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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  Nice! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By PAR - July 21 - 10:13 am

  Overall a fantastic touring vehicle with all the amenities one could ask for! Very comfortable, safe and also powerful when necessary. I would highly recommend this vehicle for anyone who loves to travel in comfort. If anything, definitely get these 2 options offered..(U-connect, Protection group), these 2 options seemed to make the 300C an effortless luxury. And the MP3 capable CD player was also a huge plus!

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  Cant beat this car - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Danz76 - July 21 - 10:00 am

  This care gets nonstop complimets. Ive had friends (and more importantly, members of the opposite sex) tell me they how much they like this car, more than even the lofty BMW 325i!! A real value, fun to drive, and some very unexpected high grade features that uou wouldnt expect in this price range.

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  2003 Concorde LXi - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By John - July 21 - 9:21 am

  Bought new, used as a sales vehicle, and kept it as the family sedan. Great ride and plenty of room makes it excellent for long road trips. Replaced wheel bearing under warranty, transmission cooler leak at 46K, new catalytic converter at 80K, other than that, rock-solid reliable. This car is a pleasure to drive and own

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  The Beauty of the Special - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By CoolRunning - July 20 - 11:27 am

  I traded my 1999 300M for my 2003 300M Special and never regretted it. Both are fine cars, but the Special was spectacular in comparison. It had larger wheels, better suspension, better looks, two tone interior and I feel like it even performed better. Both cars were equipped with a full load of features like the sun roof, CD changer, premium sound system and full leather interior, heated and full power.

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  Better than I expected - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Trisha - July 17 - 11:17 pm

  We own a Ford Freestyle Limited and wanted something smaller like a Camry. I travel a lot and needed better gas mileage. I was amazed when I test drove the Sebring. So glad I did, it is great on gas and sporty! I had only owned Toyotas (2 Camrys, 1 Corolla) and and one Ford (which we still have)...I love this Chrysler. My two daughters are anxious to drive it when they are old enough - they liked the body style as much as I do. This car has been better than I expected.

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  love my lhs - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By chris - July 17 - 4:31 pm

  I love my LHS. I still think it is the best looking vehicle on the road. Roomy, comfortable, fun to drive, plenty of trunk and back seat space. Gas mileage great for a car this size. I dont want to give it up. Got about 114,000 miles on it now and the motor is still A1 shape, but have a big problem with the paint, especially on the roof. Now starting to rust. Ive seen a few LHS with this same problem. BWas told by the body shop the problem I have was only with certain colors being affected by the sun uv rays. Dont want to give it up, but am going to have to decide if its worth the cost of the paint job. Hate to give it up. Great car, so right now Im undecided.

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  More than just a pretty face!!! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By SHAWN SIMS - July 17 - 10:00 am

  Ive gotten LOTS of compliments on my PTs looks, but the car gets high marks for utility and drivability too. Its really fun to drive...engine is smooooth, and the 150 horsepower is PLENTY for me. I have no problem cruising on the freeway at 70 mph.

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  I LOVE MY CAR - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By JAYJAY - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I have had my car about a month. It drives like a dream. There is nothing I dont like about this car. I drove a Jeep Grand Cherokee for 9 years, the longest I have ever kept a car. It was great, but when I saw the new Chrysler 300 I had to have one. CC

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  Affordable Luxury - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By FMAN - July 17 - 10:00 am

  Unbelievable product for a reasonable cost. Chrysler has finally proven that an American car manufacturer can build an exceptional automobile at an affordable cost. Style, luxury, fit/finish and ride quality are second to none. The 300s distintive exterior presence draws immediate attention and when you add a well designed comfortable interior and outstanding ride quality as Chrysler has, you have just described the ultimate luxury sedan.

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  Popping Noise - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Combat Hapkido - July 17 - 10:00 am

  Love this vehicle (Chrysler 300C with V-8 Hemi). Takes me back to the late 60s and early 70s, yet is thoroughly modern aesthetically and technologically. One problem--while driving along I hear a loud popping noise that sounds like a rock hitting the windshield; however, its not. Its as if the frame around top of windshield is stretching. Anyone else have this problem? What can be done?