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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  first week of the pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By chefjaysen - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Just got it and I must say that it is the best bang for the buck. I drove every suv in the class and I loved this one the most. I didnt think I was goin to purchase it but when I did the math I got a fully loaded car for less then all the others.

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  PT - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By LOVEDAPT - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I dont know my cars annual gas mileage cause ive onyl had it for like a month. 6000 is an ESTIMATE. I have a 2004 Electric Blue Turbo Cruiser, and I love it! The exterior is so cool, the interior design is a pratical as my wifes 2004 XE Limited Edition Toyota Sienna, which is the most pratical car in teh world, more than a Honda Oddysey, at least. The seats fold and can be taken out, it drives great, etc.

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  Chrysler Pacifica AWD - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jim Crockett - October 8 - 1:23 pm

  Wonderful long distance cruiser-- interstate gas mileage @ 70mph is 22.4 mpg on 89 octane--great for 4780 lb. car! Seats and interior layout excellent. Infinity stereo great. Only negative is side vision on rear mirrors that is correctable slightly with spot convex glued on mirrors as an aid. I recommend AWD-- was forced off inside lane of I-95 by truck at 75 mph and passed ahead with two right wheels on pavement and 2 left wheels on grass. The car did not slip at all with the AWD, which probably saved my life. I intend to replace this car in the next few months with another Pacifica AWD, since I drive approximately 4000 miles/month. I have twice recommended the hemi to Chrysler as 06 option

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  Great Vehicle! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Tara2490 - October 6 - 6:50 pm

  Great to drive! Very classy looking vehicle. I was torn on what color to choose...ended up with red and I am thrilled with it! It is very comfortable and roomy. The kids are finally NOT kicking the front seats (which happened regularly in my Town & Country)

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  Stylin and Smilin - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Gerry Grossman - October 4 - 9:33 am

  The PT is a comfortable, beautifully designed sun-tanning machine. With the turbo it is fun to drive, and with the top down, its a blast.

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  Nice Wheels - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By Car Guy - October 4 - 6:56 am

  This is one great car. Extremely comfortable, powerful, fast (I see too many speeding tickets in my future), and it handles great as well. Excellent ride quality and responsive, if somewhat numb steering. Averaging over 20 MPG in mixed driving - and thats during the first 1,000 miles. Upgraded Boston Acoustics stereo is worth the money - makes the car a rolling sound studio. Exceptional build quality for an American car. I personally see no downside to the car, except possibly the gas mileage - but what do you expect from a 5.7L V-8?

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  So far, so good - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jenhub - October 4 - 2:56 am

  I bought this car three days ago, and Im loving it! Its small on the outside, extremely versatile and roomy on the inside, with great headroom. The engine could be a bit zippier, but the car is very well laid out and it feels extremely tight and rattle free. Im replacing a Honda Accord (which I unfortunately just totaled) and I feel like Ive taken a step up in fun and versatility.

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  my car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By connie burak - October 4 - 1:26 am

  Excellent car.Fine styling. Fun to drive. Went on a fun trip out west last May for six weeks , colorado,vegas,wyom, mont.6500 miles. averaged 23.4 mpg. will stick with Chrysler for next car. possible Imperial or another Hemi C. Fun and exciting.

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  Limited Sebring Review - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By ncqueenbee - October 2 - 10:03 am

  First year where heated seats were offered, and is a "must." Light colored leather seats hold up well, even with family use. This is the only convertible that would work for my family size wise (great trunk space and can even fit a bale of hay in it!). Only issue ever with this car is "nagging" Air Bag light warning, that cant seem to be corrected. No set offs or anything though. And the car has been perfect otherwise. Have people offering to buy it often, but cant seem to part with it.

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  Totally trouble-free! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By boatman - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I have found this car to be very well built, reliable and even fun to drive. It can be a four person sedan one day and a cargo van the next! Great ability to change into many different configerations. The wide is fine, rattle free and I find it can cruise the highways with the best of them. Buy one and you will not go wrong!