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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  "Bombastic !!!" - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Johnny - March 19 - 10:20 am

  Test drove all three models (Hemi last). Boy was that fun. Best Car I have ever owned. MOST BANG FOR THE BUCK than anything in or out of class. Have not had it on the open road, but am impressed on local highways. Power is key with this piece of joy.

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  My Chrysler 300 Touring - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By William - March 18 - 9:00 pm

  im very happy with the looks & ride of my 300, however i have had so issues with the electrical system. when pressing the brakes, turning the steering wheel, turning on/off the a/c, etc. the headlights & interior lights dim! i took it back to the dealer several times only to be told that its normal. i dont think thats normal for a brand new $30,000 car. it even stalled once while parked & turning the steering all the way to the side. thats not right! another problem ive noticed was that some times my rear windows dont roll down until about the 4th or 5th attempt! Looks good, Rides Good, Very POOR Electrical system & customer service!

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  Great America Car - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Neill - March 18 - 3:04 pm

  This car has been a pleasure to own and drive. It is very reliable, with absolutely NO mechanical problems. Just regular Maintenance. Long trips are very enjoyable in comfort, ride, and amenities such as an excellent CD stereo system. Gas milieage on highway is as high as 27, with about 21 city. Performance is very resonsive and quick.

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  2005 Pacifica Limited - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ralph Cripps - March 16 - 5:13 am

  Excellent ride - Quiet and stable. Could use a little more HP but is adequate for normal driving. Gas Mileage is about 20 - but car is fairly hefty in weight. Nice fit and finish throughout.

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  Great Looking just dont drive - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By hey19 - March 14 - 5:49 pm

  They claim there is traction control...if there is a flurry on the ground it wont drive. The tires need to be filled every other day. All the novelty wore off after driving for a couple months.

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  No worries - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Sidney - March 14 - 10:00 am

  We change our car from the Jeep to Chrysler PT, we pay $8000 and a warrant for another 70000miles. We think the price is worth, also it runs in good condition. We like the space inside, not like the Honda & Toyotas skinny space. The fuel consumption is reasonable too. We like it.

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  [bork g] - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By bork g. - March 14 - 1:08 am

  we like the overall style and admiring glances...gold and black colors good combo...good tires and wheel style...storage pockets are good...needs greater range in steering wheel tilt...no place to put trash bag...electric window buttons on drivers door should be positioned a little further forward... NICE CAR! but not the dealer, so for any servicing we will go to the competition.

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  I love my PT!!! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Leigh Ann - March 11 - 4:50 pm

  This is a wonderful car to drive around in!! It is both classy and fun. The folding rear seats provide versatility and the adjustable self is nice to put two layers of groceries on. I would recomend getting the turbo- charged engine, as the base engine is not good for acceleration nor at doing it quietly. At first the gas milage wasntso good, but after the first 2000 miles, I started getting mileage around 23mpg more highway than city. However it is a wonderful car that i love to show off and would definately recomend to anyone!!!

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  Beautiful ride - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By 401ks - March 11 - 12:02 am

  This car has been a joy. The interior spaciousness the massive trunk the beautiful exterior the tight handling... This car fit our familys needs to a T. Was it perfect? No. The engine whined a bit when pushed. There were a few minor electrical gremlins over the years. The door-mounted speakers were a bit tinny. We had Chrysler add sound-proofing under warranty. If we had paid $60,000 for this car, I might feel differently, but this car was worth every penny of its $25,000 purchase price, and then some. Cant tell you how many people, over the years, have commented on how beautiful the car is. Well be holding on to it for another two years, or so.

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  This car is awesome, the best Ive seen. - 1996 Chrysler Concorde
  By Rob - March 10 - 3:27 pm

  Ive had this car since 2000. It has been the best car that my family and I have ever owned. We have had no prblems except with the suspension. But we didnt have any problems with it until around 150000 miles. It is fun to drive, and everything. And insurance is low. AC is the best, ice cold, and the heat is like sitting in a sauna. I would recommend this car to everyone. It is my first car and I cant say that I wouldof wrather had a better car for the price range. It was cheap. My overall view of the car is a cheap, reliable, and stylish car to drive.