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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  Got Oil? - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Lisa - December 31 - 12:39 am

  I love the style of the car and all of the features are wonderful! The DVD/suround sound is also a good feature. Having 6 seats is also an added bonus, but with all of that being said, my car burns more than 1 qt. of oil in about 800 miles. This has been verified twice by the dealership and Chrysler refuses to deal with the problem.

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  Love This One! - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By jagsjones27 - December 30 - 5:48 pm

  Bought the hard top & 3.6L V6 Limited. It is as quiet as youll get for a convertible. A trunk & back seat area that is actually functional. The fuel mileage is off-set by the fun.

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  Last Chrysler that I expect to own - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Chas - December 30 - 5:13 pm

  Ive never owned a car that required more repairs than this LHS. Love the looks and comfort, but build quality is well below competitors. Here is a list of repairs since ownership: struts, window motors (twice), seat heater switch, air conditioner (twice), wheel bearings, trunk weatherstripping, front speakers, windshield wiper motor, EGR valve, cycling sound of dash motor...most were replaced under warranty. Next vehicle will be reviewed more closely for reliability...I can thank Chrysler for that!

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  Perfect for Us - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By laservision - December 29 - 8:13 pm

  My wife had a spinal fusion and needed a vehicle that would have easy ingress and exit, give excellent back support and have a smooth, smooth ride. The Pacifica fit the bill on all accounts. The seats are very supportive and adjust to any posture. The ride is buttery smooth, even over the most potholed of Michigan roads, but the car rides flat on curves- no rolling typical of a large American car. We are very impressed by the build quality and interior materials. No plasticky feel or cheap-feeling surfaces. On the downside, the gas mileage is pretty bad with a huge range- from 13.5 city to 22 highway. The sound system has a lot of bells and whistles but the sound is rather poor.

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  Nice car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By debbie - December 29 - 7:44 pm

  Its a nice car to take on vacation, and to go cruising too. Good on gas, love to go riding with the top down

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  Love it - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By SolBee - December 28 - 5:12 pm

  I bought this car new and it is the best car I have ever owned! I love it. I had only minor problems except for rear brake lines bursting once. I also note the air conditioning is getting weak now. I guess it is getting pretty old and I hope my next car will be as good.

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  First Time Chrysler Owner - Mistake ?? - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By Terry - December 28 - 12:58 pm

  The first six days of ownership were great and enjoyable. Great ride and appearance. Drove the Hemi and 3.5 V6..noticed a heavier fell with the Hemi..but mileage and price for 3.5 was great. Just over a week of ownership, I needed to use the windshield washer and when I hit it, the electrical system died, killing the engine. A immedate release of the windshield washer resulted in a immedate restart, but in a lower gear requiring me to pull off the road. In heavy traffic and at high speed this event could have been a significant risk to us and those that might had been behind us. Dealer has ordered parts yet concerned that circuit board damage was result vs cause. Time will tell.

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  best yet - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By al amirault - December 28 - 6:43 am

  I have been driving Chrysler products for 25 years. The 2006 Chrysler 300C is by far the best yet. I live in Colorado. I purchased my vehicle in MA while on vacation and drove it home. To date I have no complaints.

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  Fun, fun, fun! - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Jeeta - December 27 - 2:46 pm

  I have always wanted a PT Cruiser, now I have one! I cant explain why it is so much fun to drive, but it truely is. It is more than I expected. The exterior is beautiful, There is nothing I would change. It is comfortable and very roomy on the inside. I think the dash does not equal the rest of the car, its cheap looking. Im planning on purchasing the wood dash kit (it sounds easy to install...well see). I did purchase the goddess hood ornament and it always stops people in thier tracks, they love it. I love my cruiser, her name is Maxine.

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  2004 Pacifica..first is worse - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By sternys - December 27 - 1:13 am

  This Chrysler product has been the worst vehicle from the car to the dealer! I owned Jeep products for 15 years but I never had a car I cant wait to get rid of! From the blind spot, the low gas mileage (17mpg), continuous check engine lights, the rear hatch, limited interior room to the dealer that cant fix things, its been a real dog!