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:

• 

  Best car - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By aboutnames - January 28 - 2:00 am

  This is absolutely the best luxury car for the money on the market. Its a fabulous buy.

• 

  I LOVE MY 2004 300M - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By ruthie - January 28 - 2:00 am

  I ENJOY DRIVING AGAIN. MY 300M HAS IT ALL. GREAT PERFORMANCE.ALONG WITH A SHARP BODY STYLE. IT GETS LOTS OF LOOKS. AND IAM THE PROUD OWNER,

• 

  Fun car to drive. - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By C. McNew - January 26 - 11:36 pm

  First of all the 300 is different. It doesnt look like it came from the same mold that 80% of the cars do now. I like the look. It is probably the best car that I have owned in many years. Great gas mileage, great looks, and really good build quility make it fun to drive. It has plenty of power and handles great. This is the second 300 that I have owned and they were both wonderful.

• 

  2006 PT CRUISER-Van automatic!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By candilovs4u - January 25 - 3:31 pm

  I am in love with this Car!!! It is extremely comfortable and feels very safe and secure. The build and design seems to be very sturdy. It rides smooth, and very spacious. I havent had any problems with it so far. I have seen a few reviews about mileage complaints but so far its doing great on gas. Its stylish, comfortable, and most importantly affordable for me. I am most definitely happy about this decision.

• 

  Had to get rid of it - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By panther - January 25 - 2:00 am

  When I first bought this car and for the first three years (end of warranty), it was great. Only one minor in warranty problem. Then things started to happen. First it was a rear window motor, then the transmission module. Then the biggest one -- rack and pinion -- that was a dreamy $1500 repair. After that, corrosion of two of the chrome wheels. Finally, another window motor and the ac evaporator. Just did not want to spend any more money and just unloaded it. Extremely disappointed with reliability. None of these problems were caused by neglect. Just lousy manufacturing. Will not touch another Chrysler.

• 

  Not much luck - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By FD - January 24 - 3:33 am

  We waited for our 300C to come in and then turned out to be very disappointed. After five times in the shop all for transmission related problems, they finally found the problem which took 10 days to fix. After 30 days in the shop after only six months of ownership, it was time to say goodbye to this car.

• 

  2002 Sebring LX SB - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By crnrstndes - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Nice styling and design. Substandard seats. Poor headroom, I am 5-6" and there is 4" of head space. 4Cyl model has average power, 6Cyl should be standard but much better gas mileage.

• 

  1996 Chrysler Cirrus - Dark Rosewood - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By heyboys - January 23 - 2:00 am

  It was my first time "NEW" car purchase. I do not regret the selection at all!

• 

  My Chrysler 300M - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Boblbu - January 23 - 2:00 am

  This is one great car for the money! It has all the options you could want,plus with Auto-Stick its fun to drive. It handles great for a large car. The suspension is tight with the sport package option and its got good pickup and passing power. Ive driven it from NY to FL and its comfortable on the long runs.

• 

  Easy rider - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By JAY - January 22 - 4:40 pm

  Just drove 1350 miles from florida to ny in total comfort.You did not even feel any effort in driving. The response of the vehicle was quick and sure. All instruments were always in view and with many controls on the steering wheel you did not have to look down.Was dring most of the time at 80mph which felt like it was going 50mph.