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:

• 

  300 C Hemi - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Gary Cook - February 23 - 2:39 pm

  Order and purchased my 300C in June of 2004. Car is 19 months old and I have never had to take it back to the dealer for anything. Diamler Chrysler quality assurance is shining. Performance is super and is run to drive. Highway gas mileage is great - I get 27mpg at 60 MPH, and 23 mpg at 75 MPH on a flat straight-away highway. Front seats somewhat narrow for a big man.

• 

  After 1 Yr - Love my Crossfire Convert!! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By thomasrayw - February 20 - 11:16 am

  Ive had my Crossfire Convertible for 13 months and I love it. I got the first one delivered to the dealer. Its been dependable, fun to drive, and it definitely turns heads. In that time, I have only seen one other on the road, and I like that exclusiveness. Ive seen about 10 coupes in the same period. The car is beautiful, especially with the top down. I would like a little more horsepower, but I would still choose this car over the 350Z, Z4, or S2000. I did have a transmission leak after only 3 months, but the dealer took care of that and its been fine since. (I just might have been driving it too hard!)

• 

  Concorde - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By Jack - February 20 - 12:33 am

  Bought used after my 97 Concorde was totalled. This 98 included all the little customer desired comfort features that were not in my 97. When I bought it, there was 55000 miles on it, but it was clean as if it had just come out of the show room. Good ride..good feel. Average overall mileage the first year was 22.3 mpg cruising on an interstate at 70mph it indicated about 30mpg on level road. Regular fuel on a 3.3 engine.

• 

  Transportation - We love this car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By tlrar - February 19 - 1:14 am

  Needing a reliable vehicle during the winter months was VERY important,able to handle upstate NY winters before the snowplows. With good tires, this car exceeded our expectations. Comfort and reliability is a plus. The downfalls of our expectations is it does shift hard and awkward in extreme temperatures. The vehicle is hard to start in extreme temperatures. Very nice running and very smooth car. Acceleration is great yet the tranny is quite noisey when accelerating fast. The car lacks anti lock brakes, but we are able to stop the vehicle wherever and whenever. Anyone looking for a good, stylish and reliable should consider the sebring. We do not regret ours.

• 

  I just love this car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tweath - February 18 - 10:16 pm

  My second convertible (first one a Mercury Capri turbo), and this one is absolutely FUN to drive. On the first day I drove it with the top down, I had two people walk up and talk to me about it. I found a great deal, and man am I happy with the purchase. Doesnt have great power, but who cares? I just love driving it, and its even a nice car with the top up. Not that I want to drive it that way much.

• 

  More than I bargained for - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Don - February 18 - 9:58 am

  It is relatively quiet for a convertible, has plenty of power and is comfortable and well built. It has had one recall that was taken care of by the dealer very promptly. This is my 3rd Sebring convertible having had a 97 and a 99. This one surpasses the others in all categories. The gas mileage is excellent for the amount of power the engine produces. The fact that it seats 4 full sized adults in reasonable comfort is another plus.

• 

  This car beats all other crossovers - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By higgalina - February 18 - 2:00 am

  take a look at this before you go and buy a lexus or an acura this car definitaly surpasses all in terms of comfort, style, and performance in a crossover vehicle take a look!

• 

  Classic? - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Richard L. Smith - February 15 - 11:53 pm

  I have been driving for about fifty years...having driven a/o owned everything from British sports cars to Cadillac sedans and everything in between. If you live in a major city, dont do this car a diservice. It is a land yacht, it yearns for the open road. It wants to GO FAST! I honestly feel Chrysler has produced an instant classic...no, I dont work for Chrysler. In a nutshell, rides like a Bentley, handles like a Porsche. Treat yourself, drive the HEMI.

• 

  Amazing Car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Tony - February 15 - 11:56 am

  I cannot believe I purchased a 2004 Crossfire with 12k miles on it for 20k at Carmax. This car is beautiful, fast and fun and has the reliability of any other mercedes. It turns heads everwhere it goes.

• 

  Drive one - you will see! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Mark - February 9 - 4:09 pm

  Dream car - a gift to myself after three years overseas. Tested many GTs some costing twice as much. Amazing build quality, great handling, exotic car looks. Body is a work of art. No repairs and no prblems at all. Would buy another without hesitation! Make mine black. Drive one and you will buy it.