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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  Great vehicle at a great price - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Captain Real Estate - June 14 - 10:00 am

  I have put 2500 miles on the vehicle since I bought it and have been impressed with the entire car. The ride is more like a european car and the Mercedes technology shows through. Plenty of power with great handeling. Very quite with a super sounding stereo. I put about 20,000 mile a year on a vehicle selling real estate and love driving this car. I have had lots of compliments on its looks especially from women. Mine is fully loaded and love all the options. While it does not get good gas mileage, I didnt buy it or expect it to with the hemi. It reminds me of the high performance cars of the 60s (I had a 66GTOthen) but better technology and dependability.

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  Truly a lemon - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By white karen - June 14 - 2:00 am

  This car has been a nightmare since I purchased it from a lease buyback. Low miles was should have assured me miles of driving before repairs. Off the top of my head I can remember a new air conditioning still under warranty. NOT UNDER WARRANTY a second air conditioning, new transmission at 43,000 miles, new track system at 30,000, new brakes at 50,000, new plugs and wires at 54,000, new water pump, timing belt,etc, at 56,000---I could go on but my check engine light has now come on and I am getting rid of this nightmare. Wish me luck

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  Love on first sight - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Affan - June 14 - 2:00 am

  I like what I see and it is totally worth it

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  Not Bad - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By GB - June 14 - 2:00 am

  No problems so far. Runs and looks great. I still love the platinum color on my JXI Limited. My only complaint is the stupid cup holders. Come on! Cant fit my Big Gulp in there.

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  Great Car - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Dakota - June 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought it new when it first appeared, and I never buy a new model, but fell in love with the looks and performance. Like the drive and the features, especially the heated seats in these North Dakota winters. Did have to replace a couple of sensors under warrenty, but no other problems and the gas mileage is great.

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  please help - 2017 Chrysler 300
  By Al Simendinger - June 13 - 10:40 am

  I have owned a few Chryslers but this 2017 is the worst, I had problems from the start-------transmission,radio,g.p.s. I had service done and they said it was o.k. but it wasnt. do they ever field test it ??????. I am bringing it back again

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  love my prowler - 2002 Chrysler Prowler
  By carcrazy - June 13 - 2:00 am

  you could not get more looks walking down the street naked than you will driving a prowler. my yellow 2002 causes a scene every time i get it out.

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  Good car, bad Service - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By xxx - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought it at 40k miles, with extended warranty (excellent idea, as it turned out) and I only had very minor problems with the car. However, all dealerships I dealt with were so incompetent, it took a lot of effort each time to have the car fixed (e.g. 3 visits time 3-4 days each to have the sunroof fixed, 3 visits to have the wheel hubs replaced, 4+ visits for an intermittent no-start problem (they replaced a lot of things, but it was a $12 fuel shut-down relay, etc.) If you know a reliable mechanic, buy this car, its fun to drive. Otherwise, stay away from it.

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  Powertrain Computer Module - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Shannon - June 11 - 10:50 pm

  I have 2001 Pt Cruiser with 100400 miles on it the Computer has been replaced 3 times in less then 2 months. Does anyone have idea as what could be causing this problem. The EGR valve has melted and needed to be replaced 2 times in less then a month.

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  300M after 3 years - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By cor - June 11 - 2:00 am

  OK, so Im ashamed to admit it but, I leased this car, and proceeded to put 70,000 miles on it in 3 years. The car has been in the shop twice, once for front stableizer, once for a speed sensor. Neither was a major deal, and I was told both are a common problem. Two issues with build quality: driver side door doesnt seal 100% so some wind noise, and engine makes tappit when first starting. Otherwise a very nice car, comfortable, stylish, poweful, and for the most part reliable.