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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  3 sets of tires - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By 3 sets of tires - December 2 - 6:00 pm

  This is a great car and my second 300. My first was a 300M bought new in 1999 and that was a fun car, but the 300C is by far the best car I have ever owned. If Chrysler keeps this up I will buy another one. The 300C SRT8 is the next one on my list.

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  Fun Car; Some Problems - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dave - December 2 - 9:00 am

  Bought this car for my wife and she loves it. Only problem is that weve lost all dash lights and instruments, door locks, etc. on two separate occasions. First time dealer replaced a computer module. Second time it was reset. Keeping our fingers crossed it wont happen again. Current mileage 4500.

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  A Great Convertible - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By M Keller - December 2 - 6:45 am

  The Chrysler Sebring JXI convertible I own is georgeous. It has supreme styling and looks like a car, not a tank. It is a joy to drive and I still love it after all these years and I never fail to get favorable remarks from others. Its a great car and beautiful.

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  A pleasant surprise - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Judybl - December 1 - 3:03 pm

  Needed a fun car to tow behind our Freightliner(Chrysler) motorhome. Always looked down on the PT Cruiser, but tried the convertible and have been in love with it ever since. Standard transmission makes the power of the small engine very adequate- As a pleasant surprise- there is virtually no road noise with the top up, and very acceptable noise with it down. Lowest price model had all the accessories we think are mandatory (remote entry, power windows, and even compass and temperature) Chrysler build quality on this car built in Mexico is impeccable- even better than the Lexus RX300 we traded for it. Would we buy it again- yes.

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  Awesome Vehicle - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Keith Rundles - December 1 - 11:46 am

  This is the best car to come into production since the original Mustang back in the 60s. Fun to drive and handles well. I would have paid even more for this car as I had to have it.

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  2005 Crossfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By roland w - December 1 - 11:17 am

  This is what a roadster is all about. Peppy, handles well, just enough power, good fuel economy, dependable,pleasing to the eye, MB quality..

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  Crossfire Confessions - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Liinda M. - December 1 - 9:36 am

  I have to confess I was not expecting this car to handle so well and be so incredibly fun to drive! I have had many sports cars in my life and, to be honest, while I loved the look, I was not expecting all that much in terms of handling from this American/German hybrid - boy was I pleasantly surprised! This car, built on the SLK chassis handles as good or better than any other car I have owned! It sticks to the road thru tight turns and the ride is solid and extremely peppy! My biggest problem is going to be keeping to the speed limit as this car just wants to fly! Chrysler has done an excellent job of marrying many Mercedes features into this great little car! I HIGHLY recommend this car!!!

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  Nothing better looking than a CC - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By JRB - November 29 - 12:01 pm

  Sure footed on Highway or cornering...About 30 bhp away from being a GREAT car, but a VERY Good one nonetheless.........Not a day goes by without someone commenting on the beautiful looks of my Crossfire..I have had lots of pricey equipment in my day but NOTHING elicits the comments that this cool looking car does...

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  Sweet and Classy with power - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By oldknow - November 29 - 11:38 am

  I bought my Crossfire amongst a parking lot of trucks so I found a cherry. Red and almost brand new. Love the car. Still get looks and wandering eyes all the time. Just replaced the tires and getting an air intake for 10+ more horses and better mileage. Only thing I do not like is I am 62 and the seats could go back just a little more but I fit in ok. Quick, good cornering, quiet comfortable ride, aggressive rumble from the exhaust, sytlish and all around a good car thus far. As someone mentioned they could have put the cruise control in another place because when I got the car I used it instead of the blinkers for the 1st month...

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  Excelllent - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By MelMehl - November 29 - 11:28 am

  The perfect egress, digress is wonderful for someone with back problems. Literally, the back seat is more comfortable than the front. Love the 3rd row.