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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  PT Just Cruises - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Uncle Al - May 13 - 8:30 pm

  Great looks, Great value, great uses,but it needs more get-up-and go. An add on supercharger for a nominal charge would be great. Also wonder what 2002 owners, before the 7yr-100,000 warranty extension, can do to find out if they are included- retroactivly.

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  bought 02 Pt Cruiser base used - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ptlover45 - May 12 - 1:32 pm

  I wanted the PT since it first came out. I got a used (11K miles ) base , 5 spd, ac, combo cassette -cd player, fog lights, privacy glass. Drove it for 33K miles. replaced front wiper motor under warranty. 18 mpg ( city ) 35 (hwy) never added oil. Suede interior much classier than the no-stain interior in my 07 PT. gauges set too deep in dash to be read in sunlight. GREAT STYLING.

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  Unreliability - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By Kazdad - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive never owned a vehicle with so many problems. Brakes, transmission, computer, sensors....the list goes on. Chrysler is in denial and wont admit to their faults. Would never buy another Chrylser product.

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  We love it - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By D Mays - May 11 - 8:53 pm

  We have 2 children, one of which is at the age where she wants to have friends along. We needed a vehicle that could comfortably hold 6 people, yet we didnt want a mini-van. This is the ideal vehicle for this!

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  A lot of car for the money! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Car guy - May 11 - 8:06 am

  I considered this car for 6 months as I looked at many others in the same price range. I can confidently say that this car is the absolute "best buy" in the market today of anything priced around $30,000 or less. Looks like a Bentley, drives like a Mercedes and gets 27 miles to the gallon on the highway - whats not to love? You wont regret making the decision to buy this car.

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  Its been a fun car to own - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By John Thomas - May 11 - 2:00 am

  I drive 38 miles to work each day. Some of that is back road and some freeway. The 300M is a constant joy to drive. Its powerful with good handling, yet the interior is refined and very comfortable. After almost two years of ownership, I have yet to get tired of driving this car.

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  Chrysler 300M - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Kellogg - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Truly a fine Automobile

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  Chrysler Cirrus LXi 96 - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By amazura - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I am just the third owner of this vehicle from March 02 ,have just already spent $240 to repair the Idle speed control.The display of the radio doesnt work but I can still enjoy the premium sound .Anyway , I still love it.Its great to drive on the highway with the 2.5L engine and luxury interior.Good ABS helped me many times.

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  2000 Grand Voyager - 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
  By Ray Kershaw - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Have about 71000 total miles. One one problem so far, replaced key cylinder. Best minivan weve had for past 16 years

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  Amazing Ride! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By a2alicat - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Ive loved this car ever since I saw it as a concept at the Detroit Auto Show. Its sleek, sexy, and loads of fun to drive. Handles extremely well, especially on curvy mountain roads. I only wish my daily commute included a mountain drive!