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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  "My Pacifica" - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By busybee - October 25 - 2:36 am

  This is my second Pacifica and I am totally happy with it so far. I just returned from an almost 4000 mile trip and the performance was great. It is a totally comfortable car and I am proud to own it.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dennis - October 24 - 8:50 pm

  Bought in 12/2001. Now has 98K. Replaced suspension & exhaust w/better quality aftermarket. Car has no lean into curves like other PTs. Replaced 16x6 wheels w/17x7. Replaced air cleaner w/cold air box for more power & better sound. Sunroof glass shattered, brake caliper bent, bad LED light but no other probs. Always synthetic oil. Never a prob w/inspection. Disabled & it fits my needs perfectly. Cargo area will gobble up anything you want to put in it. Fits 4 tall adults w/no complaints. Cant really fit 5 because of load limit not because theres not enough space. 3 recalls all important. One of the best designed cars Ive ever seen. Daimler cheapened subsequent years so avoid them.

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  Best ragtop for cost/benefit available - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ckgrick - October 23 - 10:00 am

  Have had a 2005 GT 5 speed convertible since May 2004. Ive had as well as driven a number of ragtops and this is by far the best one. Time will tell, but right now the car is quiet at highway speeds (unlike the Chrysler Sebring), an accomplishment. This car is just plain fun to drive with power to spare. Rear seat is real and not just for kids or people you dont like.

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  What a Car !!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jack M - October 23 - 10:00 am

  During the LONG wait for mine to arrive, I checked all the competitors - none came close, regardless of sticker price. The technology is great. Doesnt corner quite as good as my Mini Cooper S, but its amazingly close !!! With 3K miles, its running 25.5 mpg on the highway (18-19 in town). Mine is "Deep Lava Red Pearl Coat" - if you havent seen a red one, you need to - its gorgeous. Driving the car is the best part. I got caught in a heavy rain storm on the interstate, doing 70 mph - the wind and rain didnt even phase it... I love this car !!!!

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  Had fun while I had it, but goodbye - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Brian - October 22 - 8:06 pm

  I had the car for about 4.5 yrs. The fuel pump just quit on me in my driveway and was replaced under warranty. The back liftgate wouldnt open so I had to take it in for that. The AC fan went kaput one summer in S. Alabama and shot out a lot of Freon on the H.P. discharge valve. I had that replaced 1 day short of owning it for three yrs. It woulnt idle worth a d, the dealer said the injectors were dirty and had that "cleaned" for a 180 bucks! (my bad) It started idling rough again shortly after that so I raised the idle speed myself with a little wire. I used it for a maintenance work car for three yrs and workrd great for that. It was fun to drive and held a lot of stuff, stereo was good

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  Best of Both Worlds - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bobby O. - October 22 - 12:53 am

  I am a musician, and I need a vehicle that can carry a lot of gear. My worn out van was at the end of its life and I was tired of getting no better than 15 MPG. I tested many mid-size SUVs, and there are several good choices if you want a rugged "off road sporty" type of vehicle. But I wanted something that could handle my cargo needs, drive like a true luxury car, provide lots of power with a smooth comfortable ride, has a stylish look and at a reasonable price. The Pacifica is all that and more. If you need a vehicle that can handle your big family, and/or some decent cargo loads, plus a smooth ride, lots of bells and whistles and some "get up a go", this is the one!

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  One of the best - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jack - October 21 - 11:39 am

  One of the best driving vehicles Ive ever had. The gas mileage is not bad for the weight of this vehicle. The only complaint I have is rear view problems. You cannot see good out the back, however driving this SUV on the highway is a dream. Plenty of leg room front and back, handling is also good.

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  Bought a Friday car! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By sweetc - October 21 - 5:36 am

  Unfortunately my experience has not been great. Although everything that has been wrong with it is somehow related to the wheels so this could just be a Friday car. Even at the dealership they couldnt understand why the wheel bearings were falling out or the brakes wore prematurely (there was a notch worn through them). I love the style and I love the versatility. Gas mileage isnt great for me average 19-20.

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  Chrysler has a head-turning hit - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By aspenlover - October 20 - 9:02 pm

  This is my second Hemi (1st was Dodge RAM truck which I also loved) and my 1st SUV. The Aspen is a total headturner. I constantly get asked about it. Love the ride and the J package rocks with the black metallic paint and leather interior. My husband cant stop raving about how comfortable the vehicle is and he does a lot of driving. Although he has to ask permission to drive my Aspen! Ordered all the options except DVD entertainment pkg. LED interior lights are great also.

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  My Wish Come True - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Dawn Myers - October 19 - 11:40 am

  This car was a gift & is a gift to anyone who owns one. It drives like no other car Ive been in, I have fallen in love with this car. Its smooth almost gliding over the road and handles effortlessly. I find myself driving most every weekend and taking the backroads with the top down & listening to crystal crisp music surrounding me. Whoevers with me cant stop admiring "Ben", my 300C Hemi Convertible. However it doesnt stop there, I get stares, comments, questions or a smiling acknowledgement from people all the time. Strange at first, but nice and now its a pleasant way to talk to people. PS I wished for a 4 door convertible for my anniversary