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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  Best fun car ever - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tahoelen - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Best family car I have owned in years, large interior, easy in and out of car movement. Has power in the Mountains as well as in town. Hope they continue to make this PT CRUISER Forever

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  SO FUN - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By VickyPTturbo - July 10 - 10:00 am

  The PT Cruiser has always been my favorite, I had a 2002 touring edition and now I have the GT turbo. It has always been fun with both models, very comfortable to drive and good handling. Never let me down!!!

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  Fun and versatile - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By kelo - July 8 - 9:06 am

  Lots of interior room and fun to drive car. The that has looks to boot!

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  Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Paul Chapman16 - July 7 - 10:56 pm

  We purchased the pacifica two weeks ago, so I really cant speak to its reliability, but so far we are happy with its handling and comfort. We have the front wheel drive version and it seems to handle well in snowy consitions. The inside is roomy and makes tou feel like you are in a much larger vehicle. As we have found with most Chrysler vehicles the seat belts are difficult to find and release.

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  Great 300C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Ed - July 7 - 7:32 pm

  Two years have gone by with the 300C and I still think that this is a great car. This is a real car. The power is great, the mileage good for a 340 horsepower V8, thanks to the MDS. The seats are comfortable for a long drive. The car still gets looks from others.

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  Pacifica Signature Series AWD - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sue in Virginia - July 6 - 3:20 pm

  The vehicle has been outstanding. The true test was in February when we had an ice storm. There were 4wd vehicles skidding all over the road and the Pacifica went straight up the hill and my nerves were put at ease. This vehicle is so much fun to drive and comfort, comfort, comfort. I would highly recommend the Pacifica to anyone who likes to have the extra room with sedan comfort and quiet ride. I only wish we had bought one sooner.

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  Sebring Touring - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ryan - July 5 - 2:46 pm

  When looking for a new car I happened upon the Sebring. I started looking at it just for the styling. Then I drove one and fell in love with it. It is a lot of car for the money. I just dont like to buy anything but American and this in my opinion is the best mid-sized American car for the money. I liked the 2.7L V6 in the Touring with its E85 capability and the 18-inch wheels are definitely a plus. It rides like a much more expensive car and it very quiet on the interstate when cruising at 82mph. I am very happy so far with 522 miles driven, hopefully many more.

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  Great Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Robert Zappel - July 5 - 12:40 pm

  This is a high quality auto that is comfortable to drive and has all the power one would want. It has a good ride along with classy styling. I love the car and would reccommend it to everybody.

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  PT # 5 - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By SILVER FOX - July 5 - 6:30 am

  I have owned 4 previous pt cruisers. All of them were automatic except the 2005 convt. Manual tramsmission is a great deal better from a performance standpoint. Mileage is excellent 25-29 range. Cannot say enough good about tyhis product!!!!!!!!!!

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  Luxury and Performance! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Gary - July 1 - 4:20 am

  The 300C AWD is an awesome luxury and performance car, capable of handling any kind of weather condition you throw at it. Highway driving is amazing with extreme comfort, quietness and power. At first this car gets some getting used to due to its size and visibility. After living with it for a couple of months, you get the feel of it and its really a pleasure to drive. The car is so solid and is very well put together. Mine is fully loaded, and the options and features are impressive. The EVIC allows customer preferred settings for almost anything and is intuitive to use. The NAV system is a bit of a toy, but certainly useful and entertaining. For the money, its a great car.