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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  Wish Chrysler still made them. - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Paul - April 20 - 9:31 am

  The most comfortable car i have ever owned. 250 HP and 26 MPG combined city/hwy. Bought it used in 1/2005 with 120k on it. Still had original EVERYTHING: shocks, struts, battery, brakes. Original owner did nothing but put gas in it(probably didnt even change the oil). I changed all those items and put new tires on it, then racked up 65k more over the next 2 years. It started everyday, got me wherever I wanted to go in comfort and style. Just had to change the oil every 3k. It was the best car Ive ever had and it was only $7k (low price because of the high miles). I wish I could buy a brand new one, but theyve been replaced with the new 300 (fewer features, higher prices).

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  Fun,and more Fun! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By joa32649 - April 20 - 3:40 am

  Fun car to drive it feels like you are on rails glued to the road. Tires 18 inch in front and 19 in rear plus traction control and stability control a big plus. Cant wait to try it out in the mountains in West Virgina! The only complaint is the controls and the way they are laid out they could have done a better job! It is a head turner and if you like attention this is the car for you,every time I take it out it draws a crowd. Most people think it is a German or Japanese car. I love the car take one for a test drive and you will want one! Fun,Fun!

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  Love the Look!! - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Love the look - April 19 - 10:47 pm

  I love the car overall - lots of compliments on the tough look of the car. Color, pearl, is beautiful!!

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  Had to have one! - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By skierx420 - April 19 - 1:10 am

  I ordered a 2008 PT Conv. with a 5 speed for my wife to replace her tiny Hyundai Accent. We wanted a fun car. Even though it was December and we are in the North the car handles great on the snow. The gears are a little closer in range than her Hyundai and the shifter has a better action. The car handles great even though it is a little porky and we like to hustle the car. The fuel economy could be better as we are getting about 26 mpg right now. After break in and warmer weather that number should be better. We love the insulated top. Its quieter than the Hyundai and its just as warm. YES essentials seats are great, coffee doesnt soak in!

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  2008 300C Heritage Edition - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By SchatzieII - April 17 - 2:31 pm

  55 mph=30 mpg 65 mph 27+ 1000 mile trip @ 75 mph and city driving gave me 24.7 mpg very surprising. Last year my pt cruiser got 21.5 same trip. Traded in a 2005 mustang and a Mercedes and we love this car. It is a little of both. 2008 is so beautiful with changes to trunk, rear light and inside. Didnt know it had so many add ons. 0-60 timer is neat. If you can buy the heritage edition, do it! See one and u will understand. The power is terrific. 400 lbs of torque! Peoples heads screw around versions of this car have been around since 2005. They edge up to look inside. To me all the other competitors look like someone stomped on their hood. Ugly lot! This car makes old fellow like me happy!

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  300C exterior is prefect but interior... - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By J G - April 17 - 10:00 am

  I love the 300C from the first day I set my eyes on it. Ive had no problems with the car thus far. The exterior is amazing with a retro chop top look. And one of the few cars that can hold 22 inch wheels. The interior on the other hand could be much better. Hopefully the feature models will get a interior upgrade with less plastics.

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  THE Car to own! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By lothp - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Outstanding car. No complaints, just wishes for MORE! More engine noise, more off-the-line jolt, and more cool stuff integrated into the console (dont skip an electronic feature - theyre all cool!) No way I could handle more attention, though - this is not a car for the shy type!

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  We Like - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Thomas - April 17 - 9:49 am

  I have only had this car a couple of days and I love it already. It has a lot of features for a 2005. I had an Infinit 2005 a while back with a lot of options. This car is the only one we have found so far with all the bells and whistles for a reasonable price. It rides very smooth and noise reduction in car is outstanding. I recommend this car to Busy Moms who dont like the look of the minivan, but want the room. The car has all the space of a minivan, with the class to go along. It can be used for soccer practice, or night on the town!

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  Favorite car, EVER! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Carol - April 17 - 9:19 am

  I drive the 300 Signature Touring (black!)with dual transmission and it is the best car Ive ever owned. I have never gone two years and not cared about trading "up" until now. I am still madly in love and only occasionally thing of getting another 300. The car is big, comfy, has an amazing sound system that my kids are very proud of, a huge trunk, and the exterior is the bomb! Love the navigation system, and I am a happy girl with the dual transmission since I adore the power-purr as I downshift to pass. Fantastic job Chrysler! Dont change the exterior! Looking forward to checking into the extended version with our super tall family 66", 65", 63", etc.---Great car!!!:)

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  I love it! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By _Jerry_ - April 17 - 2:44 am

  Bought it at 116,000 miles from a used auto place down the road for 6,000. Even thought its the lx, it was loaded. 2.7 v6, 4 disc cd changer (which I took out). I looked at some other models and this one is the only one that appealed to me. Light colored dash, cloth seats, wood grain (although semi- cheap looking) and of course 200 hp. I change the oil myself every 2500 miles with castrol gtx high mileage 5w30 and use Fram oil filters. Ive had it for a year and its now up to 153,000 miles. Today, I took off the valve cover and absolutely no oil sludge. AT ALL! Im not going to say all the 2.7s are great but I sure do know this one is! Great Car.