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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  All weather luxury alternative - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bob - December 9 - 10:29 am

  I use the Pacifica for business, and it performs very well in all conditions. I have had to have clients in my car and then stop at Home Depot on the way home to pick up large items and the Pacifica handles both tasks equally as well. This is a fine lower priced alternative to the equivalent Lexus, Mercedes, and Audi entries in this class. The Pacifica has performed well in very bad road conditions - never leaving me stranded or unable to get where I need to be.

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  Love to Cruise - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Turbo Mama - December 8 - 10:00 am

  I have always loved PT Cruisers. It was the perfect car for my handicapped daughter with the height of it and big door openings. I got the silver one and plan to get ghost flames painted on it. It is extremely comfy on roadtrips. By far my favorite vehicle ever ! ! !

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  FUN, FUN, FUN - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By marie8998 - December 8 - 10:00 am

  such a fun car to drive! YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR WORRIES BEHIND YOU ANYTIME YOU DRIVE IT.

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  03 PT - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By prinpa - December 8 - 10:00 am

  When we got the car, I had no idea how much it REALLY had to offer. I know what the ads said, but when it comes to real life, thats a whole new ballgame. It is a great handling car, and although its not a speed demon, it can handle itself just fine! My dad has been a Mercedes and Cadillac man and he couldnt believe how well it handled, how solid it was and how much interior room it had.

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  Second time around! - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By jimindetroit - December 7 - 11:49 am

  In 97 I leased this car for two years and loved it. Ten cars later, I couldnt get this LHS out of my mind, so I bought one with 100,000 miles on it last month. New tires and $2500 in mechanical repairs made it just like I remembered it. Too much? Sure, but I LOVE THIS CAR! Its a dream to drive, the seats are comfortable, the cabin is huge and so are the moon roof and trunk. The styling is timeless. Recent British guests were amazed at this car and couldnt believe it was 10 years old. After driving a bunch of new utilitarian cookie-cutter cars the last eight years, Im finally happy again in my 1997 LHS.

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  GREAT CAR - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By J. Thorne - December 6 - 10:46 pm

  Very good road handling, especially when it is raining. Holds the road well. Excellent MPG on highway. I was really surprised at the distance that i could get. Easy to park and maneuver. Great car. Will upgrade in a year or two.

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  Grandma On "Fire" - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Valerie - December 6 - 7:35 am

  I did not think I could be that excited about the opportunity to drive a sports car until I had an opportunity to purchase an extremely low mileage (6790 mi) 2005 RED Crossfire Ltd at a very good price for my 2nd car (Jeep 2004 Overland). Just the look of the car is awesome and it a "head turner". The ride is fairly smooth - except for those unexpected bumps in the road. It handles great. Truck space just enough and even more than I expected. Awesome!

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  Chrysler Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Laura - December 6 - 5:30 am

  We love our new Pacifica. My husband used to drive Mercedes and Cadillac and he says that driving this car is even better. It handles like a dream, is extremely comfortable and it is beautiful inside and out. It is also highly functional as an SUV without losing any of the luxuries and comfort of a sedan. I have had people stop me on the street and ask me about it. And my son ... the car snob of the century says "its tight." There is no higher praise than that :-).

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  Excellent Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Thornton - December 4 - 11:14 pm

  This car has been one of the greatest cars I have ever purchased. You cannot beat the comfort you experience on the Road. This car handles like a dream on the road. It has good gas mileage whether you are on the road of just doing average city driving. For the price I would recommend this to anyone looking for the elegant look, but affordable. We own a cadillac Eldorado and I prefer this car over that one any day. I am tall and it gives me the leg room I need for comfort, along with the fact that three adults can seat in the rear with total comfort.

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  Hottest car in America - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Frank Engel - December 4 - 8:50 am

  I have never driven a car that got so much positive attention whether on the road or just parked.This things got major league "EYES". Driving, this black beauty is quick, agile and extremely well mannered. Not 1 thing has gone wrong in the 10 months Iv been driving it As Im sure you know this car is a joint project between Chrysler and Mercedes Benz. In conclusion let me add it doesnt handle like a 911 or straight line like a Vette, but for pure fun its lines are superior to anything on the road today, other than an exotic.