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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  CROSSFUNER - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By R Frye - April 5 - 2:06 pm

  Wife and I bolth fell in love with design Bought it just for fun car and it is all of that,and more. Added bonus is we live not far from wine country , in any direction. We found with top down trunk holds overnite stuff plus two cases of wine. With top up five cases So we are looking foward to driving all summer.

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  Great Car - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By BOb Bruni - April 5 - 2:00 am

  I would buy another, cannot cay anything bad about this car had it since 1999, no problems...

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  Piece of Junk - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By chlsmith - April 5 - 2:00 am

  This car has been nothing but a hassle. Weve taken care of it and only driven on the highway for the most part. The thing is, its been in the shop 7 times since we bought it. Most of the issues were minor, but they simply shouldnt happen on a new car (most of the shop visits were within the first year of purchase.) Doesnt feel as solid as my Grand Am and is louder. Junk.

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  Im going to keep it! - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By LIsa21 - April 5 - 2:00 am

  Overall, I have really enjoyed this car, going from a Chev Cavalier with no bells and whistles to the car with virtually everything. The gas mileage could improve (currently getting 20 mpg), but with the in town mileage that I put on it, I cant expect that it will increase a great deal. The moon roof has been perfectly leak-free. Ive always heard horror stories about having a leaky roof that I almost hesitated about getting this particular feature, but Im really glad I chose it.

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  97-Sebering LXi - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By 5years - April 5 - 2:00 am

  Pretty good car. I might buy another

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  2nd Concord - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By Happy Virginian - April 5 - 2:00 am

  We originally bought a 1999 Concord LXI and when it was time to get a new car we knew based on past experience, that we wanted a new Concord. We were extremely happy with the performance and luxury options and have not been disapointed with the new car.

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  Love my LHS - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By rh2oh2 - April 4 - 2:00 am

  Hey- I just bought the LHS, and it is an awesome car. Nice and roomy inside, I have no problems fitting 7 people in there.

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  To many manufacturers problems - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Topfin - April 4 - 2:00 am

  Myself (1999 LHS) and two other owners of (300M) have experienced problems with the windows quite working, heaters quite working, transmitions have problems and the sad part about it, is that Chrysler knows about the problems and will not recall for the defects. One 300Ms heater just went out and will cost $800 to fix. We have fought with Chrysler to no avail. Shame on Chrysler, no wonder they are going down.

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  Highly recommend the 06 300C... - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Jeff - April 4 - 12:03 am

  I just purchased an 06 brilliant black 300C with all options except U-conn and the rear DVD on 6/11. It was one nice ride. It has awesome power, the upgraded audio sounds great, and I love the center console layout with the navigation system. I have the "Bentley" style grill and a spoiler on the car as well. Its amazing to see the heads turn when you pull into a parking lot or drive by. If you want a solid car with room to roam inside that can get up and go when you need to then this is the vehicle. I ended up with a 6/100 full warranty as well gives the peace of mind while owning it. Its an awesome car.

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  still solid - 1996 Chrysler Concorde
  By neily - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for over 5 years now with no major problems, even though Ive put it thru almost every conceivable terrain and traffic.If youre looking for reliability + affordability +comfort, take a look at the Concorde. They changed the design in 97 and went crazy on the ovals, personally I like mine better.