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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  Beautiful sport car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Joxes - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought my crossfire 2 weeks ago. Drove back from Colorado to California. Everything works great, nice speed (140 MPH in Utah), nice acceleration, perfect body, great gas mileage. Everything is working great, nothing to worry about. I tested both 350Z and G35 and decided to go for the Mercedes engine. Im glad I made this decision.

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  2003 Sebring Limited - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By frejj - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, it is fun to drive, responsive, and an eye catcher.

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  What a fun car! - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By rittdon - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I purchased an 04 Sebring LX mainly because of the rediculous rebates being offered. I ended up falling in love with the car. It has the 5-speed manual transmission, and is decked out in leather, has all the goodies. Power is fantastic and the mileage is surprisingly good, espescially since I have been putting my foot in!

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  I Love My Pacifica! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By keladewig - October 25 - 10:00 am

  All in all, the Pacifica has exceeded all my initial expectations -- which were very high as Ive been obsessed with this car since its concept debut in 2002. My husband, who drives a 2001 PT Cruiser, is extremely jealous! This car has such a quiet ride & exceptionally smooth drive. Exterior (Satin Jade) & interior (Deep Jade/Light Taupe) colors are gorgeous!

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  Excellent Sedan for the Money - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Alvin Bell - October 24 - 5:26 am

  This car is a head turner. Everywhere I go people stop and stare. Its amazing beauty and design is what makes this car my #1 choice. My "Baby Bently" is a charm!

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  My dream car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By CodyPortlandORegon - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. I traded in my 03 Durango, and have NEVER looked back. This car is fun to drive, and looks great just parked in the garage. I find myself just opening the garage door to take a look at it. I test drove ALL the other "sport cars" I purchased the CrossFire for the looks, and that I have only seen ONE other one on the road. I find other drivers starring at the car. I LOVE THAT. I have a car that not everyone else has, or their neighbor. This car has plenty of power from the 3.2V6 This is the same V6 in the Mercedes SLK320 and the E320.

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  Great Car! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Mrs. T - October 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had my Sebring Convertible for about 6 weeks but I love it! My husband was a little leary of buying it but he is really enjoying it too. I like the get up and go as well as the look of the car with the top down. It is great fun to drive. The only thing I dont care for so far is the tilt wheel mechanism. My last car (a Chevy) had a much nicer one. I would recommend the Sebring Convertible to anyone that wants a comfortable car as well as a fun convertible.

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  What a deal! - 2002 Chrysler Voyager
  By kellypob - October 22 - 2:00 am

  If you buy a Voyager, make sure you get the V6. This van is such a pleasure to drive. Comfortable seats, power windows and locks, cd player, vcr/tv, tinted windows, less than 26k miles, the works...all for under 11,500! Ive only had it for a few weeks, so I cant really comment on the reliability yet...Ill keep you posted. I just couldnt see myself plopping down an additional 3-5k for a used Mazda, Toyota, or Honda.

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  Excellent!!! - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By DarlingXO - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Perfect Car for anyone!

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  its a keeper - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By FREDE - October 20 - 10:00 am

  i have 40000 on this terriffic car i have flamed it hood scooped it installed 18in chome rims.it is inferno red i got to tell you wherever i go have have high praise for it.i plan on keeping this one even tho it is not a turbo.my plans are to purchase the convertible.o and i installed the latest retro tail lights,again i have had not 1 single problem with it and am very happy with it. PS MY DAD HAS ONE TO LOVES IT