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:

• 

  300c - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Tim Wilt - November 25 - 10:00 am

  Nothing comes near this vehicle for the price

• 

  A Dream to Drive - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By rrichey - November 25 - 10:00 am

  I was in the eviable position of not needing to buy a car. But after seeing the 300C on the road, I had to have one ... and Im very glad I got it. Fast off the line acceleration, this baby has torque and horses to spare. The stumpy trunk is amazingly huge, and gets even bigger with the 60/40 split fold down rear seats. The GPS system and Boston speakers are awesome. Fantastic car!

• 

  BETTER THAN I THOUGHT - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By TBFCP - November 25 - 2:00 am

  I PROMISED MYSELF NEVER TO BUY AMERICAN AGAIN BUT I FOUND THIS CAR AND COULD NOT RESIST, FAST, FUN, NIMBLE FOR A BIG CAR. NOT GREAT ON GAS BUT NOT AS BAD AS SOME OTHERS.HOPE ITS AS RELIABLE AS I HOPE.SEEMS TO BE BUILT WELL.LESS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAN MY FRIENDS WITH GERMAN BRANDS

• 

  fun to drive - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By jppsu - November 24 - 2:00 am

  fun car to drive!!!!!!!!!

• 

  Love it !! - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By GoldfingerTexas - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Great car! Have 55,000 miles on it no problems. Just changed fron brake pads myself for 26.00. Has a couple of rattles in the dash when its cold ouside. It gets 25 mpg with a V-6 which is great for a heavy car. It was a major upgrade from my 91 Lebaron conv. LQQks cool too!

• 

  Great Car - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By Lou B - November 23 - 2:00 am

  60000 miles never been in the shop

• 

  Lorens view - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By loren - November 22 - 2:06 am

  Great car it is very stylish, turns tons of heads and makes big difference in business credibility. The gas mileage is really not that good (i bought the c with the big power...So i guess its a wash) hope it holds up over time....Love it so far.

• 

  Chrysler LXi a winner! - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By Robert Schweitzer - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Sleek and low design makes the car stable in high winds. Doors open widely allowing easy entrance and exit. Radio can be changed without moving hands from wheel. Fine acoustics. Easy to use sun roof. More than adequate power. Seats have Lumbar support making a very comfortable ride.

• 

  Love it - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By CntryRacer - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I looked for a long time and am totally pleased with my 04 300M

• 

  2003 Sebring conv. - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By hotnastyboy - November 22 - 2:00 am

  very exellent vehicle. I had a 1998 chrysler sebring coupe that was a piece of junk, that was also bought brand new from the dealer. This new style and year has not given me a problem. I love the vehicle. The performance is great. I commute 120 miles a day 4 days a week in this vehicle and there has not been any problems with it on the freeway.