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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  Lovin my 300!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By TikiAmy - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Very excited about my new car. This car handle Very well! I previously had the Chrysler LHS. This is definetly a Big Step up!! Beautiful interior, and very handsome exterior makes this car a win win!

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  One fine car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Eston W. Hunter - January 8 - 10:00 am

  This is the finest car I ever drove and is designed so well inside and out. Teenagers have shouted at me "nice car"

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  SWEEET - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By steve & carmen - January 8 - 10:00 am

  The 300c is the best purchase we have ever made. We started looking and could not find another car on the market with the features or option for the price of a 300c.

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  Glenns Review of the 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Glenn - January 5 - 11:40 pm

  This car is hands-down the nicest vehicle I have ever owned. I have had the car for almost 1 year now, and it is still getting a lot of looks...but more importantly, its still fun to drive. Oh, yeah, its also fast.

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  2003 CONCORDE LTD - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By JLM718 - January 5 - 2:00 am

  BEAUTIFUL LOOKING INSIDE AND OUT. SPACIOUS INTERIOR AND LARGE TRUNK SPACE. HAS NICE SIZE ENGINE AND RESPONDS WELL WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS. I BOUGHT THE LTD AND IT CAME WITH ALL THE FEATURES. I AM VERY HAPPY WITH IT SO FAR. I PURCHASED THE 2003 MODEL.

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  Love my "gal" - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ylns - January 2 - 10:00 am

  My "gal," and yes, she has a name, that is tradition, you understand, is my "retirement" vehicle, and the first brand new car I have ever owned. I have driven her in all kinds of environments----mountains, desert, city driving, freeway trips, and she has done a grand job for me. On a road trip I got 26 mpg overall, not real impressive, but had a huge variety of types of roads, etc. including some real mountain climbs, so felt she did herself proud. My "gal" has no turbo, just really a rather Plain Jane, but is just a dream to drive. Would make the same choice again. I love my "gal."

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  300c - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By audio01 - January 2 - 10:00 am

  This is the finest car Ive owned. Ive had infinity, mercedes, jaguar,town car. This is a smooth ride with exceptional styling.plenty of get up and go.

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  The Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By the gov - January 2 - 10:00 am

  The ride of the 300 Limited very smooth. The sound system very good. No noise from the outside

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  300c - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By H. Walker - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Having problems with seat memory. When you remove the ignition key, the seat should move back, and stering wheel should move up for easy exit. This does not work all the time.When exit seat will not move back or wheel up. Dealer installed new seat memory chip,but I still have the same problem. Chyrsler does not have any idea what is wrong. The factory is supposed to be working on what they call a flash chip? I have had this problem since I ordered the car,the 1st day they went on sale. There are also some cosmetic flaws,that no one would notice, I see them because I am the owner.

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  FUN, FUN , FUN! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By MADMANJIM - January 2 - 10:00 am

  CAR BLOWS ME AWAY, HUGE BANG FOR THE BUCK!!