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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  Moneys Worth - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By wn - April 24 - 4:10 pm

  I am the second owner and bought the car with 12.5K miles. Twenty months later I have 97.5K miles. With the limited package, this car provides both luxury and performance. I commute 150 miles roundtrip each day. The luxury quietness is calming before and after work. If another car wants to ride my rear and then zoom around me, this car has enough horsepower to be competitive (almost always wins if in the same V6 class). Keep the oil changed and the exterior washed and waxed and this car is a very good value.

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  Love It - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By New England - April 23 - 11:31 am

  This is a big car that feels smaller when you drive it. It holds the road well and handles better than expected. The styling stands out and and looks as good today as it did when I bought it.

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  PT CRUISER [ LIMITED TOURING ]2002 - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By John Cline - April 21 - 2:00 am

  PROS- Fun to drive around town. Get a lot of questions at stop lights. Had factory dual exhaust installed by dealer. Great body style. Reminds me of my "39 Ford sedan" and "62 [544] Volvo". All the folding seats come in handy. Wife loves it for grocery shopping...

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  Finally a fun American Sedan - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By rrtoadhall - April 21 - 2:00 am

  For several years I have been driving large British sedans because American car makers had the same boring offerings. It has taken Chrysler to reinvent the American Sedan and bring the public something other than cookie cutter badge engineering. I would highly recomend a test drive for any consumer looking for comfort, room and ergonomics!

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  It doesnt get any better - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By dwaindc - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 1999 Caddy STS and can say the 300C is more powerful, more exciting and has just as many "bells and whistles" at $20,000 less. Im 61" and dont have to slide the front seat all the way back for legroom. It has more legroom for rear seat passengers. My only concern is long term reliability, otherwise it is the best car I have ever purchased. Bottom line, this car excites me.

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  My snowball - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bob Loving - April 19 - 11:36 am

  My black PT ragtop is one wonderful car. Not even one hint of a problem in the near 2 years I have had it. I gets looks and comments all the time and has given me 30000 miles of fun and enjoyment.

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  Simply AWSOME! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Stu & Cathy - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Chrysler. We LOVE it! I would drive this car on any long vacations and never get tired. It gives a wonderful smooth ride and when needed lots of ZOOM! They did a great job following the Cirus with the Sebring. Only complaint is the its a little thursty when it comes to gas in the city.

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  Great convertible! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By gfriedrich - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This car does a great job in snow as well as dry roads. I cant wait to drive it routinely with the top down.

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  PT Bruiser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Lingomaster - April 19 - 2:00 am

  My wife wanted a new car and the Cruiser was cute, practical and had sufficient space to haul antiques in. I agreed with her selection criteria, yet I was able to persuade her to wait until the 2003 model came out. I test drove a 2002 Limited Edition, which lacked some extra oomph to catch up to its cuteness and functionality. Our PT Turbo offers just that and more. Overtaking other vehicles is no longer a chore. No, it has indeed become a pleasure to leave others standing in place. Here, on the Autobahns of Germany, our Patriot Blue Cruiser feels right at home when it can strut its stuff at 100mph plus. My wife is now happy we waited too.

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  Simply Stunning, Classy. A Elegant Car - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By MrLenny - April 18 - 11:27 pm

  My late father purchasrd the Chrysler LX for me. It was so alluring to me. I loved the colour, a Teal-Blue like colour, marvalous! I love to drive my car, had no real problems so far. Um.......it is a wonderful, and spacious vehicle. Love it, adore it, and well, trually a splendid job Chrysler. Its gets a 100!. Some may say different, i love it, and feel it was worth it. If you want a stunning, and large, luxurious vehicle, well get a 1997 Chrysler Concorde LX or LXI. You will see what i am talking about. Bye....