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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  Wouldnt buy another PT - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Shelly - July 20 - 1:00 am

  I bought my PT brand new, have had it in the shop for the A/C 4 times, took it in saying the car feels like it runs rough & they said its fine. My extended warranty of course is over and the motor blew! This is the most unreliable car I have ever had. The customer service stinks with Chrysler. I wish I could get out of the car, but resale on these is so low Im stuck with it.

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  Quite Impressed! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By btcruiser - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Fully loaded stickered at $41,170, bought it for 1% over invoice. Very impressed with the quality, attention to detail, ride, comfort, and features. Perfect for a small family, I have the 3rd row seats always folded down. Navigation system in the center of the spedo is perfect and the liftgate that automatically opens and closes by the remote is VERY nice. I might buy another one for me!!

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  cool - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jayson patel - July 19 - 10:00 am

  this is a good car

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  300C follow up - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By MikeHTally - July 19 - 12:13 am

  Love it even more now! Trip to New Orleans and back without a worry. Better mileage than expected (21 mpg at 80+). Arrived ready to go farther. This car is awesome -- still point and shoot! Absolutely no regrets. Cruises all day at limit plus, and easily gives more when needed. Great cornering. A thrill and pleasure to push through corners. Turn signal and cruise controls still fall right to hand -- no guessing/fumbling. This car turns heads! Smiles and "thumbs up" often. Still unique enough. Dont see one on every corner, although more lately. Quiet and powerful -- does it get any better? This is the wifes car, now I want a Charger SRT-8!

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  sebring me flowers - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By jrbird - July 18 - 2:00 am

  good car. tranny makes noise this is normal. engine a little underpowered

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  Glad I Bought A Chrysler 300M!!! - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By Rxlaw - July 18 - 2:00 am

  This is a 20K used but loaded 2001 300M with every possible feature. It drives like a new car, and cost 60% of the original sticker price. Want a BMW? Be ready for disappointment. You dont have a cheap BMW 300 series, but rather the top of the line Chrysler. This is a great car and I love it. 250 hp engine and ride are far better than my loaded intrepid ES. It is noiser than a Lexus or BMW, but hey, go buy one if you want it. Features on this car are great. It is much faster than the average car on the street and FUN to drive with the sunroof open. Radio and interior plastic are a bit on the cheap side.

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  driver safety - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By Robinson - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Have owned this car for one year and dont seem to find anything that I can complain about.We have driven long distances and find it is a beautiful road car and without cruise control we could be in a lot of trouble.The braking is excellentand the automatic climate control is great.So far so good

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  Fine auto - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By budoinst - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I am very pleased with the 300. It has handled all types of weather conditions and road surfaces. It is wonderfully soothing on long trips, leaving one with a relaxed feeling when arriving. The outside continually receives atares, particularly with the red paint that I have. It is the first American car I have purchased in 20 years, so it obviously spoke to me loudly. I am very pleased to have it and would suggest it strongly as a fine auto for the money and the value.

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  Bad top - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By SuperDaveOz - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Convertible top thread used to sew top was coming undone after only 2 years. After 3 years it began to fall apart completely. Should have lasted longer.

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  Loving My 300 M - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By gantt - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE my 300M! I was a Lincoln fan but found the 99 Lincoln Continental with not enough head room for me. As a tall and large person, I find my 300M to be very comfortable. Its a sleek, good looking car and the sound system is awesome. My only complaints are the discoloration of my steering wheel and the cracking of the leather in the driver side seat. I plan to drive it for at least 300,000 miles.