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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  Love my Pacifica - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ginger - March 9 - 10:36 am

  This is a great combination for those of you looking for the features of a SUV with the room of a mini van.

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  ? - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Dan - March 8 - 12:12 pm

  Very happy with the car great acceleration with the 250 hp and very smooth. Only one minor complaint is that the car seems to bottom out very easily.

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  pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Nade - March 8 - 2:00 am

  She has many good points and I would tell anyone how great she is. She does have a couple of bad points, one being the blind spots, with the small back window. She is more difficult to see out of than the Chyrsler Limited. Also, we have had trouble with the tailgate opening when we are in a parking lot, even though it is locked. We put the keys in our pocket and look back to find the tailgate open. This could be a serious problem if there were valuables in the car. The light switches are difficult to use, because it is not consistant. Maybe I should have it checked. Over all she is a great car and rides beautifully, I would give her a B plus.

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  Fun PT cruising - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Royal Crown - March 4 - 5:33 am

  This is a plain-vanilla model, no turbo, 2.4L motor with automatic. In the first 2500 miles, it took 100 gallons of real gas (no alcohol additive, or whatever that is they put in their to supposedly reduce polllution.) The additive drops it about 10%. With AC on around town with the additive gas it gets 17-18mpg at 20K miles, 25 or 26 on highway with real gas gas mileage was disappointing, as the government estimates were 17-25 city and 22-30 highway. Am amazed at those reporting much higher gas mileage. The "headrest" is wrong for me & there was no way to get it out of there to put in a suitable one. I didnt like black top, but it was all that was offered. End of complaints.

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  Bad transmissions but otherwise great - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Barbara - February 28 - 10:36 am

  I bought this car used 3 yrs old with 30,000 miles. I have put in two new transmissions, one at 36,000 miles and the other at 105,000 miles. Not the greatest on fuel economy, otherwise I love this car.

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  Just bought my first Hemi - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Ex Chevy Racer - February 26 - 10:00 am

  Its the car I always wanted as a kid, but could never afford. Now to have one of my own is a blast. I drove it, and immediately bought it. Feels faster than, and just as smooth, as my previous Mercedes 600 S V12. A lot of performance for very little money.

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  Big White Boat - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By bjrogo - February 25 - 6:24 pm

  This car was inherited w/47K on odometer from my mother. She drove about 11K yearly in MI . Garaged and Maintained. It was a bit too much for our family re: size but comfort and no debt overruled an immediate sale. LHS mainly used as long-distance commuter. Major costs were A/C condenser replacement, a few trim items that were costly, and 2 window motors going out. Again, comfort, decent mpg ~26 Hwy, and style won over. During the two years we have own it has been driven ~60K, Upon reflection, the car would have recd a higher rating if expenses mentioned above has already occurred. Not my mothers fault!

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  Still a Great Little Car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Hiram in L.A. - February 24 - 8:23 pm

  Ive had my car for two years now. Bought it new in April 2004. It has been a really great little car. I have not had a single problem...no squeaks, no rattles, no vibrations. Not a single mechanical problem or flaw in two years and 20,000 miles. The graphite metallic paint is still beautiful after 2 years and the 2.7 V-6 has all the power & acceleration I need. This is a quality midsize sedan that can compete with any comparable Japanese or European car. Go Daimler Chrysler!

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  Nice Car! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Keith - February 24 - 4:40 pm

  Comfortable, solidly built, and fun to drive. Seating/cargo configurations adaptable for many needs. Very dependable. I had to replace headlight stalk switch, but other than that, just normal wear items. Over 60,000 on original tires. Less road noise than most all other small cars. Handles very well. Ive been generally satisfied with this car.

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By Jo - February 20 - 3:17 pm

  I hate to say goodbye to this great car, but after 8 years and 115,000 miles its time to trade. The ride is smooth and in the time Ive owned it, Ive had no major repairs. All Ive done is change the oil on schedule, new tires and brakes as needed and tuned it up on schedule. What a great value this car has been. I wish Chrysler had something similar to offer now. I dont care for the retro look of the 300.