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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  9 Months Later - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By byjulius@aol.com - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I am not nearly as impressed with the vehicle now as I was 9 months ago. In the past 15,000 miles...The motor knocks upon starting, ticks constantly. When backing up with the wheel fully cranked to the right something in the front makes an awful clunking noice. The low tire pressure warning stays on permanently flashing and chiming even though no tires are low. The topper...I average 12-13 mpg in town and 14-15 on the highway a far cry from what the sticker says. I dont feel that all of the good points outweigh the bad at this point.

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  Frickin Awsome!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Frank N - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely amazing car. I sold a 2002 MB CL500 and bought the 300c. This car is the absolutely best car value on the market. Great combination of performance, bold styling, features and value. I put on 22" wheels (yes they fit), and an E&G grill. Got more compliments in 2 days in my 300C, than in 2 years in my Mercedes. The car is a real head turner. Was at the store and some guy was actually taking a picture of it with his camera phone. Dropped the kids of at high school and they actually want me to drop them off in front (those of you with teenagers will appreciate this). No dissapointments. The great American Muscle car is BACK!

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  just right - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By sunbum - January 20 - 10:00 am

  there i was, rocking & rolling freight shaking across america. when i had what i though was a ufo sighting, between ok city & cowtown it flew by me, even with my hammer down i-40 eastbound. it made no sound. the search was on, by way of phone to find one of my very on. so now when iam 4 wheelin, i have this strange feelin. that i can fly by night thanks chrysler for making it JUST RIGHT.

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  jims300c - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jim angelotti - January 20 - 10:00 am

  just bought a 300c wow!! i never purchaced a first model year of a car. i took a chance because i really liked the styling and power. i hope i will love it 3years from now.

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  300 soft top - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By vbul53 - January 20 - 10:00 am

  car looks mint , added soft top makes a nice touch , sound system terrific , good trunk space , built car from scratch the way i wanted it , dealership was a group of nice people who helped when asked for never pushey only wanted me to be satisfied , runs great

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  My First Chrysler Ever - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Wanatcha - January 20 - 10:00 am

  This is a car thats fun to drive and still provides a luxury ride. Id rather drive the 300C than my Nissan 300ZX because the 300C would beat the pants off the 300ZX. My only complaint is the drivers seat doesnt provide adequate upper leg support.On long drives leg fatigue sets in.

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  A Love/Hate Relationship - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By NotMadeOfMoney - January 20 - 2:00 am

  A gorgeous, stylish, roomy, comfortable, eye-catching vehicle. A scene-stealer. Problems in the 6 mos. Ive had it: •A/C compressor stopped working •Compression failure injector #1 •Drivers side window motor failed •Tie rods and inner bushings EXCESSIVE wear (the rack replaced just 1.5 yrs before) •Rear brake rotors excess distortion (note to chrysler: a BIG car requires a high-end brakes, otherwise excess heat warps the rotors) A gorgeous, stylish, roomy, comfortable, eye-catching vehicle. A MONEY-stealer. ADVICE: Enjoy riding in it if your friend has one!

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  Good price, sacrifice quality - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By ScottVT - January 20 - 2:00 am

  2nd chrysler product Ive bought, will be my last. The power- everything options is where the quality shows through. For the first 2 1/2 years I had no major problems. Since then, my engine cut out on me while on an off ramp, almost causing an accident. Carbon buildup in the throttle bore (29k miles). Power window went bad. Power seat shifted around as i drove (dealer considered "normal"). You get what you pay for. Car is nice to look at and comfortable to drive, but still k- car quality. They consistantly rank at the low end of reliability for a reason.

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  Very good drive - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By markdm1 - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Ive been driving this car a lot since I got it last May. I put about 9,000 miles on it from June through August, and then Ive put another 7,500 on it in the last 4 months or so (about 16,500 total in the last 8 months) and its still running perfectly. It is comfortable, and you can feel a lot of power underneath you.

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  Great so Far....... - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By PaulS - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I just bought the 2000 300M a month ago. So far it has been great. Road noise a little loud but it is a Chrysler. Power, comfort, and style all in one package. Fun to drive!