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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  Superb handling and performance - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By coupe - January 26 - 2:32 pm

  We use our vehicle as a daily driver and find the ease of manuvering in traffic on streets or freeways. For such a short wheelbase I am amazed at the smoothness of the ride. Performance as far as acceleration is superb. Braking is fantastic. I have put on over 12,000 km and had no problems. Room in the vehicle is great as you dont touch the roof or bump shoulders. I have driven many sport and luxury cars in my life and have to say that this is truly a great vehicle.

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  My Sebring - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jim Webb - January 26 - 12:41 pm

  Very nice shape and preformance. I really like the pick-up-and-go of the car. When I go to pass someone it do NOT bog down, it jumps up and goes. Comfort is great also. Look and feel is super.

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  Chrysler 300C Too much fun! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By rreese7630 - January 25 - 7:50 pm

  This car is a class ride. Style, comfort and performance. After driving this car for about 20 minutes, it seemed like Id been driving it for years.

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  Awesome - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By John Dalton - January 25 - 2:00 am

  I have bought many cars in the past and there has not been one that has been as wonderful as this one! I would recomend it to all!!

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  Great Car, Horrible Cup Holder! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By haggebaby - January 22 - 6:33 pm

  I have had my Crossfire for almost a year now and have no major complaints. I love the style, and the feeling I get when I cruise around. Speed is good, Gas is better then I thought it was going to be. My car is a daily driver and has exceeded my expectations, especially in the snow.

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  Surprisingly excellent car - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By TJoy - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Not one minor thing has gone wrong with this car in the 4 years I have owned it. It is now one year out of warranty and I have paid $.00 for repairs. Superb for driving around the city; very easy to maneuver in traffic and park. Good on highway. Handles and corners like a sports car. Brilliant interior design - very flexible and spacious. Fit and finish better than my former Mercedes Benz 300E. It is still fun to own and gets much favorable attention. Very easy to enter and exit; good seating position for people with back problems.

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  Never got so many looks - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By shifted - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I straight up feel like the "man" while driving this car. Everyone who sees it is amazed. I was on the freeway yesteraday and a new vet passed me, slammed on his brakes then cruised beside me to look at my ride. The exterior design is absolutley amazing and the interior is like sitting in a futuristic living room. Fuel effecieny sucks in town but @ 65mph it will get up to 30mpg according to the onboard computer. Ive only had her for a week, but so far seems to be the sweetest car I could have bought for 37k, hands down.

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  The Limited Rules - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Bassplayer7 - January 21 - 10:00 am

  The limited is the best you can get without getting a HEMI. It is a fun car to drive.

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  Never before owned a Chrysler - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Bob from Fort Worth - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Accelerator issue not talking with the engine and it dies out. Outside temperature tends to get locked on a previous setting and not pay any attention to what the real temperature is. Speed sensor in my transmission is unable sense speed and does not pass power along to the wheels and feels like a slipping clutch. The only fix right now is to turn the car off and back on it seems to fix it. The part is on back order. One last thing my AM reception is very poor and they will "look" into it when I bring it in for the transmission work.

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  CPAs report on car- - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By Craig - January 21 - 1:45 am

  Bought car at 30,000 mis., now nearly at 100,000 mis. Overall, a good car. One of the best looking big cars ever. Good looking interior, too. Ive had a number of repairs over the 5 years Ive owned the car, but nothing big - speed sensor, power window gears, cooling fan motors. The paint is still in good shape. I read about transmission problems on these cars, but are they using the right fluid? Ive never had any trans. problems, but Ive used the right fluid and had the fluid changed at recommended service intervals. My only remaining question: can I get it up to 200,000 miles?