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:

• 

  best for the money - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Mike Talley - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive been very pleased with my car and I get compliments on it regularly.

• 

  Front Wheel Alignment - Safety Issue - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By E R Nichols - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car! However, the 300 I bought was one that has a serious problem. The front wheel went out of alignment and Chrysler can not fix. I have great confidence in the service department at Riverside so I know if it could be corrected it would be done. The car has already scooped out the front set of tires and they have been moved to the back. The problem is getting worse and at this point I do not feel safe driving the car for any great distance. Any release of the wheel and the car pulls suddenly to the right. It is a serious safety issue. I have been told others owners are experiencing the same known problem. Chrysler has promised to correct the situation.

• 

  Best for the money - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Betz - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Love the overall design and comfort. I feel very safe being back in a full size sedan. The Hemi is nuts!!!

• 

  my 300 C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By john h in california - March 21 - 10:00 am

  my past three cars have been a jaguar , a BMW 740 and a brand new 2003 Mercedes E class. when i saw the 300C I fell in love. Then i test drove one and knew i had to have one. The Mercedes was a nice car but no pizazz and ridiculously designed cup holders that twirl up and get in the way until you end up knocking the drink right out of it.(3 times) I traded the Mercedes on the 300C and i absolyutely love it . driving is fun again and everyone that sees it comes up and asks you about it. That never happened with the Merc. Finally an american car I am proud to drive and leave most of its competitos in the dust.

• 

  Love that Hemi - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Hemi-C - March 21 - 10:00 am

  It feels great to have a car with so much power and comfort. Chrysler realy did their homework in designing this car.

• 

  Great car to drive - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By 300Cdriver - March 21 - 10:00 am

  The 300c i have purchased has been the best driving car i have owned,and is also fun to drive .My suggestion is to buy the saftey pkg. it has the back up warning system that will come in handy.

• 

  Chrysler 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By elmert6 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  The 300C I purchased is everything I hoped it would be. Its styling is unique. The quality of the craftsmanship is great. My daughter asked me what I thought about the car, I told her it was a "muscle car dressed in a tuxedo". So far I have had only good experiences with it.

• 

  Dream Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Raekel - March 21 - 10:00 am

  The moment I saw this car I wanted it. As soon as I could I traded in my truck and got one. I am not at all disappointed as it is just what I imagined it would be. Love it!

• 

  I love this Car!!! - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dolores Signore - March 21 - 8:23 am

  I have only had my P.T. turbo Cruiser convertible for a month and just love driving it, its not a light car but built heavy and strong and tight. This car is great on corners and has an excellent pick up when you give it a little extra gas. the top is easy to put up and down the boot is a little cumbersome til you get used to putting it on correctly. It has been fabulous on gas, and Im getting more mileage to the gallon then it represents on the stats. The trunk is not large but the back seats go down and there is an opening from the trunk into the back seat for larger items. This is the most fun Ive had in years. Dolores

• 

  My first luxury vehicle - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Paperdemon - March 21 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car from a low end dealer with pretty low expectations. it was a 1997 with 145000 miles on it. only paid $3500 for it, and for the price i couldnt ask for a better car. i havent had any problems with it, other than i will have to replace all four tires in the near future. oh, and the CD player stopped working a week ago or so. other than that, its a beauty. im positive it will go to 200000 and beyond.