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:

• 

  Chrysler 300M - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By grifter2 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. However, there are a few things that I wish I could change. 1.) More Torque and Horsepower. 2.) Cupholders in the back. Thats it! Other than that its a great car to drive and I havent yet had a problem.

• 

  Its a Wonderful Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Wayne - June 27 - 12:56 am

  This is a wonderful car that is exceptionally fun to drive. Its a luxury level sedan that does not disappoint -- comfortable and extremely roomy interior and terrific driving performance. Its a sharp looking car too and I continue to notice people looking at the car when I am driving it. I LOVE THIS CAR!

• 

  Chrysler 300 C Hemi heaven - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By richard A. Wheeler - June 26 - 10:00 am

  My Chrysler 300 C hemi arrived last week. Fit and finish are exceptional. I am stunned at the quietness of this vehicle. It makes the sound system even more spectacular. I am a 60 year old car buff and have owned many luxury cars and sport cars. This Chrysler is a terrific handling road car and it can be a rocketship when called upon. Time will tell but this car may be the buy of the century. This car gets attention and it bows to nothing out there.

• 

  what a car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By bob cat - June 26 - 10:00 am

  I have been waiting for a car with this much class that doesnt look like every other car for years it turns heads and looks like it cost thousands more ithink i will name it

• 

  The HEMI Event - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By prmag - June 26 - 10:00 am

  Yes, it was an event to get a hold of my new 300C in Puerto Rico! The first dealer quote $39,995 for a fully equip. Then they quoted the next customer $44,000 for the same car? They realized after only 4 hours of having the car available that this car could be sold for much more. So they didnt want to guaranteed my price no later than the same day becuase I had to wait until Wednesday (it was friday) to get the financing. So I went to another dealer. They math the $39,995 price with a $1K deposit. Dont let the dealers try to sell you the car at a higher price. Once you get your own, the HEMI event will be yours to enjoy. Its a great *&*^%^$ car!!

• 

  Piece of Crap - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Disgruntled - June 26 - 2:00 am

  Never buy based upon "Car of The Year". This vehicle has been a huge disappointment,from a bad radiator at 40K (approx) a broken control arm bracket at 30K leaking freeze plugs at 60K car dies at idle and trys to at highway speeds (dealer twice has not been able to determine the cause), clunking noises in the front left suspension and in the right rear that no one has been able to fix, radio display that quit when new and now the replacement no longer works an airconditioner unit that had a kinked metal tube that would not allow it to cool below 80, door panels where the paint scratches off around the hand rest...

• 

  Excellent Full Size Vehicle - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By delawaremike - June 25 - 2:00 am

  Had the car 8 years and had only one problem. The transmission was replaced at 60K. Rides well, hands well, plenty of power, nice family car!

• 

  Piece of Crap - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By George R - June 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new for my wife. She loves it - I hate it. It has 35000 miles on it and this is what we have had to have done: Numerous leaks in the convertible top, 3 sets of front rotors and pads, both door straps, head gasket (!), timing chain and emissions control computer. I have never had a car with so many problems. Still doesnt run right. I take very good care of my cars and this is what we got from Chrysler. I also had a 97 Intrepid ES - great car but then I got a 99 Intrepid ES - piece of crap also. Chrysler, you have a problem!!

• 

  WOW. I love this GTC - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By robrown - June 24 - 10:00 am

  I really like the new Sebring GTC. I was considering buying a Mustang until I drove the Sebring. It rides better, feels more powerful, and has real rear seating.The gearing for the 5 speed trans is perfect. Good power across the band. The top is really easy to lower and raise. The cover for the top is also very easy to install. I have owned a mustang, corvette, and trans am. I never considered this car until it was offered with a 5 speed.

• 

  My PT - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By blitz1 - June 24 - 10:00 am

  Nice on a long trip, holds a lot of stuff. Front is low to the ground. Be careful over speed bumps and steep drive ways. No problems so far @ 19000 miles.