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 - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By Lucy loo - July 26 - 2:00 am

  I have never owned a four door car before and swore that I would only drive a small sports car but......the 300M Special stole my heart. It is awesome! It is very roomy but still rides like a sports car. I love the get up and go power! The only thing that I have not been impressed about is the gas mileage. It is okay but not great.

• 

  MY Chrysler 300 M - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By Ralph Holton - July 26 - 2:00 am

  There is only one complint, car is a little difficult to judge when backing up , due to higher trunk and the sideview mirrors automatically tilt down when car is put into reverse.

• 

  ok - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By BMFER - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Drove mine for 36K sold to a friend. Good car good value. Am considering another one.

• 

  A Sweetheart of a car. - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By Stratocharger - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought a 99 with optional suspension and sunroof, Cranberry Metallic, Dark Grey Interior, 23K miles, Half the price of a new one! Getting lots of positive comments everyone thinks its a brand new car and asks what kind it is. After comparing all the Avail. cars in the sedan market this has the best room, features, handleing and price.

• 

  Nice car, but... - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By gtwacker - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Purchased new by my wife who liked the look of the car. Rides well, fun to drive. Tilt wheel doesnt tilt enough for average size man. Front bumper way too low. Would not buy this model of this year again for those two reasons.

• 

  LOVING MY 300M - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By AMMIE - July 26 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS A FUN CAR TO DRIVE. IT HAS ALL THE WHISTLE AND BELLS! THE 300M HAS COMFORT, STYLE, AND GREAT HANDLING.IT HAS LOTS OF ROOM, FRONT SEAT OR BACK. THE TRUNK IS LARGE ENOUGH FOR THE LONGEST OF TRIPS! THIS CAR HAS CLASS!!

• 

  My First New Car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Shedrick Washington - July 26 - 2:00 am

  The Dealer was horrible, because they didnt wash my car or give me gas and it was on empty, but the car runs so smooth and fast for a base model.

• 

  I love my car - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Dolores Mercer - July 25 - 2:00 am

  I love driving it. It handles corners really well. Smooth

• 

  Chrysler Seibring - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Dublinvet - July 25 - 2:00 am

  Love the convertible. The easiest top to put up and down that you could possibly have. The front end suspension however has and is still the weak link in the car. Chrysler still hasnt solved the poor front end suspension problem

• 

  My car - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By swmpldy - July 25 - 2:00 am

  Love the car and the way it handles. Teriffic passing gear. Only complaint find lumbar seat very unconfortable.