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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  Great Value for what we Paid... - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By T&L Langley - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car at a great price and right from the beginning had great Customer Service. Have only had minor problems with the car (Thermostat), other than that, both my wife and I love the car. Initially rented a Concorde for the Christmas Holidays and we fell in love with it. I have a bad back and there are some car seats that are just not good for my back, this car was exceptionally comfortable. My wife thought the Leather seats would be cold in the winter and hot in the summer, but we both found that they warm up quickly in the cold and with the efficient Air Conditioning, cool down quickly when hot.

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  Happy so far - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By TK - July 28 - 1:03 am

  Great hybrid of SUV and car. Nice luxury at a decent price. Purchased mine used with 16K miles on it. 10k miles later, Im still pleased. Excellent fit and finish on the interior--not at all cheap. Had a couple of minor issues, but its still under warranty, so they were fixed. Read the reviews here and all around before my purchase. Have 2 kids and they love having their own seats and cupholders. Ride is excellent-this car has the same rear suspension found on the Mercedes E-Class Good rear leg room. Ive only driven imports for the past 18 years-first American purchase and Im not disappointed.

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  Black Crystal 300C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Don Marsh - July 27 - 5:16 am

  This is my first Chrysler, my wife and I looked and test drove many different makes including Cadillac, Mercedes,Acura,Toyota ... etc. What sold us on this car was the style, performance and value. We have 3000 miles on the 300 C and not a problem or complaint. My wife and I just love to drive this car.

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  Good Car... Not so good reliability - 1996 Chrysler LHS
  By al00598998 - July 27 - 2:00 am

  Good car. I like the Infinity Stereo System. Great space on the back seat. Some problems with the engine and front suspension. On reverse it sound and feels a strong knock o hit on the engine. On trips is very good and spacious. The trunk is huge. Great car mileage, better that some small cars. The large size refelcts on a great interior size but on heavy traffic is difficult to move from lane to lane. It is handy and a bit sporty.

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  Fun in The Sun - 2002 Chrysler Prowler
  By et-alias - July 27 - 2:00 am

  A real head turner.If you wanted to feel like a million bucks then this is the car for you. I would say about 90% of the cars and people you pass will stare and give you the thumbs up.

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  300M underpar - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By North Carolina Buyer - July 27 - 2:00 am

  I have had many poblems as the car gets older. I have just replaced the rack and penion steering rack. The cars braking abililty leaves a lot to be desired if you looking to buy one give yourself plenty of stopping distance. Over all I like the car. It has many good features and it has just as many draw backs. There seems to be always something wrong.

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  Love my 300M - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By Clk58 - July 27 - 2:00 am

  Great car. We have had a very good experience with this car. I enjoy everything except the light color on the dash just below the front window does make it hard to see when heading west on a road. So of makes a blind spot. This is very dangerous at times. I do not think all of the cars have my problem. If you get the darker interior it would take care of it.......

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  300 m 2000 - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By steve pagnoni - July 27 - 2:00 am

  styling is like no other, speed and performance is great, radio is fair and road noise in the cabin is to high

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  Best car Ive ever had - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By Normfordman - July 27 - 2:00 am

  Love it! Great combination of performance and luxury. Love the handling package and auto stick. Makes me feel like I did when I was 16 and driving was exciting and new.

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  300M Special - Noisy but nice - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By Addacraig - July 27 - 2:00 am

  The 300M Special has lots of space and get up and go. However, the ride is VERY rough and the road/tire noise is always present. The car looks great and you feel good driving it. You just have to put up with the unforgiving tires/shocks and turning the stereo up a bit more than you normally would. Its thirsty too, but no more so than any other vehicle with wide, V-rated tires. With all the deals now being given on 2003 and 2004s, Im afraid there wont be much resale value.