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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  Sporty Comfort - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By blackrock - November 21 - 2:00 am

  Other than minor transmission noise, car has been excellent. Fun to drive and very comfortable with lots of features. Excellent styling and handling.

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  Loved the Interior Comfort - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By erisim0217 - November 19 - 10:00 am

  I liked the ride better than the Jeep Gr Cher and for the price we got all the bells and whistles for what we would have pd for base Jeep. 3rd row a bit too cramped for adults. I hate it being compared to a minivan. We are mid 30s no kids and still want to look cool which I think we do. Weve driven it on a few 300-500mile trips and was very comfy and handled great. Not a great veh if your looking for speed or off roading but was great for freeway and city driving. Last trip got about 24mpg. We originally wanted a Chry 300. Again, the interior of the Pac was much more comfortable and came w/ DVD, Navigation, Sirrus, H Leather, Snrf,auto liftgate,homelink and more for under base 300

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  The best car for the buck - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By SWEETNESS - November 16 - 6:40 am

  After researching for 8 months I finally bought a 2006 Cool Vanilla 300C. This vehicle is the best. I looked at Lexus, Acura, Lincoln, Mercedes and BMW. Just kept coming back to the 300C. This car is fast for a 4000 lb vehicle. Stereo system is great and vehicle cluster is nicely arranged. Visability is not as bad as everyone says although I am only 5 foot 9. Very comfortable. Tinted the windows today and it looks like a luxury limo. Cant wait to drive it tomorrow.Thinking about adding Chrysler Mopar parts to make it even faster.

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  Potentially good car, many problems - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By mferneau - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Purchased new (left-over) and currently have 125K+ miles. All things considered, I have enjoyed this car. Repair history: Front suspension starting clunking at 3000m (replacement covered by warranty). Infinity CD quit around 40K miles. Company wouldnt fix/replace. Dealer stated "buy a new CD player, its cheaper." AC repaired twice. Front end clunking started again at 80K miles. Wiring harness melted at 120K miles ($2800 replacement on a car worth $2000.) Transmission now going, not willing to pay $3000 repair.

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  Not too bad - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By FIT Pilot - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is my first car and was purchased with 57K on it. The car is great in acceration. It is a pile of mush when it comes to cornering. Im not to happy about the gas mileage (approx 20-21mpg). Very comfortable and fits people of a larger size. The trunk is also able to hold quite a bit of cargo. The reliability isnt great, had to replace water pump and timing for $1300. Inner tie rods for $400. Thermostat broke into about 10 peices, but easily repaired by myself.

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  best price you have gotten ? - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Pennsylvania Driver - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Chrysler dealers in general are harder to deal with then Japanese Car Dealers... they only want you to come in. I got 4% over Factory Invoice (the one that comes up from Edmunds) ... anyone getting any better deals ?

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  A NOT So Special 300MSpecial - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Barbs 300m not spec - November 7 - 2:00 am

  The AC does NOT cool the passengers in the back seats. The molding on the inside of the doors pulls away about a 1/4 inch. Not a significant amount of UMPH over the regular 300M engine.It was maketed to me as a competeitor to BMW.... NOT! It is an affordable sporty nice sounding(exhaust) car with some style. Looks good. Just though it cold have been a little more special.

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  Young Again!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Gregory F.Smith Sr. - November 4 - 10:06 pm

  Needs lockable console compt. Only getting 11-12 mpg in town, acceleration grabs when given gas, needs diferent tires upgraded, needs tinted side windows darker. It is a fun car to drive, outside of suvs and pickups, this is the first regular car I have bought since a new 1964 Pontiac gto with 3 duces, so I am really feeling young again. Chrysler has a real keeper here!!! Keep it up!!!

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  Nice Car But - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By cjd - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I enjoy the ride and handling of this car.I have been a chevy person for years but fell in love with looks and power. Overall it is a very nice car but I am having no luck with it. I have had the cam and crankshaft sensors replaced. The sound system is the worst 360 watts???? I have had to replace the transmission cooling lines 2 times in 20000 miles.I agree with the guy about the snow mobile in the trunk. The tires are a big mistake for a car in the northeast. I want my montecarlo back but this car looks great so I will keep it and hope it runs for a couple of years.

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  WOW - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ric W - October 31 - 2:16 pm

  I have discovered that the need for "TURBO" is no need at all. The 5 speed has just as much pickup, and is much more affordable.