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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  His and Hers Cruisers - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Richard Howard - April 27 - 5:33 pm

  This is our second PT. My wife loves hers so much that I thought Id try one, too. Formerly a Jeep Wrangler driver. Love the convertible aspect of the Wrangler, but it took 15-20 minutes to convert it. With the PT, its one touch of a button and 10 seconds. Love it, love it, love it!

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  My Crossfire is Awsome - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Scott Rabe - April 27 - 10:00 am

  The Crossfire looks expensive from the exterior and interior and drives like an expensive sports car. It is solid and effortless to drive on the highway and in the city and gets a " thumbs ups" and looks from people driving both very expensive and ordinary cars. The low profile tires, the 19 inche wheels in the back and 18 inche wheels in the front, add so much to the look of the car. The speed activated spoiler is a feature that makes me smile every time it operates. The 215 hp engine propels the car very fast for this 62 year old male and solid handling on curves is again a cause for smiles.

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  Most fun car I ever owned - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By waneswld - April 27 - 10:00 am

  The for money this has been an excellant car with great quality.

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  Way To Go ! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Sams 300C - April 27 - 10:00 am

  You got to drive this vehicle before you look at any thing elese,great style and yes it got a Hemi !

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  The car is too perfect - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Edris - April 27 - 10:00 am

  I have not yet opened the engine. But I am turning heads anywhere I go. People love this car, they think its a bentley.

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  WOW!!!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Golfplayer - April 27 - 10:00 am

  This car has it all.... Power, comfort, and the best drive Ive ever had. I just got my 300C after ordering it with all you can get on it. The power of the Hemi- went from 40mph to 105mph in just a few seconds and had some left. The ride is, well.... I dont know how to say what this car can do. Drive one and you will see.

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  Nothing Come Close for the Money - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Mr300 - April 27 - 10:00 am

  Luxury, Power, and Styling Chrysler has Hit a Home Run with this car I have the Hemi engine 300C and I will tell you as a past luxury car owner NO ONE comes CLOSE dollar for dollar and feature for feature I compare it to many cars costing nearly twice as much This is a MUST DRIVE for anyone looking for luxury and performance at a very reasonable price

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  Wow - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Valve guy - April 27 - 10:00 am

  Just picked the 300C up. Picked it over 745i and LS430. Im sorry but all you Bimmer/Lexus/MB owners are leaving a lot of dough on the table!! This car is fantastic at a great price. Runs like a champ, handles, rides comfortably. I have no complaints. Love the retro styling too.

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  Good enough to buy another - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By 300M repeat buyer - April 27 - 2:00 am

  I had good luck with my 99 300M. I replaced all 4 window motors once, but had no other electrical problems. I just traded up to a 2003 300M.

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  My 300 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Nikki Sixx - April 26 - 6:40 pm

  Fantastic in all respects EXCEPT one. If you go with any of the 6-cylinder choices, dont expect rocket-like performance when you hit the pedal. The eight was more $ but after having the six in my Concorde, I learned. The six had so much pollution control eqp. on it, it is amazing it accelerates at all.