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:

• 

  I love this car! - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Greg300m - September 1 - 2:00 am

  If youre looking for a zippy full size car, you should test drive this one. Good driving feel, plenty of space, good acceleration, great stereo, pretty quiet (most of the noise comes from the tires). I like the whole package.

• 

  LOTS OF ROOM AND COMFORT - 2001 Chrysler LHS
  By AAJL - August 30 - 2:00 am

  ONLY PROBLEM IS WITH CHROME TRIM ON WINDOWS. APPEAR TO BE MANUFACTURED WITH FINISH TARNISHED. CHRYSLER BACKED PARTS BUT TOOK PATIENCE WAITING FOR DELIVERY. LOTS OF ROOM IN FRONT AND BACK. CAR IS LOW TO GRD AND FRONT IS OFTEN TOO LOW FOR CURB HEIGHT. OVERALL LOVE CAR.

• 

  JNorflets 1999 Sebring Lxi - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jerry Norflet - August 30 - 2:00 am

  This car is lots of fun to drive. The manufacturers sound system, seats and interior is excellent. However, when compared to my previous car, which contained a 3800 v6, the performance is lacking. The reliability has been fantastic. I commute 100 miles to work each day (all highway miles) and the ride is as smooth as silk. The car has 17" whhels and handles like a dream on turns, and in curves. The suspension provides a nice combination of ride and handling. I receive compliments on the car wherever I go. Many dont realize its a Chrysler (or American car)

• 

  Perrys SRT8 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Perry Southard - August 27 - 4:23 pm

  Chrysler did their homework with this car. As soon as you sit in the leather and suede seats you are hugged by the side bolsters which hold you in place when you step on the gas. This car has all the power you need to have plenty of fun with. The cockpit is very quiet and well trimmed out. I have purchased many cars in my day,and I would have to say that this is one of th best large size sedans on the market no matter what the price.

• 

  My New Car - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By aewilliams - August 26 - 5:20 pm

  The 2005 Pacifica is very roomy and fits my family and lifestyle. We took it on a short trip recently. The ride was smooth. It was like riding in a Mercedes Benz.

• 

  My 300c - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Excellency - August 26 - 6:03 am

  The 300c is a great car with excellent detailing. The 300c handles very well for a large vehicle. It is comfortable and fun to drive. My car is admired by many people from all walks of life.

• 

  99 Concorde - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By swxedcrfv - August 26 - 2:00 am

  New short block at 31,000. Known oil circulation problem with 2.7 engine. ($3500 under warranty 21 days to fix) Timing belt tensioner 52,000 ($650 non warranty) 5 window motors in 3yrs 1 power door lock 1 door seal 1 CD player 2 trunk lid pistons almost all exterior plastic parts on exterior crazed and cracking.

• 

  solid car at 80K miles - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By jimblasick - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven this car 80K miles in just over 3 years routine maintenance, but no repairs whatsoever have been needed. Other reviewers are correct about the tire wear - and at $800 a set Id prefer not to be buying the FOURTH set of tires (including factory originals). So ... I was ready to trade for either the Lexus RX330 or the Infiniti FX45 and I drove both. Now, both are wonderful cars, BUT the 300M is more comfortable, rides more smoothly, handles better and is considerably faster than either of the others. Other than the tire wear, this has been a nearly perfect car. My only real regret is that I bought it in the silly "cypress green" color.

• 

  Pretty, but unreliable - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By oldengineer - August 25 - 2:00 am

  Ive put 50000 miles on my Sebring so far. Have had numerous electrical problems, an oil leak, an AC fan failure, brake problems and starting problems. Even had a minor structural failure, while trying to use on-board jack to change a flat. Worst Chrysler of the 14 Ive owned. It delivers great fuel economy, but, is beset by first model year woes. The thing is a rolling advertisement for Japanese cars. Chryslers Intrepid/Concorde series is far superior to these things.

• 

  300 M Special - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By kb301 - August 24 - 2:00 am

  Overall I love the car. I love the 18 inch rims and the overall look of the car. Interior is very roomy. I dont think I will be driving in the snow with the 3 season tires. The only exeption is the so called 360 watt sound system with infinity speakers. The speakers have no base and when you turn the radio all the way up, you can still hear yourself talk. 360 watts you should need ear plugs.