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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  Good cruiser - 1996 Chrysler LHS
  By Nebraska - June 27 - 9:47 pm

  Bought in 1999 with 34K. Now has 130K. Water pumps,Thermostat, front end, and A/C problems. $1200 to fix A/C--so I didnt/haventt. Still great mileage,great room,great ride. Trunk and Interior are HUGE. I did lots of road miles, til last year. This is one great hi-way Cruiser. 27 mpg while cruising at 82 mph on Interstate.Handles fairly well. About 18-20 around town. Still looks pretty new at 14 yrs old.Love the leather seats,layout etc. ( Im over 6 ft) Stereo--Great Sounds. I also have 2 Mazda 626 5-spds. (25/34 mpg)(1995 & 1997) Id buy any of these vehicles again.

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  Dream Car - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By My Dream come true - June 27 - 5:54 pm

  I love my chrysler 300. It is boss! I love it beside any other car on the road! Ive wanted a 300 since the first body style but when this one came out WHAT!! I knew it was mine it took 2 years to get the price I wanted but it was worth the wait! Im a woman who loves cars. My 300 is red with 18 inch factory chysler chrome wheels with other chrome additions Hot!!! Hey and I look pretty good driving it. It is a dream come true and the ride is smooth! Ive had several hondas love them but this is my baby! Thumbs up to Chrysler for making this sharp hot car!

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  2003 PT Cruiser GT (turbo) - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By FndlyFmrFlyr - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Fun! Easy to enter and exit. Adults fit in back seat with room to spare. Turbo is very quick with virtually no turbo lag. Best assembled car I have bought. Has a wide turning circle that hinders parking in tight situation. Handling is good but feels better and very tied to the road with addition of rear sway bar.

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  LOVE THIS CAR!!!!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By CBIII - June 25 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS VEHICLE - THE LOOK - THE RIDE - EXCEPTIONAL. I HAVE A FULLY LOADED 300C. I HAVE SO MUCH FUN WATCHING BEMI - BENZ ETC. PRETENDING THEY ARENT LOOKING. IF WERE LINED UP IN THE PARKING LOT, MY CAR DRAWS THE CROWD. MORE IMPORTANTLY - IT REALLY IS A TERRIFIC CAR. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE PAYING ME THE WAY I PROMOTE THIS CAR BUT I DO IT OUT OF SHEER LOVE FOR THE VEHICLE. I THINK MY GIRLFRIEND IS A LITTLE JEALOUS! I TEST DROVE EVERYTHING BEFORE I BOUGHT & FOR THE PRICE MY 300C WAS HANDS DOWN THE WINNER. SORRY I GOT CARRIED AWAY - THE NEXT REVIEW MIGHT BE MORE HELPFUL. CB III

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  PT X 2 - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By RED PT CRUSIER - June 25 - 8:20 am

  My Husband and I both own PTs one is a 2001 and one is a 2002 purchased a month apart. We both love them and we have had them now about three years. I was rear ended by a young girl going 55 mph and no damage was done to me or my PT.

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  2008 Convertible - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Tami - June 24 - 12:42 pm

  I purchased a 2008 Stone White Sebring LX Convertible. Love it! Has the 4 cylinder, and i drove it through the Ozark Mountains here in Missouri with no trouble at all - and that was with the top up, the A/C blasted, two passengers and a trunk full of luggage. It is comfy, cool looking and is a real head turner!!

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  2007 Crysler Sebring - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jonathon Denham - June 21 - 5:10 pm

  My Crysler Sebring (2.4 liter) has been really good to me! I went to the dealership to purchase a Dodge Charger and ended up driving home a Sebring! I do admit I was very surprised with the new body style, since I always heted the older Sebrings. The only thing I have needed for this car has been the maintance! I did have the rotors turned at about 25000 miles, but besides that, this "AMERICAN" car has been great! I must say I do miss my 2001 Camaro but this car has proven to be alot less of a headache... I would recomamend this car to freind!

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  MY DREAM CAR - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Dream Car - June 20 - 8:56 pm

  I love my RED CHRYSLER 300! Ive love the 300 series before this style ever came out in 2005. Ive had 3 Honda Accords and I loved them. But this is the love of my life as far as cars go. I smile every time I get in it to drive!

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  Just got it - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Teacher - June 20 - 6:54 pm

  I have always owned a manuel trans. This car is only a 4 cylinder and to me - it is awesome. The price is low- but look I have always had a car that was OLD. So to me this is awesome- Ask me again in 6 months.

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  Love it but second week was not good - 2009 Chrysler 300
  By hrisgirl - June 20 - 3:12 pm

  I love this vehicle. Ive got the heritage package with inferno red tintcoat so it is loaded and a real head turner. I also got a fantastic deal. Ive had the car for three weeks and the second week was spent in the shop. The car suddenly stopped excelerating...over 3000 RPMs at less than 20 mph and the engine light came on. A faulty part that regulates the speed caused the car to try to shut down. It was fixed under warranty and I was told this is a one in a million defect (I hope), hence the 9 rating on build quality and reliability instead of 10. I was looking at Cadillac CTS when I came across this car. Value for the money, the 300 beats the CTS.