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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  fun in the sun! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By steve - April 14 - 9:30 am

  my pt is one of the most enjoyable cars ive owned. the power is great;no loss of speed pulling any grade of hill. it rides well but is a little unsure in tight cornering... maybe will improve with the 215/45/17s on order. my other vehicles are mazda miata, jeep cherokee,and dodge dakota. the pt is the most diverse and used vehicle in my toy box! id recommend a pt to anyone who is looking for a fun,practicle and head-turning daily driver!

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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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  42 days of driving 8 days in the shop - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Joankaz12 - April 12 - 8:04 pm

  I was given the sebring for my 20th wedding anniversary. I have been in love with it for years and finally got it. After 42 days I blew most of the electrical system. It has been at the dealer for 8 days and they can not find the problem. Right now I am not very happy.

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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.

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  my 300 hemi c - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Mary - April 10 - 3:10 am

  I have owned two Cadillac Devilles this 300 C far out shines them in style and performance. I feel safe in the 300. This is the first vehicle that has given me that feeling since driving the cadillac. This vehicle has class written all over it. It is real competition for the others now.

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  2003 dream cruiser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Putter - April 10 - 2:03 am

  I just purchased a 2003 Dream Cruiser. I was impressed by the overall fit and finish inside. I have been a foreign car owner for many years and I am very impressed with my Cruiser. The power is substantial even going up to flagstaff (6% grade) the car handles and accelerates effortlessly and is very solid. the interior is surprisingly very versatile and plenty of room for really anything. The dog loves her backseat and has more room than my subsequent vehicle. There are a very few issues, broken fog light, not-so-great gas mileage and some fragile plastic parts (fog light housing etc). I am overall very happy with the decision to buy this car.

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  You have to love this car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By RRNYC - April 8 - 10:00 am

  What a joy to drive. The manual transmission is smooth. The ride is quiet, steering and engine performance well harmonized. When the spoiler deploys, the rear-end sticks to the road like glue. You quickly notice that you turn every head. The value of the car is exceptional -- paid sticker.

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  the mid-life crisis Ive been waitingfor - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Alia - April 8 - 10:00 am

  After fifteen years of lugging around kids in the SUV or minivan du jour, what a dream come true! This car is too much fun to drive. Too bad Celine Dion is the spokesperson. The queen of bland doesnt begin to do this car justice.

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  Great Value! - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By George Wilson - April 7 - 2:57 pm

  Good performance and economy from the V6 power plant. Responsive handling and relatively short turning radius for parking and driving around in town. Extra features for reasonable cost.

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  Baby Bentley-Chrysler 300...WOW! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jane Doe - April 7 - 11:30 am

  Beautiful car at a great price....this "Baby Bentley" car looks like it costs $60,000 but I only paid $24,000. I have gotten so many compliments and head turns that it is not even funny...on my "cool vanilla" 300.