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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  PT Convertable - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Alana - May 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car since mid July, and even though I live in the midwest Ive had the roof down almost every day. It is so much fun to drive, handles as well as my last car (a dodge avenger). My only drawback was that it took seven weeks to come in with my special order.

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  Great Ride - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Eagle Fan - May 5 - 10:00 am

  This is a roomy car, everything is within reach from the drivers seat. Highly recommended.

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  Gas Mileage - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By doris riggs - May 4 - 12:23 pm

  The only complaint that I have, I dont get the kind of gas mileage that you have listed.

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  Dont make this mistake! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By davis13 - May 3 - 8:42 pm

  I wish I had done more research before buying this car. From day one, I have always heard a whine especially during acceleration. These cars eat brakes. Its ridiculous. A couple of weeks ago, the car stranded me, transmission woes. I had to have the planetary gears replaced three times in the course of ten days. Finally they replaced the cas" I assume that houses the gears. The day after I get it home, the OBD light comes on. My plans this weekend? To find another car.

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  A bargain basement Benz - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Dave - May 1 - 2:40 pm

  I have admired the styling of the Crossfire since its introduction. However, I found the $35K price a bit steep. However, the marketplace has spoken and this car is avaialable used at bargain prices. I picked up my 2004 Crossfire autostick with 5400 miles on it for under $18K. Immaculate condition. Considering that is the price of a boring old Civic, I grabbed one. Since this is a Benz SLK with pretty sheetmetal, it does inherit some of the old SLKs shortcomings. The interior is cozy, but I am 61" and 270# and am very comfortable in this car. The console is cheap and chintzy, and the cupholder is a joke, but the car drives superbly. 25MPG, and no problems, I love this car!

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  Still love the 300 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By 300 Touring - April 29 - 4:40 pm

  I have driven this car for three years. Had a rear speaker and a key replaced under warranty. I paid to have a broken visor clip put in. Other than this, its been normal maintenance and new tires. This has been a great car!

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  Seemingly Reliable Car with a lot of go! - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Shane - April 27 - 3:55 pm

  I purchased this car used with 19,000 miles and have to say it still had the new car smell. Handles and drives well. 2.7 liter v6 engine has a lot of pep and takes a minute to get use to the jumpiness of the throttle, however this is a plus once you get accustomed. The sedan is sharp on the outside with nice big wheels and sleek lines overall. The interior feels solid and reliable to me with lots of space and high end farbric bucket seats. I like the chunky radio buttons and the standard sound system is quite good. The interior is dated but the finishes seem reliable as a result. Engine builty by Chrysler- Mercedes so very reliable.

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  2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Sick to my stomach - April 27 - 12:50 pm

  This car has by far the worst gas mileage in the CITY that I have ever experience in my life! I used to have an 84 Chevy Caprice Wagon Estate and it got better gas mileage and was a more comfortable ride. For shorter people like me (I am 5 foot 3) the car is extra roomy, but for someone a little bit taller I would be a little bit concerned in the front seats. I simply hate this vehicle and I cant wait for them to repo it. Its not even worth paying for any more... I am just going to take the hit to my credit and move on amicably. They will just write it off as a loss and sell my debt to a collections agency anyways. I have never in my life been disgusted with a vehicle until now.

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  I love Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jenny1 - April 26 - 2:00 am

  I cant convince you....GO DRIVE IT. Youll leave your SUV behind like I did.

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  Great Expectations - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By 55DeSoto - April 25 - 10:54 pm

  I knew that the 300M Special would be a great driving, and handling machine since renting a, 2000 300M in 2000. The Special has met, and exceeded that model in every way, and Ive only driven it 1500 miles! Plus, my graphite gray and charchol model is a great looker too! The only exception was that it didnt shift right until I changed the air filter, now it can show its stuff, and its tail. It has almost all the features that Specials come with except the Nav/Satellite radio, and U-Connect, both on my wish list. Space, looks, comfort, higher performance, and the bells and whistles, make this a drivers dream. Todays gas prices make it a real value too.