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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  Loving it! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By JudyBobTexas - March 22 - 9:03 pm

  Wow, what a smooth ride! Great handling and luscious interior.

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  worth the money - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By ralph f. - March 22 - 2:07 pm

  very happy with car--changed tires to michelin mxv4-continental tires were very poor--trunk latch always loose-- would have liked memory function for seats but still very happy with car-- added an infinity powered subwoofer to system

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  Sad the lease is up - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Scott from Buffalo - March 22 - 4:26 am

  I purchased my 5spd GT w/heated seats nearly 3 years ago and am sad my time with the car is coming to an end. Overall, this is a great vehicle to own if you live in a snowy area since it is FWD and very heavy. While many others have complained of poor fuel economy, I have found the winter traction trade off worth the thirst the vehicle has for premium fuel. In fact, I motored by many SUV this past winter stuck in the ice and snow; the car just cannot be stopped in the snow. I have had few mechanical problems with the car, nothing more then I had with my previous two Honda’s. I am shopping this week, and will drive the Eos and Solara, but think I will purchase another.

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  Happy 300C New Owner - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By newcarowner - March 21 - 3:42 pm

  I just purchased the Chrysler 300C last week!I love it, it drives & rides incredibly smooth and quiet. The only noise I hear is a little wind when the sun roof is open, but its totally worth it! I traded in a Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab and I am so pleased with this car, I cant say enough about it, the inside is very roomy & comfortable. My husband is 63" and approx 200 lbs and he is very comfortable in the car and not cramped at all! The programming features are fantastic, once you set everything up to your specifics it is all saved and linked to the remote for the car! The back seats pull down and open to the trunk, so you have lots of trunk room if you need it. The satellite radio is great

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  Love my Car - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By robby - March 21 - 12:33 pm

  I bought this car 8 years ago, it was the style that attracted me. I liked the sporty look of the front cowl. I love the way it handles, the performance, the comfort. I have taken very good care of it and it has been a great car.

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  worst car i ever owned and this is my second pt cruiser - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By myptcruiser - March 21 - 5:06 am

  I have owned 2 pt cruisers, a 2001 and 2002. I do not know why I bought the second one. Both had the same problems - replaced radiator $1200 both times; suspension problems with tie rods, wheel hub assembly. If I open the hatchback it causes my brake lights to fail, because according to Chrysler dealership, the wiring rubs as I open the hatchback. The camshaft sensor had to be replaced $350. Now it is going out again after being replaced by the Chrysler dealership less than 8 months ago. Very expensive to repair. Do not buy this car! You can find them available for sale everywhere - have you ever wondered why? Be glad they no longer make this car.

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  safe car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By 300c - March 20 - 3:02 pm

  my wife and I both love this car.This car looks good, handles well, runs real good for a vehicle that weighs over 4000 pounds.

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  Wish they still made this one... - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Lisa - March 20 - 2:01 pm

  I bought new. At 60k I wrecked the front end needed radiator heating/cooling replaced and body work. I kept driving and now have 170,000 miles on my car. The only reason Im trading in is all the replacement parts are starting to go bad and I cant live without air conditioning in the summer. I wish they still made this car because Id buy another in a heart beat. There is nothing like slouching down in the seat and punching the gas. Lots of fun.

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  Best $25,000 I have ever spent - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By I am in LOVE - March 20 - 10:23 am

  I upgraded from a 97 Accord so exterior design are amazing to me. I love the power (even without the Hemi). Drive is wonderful. Worried about RWD as I live in Colorado, but most the reviews have been reassuring. Have not had a visibility problem as others have noted. No mechanical or electrical problms yet.

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  Not a bad set of wheels - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By ox13man - March 20 - 2:00 am

  I did a fair ammount of research (with other cars in its class) before springing for this one. The interior is well laid out and intuitive. The performance is sufficient as well-not pressing me to the seat, but not leaving me waiting for the gear to shift (its an automatic). The car is a little heavy, but at high speeds it glides like a dream. At low to moderate speeds it accelerates and corners very well (much to the dismay of my passengers). About the only downside is that it has the typical clunky Chrysler transmission. Overall, a good car though.