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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  Chrysler Canada Why Spoil It.... - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By X FIRE N - December 17 - 1:46 pm

  I have been in ownership of my Crossfire for several months now and still enjoy driving it as much now as when new. This car feels and rides very solid. By far the most pleasing to own car I have ever had... except dealings I have had with Chrysler Canada. Since the day I purchased my car I have been without a owners manual and after several phone calls to their customer care center I still to date dont have one. I have even asked to pay for courier charges for rush shipments. This is the second time I have had to deal with their care center with poor responses. This is my first Chrysler and last for this very reason. When will the north american car makers learn. Still Love The Car.

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  Great Value for the Price - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ladybob - December 17 - 10:00 am

  A very unique and stylish car. I have been complimented at stoplights and notice others noticing me driving in the Cruiser.

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  2005 300 HEMI C IS PROUD SIBLING! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Hack - December 17 - 10:00 am

  This car carries on the torch for the original 300 Letter Series with grace and power. I had a 1956 300B with 340 HP and this car definitely exhibits 50 yrs of improvements to the 300 Series line of cars!

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  Our pt cruiser - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By JIM LESPERANCE - December 17 - 4:53 am

  The car has been a huge disappointment for us.The gas mileage is much worse than our ford escape.The seats are like sitting on a rock and they are very uncomfortable.The icing on the cake was when the windshield suddenly cracked while my wife was driving. There were no vehicles on the highway at the time. We took the car to a glass place and were told there were no stone chips and they suggested we take the car to our dealer as chrysler may cover the cost of a $900 windshield.They felt it was a stress crack. The dealer told us the warranty for glass is 20,000 kilometers and we were over that so were out of luck.We have contacted chrysler and are waiting for a response.

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  We love this car! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By 4CatMom - December 16 - 1:56 pm

  My husband and I (ages 31 and 28 respectively) bought this as our "family" car once we start our family. We actually hated the look of it when it first came out but during our honeymoon in 2004 our rental car turned out to be a PT Cruiser and we fell in love with it. It is so roomy inside it surprises you! Ive been driving it exclusively for a few weeks now and cant imaging driving anything else! I have filled up the back with groceries as well as other items. The folding back seats are great for long or oversize cargo.

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  Reese impressions - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By ROBERT E. REESE - December 16 - 5:50 am

  gentlemen& ladies: i have the 300 limited edition and i am very pleased with it.

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  A sporty yet luxurious car - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By crazycanuck - December 15 - 10:32 am

  Purchased car after 3 year company lease. Dealership cant figure out why wiper delay doesnt work properly when below freezing. Replaced radio 3 times. Weatherstipping shrinks and falls off. But, if you can put up with these little things and slap on a few exterior accessories and tint the windows, this car will make heads turn! It looks really sharp and rich. Handles tight and is peppy with the 3.2 engine. Transmission no problems. Lots of room and very comfortable. I would recommend it. Just dont get the 2.7 motor or youll regret it.

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  I own a Brand New PT TURBO - Its HOT !!! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Street Rod Builder - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Ive held my wife back from buying a PT since they came out due to a lack of highway perfomance in the orginal offerings. But this TURBO kicks butt ... And the tweaked suspension that the turbpo comes with sticks to the road ... Blew the doors off a hot V-8, 4x4 the other day out of a light !!! **BG** Im also 6foot6 & was very concerned about my long drive comfort .. Well, the car fits like a glove & is configured in such a way that its really easy to get in & out of ... Were very happy ...

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  Superior Car - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Superior Car - December 12 - 8:57 pm

  I own a 2007 Sebring Limited V6, and I absoloutley love it. This is my first American car, I have allways owned Eurpoan vehicles and I like it much better than European or even Japanese. Exceptional audio system by Boston, way much better than Bose!!

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  Serious Bargain! - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Chris - December 12 - 7:34 pm

  07 Limited Coupe, 6 speed. For $23K brand new OTD (12/5/07)....I choose it over the MS3s Id tested. Lifetime warranty on the Mercedes powertrain, This was the bargain of a lifetime! Handles fantastic, after 300 miles appears to get >21 MPG driven hard. Great midrange & higher lateral Gs than MS3. Had $36K sticker.....nothing even close to it for $23K.