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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  Love My 300M - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By kdemarco - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Very comfortable, roomy, and first class interior. Lots of leg room in the backseat which really surprises owners of the Toyota Camry. Thats American over Japanese! A sporty looking full sized sedan. Great for young or older people of the 1950s. Only minor problems with two windows that would not roll down and had the motors replaced. Also, two inner rubber door mouldings were replaced. Its a first class car. Kathy in Houston

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  Drive=Love! - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By toms99 - May 19 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! Sure it had some typical "first year" quirks, but my window motor was quickly replaced under warranty with no hassles. Reliability has been great. No other non-scheduled maintenance needed and I am at 40K. The ride is beautiful, the interior gorgeous and classy, and performance is great!

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  Back to buying American - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By bobastew - May 19 - 2:00 am

  Pound for Pound, this car stacks up very well with the foreign cars that compete in its class - Infiniti I35, BMW 325, Lexus ES300, etc. Engine is powerful enough to get the car moving, autostick is a plus when you need all of the 255 horses at once, handling is great with the 18 inch wheels, and the interior is engineered with comfort in mind. I was nervous about buying an American car again, but I am very happy that I did. After crunching all the numbers and driving the competing cars, I believe this is one of the best values for around $30K You get a lot of car for the dollar.

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  Concord Emissions - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By bill m - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Electrical problems: Windshield wiper intermittent problem in cold weather. Oxygen sensors - replaced about 7 in 123k miles. Lots of engine warning lights. Requested meeting with regional at rep on computer problems. Would not setup. Manager of Barton Chrysler - Union City GA. advised that I had over 100k miles - should expect to have car in for problems every three months or so! Have owned 5 Chrysler products. This has required the most repairs of any car owned since 1959.

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  Breaking - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By RobNAUTICA - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Good car, but i got it in the middle of an aging period. Its gonna nickle and dime me to death unless i get rid of it. The top broke, windows/door do not sit correctly. New parts are beyond expensive. Do not purchase this car unless you have money to spend on repairs

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  Performance and luxury. - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By IAA - May 18 - 2:00 am

  The Chrysler 300M Special edition offers performance and luxury in a fun to drive full-sized car. It is very agile on the highway and offers a firm, but very comfortable ride. It has all of the comforts and features of European models at about half the price. This car offers excellent value.

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  Lot of fun, no hassles - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By archconsul - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Always a head turner, the adaptability of the vehicle lets it perform many functions. Comfortable for trips, and taking my daughter to college was possible in one trip with the storage room.

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  Fun Car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Brewskier - May 18 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the best cars that I have owned. It is very versitile and fun to drive and if you want to customize it there are no limits to your options.

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  Dont listen to those wankers! - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By stratusphere - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Everyone who gave the Cirrus a bad review has no idea what theyre talking about. I got my 95 Cirrus brand new and it has been absolutely flawless. Regular maintenance is all thats necessary. Drives well, build quality is way up there, and I really enjoy driving this car. Incredibly reliable. I live in Minnesota and the car always starts in winter, even after sitting outside all night. I recommend this car highly.

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  My Wonderful Chrysler 300C Hemi - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By D. Marts - May 17 - 12:36 am

  Everytime I get into my Chrysler 300C I find it more enjoyable to drive. I truly enjoy the GPS as it gives me perfect directions to areas that I am not familiar with. + Chrysler really put together a car that people stop and take a second look at and I enjoy every mile I drive it. It is perhaps the safest car on the road which is a good feeling after just having had an accident in a much smaller car.