 70s with the muscle cars of that era. Living in Canada I would have thought that heated seat would be standard in the Lxi version.

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  Into the 50s - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By bossman - July 10 - 2:00 am

  I recently traded in my 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee for this vehicle. I was already familiar with the Concorde having had one in the mid 90s. I was truly delighted and satified with what Chrysler has done to this model. Lots of power both under the hood (engine) and dash (stereo). For the price this is porbably the best value of any car on the market. The interior and exterior looks are second to none. Having just turned 50 Im enjoying myself as much as I did in the 60s- 70s with the muscle cars of that era. Living in Canada I would have thought that heated seat would be standard in the Lxi version.

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  good deal - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By happyone - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 95 just over 50K on the "O", ourside general maintance, the only repairs I had done are, new batt and freeze plug. Just put my first set of tires & align on @ 88K miles. Mechanic says car looks good.

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  I will never buy another one! - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By neverbyanotherone! - July 8 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive. It has a lot of get up and go! The car is great when it runs!!!! This car has had a new crank sensor, oil sender unit, solenoid pack, and brakes. It has also (according to dealership)programmed itself to think it has an alarm. It has had over $3500 of work on this car and still has problems. Thats a lot of money for a car with 88,000 miles on it. This is the first Chrysler I have ever owned and definitely will be the last!!!!

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  Really pleased - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By JKF - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car new and drove it a lot all over the country.Three trips to Colorado from Georgia and at least that many to Florida and Cleveland Ohio. Short trips about 25% long hauls rest of the miles. Normal mtce. Just put on third set of tires. Still with the original brakes,at least 10k+ more miles expected on them! 22 mpg overall and 26.8 on trips.Its an easy ride at and above the limit. Id buy another one.But its no longer available but the concorde might be just as good.

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  PT Cruisers Where To Be - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Billy Dean - July 7 - 3:30 pm

  2nd one; 102,000 miles on the first, no problems; great fun to drive; clubs to join,events to participate in; hauling space with fold down seats, and removeable seats offer excellent utility, often better than SUVs. 120 sq feet of usable space.

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  JOHNS REVIEW - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By john A - July 7 - 2:00 am

  VERY RELIABLE I DRIVE ALOT NEVER BROKE DOWN NEVER OVER HEATS BUT YOU NEED EXCELENT TIRES OR THEY WILL WEAR BAD BUT OVER ALL EXCELENT CAR

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  Decent car - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Jeremy Petro - July 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is very reliable. It has ok power and it is very comfortable. The ride is very smooth and it handles great. It is Mother friendly i.e. easy to unload kids due to the large backseat. Great gass mileage 28 mpg in the city. P.S. our first child is named concorde.

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  Best Car Ever - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By Joey - July 7 - 2:00 am

  If you are lookin for a great used vehicle, your in buisness w/ a 1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. My father got me one for my 17th birthday and i love it!