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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  Fun car! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By mbadgett - December 29 - 2:00 am

  This is a very fun car. It is not a practical car which I was really looking for. I just got taken with the Sebrings price, look and feel. I would not go back and change my decision.

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  Luxury for a price you cant beat! - 2010 Chrysler 300
  By SupermanEmpire - December 28 - 4:25 pm

  For the money, pound for pound the Chrysler 300 cannot be beat. Luxury is a word that must be aquated with this nicely presented sedan. Its styling on both the exterior and interior leave very little to want. For your buck the 300 Touring AWD edition with the 5.7 liter engine is the best of the several purchase options. It has enough umpth for your lead foot, and leaves room in your budget to add some of the best options that Chrysler offers. If you can price any other sedan in its class with exactly the same options then give it a try...I have a feeling however that you will migrate back to a car that offers the very best in style, class and luxury. 300 is still the king of the concrete.

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  Fun Car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Tom - December 28 - 1:16 am

  This car has been a commuters dream! The turbo engine is a monster on the highway with no hesitation, and the roll bar design is a real head turner. I drive this year round, and with the addition of studded snow tires in the winter, I have no issues with snow or any weather. The leather is heated, and the headlights are great for night driving. The only issue I have had are front wheel bearings, replaced them twice, but I highly recommend this car to anyone who likes the top down! Plenty of leg and head room, (I am over 61",) and easy to access the back seats for small people! My top MPG highway has been 27, however, I can only reach that using 93 octane fuel.

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  Chrysler Quality - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Joe - December 27 - 9:48 pm

  Like the cars look. Fun to drive, just wish it wasnt always to get service. How can they make such good mini-vans (I am on my 3rd), yet make such a poor quality convertible. There has never been a time when there wasnt something seriously wrong with it. It leaks trans fluid, oil and coolant. I just got it inspected again at the dealership, currently, the trans solenoid pack needs replacing, the oil pan and oil pressure sending switch is leaking, the rack and pinion is shot, the door "clips" are broken, the leather seats are tearing and I just replaced the right front hub bearing. The windshield washer works good though.

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  PT NOT FOR ME - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By myhoganybrown - December 25 - 5:36 pm

  I only got the car because it was the most affordable. I ended up hating this car 1 year later not because of its reliability but because of its looks. This car is definitely perfect for older people. Why anyone under 50 would drive this car is beyond me? Although, I wasnt forced to purchase, it was a regret. However, no big maintenance issues. I just think it has no sex appeal.

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  problems already.. - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Hawk - December 24 - 9:53 pm

  We just bought this car for our middle child.. Not alot of driving but daily use expected. Before purchasing i put this car through its paces drove it hard, had it scoped twice then checked phyisically. No neg codes presentend but not all registered codes were recieved. Some kind of block in the link. Definite red flag!The car ran well and never showed complications. Once we got the car home the window in the rear stuck open. The interior lights above/front did not work anymore. Now none of the windows work fulltime and the marker lighting on the shift lever goes off/on. I would not recommend this car to anyone based on the electrical issues encountered in such a short period of time owned.

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  American Pride is Back! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By R Bowman - December 24 - 6:23 pm

  I love the fact that the 300 SRT8 is a classy looking car that I can use for business, yet doubles as my dream weekend car. The performance and handling is nothing short of astounding for the price. For an everyday vehicle, it doesnt get any better than this.

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  xfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By aNTIGONE - December 24 - 10:00 am

  nice

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  great affordable car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By urfisdan - December 24 - 10:00 am

  I now own two, a 2002 and my new one. Im aware of the recall, and I admire Chrysler for recalling a half million cars with only 9 reported cases of the problem! How many would Ford/GM wait for? anyway, drove to Texas on cruise 75-85 all the way, good ride, good gas, about 21 mpg on hwy. I dont need a turbo, cars plenty responsive. Its a luxury car for a fair price

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  Best on the Road - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By stew56 - December 24 - 10:00 am

  For a car this size,the way it handles, & comfort, Iam surprised that its cost is so low, but rates with the luxes & even better I treaded in a 99 VW BEETLE, & its the best deal I have ever made. I hardly feel the bumps on the road & when Iam at a stop light, next to someone who likes to blast their radio, I put up my windows, & I do not hear a thing. Thanks to Dick Hannah, I would buy another one from them, if I needed it. Passing other cars on the road, is a breeze. It just seems like you barely touch the gas pedal, & your moving.