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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  Disappointed !!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By zfocus - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Awesome Car that the dealership and Chrysler rep insists does not have an alignment problem which I consider severe and very annoying. If not for this problem I would love the car with minimal suggestions to improve. It is the first American car that I have owned/leased in over 20 years. Unfortunately, Chrysler has given me no option but to go back to Lexus/BMW

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  Need More Time for an Accurate Review - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By samdesigns - January 23 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased my new 300C today and really cant find anything offensive or undesirable about this car. My fiance and I first saw the car at The Bob Hope Golf Classic in Palm Springs last year and fell in love with it then, so my dream has come true...We did it and Im happy that we took the plunge. Clippinger Chrysler in W. Covina, CA worked with me on the pricing and together we negotiated a deal that was comfortable for everyone concerned. I researched the car for almost a year and know that we did the right thing.

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  the worst car ever - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By demi - January 23 - 4:23 am

  I feel like a sucker for buying this junker.Back in 05 I thought buying new would give me worry free driving for atleast 4 to 5 years.Man I could have not been more wrong. I bought in May and by October it was at the dealer for 7 weeks because the whole instrument cluster was shot to hell.The problems have not stopped since.I have replaced the drive shafts 5 times already.The box is not big enough to list all the problems that I have had.If I did not have friends who are mechanics and had to bring this car to the dealer, I would be near $20,000 in repairs.With one year left in payments near $4,000 I am so tempted to drive this piece of junk thruogh the front window of Chryslers head office.

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  hard ride - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By VSC - January 22 - 6:40 pm

  New owner and pleased with all features except very hard ride. Not typical of American type suspension. Will not keep 300 Tourist if I cant find a solution.

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  Way better than Tahoe, or Expedition - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By tnvol - January 21 - 10:01 am

  Got the 2008, with the hemi variable engine displacement engine. Extremely smooth ride, excellent handling on highway and in city driving. Not burdened with a lot of useless luxury items, but is loaded with very functional and fun stuff. Carried 4 adults and 2 kids very comfortably. Gas mileage is what you would expect for a vehicle of this type. Love it and would recommend it highly.

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  Pacifica...King of Crossover - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Buy American Made - January 20 - 7:50 am

  Very roomy, plenty of power...I like being able to "downshift" exiting or entering expressways. Large cargo area

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  Still goin! - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By rawhite - January 20 - 5:00 am

  Presently I have 83,000 miles on my PT Cruiser. Ive only had to replace brakes once, tires once and of course numerous oil changes!!! I do a lot of highway driving and get decent mileage, about 25/mpg. Its a joy to drive!

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  Norms joy - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Norm - January 19 - 10:55 am

  I replaced the wiper blades . The original were hard and did not clear in rain. The inside of the inside door pull had burs and was replaced.No other problems. These problems were corrected by Chysler without charge.This car hangs on curves and the road like glue. A great sport car. I have had 5 Corvettes and this Crossfire is as much fun to drive. It is all German except the skin. The crafsmanship is top of the line of most sports cars. I have had many complements on the looks of the car. You will have to drive it to appreciate it. Rumers are that the production will stop after 08 so this car will be a classic.

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  Love it! - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By keith - January 18 - 11:04 pm

  I had owned 4 new Cadillacs before buying the 300 and its every bit as good a car for about $10,000 less but with a little more "punch" but not quite the mileage (with the Hemi). I hope the new owners of Chrysler keep it up... Ill buy another!

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  Fun car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Rick Morell - January 18 - 2:20 pm

  Im a middle age person looking to assist his wife purchase a new car. we previously owned a big car. Chevy Caprice. She wanted something different and fun. Boy did she find it, the Cruiser GT Turbo is the most fun car we have driven since high school back in the 60s. I highly recommend it for comfort, handling, and performance. On the down side is the small fuel tank, just 15 gallons and it uses high test (because of the Turbo) Overall its great car.