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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  Just what I expected - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By indiajason - December 21 - 10:00 am

  First off I have loved the car since I first saw it. The style is exactly what I want to see from Detroit. I have experienced the pull to the right problem that many others have had with the first models off the lines. But that is now remedied. Let me also state I have driven over 8k miles in the car, all highway and this is a very minor inconvienience and does not impact my love for the car.

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  bad fuel economy - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By mbois - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Things I dont like: Fuel is averaging 16.3 miles to-the-gallon; I wish the front grill were more in porporation to the rest of the car; dealership cannt get the front end in alinment. Things I like: Interior is roomy; Except for front grille it has a nice exterior design;

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  Excellent Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jd72067 - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Was looking at the Jag and had my mind set. Then had 1 look at the 300C and for the 1st time in years, changed my mind. Car has such a classy look and drives like a dream.

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  Sportyandfamily - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Dan Donlan - December 20 - 11:53 pm

  I found this car a pleasure to own. Although the 2005 is more desired I find my 2004 more than adaquate and I love the look. Not as Grandma as the Buick I replaced and there was nothing wrong with my buick except it was considered an old folks car. With this car I have both.

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  Big car with sports car feel - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By Peter Verrill - December 20 - 11:12 pm

  I needed a fast, quick car with a huge back seat and a huge trunk and I found it in the last of the Concordes. I owned an Intrepid for the past 6 years and certainly moved up in luxury with this model without sacrificing the interior room. The engine is more powerful although not noticable the first few thousand miles. The Limited edition featured many items I would not have purchased but now I probably couldnt have lived without. Heated seats in Florida? You bet...for a few days a year!

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  I love my crossfire - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By GARY CROOK - December 20 - 8:04 pm

  I love the overall apperance of my crossfire, and so does everyone else.I get the feel of driving a race car.everyone looks at my crossfire with envy.I feel like a million bucks every time i drive it. If i had a million dollars i would buy another crossfire for my wife. Cant find anything wrong with my crossfire yet.Just wish the sun would shine every day because i dont like to take it out in bad weather.

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  Cruisin with a Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Phil - December 20 - 3:13 pm

  The first real driving was to Massachusetts, 2600 mi, it was a great trip up and back. Very comfortable as a driver and passenger. Ease of handling, and viewing out all windows and mirrors. Its a great retro vehicle, I have since added more chrome and flash. All in all it is a great car to own and drive.

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  Not enough gears/ room - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By KEN KNOWLES - December 20 - 2:46 am

  Needs to have more gears 4 isnt a enough. Rpms go way too high at higher speeds.

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  Sebring - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By RBSFINDUM2 - December 19 - 7:18 pm

  I needed to get this for a payoff for a 98 Buick Riviera that was totaled. So far I love it. It is a good all around sedan. The dual overhead cam makes for enough h/p for the basic driving. I think it will have good- enough gas mileage for all the trips I enjoy. Big trunk, roomy seats and cruise control is all I need for a trip car. It will last for at least 100,000 miles. I now have 2146 on it.

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  WOW WHAT A CAR - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By farrell - December 18 - 9:56 pm

  This is the first Chrysler that i have owned and it is the most fun car I have owned in my life I love the engine and its ability to build revs quickly and leave other cars in its wake I got the upgraded touring suspension with the awesome 17" chrome wheels with the bangin sunroof option this is the most fun car I have ever owned....