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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  No Blah Blah Here - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Neal - January 10 - 5:16 am

  The Crossfire is one beautiful car. I think the design is one of the best ever. I had narrowed by search down to a Crossfire, Thunderbird, or Corvette, but after driving the Thunderbird and pricing the Corvette, the Crossfire was the best choice for driving experience and price. I am happy with my decision. The Crossfire is well built, comfortable, and has a Mercedes feel. No Blah Blah here!

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  The perfect family/adult car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Kiersten - January 7 - 2:00 am

  The family car meets the luxury car... This vehicle is everything the family needs (6 six) and everything the young parents(w/ babysitter)/yuppies want... Germany meets USA. Great handling, looks and an interior that rivals any in any class. Nav and DVD a must. Mercedes handling with a 300M engine cant be beat. Its a must test drive.

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  Awesome Automobile - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Suzanne Brown - January 7 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Pacifica in August and were immediately satisfied. The smooth ride, roomy interior and 5 star crash rating are all that a family of 5 could ask for. We had to sell our Pacifica for financial reasons, but are back in the market for one at this time. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone that wants total satisfaction.

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  Best Car Ever - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By H& A - January 6 - 10:26 pm

  The exterior design, particularly in the inferno red color, is a real head turner. I am 61" and wear a fedora hat. I never had a car I could so high what a joy. The power is unreal. This car had all the features & options that would have cost me much more in a "luxury" car.

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  I wish I had bought it sooner - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Neil - January 5 - 4:33 pm

  Corners well with speed sensitive steering, reasonable acceleration, fantastic brakes - I should have bought one when it was new. Plenty of room in the trunk for golf clubs, too. Try packing your clubs in a Mustang ragtop sometime -NOT!--maybe *miniature* golf. My sebring had a quirk *had* that is-- the tach and odometer were intermittent until I fixed a loose solder connection- an easy fix. Comfortable, comfortable, comfortable-- even in the back seat. A very sexy car.

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  Very happy love Crossfire.. - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By edwardt - January 4 - 8:20 pm

  I sure have loved owning this car. There are not very many on the road and when you do see them I cant help but check out how they look on the road . I love the way it grips the road and all the control while on the road. I have owned the car for a yr and a half and usually am ready to find something new by now but this one I am nowhere near ready to give up. I look forward to driving it for at least another year or so. Thanks Chrysler for such a great looking car.

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  Got my droptop - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By motormouth - January 3 - 10:39 pm

  This is the finest made auto I have ever owned (67 Vette/78 Trans Am/87 Vette/88 Camaro etc./ Eyes turn at the red lights/ thumbs up on the road/ Thanks Dr.Z!!!

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  Overall a happy owner - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By matinee - January 3 - 10:31 pm

  Well, just approaching 40000 miles. So far not a single issue aside from the loss of memory for the keys (a result of me running over a boulder in the middle of a highway). The dealer did a great job fixing everything and the car still drives well. Even winter driving is not bad and I live in Edmonton, Alberta.

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  Love the PT Cruiser Touring Convertible - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By RsvpJoyce - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Love this car...I have owned many cars from a Eclipse to a Mercedes and this is my favorite car.

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  I just love this car! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Georgette - January 3 - 10:00 am

  And to think I almost bought a Lexus! The price for luxury, performance and looks is beyond excellent! Definite head turner too! This will definitely be a money make for Chrysler. For under $42K you can have it all! Im so glad I made the choice I did. As long as the reliabilty stays good, my opinion wont change. About time an American car can be at the top!