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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  Excellent car - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By EJWILLIAMSON - October 16 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding vehicle, with lotsa of power and lotsa of room. Bought new and wouldnt sell it for anything dont think we could be any happier withthe overall preformance period. By the way this is what the Marine Corps uses as their staff car for generals.

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  IN LOVE - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Patrick Clarino - October 15 - 11:53 pm

  I bought my 300 after I drove my Dads. I was in love. My friends were jealous when I took my car to dinner and bought it flowers. Hee Hee. I truly love my car and everything about it. The hands- free cell phone feature is awesome. Mine is a 2.7 V6 but its got plenty of get up and go.....Great on gas and what a joy to drive. Thanks Chrysler!

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  Budget Bently - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Roxane Rucker - October 15 - 11:16 pm

  Overall I have been wowed by this stylish and fun to drive car. It has alot of power and it feels like you are in a very fast sports car without all the noise. Mine is loaded and I love all the comforts.The upgraded sound system is worth the money. You cant buy an aftermarket system that compares. It is very roomy for the whole family. I can fit evrything I used to load in the back of my SUV into the truck, its huge. I have only noticed one starnge thing, in the winter when I start it up it sometimes shakes a bit like it wants to die and then it warms up. The Chrysler 300C has surpassed all my expectations.

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  Chrysler Concorde - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By Skip this - October 15 - 2:00 am

  Exellent car but headlight gaskets and plastic hood cowl kept falling off. Plastic headlight lens discolored very quickly.

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  very disappointing - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Resentful - October 15 - 2:00 am

  Turning radius is very wide. it takes at least three+ lanes to make a u turn. I have had to replace brakes once a year and the car goes through tires even faster. This car has been nothing but a pain.

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  My Yellow convertible - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Faith - October 14 - 11:06 am

  My husband surprised me with this yellow crossfire convertible..which I love. It is the perfect size, has great speed, is fun to drive, and I get many compliments as well as inquiries about it. We plan to pay it off and it is a keeper. I like how it handles, the gas mileage is great..and we have taken it on some fun trips.

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  ORLANDO XFIRE - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By GEORGIO - October 14 - 10:00 am

  GREAT CAR HATED MY DEALER I LOVE THIS CAR BEAUTIFUL INT BREATHLESS EXT WOW DONT BUY ON SANDLAKE AND JOHN YOUNG

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  Nice Job, DC, on the Luxo Chrysler - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By Blake4 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Terrific value for the price. Long warranty no interest. High performance, yet relatively economical on gas. REALLY moves when u punch it, yet a great Real Estate car for showing clients around, they really like the plushy leather and big spacious interior. Sext curves on exterior, great Aircon and stereo.

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  Great car - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By cfleck - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Dealer was excellent. Virtually no service problems other than tire balancing and brake rotor vibration required work at several times.

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  Tires - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Cool Dude - October 13 - 3:23 pm

  The car is fantastic. Its been a pleasure to drive and to be seen in. Not one day goes by that someone looks and smiles at the car. This is a whole new experience for me since my other car was a 318i and everybody and his brother has one of those. My only problem was finding out that 19 inch low profile back tires are hard to find replacements for in a hurry.