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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  I love this Car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By CKauerauf - May 8 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my PT and it was the best purchase that I have ever made. The only thing wrong to the poor gas mileage for a small car. I recommend the PT to anyone who wants to buy one.

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  dream car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By shoreowls - May 8 - 10:00 am

  wanted one since they first came out. Bought day lost company car. I have never enjoyed driving anything as much as this car. With the top down I feel like a king or maybe just a kid again One problem fixed in an hour without an appointment. Strangers tell me how much they like the car. Satin Jade is extremely beautiful. Suede inserts are a great idea. Can not wait to take on long drive.

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  Fun Ride - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Morton 2005 - May 8 - 10:00 am

  In the first month we owned our Cruiser we took two trips. We had a blast! The whole family had plenty of room. And people really notice this car.

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  LOVE THIS CAR - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By COBBLE - May 8 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR IS A HEAD TURNER , WHEN I BOUGHT IT IT WAS BECAUSE I LOVED THE LOOKS AND STYLE, IT HAD THAT OLD CLASSIC LOOK WITH A NEW CAR EDGE. IT WILL BE A TOP SELLER FOR THE CHRYSLER FOLKS ,I COULD TELL BY THE CONVERSATIONS IT STARTS AS I DRIVE BY PEOPLE, SEEMS EVERYONE LOVES THE STYLE OF THIS CAR .KUDOS DO THE MINDS THAT DESIGNED THIS BABY.. THANK YOU .I LOVE THIS CAR

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  I love to drive.... - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Lady T - May 8 - 10:00 am

  I love my new car although I would like to see better quality on the materials used for the interior, especially the carpet. But I know Chrysler had to trim corners somewhere or someone like me would not have been able to afford this car. I never wanted to drive before unless I had to now Im looking for places to go...

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  1996 LHS - 1996 Chrysler LHS
  By GrampyWraith - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Owned since it had 16 miles on the odometer. Except for some unfortunate wind noise in the front seats at highway speeds the ride is EXCELLENT!! Problems with cooling system components since about 1 year old. Two water pumps, one radiator, on thermostat, one set of belts in 90,000 is not bad however. The rest of car has functioned flawlessly.

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  Good Value For the Price - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By kingpbk - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for a car that was sporty yet had room for more than two people. Compared the 300M to Lincoln LS and Lexus. Although those cars are considered exceptional, the 300M was by far the best bang for the buck. Had some Goodyear tire issues that got resolved, they were causing a slight pull to the right. They need to improve upon the molding around the doors, doesnt seem to fit very well.

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  2nd 300M - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By hcoffin - May 7 - 2:00 am

  When it was time to trade in my 99 model, I kept coming back to the 300M. After looking at the Acura 3.2 TL and Lexus ES300, my eyes were still drawn to the 2002 model. For the money, other cars in its class cannot beat the styling and it also makes this family man with three kids still feel like he can have spirit in his ride - it beautifully blends looks, conservatism, and the feeling of speed into one car. The bottom line is that when the lease is up on this beaut, Im hoping that the convertible version will be out.

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  Never again - 2 blown head gaskets - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Sharon Decker - May 6 - 2:00 am

  I will never again buy a Chrysler. At 50,000 miles the car blew a head gasket. This weekend it blew a second at only 71000 miles. I am going out now to buy a new car, and I guarantee it wont be a Chrysler. By the way, it also has an unreliable gas guage, guzzles fuel, and the air never works long. Two months ago, I replaced the bad front rack ($700). Also steers to the right even though the alignment is correct. Replaced both front tie rods. Other problems in the front as well that I hadnt fixed yet.

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  Chrysler Cirrus - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Rhonda McPherson - May 6 - 2:00 am

  I have thoroughly enjoyed my car :)