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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  No complaints - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Bob Burke - March 3 - 1:27 pm

  I plan on keeping my 1997 Concorde for several more years - looks good, drives well, comfortable to drive - and no payments!

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  I love this car - 2001 Chrysler LHS
  By Mike Chowers - March 3 - 12:12 pm

  This car handles like a dream. Yesterday I smoked a 6 clyinder mustang.

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  Spacious American Luxur - 2001 Chrysler Concorde
  By Concorde Lover - March 3 - 11:28 am

  The exterior styling is elegant and modern. The interior is well-designed and roomy. The overall build quality is light years ahead of previous LH series vehicles, with nary a squeak or rattle to be heard. The ride and handling are first rate: smooth and well-controlled with no "american full-size floatiness". Although a couple of the little switches do have a less-than-premium feel to them, the overall package is a solid and well-built vehicle.

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  Great Car - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By JRW - March 2 - 10:41 pm

  I have had two 300Ms with mileage totaling more than 100,000 miles. Fast, safe, and comfortable. There is not much not to like.

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  1999 LHS - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By rflint - March 2 - 8:08 pm

  Good MPG, fun to drive, roomy car. I thought I might have a problem parking, but it turned out to quite easy.

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  AMERICAN ROCKET SALOON - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By GORDON ROBINSON - March 2 - 1:53 pm

  Europeans might argue you are better off with a 5 series but this car has it licked. Good looks -- inexpensive -- and backed by Daimler Chrysler what more could Americans want!! As an Englishman I give it a resounding thumbs up!!!

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  My 300M Repair History - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By MY300M - March 2 - 12:44 am

  Warrenty Work Done on 03/01/02 01/18/02 09/18/01 08/29/01 08/27/01 07/20/01 07/06/01 06/21/01 06/20/01 01/16/01 01/08/01 05/02/00 12/21/99 10/08/00 08/17/99 12/21/98

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  300 M - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By RaeWilliams - March 1 - 3:39 pm

  I had a 2000 300M, and loved it - but it got totalled. I just purchased a new 2002 Special, and love it even more. Its zippy despite the fact that I can fit 4 large adults in it and go out to dinner.

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  not too great as i hoped - 2001 Chrysler LHS
  By sporty - March 1 - 2:24 pm

  This car is defenatley not what i had expected. The reliablility of this car is poor, everything keeps falling apart as the mileage on my car goes up. The breaks wear out every once a month, which is costing me extra money. The windshield wipper broke off after 6 months of usage, and even the glove compartment hadle came loose. Overall: dont buy this car unless you dont mind paying extra for maintnance.

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  300C - ROCKS! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Jim - March 1 - 12:33 pm

  Purchased our new car the day after Christmas, dealer was great to work with and offered a good deal. Absolutely impressed by virtually every facet of the car. Very fun to drive looks stylish and sophisticated. A riot to drive with plenty of power and luxury ride on the open road. As this was a lot model we ended up with the base sound system, no complaints with 270 watts of Boston Acoustic sound. Highly recommend you check out this vehicle.