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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  A head turning looker.... - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Mr. PGV - March 10 - 10:00 am

  Black on black...I loaded this baby up with all the goodies...maxed out. A beautiful ride and the Sirius Radio is maximo funno....I laugh at my neighbors in their hulking Denalis and Expeditions,as they guzzle their way to work, and hulk around corners. The Benz dealer and Bimmer dealers were snobbish and haughty, and DID NOT LISTEN TO MY CONCERNS.I am a VERY PICKY Consumer, so the fact I chose this vehicle, says a lot.I was so impressed, I bought my wife a new Town and Country Limited. Congratulations! I put a Police Benevolent Society sticker on the rear window to PROTECT me...cause I am speeding along as we go.

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  2005 Crossfire STD - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Ken Klug - March 9 - 10:52 pm

  Comfortable/quite ride, Good handling, Well designed & built, More than adequate performance, Interior well laid-out with ample storage and plenty of room for two. Fuel consumption is good considering displacement & HP. Lots of features for a base model. Attractive unique styling. A lot of vehicle for the purchase price. Well satisfied thus far with all aspects.

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  Pretty Solid So Far.. - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Mike G - March 9 - 4:37 pm

  This is a pretty solid car. You can tell once you slam the door and start it up. Very stable performer. Fuel economy about 18 MPG. This car has some ponies under the hood. This car was loaded with all available options. Handles great! Only one problem - had PO430 emission code pop up once at 1,100 miles. Checked pending codes and reset. Code has not returned. I suspect it is due to break in issues. This is a very fun car to drive, and very comfortable. The Nav system works great, and the upgraded stereo system is awesome. This was worth the 43K I paid for the car. I suggest if you buy this one, get all of the options including the Hemi. You will not be disappointed.

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  Love my Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ltlredboomer - March 9 - 11:10 am

  I really love my Pacifica. Its easy to drive and performs very well. I get a lot of compliments on it, and "what kind of car is that?", and "Nice ride." I have carried many large loads with no problems. Very comfortable ride. You feel safe in it. Have never slipped in the Colorado snow.

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  The best i ever had - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By JackieLSU - March 8 - 5:16 pm

  I love this car more than my boyfriend! i bought it after i traded my wrangler in, which i also loved, but the car is wonderful. It is like heaven on earth!

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  2006 Sebring Sedan - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By JDP - March 8 - 1:10 pm

  Very pleased the the vehicle and the dealership. They traded the radio to what I wanted. Lots of good nooks for all my "stuff". Center console storage is bigger than my 95 Mazda 626. Good sized trunk with place for full sized spare. A/C is nice and cold. Remote trunk release is nice too. All around - Im pleased. I like the lines on this car. Hopefully it will hold up like my 626 which I had for nearly 12 years.

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  Crossfire Roadster - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By roland - March 7 - 2:28 pm

  The roof has not been up in 7 months. It is a ball to drive and handles like a cat. I got a Mercedes Roadster for 2/3 the price. No problems at all so far. Routine maintenance only. Dont plan on packing a complete wardrobe of cloths though...

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  I love my cruiser! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cindy - March 3 - 4:50 pm

  Very roomy and adaptable with fold down seats; can fit quite a bit in the back! lots of interior extras; love the moon roof! Its so comfortable, smooth ride, turbo engine gives it lots of power,spirit and whoooosh! The most fun car Ive ever driven! Id thought of getting a VW but once test driving the PT w/Turbo I was sold! Its so cute too! Mine is Inferno red..My "Wild Cherry Mobile"!

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  Very nice car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By D Copeland - March 2 - 10:12 pm

  this car is a beautiful car and fun to drive. The ride could be a little softer.

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  Favorite things-No Complaints - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Fab4radko - March 2 - 5:40 pm

  Great handling. Happy with the mileage on long trips. The navigation system has helped many times I would have been lost.