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:

• 

  Stepping up - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Todd Kurzhal - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I have had many new cars over the years, but not since my 1994 Honda Accord. Buying this car was a step up for me because this car was $8,000 more than a new Accord. And even though I am sacraficing about 8 mpg compared to the Accord, this car has a far better ride with more room and is incredibly fun to drive. The 340 horse power drive train begs to be utilized and I do. This is the funnest car I have had since my 1965 Mustang. In addition to the comfortable ride there is plenty of elbow room. The dealership told me it rides on a Mecedes chassis which I thought had some value. I consider this car a real privalidge to own and I would recommend a test drive to the new buyers out there.

• 

  A dream ride that fits my budget. - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Spartan Class - November 28 - 10:00 am

  The 300C gives powerful performance with luxurious feel. The sleek design foreshadows the Hemi-V8s acceleration and cornering abilities. You could not ask for more; and yet, the price is amazingly affordable in these difficult economic times.

• 

  No Name - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By pizzimenti - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Car is very well designed and built. Eliminated road noise of previous 300M. Softer ride than 300M. Has looks and feel of lux car without the price.

• 

  Classy Car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Brian - November 26 - 3:55 pm

  Stunning car to look at. Also beautiful inside with two-tone leather. Great performance and road holding, and good fuel economy considering engine size. Rear visibility not a big problem as the rear of the car is right at the window (no trunk jutting out). Remarkable amount of luggage space for such a compact car. I live in the SF Bay Area and Ive only seen a handful of these cars about in a year, so add rarity to its attributes. Great car.

• 

  Is it really that good? - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By KgRomeo - November 26 - 1:52 am

  This is the almost perfect car. All it would need is all my personalizations. Its good the way it is. It has luxury with style. This is good for whomever the driver may be.

• 

  Lots of Fun - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By LE - November 24 - 11:50 am

  I just purchased the P T Cruiser and found the car to be fun, with style. Although the car comes in many colors I loved the color I got as itn added class to the car. The fun come in when you drive the car. In fact as I drove around all week I was amazed at how many their al on the road. For the price you cant beat it.

• 

  Lots of Fun - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By LE - November 24 - 9:20 am

  I just purchased the P T Cruiser and found the car to be fun, with style. Although the car comes in many colors I loved the color I got as itn added class to the car. The fun come in when you drive the car. In fact as I drove around all week I was amazed at how many their al on the road. For the price you cant beat it.

• 

  fun ragtop - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By censrdname - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I fell in love with the way it drives, it has ooomp. people look at it and like it. Very elegant looking

• 

  Nice Car - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By RobertS - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I liked the PT Cruisers design since it was unveiled at the auto shows in 99. I bought a "Classic Edition" (base) 2003 Steel Blue Pearl. Its a nice car and the base model is better equipped than many other base model vehicles on the road today.

• 

  goodtimes with the top down - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By sean - November 19 - 3:27 am

  i bought this car used with 58,000 miles. i have the limited edition with the 2 tone leather. its been a blast to drive and it looks great ! had to put in a new ac unit last month for $1000.00 , but hey, its seven years old and sill looks brand new. i would buy another.