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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  ok - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By jbirmmd - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Ok car, not the best performance or fuel economy, but comfortable and nice to drive.

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  300 M - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By ZAK - March 27 - 2:00 am

  MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE 300M CHRYSLER HAS BEEN EXCELLENT, HOWEVER i HAVE BEEN EXPERINCING A SLIGHT WOBBLE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND HOPEFULLY IT WONT HAPPEN AGAIN. USUALLY AFTER 9000 MILES IT STARTS UP..THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT IT IS THE GOODYEAR TIRE PROBLEM.

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  Wonderful Package - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By dg300 - March 27 - 2:00 am

  Have 63k miles on a 1999 300M. Still a thrill to drive every day. Have yet to see another car that offers exterior style, interior style, size, performance, and price all in one package.

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  pleased & disappointed - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By lea - March 27 - 2:00 am

  The car does idle rough when stopped. The reason we have been given is that the car computer is set to thin out fuel after the 2000 mile break-in period to give better fuel economy. Blind spots which are a concern. The heat/air controls have been noisy and blend door replaced.

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  Blind Spots - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By hoho/haha - March 26 - 10:00 am

  Looking out the rear window or rear side windows while backing up was made difficult because of the size and location of the rear corner panels and window divider panels. The rear window cannot be fully washed using the standard window squichie because the top trim piece sticks out too far.

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  Pacific review - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By touringcar - March 26 - 10:00 am

  This is a fantastic car. We enjoy it alot. Beautiful interior. Drives like a dream.

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  good - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By yasyukevich7 - March 26 - 10:00 am

  its a very good car and always will be

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  Rented Vehicle - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Roddy Turner - March 26 - 10:00 am

  Sharp vehicle! Real good looking. I would purchase a V-8 for better performace.

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  Top of the line 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Steve Danzinger - March 26 - 10:00 am

  Almost as good as the 745Li and the 430 at half the price! After owning both the BMW and Lexus, I purchased the 400C and after just 600 miles I very happy. Now what shoild I do with the other 40K? Steve Danzinger

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  lots of power v-8 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By scarywil - March 26 - 10:00 am

  alot of fun for the money,didnt like the front style of grill at 1st but it grows on you .i have a mercedes 500 sl but for the money this is a great deal