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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  Glenns Review of the 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Glenn - January 5 - 11:40 pm

  This car is hands-down the nicest vehicle I have ever owned. I have had the car for almost 1 year now, and it is still getting a lot of looks...but more importantly, its still fun to drive. Oh, yeah, its also fast.

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  Peppy, noisy - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By reamon - January 5 - 2:00 am

  We really liked the styling, inside and out. Very roomy. The engine has good pickup. The road noise is near intolerable--the Firebird we had before this car had wind noise, the 300M has *road* noise and it is loud. The stereo is okay and really like having 10 radio presets. Gas mileage is poor. Visibility to the rear (out the window and in the mirrors) is very poor. Headlights flicker slightly when pressing on the brakes. Mirror toggle switch broke early on (repaired under warranty). Glovebox plunger switch was so strong as to push out glovebox door slightly--over a couple of months it warped the door! No major complaints--just lots of little ones.

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  2003 CONCORDE LTD - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By JLM718 - January 5 - 2:00 am

  BEAUTIFUL LOOKING INSIDE AND OUT. SPACIOUS INTERIOR AND LARGE TRUNK SPACE. HAS NICE SIZE ENGINE AND RESPONDS WELL WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS. I BOUGHT THE LTD AND IT CAME WITH ALL THE FEATURES. I AM VERY HAPPY WITH IT SO FAR. I PURCHASED THE 2003 MODEL.

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  Good choice!! - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By regwil - January 5 - 2:00 am

  I liked the 300M when it first came out, and when it came time to buy another car last year (12/2002) I searched for a 1999 (couldnt afford a newer one). I bought a one owner with 54,000 miles. Ive had it 12 months, now have 69,000 miles & have replaced 2 window motors. Ive had no others problems. Nice handling, quick, and great mileage, 20-22 mpg. When it comes time for another car, I would definately consider another 300M.

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  Dont buy one - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Rick - January 4 - 9:03 pm

  Fabulous car!!! Please dont buy one. I like being in the minority! Although the hp numbers may not excite you, the styling, handling and actual performance will.

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  2004 Chrysler Pacifica AWD - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Gtruckin - January 2 - 10:00 am

  The car is extremely comfortable on long trips, with stretches of 300 miles without a break leaving us surprisingly fresh. The fuel economy on the highway averages around 21 mpg cruising at 75 mph, but the city mileage is poor at just over 12mpg. There is a huge blind spot on the drivers side which is a little unnerving in heavy traffic. The controls are very friendly, with pretty precise temperature controls. The heated seats are particularly appreciated by my wife and I in the cool northern climate. Overall it is surefooted and very comfortable.

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  Love my "gal" - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ylns - January 2 - 10:00 am

  My "gal," and yes, she has a name, that is tradition, you understand, is my "retirement" vehicle, and the first brand new car I have ever owned. I have driven her in all kinds of environments----mountains, desert, city driving, freeway trips, and she has done a grand job for me. On a road trip I got 26 mpg overall, not real impressive, but had a huge variety of types of roads, etc. including some real mountain climbs, so felt she did herself proud. My "gal" has no turbo, just really a rather Plain Jane, but is just a dream to drive. Would make the same choice again. I love my "gal."

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  300c - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By audio01 - January 2 - 10:00 am

  This is the finest car Ive owned. Ive had infinity, mercedes, jaguar,town car. This is a smooth ride with exceptional styling.plenty of get up and go.

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  The Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By the gov - January 2 - 10:00 am

  The ride of the 300 Limited very smooth. The sound system very good. No noise from the outside

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  300c - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By H. Walker - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Having problems with seat memory. When you remove the ignition key, the seat should move back, and stering wheel should move up for easy exit. This does not work all the time.When exit seat will not move back or wheel up. Dealer installed new seat memory chip,but I still have the same problem. Chyrsler does not have any idea what is wrong. The factory is supposed to be working on what they call a flash chip? I have had this problem since I ordered the car,the 1st day they went on sale. There are also some cosmetic flaws,that no one would notice, I see them because I am the owner.