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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  AWESOME CAR - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By GIGGLES012773 - November 15 - 5:56 am

  I went from a 2002 Dodge quad cab to this awesome car and I love it. I never thought I could trade my truck in but when I saw the 300c in deep lava red I just had to have one. then I drove it home! The power and the look of this vehicle is unmatched. I get looks no matter where I am at. The interior is also bigger then one would expect. I fit 3 children comfortably in the back. The only thing I do not like about the car is the headrest on the passenger seat, it is to foward. I dont have to worry about it though because if I am in the vehicle I want to be the one driving it!

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  Reliving my 20s - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Martyh1957 - November 14 - 10:00 am

  This convertible is great! I love being on of the first to own it. The engine is very peppy, the sound system is wonderful and I love the rag top. If it would only warm up a bit and stop raining!

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  Better GPH and a lil more pickup - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By crystal - November 14 - 3:13 am

  We just purchased this car last month. It seemed like the MPG was going well at first, but it took a downfall. I am an all city driver and need good GM. I am sad that I was mislead on the MPG. This car is a little sluggish on acceleration (turbo may be better). Other than these two things I totally love the car! While I can live with a little bit of slug I cant live with MPG. Sadly, it may have to go when I can get something else. Or, maybe they will improve it next year and I can get a better PT. I think they look smoking hot. - Hope this helps anyone looking at these cars.

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  300M & lovin it : ) - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Chrysler 300M Lover - November 13 - 4:57 pm

  fantastic road car ....27mpg road 17 city .....great on curves as it HUGS the contour .....heated seats are great

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  300C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Craig Yeack - November 13 - 5:13 am

  Suprise! I would have never looked at this car had it not been on a very short list for company approved vehicles. In a word, its "Awesome". Superb handling, excellent looks, very good fit and finish, and of course, 340HP. As an added bonus, its the first time in months that my teenage son actually wants to ride with me, and be SEEN.

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  Topless Fun - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By fastmom - November 13 - 2:00 am

  I love the design and exterior lines. Color package is awesome. Nothing feels better than the top down, seat warmers on. Love it!

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  Getting better with age - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Darrell - November 12 - 10:00 am

  Liked it when I bought and have grown to admire it and like it more as time goes by.

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  a new classic - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By wiskeylizard - November 12 - 10:00 am

  this car is a blast!!!four people that drove my car bought one.the car handles great,and is a good value for the price

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  My rating suprised me. - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By J.SHOCK - November 10 - 5:03 pm

  This car is great when it comes to comfort. The gas mileage matches my 2002 manual transmission Ford Ranger. The cruise control could be in a better position. Transmission is a little jerky between 0-20. Front wheel drives are usually like that with 4 cylinders wound tight. When matched to a manual transmission, they will do that. Great room for passengers and storage. Smooth and quiet ride. Great handling on 15 inch rims. Factory sound system stinks.

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  This Car ROCKS! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By MagicLace - November 10 - 3:10 am

  Ive only had my 2004 Chrysler Touring Sedan for 6 weeks, but I LOVE it!! Its quite comfy, roomy, classy looking and it has a lot more get-up and go than I thought it would. This was my second choice in a Chrysler..first was a convertible, but couldnt afford it and Im SO glad I was able to afford this one, as Im a lot more pleased than I thought Id be.