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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  I love it - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Robert Howard - November 4 - 10:00 am

  I have only had mine for a week have 500 miles on it now. We love it, our kids love it. It is a great little car for taking weekend trips. We have ea two year old she has a custom baby seat with a cover for the sun. This car handles great , good gas mileage, just all out fun. I was deciding between the Mercedes CLK320 convertible and the Audi at convertible. For the money and the style, couldnt go wrong.

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  Fun but pricy - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By elljay - November 4 - 10:00 am

  it is a head turner. performance is ok with the 170hp turbo. very good seats for long drives. fuel economy is not very good even with careful driving. interior design is good. exterior is very nice,good lines. quality is ok. the fabric used feels like velcro on skin. reliability is yet to be determined.

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  Happy PT Convertible Owner - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Mike Mermelstein - November 4 - 10:00 am

  I have had my PT Convertible for two months. It performs very well. I have not had any problems with the vehicle at this time. The Turbo engine has lots of power. It performs very well on straight aways as well as hills. It has more power than I had expected. I like the auto stick transmission. It gives me the opportunity to drive the car like a stick shift. I especially like this feature on the curves and the hills. The car has an autostick transmission. It performs very well. The vehicle is very roomy. It seats four comfortably. There is more room then in larger convertibles.

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  Great ragtop - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By boatpuller - November 3 - 7:14 pm

  Ride is great, lacks a little power, looks are grand and not the car you want if you dont want a lot of looks. Fuel mileage is better then it was listed at. Sticker said 28 on the hwy we are getting better then 30. Just love to drive it with the top up or down(prefer down).

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  WOW - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By murabitas - November 3 - 3:26 pm

  Unbelievable - what a car. Driving a convertible in New England in not a year round sport but I cannot wait for summer. Rides like a dream - great stability, steering, pick up and stopping range. Handles 128 like a charm. Great sound package both quiet (car) and stereo. Turns heads every where I drive.

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  Beautiful Car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By agarton - November 3 - 12:09 pm

  This car is so awesome! I need a minivan with our 3 small children, but I did not really want one. This vehicle drives like a Town Car. I could not believe how smooth of a ride it is. I dont know how I ever lived without the DVD system! Its very nice to have a separate sound system for the adults. The third row is still comfortable enough for long trips, and the third row cup holders are a nice touch. Others complain about the visibility, but you just need to be able to drive with mirrors. The navigation system is great. I cant wait to take a long trip now! Before, I would not have considered making a long trip with 3 small kids packed into a sedan.

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  Bought used with 12,000 miles - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By LacPac - November 2 - 11:02 am

  Bought this car 30 months old with only 12k miles. Currently have 32k. Only replacement was front control arms, pretty common on Chryslers. Mileage improved a few months after installing K&N air filter. Gets better mielage when you keep your speed under 70 on the highway. You can actually achieve 24 mpg if you keep it at 60-65. Also running synthetic motor oil. Fabulous highway car....feels very solid. No problem pulling a pop-up camper, but make sure you buy the wiring harness from Chrysler. Always by OEM parts when it comes to electrical or youll have issues down the road.

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  Love My Sebring - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Melody23402 - November 2 - 10:24 am

  I love this car. Always wanted a convertible but they were out of reach cost wise. This was an excellent purchase.

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  Go out and buy one!!!!!! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By jnelson - November 1 - 10:00 am

  We recently bought a Sebring Convertible GTC.. Amazing!!! Wonderful to drive and looks great!!! Punch the accelerator and you go. Make sure you get the V6. It makes a huge difference. Oh, and make sure you get leather seats!!! Wonderful. My wife and I are in love with the Sebrign GTC

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  My 2nd 300 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Henry - November 1 - 5:40 am

  Found a fully loaded demo at a good price. Had a 1999 300M which I loved and wasnt sure I would like the C as much as the sportier looking M. Wrong, I just love this car and if it performs like the old one (or better) I am a happy camper. The ride is so smooth, and the poer of the Hemi when you want it is fantastic. Very comfortable driving and as passenger (not in that seat too often though). Have the satellite, GPS, VES, etc. and complete the comfort of the drive. Only complaint I had was from passenger in back due to viewing out front.