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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  LAST CHANCE FOR A SPECIAL - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Las Vegas Dale - June 8 - 2:00 am

  Waited for the 2005 300C - once I seen the boxy body and small interior I went for the 2004 300M Special. With the $4000 discount, it is a real bargain, fully loaded and is $10,000 less compared to the 300C with the same options. A full size North American luxury vehicle that handles great!

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  The NON SUV........ SUV - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By DavidL - June 6 - 12:20 am

  Finally a vehicle for those of us that want SUV like qualities, but car like looks, ride and comfort. I have had my Pacifica for a month and 1/2, recently trading in my 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I loved my Jeep functionality, but did not like the ride or the handling. In comes the Pacifica... a more stable, better riding and handling, super comfortable SUV like vehicle. I do not miss my Jeep at all. This is one awesome AWD vehicle. Handles super on snow and slush covered roads as I recently found out ! Very pleasent suprises are the comfort and quietness, along with all the goodies on the Touring package. To top it off, I am getting better gas mileage too. Well Done Chrysler !

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  fun fun fun - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Rick Cardinal - June 5 - 8:40 pm

  I traded in my SLS and bought this car. I have owned cars from 1962 to 1964 vettes to 57 chevys to 454 Chevelles LS6 and although I did not buy the Hemi I did drive one and with two small kids I went with the v6 do to pricing since I have a 6000 sq ft Victorian that costs more to keep up than any hot rod but the car has been awesome and even though its a v6 it still has the cool body and when I am crusing the highway at 95 it feels great. As for any law inforcent officers reading that I was just kidding. My father had a Rolls Royce and when I pull into my Grand Queen Ann I feel like I am in a Rolls Royce. I live in a very high end area and it gets as my stares as any high end cars on my roa

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  Yes - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By dnice6699 - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Its the best American built car I have owned.

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  fair - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Mikey Doodle - June 4 - 2:00 am

  transmission went out steering went out

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  I Love this Car! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By TUCHA - June 4 - 2:00 am

  Although I have had my Crossfire only a about a month, I love it.. I had another sports car several years ago, and I truly think this car is 100% superior, ride and comfort are more like a larger car.. Fuel economy is great, although it really wasnt a consideration when I made the selection. This is my first Chrysler product, but I doubt it will be my last.

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  My door lock actuator also - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By netfixr - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It is fun to drive and very comfortable. It has been a reliable car too that I would recommend to anyone. I, however, have also had door lock actuators go bad. Two of them sometimes choose to not unlock.

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  satisfied customer - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By slh811 - June 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is a blast to drive. The design has everyone turning to see what it is. Many people have stopped me to ask about it.

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  PT is best ever - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dcentimark - June 1 - 2:00 am

  No problems, excellent seats, very happy

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  Wifes Selection - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dessping - June 1 - 2:00 am

  My Wife choose the Pacifica, a Great fit for her. Steering is very tight, with great response, seating is comfortable. The only negative is with 6 passengers, the luggage area in the back is very slim. GPS in dash is very easy to read and use.