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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  Junk - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By consumer - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems out of this car. first it took 2 years to get all of the electric windows fixed and working properly. At 35000 mi the transmission went out due to the speed sensor failing.I have 56000 miles on my car and the and i just lost the A/C it appears that the Compressor has gone out. The dash board has a crack in it for no apparent reason my 33 year old truck doesnt even have a cracked dashboard. Over all the LHS has been a bad experiance it does look nice and rides comfortable when it works.

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  How much I love my new Pacificia - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Shirley Wellbrock - April 18 - 1:13 pm

  This car is wonderful to drive. I wish I could have a better than 20 mpg average but I do a lot of town driving. Not as economical as I would prefer but the overall performance is great. I have been an Acura 3.5RL driver and I was not sure that I wanted a Chrysler when my husband insisted that we get this car. But we have been very pleased with the Ltd. that we purchased. We did order the bigger wheels and the car is loaded with nice features. Performs well in our wet weather and am very glad we got the all wheel drive model. Roomy for us and our dog (which is why we went to the wagon and sold our Acura) and all of its necessities for traveling. Very roomy for suitcases, etc.

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  If I had only known - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By BarbaraSomething - April 18 - 10:00 am

  I should have known when I had to take my car back to the shop the very first day I drove it off the lot, and it stayed there for a week, that I was going to have a problem. It has been back since then for the same problem, and it doesnt even have 6000 miles on it yet. It is nice looking though and gets alot of comments, while it is sitting broken down at the side of the road! (that was added for sarcastic value by the way)

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  An Sedan with Class and Style - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By MSU_Kingpin - April 18 - 2:00 am

  I was sold the first time I test drove the Concorde. I didnt even think about purchasing one until the dealer asked my to at least try it out. Good thing I did, I havent had one problem since purchasing last year, and thats after 20,000 miles of non- highway miles! A great buy, I feel I got a great deal and love all the options.

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  I like it - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By glover - April 17 - 9:00 pm

  This is a happy car to drive,I have never had a vehcicle I have enjoyed more. It needs better gas milage, its tight between the door and the seat and I have a "bucking" problem that cannot be solved. Could use a more powerful A/C unit. Love the car, will get another one because it is so easy to get in and out of and I cant believe the room it has.

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  Best North American Sedan - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By sirharper - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Title says it all

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  Never Again - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By LemonLaw - April 16 - 2:00 am

  My 300M looked great, and had spirited performance to match. Unfortunately, the car was plagued with problems, and the dealer service was horrible. The car was serviced 6 times for the HVAC system which blew out cold air in the middle of winter (even with the thermostat set to 85 dergrees). Both front windows squeaked and made scraping noises when raised and lowered (the dealers solution - apply WD-40 to the glass!). Electrical problems damaged the transmission. I contacted Chrysler directly about my issues, but I got no resolve. Thank God, after 10 months, Chrysler purchased the car back under the Lemon Law. Needless to say, Ill never buy another Chrysler product again in life!

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  Great Car - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By dmb - April 16 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. Nearly 60,000 miles with virtually no problems. Excellent handling and performance. Solidly built. Great amenities.

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  CONCORDE - 1996 Chrysler Concorde
  By terry - April 14 - 2:00 am

  VEHICLE HANDLES VERY WELL AND HAS BEEN EXCELLENT AS FAR AS REPAIR ISSUES ARE CONCERNED. THE BIGGEST EXPENSE THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED WAS THE RACK AND PINION UNIT,

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  STAY AWAY FROM THIS CAR! - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Hofstra Student - April 14 - 2:00 am

  What has been replaced so far: Headlights 12 times in 2 years Transmission Keyless entry remote twice Brakes seven times in two years Rotors Struts (2) Tierods (2) CV Joints (2) Five sets of tires in two years Exhuast Fuel Filter Alignment three times in two years Intake manifold gasket I do not drive this car hard, i take good care of it, this car is a money pit! If you think the looks of this car will grow on you, they wont. Not to mention its below adverage crash test rating. This car will leave you on the side of the highway at 2am. STAY AWAY!