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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  Totally trouble-free! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By boatman - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I have found this car to be very well built, reliable and even fun to drive. It can be a four person sedan one day and a cargo van the next! Great ability to change into many different configerations. The wide is fine, rattle free and I find it can cruise the highways with the best of them. Buy one and you will not go wrong!

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  Very Fun - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By LUVITTTTT - October 1 - 8:23 pm

  Ive had no problems with the PT Cruiser at all. Much more power than I expected. All the controls are very handy. Had the car for almost 8 months and found a drawer under the passenger seat recently that had remained hidden. Always surprised by its performance and Lets face it.The look really cool!

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  Owner/operator - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Ted Pysh - October 1 - 10:26 am

  I bought this car in 2002 for $18,000 as a "winter" car. I sold my other vehicle and kept this one. I didnt care what went wrong with it and so...nothing did. Finally put in new brakes at 73,000 miles. Put in a new battery out of "guilt" after 6 years. This car has never let me down. Starts and runs beautifully in any weather. Excellent winter driving car. Great road car. Gets 20mpg. consistently which amazes me for a big V6 engine. Its just a wonderful vehicle. Currently 86,000 miles, but starting to show its age and regretfully Ill have to trade it in.

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  Aspen 4WD (non-hemi model) - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Anthony - September 30 - 8:41 pm

  This is not a Dodge Durango- from the wood grain steering wheel to the leather heated 1st/2nd row seats you know this is from the flagship brand and not the step child Durango. Chrysler did an excellent job, quiet roomy interior, all the amenities, the back up sensor works great and is a must on a vehicle this size. Plus with 0% financing and lifetime warranty, there was no choice but to buy this!

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  Good value for your money - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Julian - September 30 - 8:38 pm

  Great ride, lots of room, very nice looking vehicle, surprisingly good mileage especially on the highway. Seats are quite comfortably. A great value for the money.

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  Best Value on he Market! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By bigflounder - September 30 - 3:06 pm

  This is a big mans car. Plenty of head, shoulder and seat room. Gets looks on the road. Fun to drive. Passing power equals or beats the Caddy Northstar and more affordable. Perfect marriage of Daimler and Chrysler. Cruise could be more user friendly - like on the steering wheel. And I wish the read-out could be seen while driving. Traded my STS without reservation.

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  I love this car - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Linsey - September 30 - 2:25 pm

  We bought this car 4 years old and I believe it still drives like it did when the first buyer bought it. It is fun and stylish. It gives the feel of a sports car without the price tag or insurance boost. Whoever designed this car needs a raise! This car is for someone who loves driving. You would have to be able to get up and down easily and not have to get to the back seat very often.

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  Fun! - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Kelly - September 30 - 5:16 am

  I love it! I got the metallic black and the finish is beautiful. The interior is unique and stylish. The pick up is good and its full of pep. Not only that but its so easy to park! The handy lift gate and fold away seats allow my Rottweiler to come along! Its roomier than it looks its an eye catcher. I dont care if its a little bit harder on the gas than some - its far better than the SUV I just unloaded and its way funner to drive. It works for me :)

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  Fun car that impresses - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By great car!!!!!!!! - September 29 - 3:49 pm

  I absolutely love getting compliments from people, just the other day a lady of at least 70 years said nice car kid! Anyways, this car is no Mustang GT, but it is very fun to drive. The engine sounds great, and it handles the back roads in my area like a pro! Awesome car and I plan on keeping it for a long time

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  Greatest Vehicle Ever Driven - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By J.D. Ray - September 28 - 5:20 pm

  I have driven over 500,000 miles in the past 40 years either professionally or for travel and pleasure. That involves many types and makes of vehicles both domestic and foreign and includes luxury cars in both categories. With this experience as a basis I can say that this vehicle is one of the finest examples of automotive engineering I have ever driven! And based on the cost factor versus the finished product it could very well be the finest vehicle ever manufactured. Needless to say we are extremely pleased with this motor car. We have experienced the same responses from those that see it as some of the other reviews. People love it!