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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  LHS Lover - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Hawkeye - June 1 - 2:00 am

  Great Car - my 2nd LHS - also had a 99. No problems with either one except for sticking power windows (stronger door motors installed). This was because the seal was so tight it gripped the windows - a testament to its quality.

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  think before you buy - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By very unhappy - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I would suggest that you think long and hard before you buy a chrysler 300m. The car is nice with leather wall to wall. Drives great but the car is not worth a nickel. The car drops at least $5000 to $7000 in value. If you plan on keeping the car it is great but it is easier trying to pull teeth than selling your car to a private buyer and dont even think about trading in your 300m. It is not worth the material put into building the car!!!!!!

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  Great Car - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dawn44 - May 31 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Fun to drive and a great look.

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  My Dream Pacificia - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Maribeth - May 31 - 10:00 am

  I saw my first Pacifica along side the dealership in the ditch..It caught my eye immediately. Once I found the time to go for a test drive I purchased the car that day. It has comfort for everyone and ease for me when Im shopping. I love the ride and style. I feel that Im driving a much higher priced car than what I had to pay for it. It far exceeded the 2001 Highlander that I traded in because the Pacifica offers so many more gadgets. I cant say enough about the Pacifica. I absolutely love it and feel that it is the best car that Ive even owned in luxery and looks.

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  Great Value - 1999 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Maryland - May 30 - 2:00 am

  This is alot of car for the money. That was true when I bought it new and its still true today. It has many standard features, including leather interior, that are expensive options on other cars. 45,000 miles and not a single problem. I think it holds its own against much more expensive cars.

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  What a Car!! - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By nuffer - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car about a month, bought it used with only 19,000 mi and it is show room condition. This car has it all! All the bells and whistles, the looks, ride and quality of build. Im a Dodge/Chrysler guy and this car is not disappointing. I usually go for sporty or Pick-up but it was time for a little luxury and this car has it!

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  Paid for it twice! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Richard Shadetree - May 29 - 10:37 pm

  200K+ miles in 13 years and its near ready for the junk yard. Nightmare to work on because the cab-forward design leaves no room for belt, hose, and accessory maintenance. Timing belts are expensive to replace every 100K miles. Cabin doesnt have heat because the coolant pipes rusted, body work is rusting out, under-body rusting out, and engine bay rusting out. I did not know that a plastic coolant outlet housing could rust out, but it did and blew coolant all over the top of the engine. Burns a quart of oil every 1,500 miles. Coolant "magically" disappears overnight without trace or regular interval. Thirsty GREMLINS! Completely replaced the exhaust--headers to tailpipe-- and front suspension-- including CV drive assemblies, control arms, wheels bearings, etc.

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  Great Car, Bad Tranny - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By jobaker4 - May 29 - 2:00 am

  To this day the car still gets comments on how roomy and comfortable it is. Chrysler hit it right with this automobile. Engine is strong, and has never left me stranded. I have experienced lots of problems with the Transmission, a Chrysler Weak Spot! Definatley a good choice, check Trans and A/C before buying.

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  No problems here I love it! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By djk10 - May 28 - 12:30 pm

  Besides normal ware and tare breaks tires etc. This car has been a blast to own. I just paid it off and after a set of tires and my normal full tune up it has been better than any car that I have ever owned! Lots of room to haul groceries etc. I dont understand all the complaints I believe if you take care of a car routinely it will run great I bought it 3 years old 18k miles I deliver in it everyday 160k still going strong

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  Going to the poorhouse - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By broke in ky - May 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used with 50,000 miles, thinking I had found myself a good deal. In the past year and a half, I have already put into the car nearly $3000 for various things from the cylanoid pack, a computer part, front and rear brakes, rotors, etc. Every month this car presents a new problem. I take very good care of my car, keeping all scheduled maintenance, oil changes, etc. I would not wish this money pit on my worst enemy.