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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  wow - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By timsunique - March 11 - 10:00 am

  this car has it all ..........styling comfort .........great fuel economy .......and yea ........its got a Hemi

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  One Great Car!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By HEMI 300C - March 11 - 10:00 am

  This my 24 car in 22 yrs and this HEMI 300C is the greatest automobile I have ever owned or driven. I am basically a Chyrsler person, Had a 300M, loved it but nothing can compare with this one. I would put this automible up against any on the market, bar none! Quiet, FAST, and really draws attention. What I like also is my wife (after 48 yrs) loves this car. Never cared much for the others one way or another. I urge you to test drive one, but warned if you drive it you WILL BUT IT.

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  WOW! What a Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By JFM999 - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I only have about 500 miles on this 300C, but I am really impressed with everything about it. The Hemi engine performs great and seems to get 18 m/g around town and 26.5 m/g on the highway, which is similar to my previous V6 in a 300M. The handling is outstanding. There surely is a big difference driving a rear wheel drive vehicle.

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  39 Month lease - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JDK - March 8 - 7:40 pm

  I leased my 2005 Pacifica Limited in Dec 04 on a Chrysler 39 month lease. It’s due up in a few days and I am 100% satisfied with the Pacifica. There have been a few recalls but other than that… it has been flawless. The quality and drive have been great. I’ve owned and/or have driven most other makes and the Pac is equal to anything out there for the money. It stickered for around 38k so that puts in the same class as some Euro and upper Japanese makes which I think it is equal to in quality, fit, and finish. We have always felt safe (as safe as one can be on the road) in the Pac. Final thoughts. Great quality and safe car for a small to mid-sized family that likes to cruise in style.

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  Worst mileage I ever had - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By bigo - March 8 - 10:17 am

  Bought it to leave at our condo in FL. Has about 600 miles on it now and I have filled it up four times already. My 04 Vette, 04 Maxima, 04 Jeep Liberty, and 07 Avelon up North all get far better mileage (nearly twice that for all except the Jeep). All in town short trips except one trip from Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach and rtn. No leg room in back seat. Nice ride characteristics and top operation. My wife loves it though.

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  Cruisin - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PT Cruiser - March 8 - 9:00 am

  By far, the best fuel economy car I have owned. Handles very well and looks great! It is so roomy and spacious for that long distance driving when space is so important for your belongings. It is nice to not have to spend a fortune to get your destination!

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  Outstanding Car.... - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Cobra953 - March 8 - 6:20 am

  This is an outstanding, but underrated car. Of course the positive side to this is the fact there are not many on the road, so you dont see yourself coming and going. 5800 miles, no squeaks, rattles or other problems. One trip to the dealer for an early oil change ($24.00 with my oil). Just bought the extended bumper to bumper warranty from Chrysler for 7/100,000 miles. This is a keeper!!

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  Chrysler 300 - you cant go wrong - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By GREG GREY - March 7 - 6:23 pm

  When asked about our 300 we always tell people " you would have to pry it from our dead hands"... From styling to handling this car is top notch. The v- 6 performs better than most v-6s. The style basically is no different than the v-8. Cheers to all other chrysler 300 owners!!!

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  Wonderful fun car - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By flygirl - March 7 - 1:03 pm

  This car was a great find at $5.5K. As long as you keep an eye on & prevent/repair the usual Chrysler stuff (timing at 100k, belts, on time maintenance, regularly clean trans) youll find it lasts forever. I have no garage, the car is 13 w/158k and is just starting to show rust speckles, but few. Front end has been a challenge, but overall this car hasnt cost much more than normal maintenance. Love the pep and sleekness of the car. I even tow packaged it and tow my canoe/trailer.

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  great - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By rac - March 6 - 10:00 am

  fast great good styling