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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  Excellent - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By Carol - November 10 - 12:02 pm

  Excellent. This is the best auto i ever owned for comfort, ride, looks and mileage. This car is in excellent shape for an 8 year plus vehicle.

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  A head turner - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Howard V - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Our 2005 PT convertible is a real head turner. I have never had a car that generated so much interest. This car is also very roomy, great leg room front and rear, great headroom in the front. All the controls are easy to use and gauges are excellent. The turbo-charged engine is responsive with no turbo lag and plenty of torque and power. Car is also very quiet. With the top down, it is quiet as a sedan.

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  best car ever frm chrysler - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By harlowtammy - November 10 - 10:00 am

  this vehicle truely makes you feel like the king of the road.

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  my car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By csiviper - November 10 - 10:00 am

  i love my car

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  Sweet Ride - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Smurf - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I totally Love this car, its everything I wanted in a vehicle and more.

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  Best car on the road - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jbs2727 - November 10 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. It has lots of power and comfort.The looks a the best.

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  Great car for the price - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By rwk - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Great car with lost of room get the Hemi as I did not and its not real quick. Great on the highway

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  Whos your momma!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Calie - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I have driven may vehicals, so very fine vehicals.Buick Park Ave, Dodge trucks & vans,Chryslers, Lincoln, porshe..my favorite all around,"My New 300" Touring. I just melt in the seat. What more can I say..YOu did it.. Thank you

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  Style and comfort - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By MLVNT1 - November 10 - 10:00 am

  When looking to purchase a new car after my previous vehicle was totalled I did some research on the net and literally, the next day I purchased the car. It is comfortable, and I am a larger person, so comfort is a necessity. The creature comforts: cd player, sunroof, stereo system, heated seats all add to the overall value. The lines and appearance of the car are wonderful and have the refiined look of a higher price sedan.

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  excellent - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By artp - November 10 - 10:00 am

  great ride good comfort great power nice stle, great design features.