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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  We made the correct decision. - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By The Powells of Alph - May 6 - 10:00 am

  Our first week with our "PT" was a 2500 mile trip. Three adults and lots of luggage. We had more room to pack than in our SUV. Very roomy for us,too. Turbo very powerful and fun.

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  Love it - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dl - May 6 - 12:20 am

  If there is anything to say about Cruisers, it is that the styling is great. And I really enjoy the fact that I sit into the car instead of having to climb or fall to the seat. The engine also gives a nice happy roar and is very responsive.

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  "Just Bought" Evaluation - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By newptowner - May 5 - 2:36 pm

  I just bought this 05 PT Cruiser GT with 31,000 miles last week, so I dont know all about the car yet; this is just to give my initial thoughts about the car. So far I absolutely love the car. The only downside to driving it I have found so far is when you start it, it sounds like a common, weak 4-banger that will make your right leg sore to drive it. Of course then you put it in drive, barely touch the throttle and it takes off like a rocket, all while the motor sounds like its barely even trying. While driving down the road, just imagine you have a very powerful v6 engine under the hood, and you will never know the difference. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

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  so far so good - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By chek - May 4 - 10:00 am

  The lxi coupe comes equipped with a v6 200 hp engine. It is legite. It handles the road and is so quiet that you can hardly hear it.

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  WOW - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jerry b - April 30 - 10:00 am

  I fell in love with the looks of this car the first time i saw it! Driving it is a dream. It is sporty, and classy at the same time. I have the touring model with the big 6 motor. The pickup is great, and it feels more like an 8 then a 6 cylinder ! responce is excellent, corners great, just an exillerating driving experience. This is my first Chrysler, but definatelly NOT the last !

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  So glad to own a HEMI - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By rctennis3811 - April 30 - 10:00 am

  Well, as many of you other Town Hall users know, I owned a 2004 Infiniti G35 sedan fully-loaded - and many of you Town Hall users also know that it was totaled in May due to a side-impact collision. Well, when I was looking for a replacement car I thought of the Chrysler 300. I originally was going to buy a 300 Touring or Limited (3.5L) but driving the C edition makes that version IRRESISTABLE. While not as agile as the G35, its every bit as capable.

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  Value, comfort and safety - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Wirv - April 27 - 2:00 am

  I have really enjoyed driving this vehicle for the past two years. With 2 children, one of whom is handicapped, this is a roomy, functional and comfortable vehicle. The styling is refined externally and internally. The Pacifica is equally at home at the opera or at the vacation cabin. This is one of those vehicles with a wide divergence in rating between the drivers (more positive) and the professional rating groups.

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  Loving my new Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By S.B. - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Did much research prior to buying and just finished the 300 mile break-in. I think it is a beautiful blend of comfort and style. Drives nicely and ride feels good, but does lug a bit when picking up speed at on ramps. It is a large car, but I feel extremely safe in it. I love the many features it has - it seems to me everything you can imagine. The first time I test drove I felt some knobs etc. seemed a little cheap even though they looked nice but was comparing to a friends 150K mercedes sports car, so go figure. Im liking the whole package and the leather interior is very nice! I do park further away to make sure I can exit easily! Will update review after a few thousand miles.

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  Best Car Ever: Chrysler Comes of Age - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Paul Thomas - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I drove this car almost straight out of the showroom across the country and back. This is certainly the peppiest car Ive ever driven, and it handles extremely well. I still have a 93 Dodge Intrepid which is a much noisier car. I have a fairly new Volvo Estate which also compares much less favorably in terms of road noise. So Chrysler has learned something about insulating out road noise since 1993! The cut-out from eight cylinders to four at speed works wonderfully well. In a 6,000 mile trip across country and then back and forth from Utah to Colorado right afterward, I found that the advertised 25 miles per gallon is just what I got. The return to chair-high seats is great!

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  Excellent Value And Performance - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Joe Q - April 25 - 10:00 am

  This car fulfills the objective of its designers. It is a tremendous value for the dollar. No other American car provides the luxury and performance for the dollar. It is unrivaled within the space that it occupies. European competitors meet and/or exceed it in luxury and performance with certain models, but command a much higher price. I am an avid auto enthusiast who is very hard to please. This car exceeds my expectations. It is very responsive, handles exceptionally, is exceptionally quiet, and has many fine features. What I like most about the car is its uniqueness. Chryler has carved out a niche product that no doubt will redefine the American sports sedan.