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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  Good Car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jemn26 - April 18 - 1:11 am

  Purchased with 22410 miles and looks and feels like new....good power for a 4 cylinder.....nice family car

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  Fast meets class - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Jimmy V - April 17 - 3:43 pm

  From concept to production,this car is a winner. In spite of some nitpicky "pro reviews", for the real world the Crossfire comes through. Great everyday driver with plenty of power to handle hills and highways, Have been from Monterey to San Diego and also to Vegas and back, and its perfect for long road trips for two. After 11/2 years, the car is still tight with no problems to reportjust rountine maintenance. Interior is quiet & comfortable with super sound system. Over 6 footers/250 lbs will feel squeezed, but seats have great support & travel if youre under those stats. You wont "see yourself" on the road often, but thats part of the pleasure of driving the Crossfire!

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  Great car to drive and look at! - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Chrysler 300M - April 17 - 1:50 pm

  I have to say this has been a trouble free car. It has had no major problems. It is one of the few cars I have owned in my 73 years that I like as much now as the day I drove it off the dealers lot. The new 300 is nice, except for more power in the 300C I would not sell my 300M to get one.

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  Great car for a reasonable price - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Diane - April 16 - 1:43 pm

  Absolutely love the car. Have a mercedes and like this one as much. Only complaint i have is difficult to make a right turn.....If top is up...Very poor visibility.

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  Crossfire excitment - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Steel Dragon - April 16 - 8:56 am

  I purchased the crossfire in mid july 2004 and have been having a blast with it ever since. Everything from the body styling to the interior to the suspension is hot on this model. The only thing that would be better about it is, they could stand to put some more horses in her. But current horsepower isnt any slouch though.

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  My experience with the sebring - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By raymond wroten - April 16 - 8:40 am

  My first sebring was the Limited which I really enjoyed driving. I traded to get a newer car and decided on the touring model. These cars are very similar although the limited had more features. Both are fun to drive, however on trips there is a definate lack of space for luggage. The only answer to this is to make the car slightly larger or redesign the trunk compartment. It is a great car. One other problem is that the dealers dont give true value on these cars in trade in. forcing customers to sell the car to an individule. This is a minus, both for the company and the owner.

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  Lees opinion - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ms B - April 14 - 1:55 pm

  Im very pleased with the handling ability of this car. I live in the southest, and I took the car on a roadtrip to the northest . We ran into an unexpected snow storm, and the car handled excellently on the ice & snowy conditions!

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  Cruising - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Hurley7 - April 14 - 10:00 am

  The best car I have owned! Enjoy driving on the AutoBahns in Germany, it keeps up with most of the traffic. The looks I get dont stop.

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  Used - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By DavePacifica - April 14 - 2:16 am

  I bought my pacifica as a 2004 used model,just used as a demo car from the dealership. New is was 41000, i got it for 25000! The only thing that truly disappointed me was the lack of trunk space when the third row is in use. This inhibits the vehicle greatly. I dont think the car is sluggish as some people say...I think it is just heavy set and that heaviness allows it to stick to corners and just make the passengers feel safe. The high beltline also adds on to this feeling of safety.

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  300M still the best - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By K0VH - April 12 - 12:12 am

  We bought a loaded new 300M a year ago, liking the style and needing FWD vs at the time the new 300 mobsta cars were only RWD. A year later we are very very satisfied, our first auto -ever- with NO warranty problems!! Great styling, performance, handling and LOTS of interior room and comfort. You should be able to get good deals on used models with the same 3.5L V6 the new 300s have. The car handled well in the snow, heated seats worked great. Read the edmunds.com forum to see how many remain commited to this even since it initially came out in 99.