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:

• 

  Cant Believe The Price - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By big ed - February 4 - 10:00 am

  Waited 6 weeks to get the black beauty I wanted. After 2 weeks, noticed the pull to the right others mentioned, but dealer fixed it (toe-in problem). Its perfectly built, silent, powerful- the best car I have ever owned, domestic or foreign. Paid MSRP with all the goodies and everything works perfectly. Incredible quality at this price, but fake chrome takes some getting used to.

• 

  can u say HEMI - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By can u say HEMI - February 4 - 10:00 am

  Car runs very good. I would recomend other people to purchase.

• 

  2 PT Cruiser family - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dodge6095 - February 3 - 8:13 pm

  I purchased a 2007 cool vanilla Cruiser base with automatic and cruise control in 09-2007. Liked the vehicle so much I purchased another cruiser touring edition for my wife. Both vehicles drive and ride extremely well. Being senior citizens we enjoy the ease of entering and exiting this vehicle. Gas mileage is 22-23 cith and 26-28 highway. I drove Fords for forty two years but the PT Cruiser is far better than any Ford I ever owned. Fun to drive, sits up high, road visability is great and visibility from inside out is good with no blind spots like their is with the HHR. The PT for the money and value, and reliability with a lifetime warranty cant be beat in my mind. Very happy with

• 

  My Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bob Brooks - February 3 - 8:56 am

  To this point , 10,000 miles, I have had little or no problems with the vehicle. This is our 4th Chrysler and the only rap is with the gas mileage. I think the Chrysler engineers could have improved the mileage by changing the gear ratios as I have noticed the rpms are higher in the Pacifica than in my 96 and 01 sedans. Other than that, I think its one of the sharpest SUV designs around.

• 

  Delighted new owner - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Frederick Harris - January 30 - 10:00 am

  In general the design, style, ride, handling and comfort are A+. Performance bespeaks the heavy structural members of the SLK rather than a light zippy street machine. Hence the image experienced by the driver is that of owning a Mercedes under an incredibly innovative Chrylser-designed skin. Just right for babyboomer trendsetters whose nest is now empty and can therefore afford a moderately-expensive roadster.

• 

  Sold on Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By BearMtn78 - January 30 - 10:00 am

  After over 2 months of driving this vehicle,it is hard to find anything wrong with it! Gas mileage is surprisingly good for its size (18/city and up to 24/highway). It is comfortable for a family of 7, with no complaints from tall adults in the second row, & 3 kids love the comfort of the third row! Ride is smooth, handling is reliable, and soundproofing (enhanced by dealer undercoating) allows for comfortable level of conversation or listening to radio. Only suggestion would be that prospective owners consider installing the backup warning system at the dealership if not already installed. Chrysler has a winner here!

• 

  pt cruiser 2005 convertible turbo - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By gloria w. jernigan - January 30 - 10:00 am

  i have loved my pt cruiser convertible everysince i purchased it in march. i am a senior citizen and driving this car makes me feel good. hunter crysler jeep in charlote nc were so very good to me when i purchased this car they stayed on top of keeping me informed as to when my car would arrive. thanks damlier crysler for making such a wonderful car. gloria w. jernigan

• 

  Dusting off the cobwebs of youth - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By steve-abq - January 30 - 10:00 am

  While I feel I may be driving some "old mans yacht," the power of the vehicle, its design, and appeal to me is rewarding - I waited four months to get hold of one to purchase at a reasonable price. I have not experienced any of the problems of early builds so far so perhaps DC has really fixed those. The only regret I may have with this vehicle is if gasoline prices hit the stratosphere. Then, I will wonder why I did not opt for a hybrid vehicle. But for now, reason be damned! I enjoy this heavy two-ton behemoth with the "viagra" smile it gives someone my age.

• 

  Great Fun to Drive---a real winner - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By don canzoneri - January 30 - 10:00 am

  Great to see an american car that is this unique. Fun to drive, fast, and a real head turner. I have owned Jaguars, Mercedes, and spent about 1/2 of this car, and enjoy it every bit as much

• 

  My Black Beauty - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By R.Kuehn - January 27 - 11:26 am

  For the nost part I love the car. However, there are a few things that could stand improvement: The ride is a little stiff. Vision is rather poor due to the narrow windshield and gas mileage is terrible in city driving, which one should expect with the power plant in this beauty. My insurance tripled of course, but I dont give a damn. A great automobile.