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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  Kathys Car - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Kathleen Bayles - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle. No problems. Handles like a dream. Rides like a dream. I dont understand the poor overall rating you gave this vehicle.

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  Very fullfilling...extremely satisfied - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Veronica NJ - April 17 - 2:00 am

  My Sebring definetely filled my expectations. It is a beautiful, stylish, elegant, and not too sporty vehicle that is very fun to drive. The gas mileage is great. There is enough room to fit 3 people in the back with comfortable leg room. The seatbelts are extremely comfortable, you hardly notice them. The top comes down smoothly. The sound system is powerful, this can be especially noticed when the top is down and the car is being driven in the highway. I give this car a 10.

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  Can You Say Hemi? - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By master of mastercard - April 16 - 10:56 am

  Where have you been all of my life? The powers that be from Motown took a little while to bring us back the good old days but its here. It was better for it to show up late to the party then to never at all. Think 1960s American muscle meets European luxury meets Japanese technology wrapped up in one beautiful, sophisticated, and powerful package. If you have to fly underneath the radar, look elsewhere. Youre Tom Cruise in Top Gun in this baby.

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  Head Turner - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Moq - April 16 - 2:00 am

  This is the most fun Ive had with a car. Ive driven Corvettes, SLs and an M3, and this car is by far the funnest out of them all. First of all, it is an absolute head turner. Everywhere I go, people are amazed by the looks of my Crossfire. Its the most underated vehicle out in the market. The price is exceptional and the ride is great. Its a Mercedes with a Chrysler shell. I cant express how much fun I have with this car. The power under the hood is more than enough, if I had anymore, Id probably end up with a ticket.

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  A really nice car - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JimD - April 15 - 8:23 am

  Have owned lots of cars. My wife says this is the nicest car we have ever had. Traded in a Mountaineer because the ride was harsh, loud, and wobbly. This Pacifica feels glued down, it is so stable, and what a great ride, and so quiet. Lots of room, and a luxury feel to everything. So far, we are really happy with the car. Mileage on the highway is about 22-cant complain.

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  Love the Crossfire - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By RobXfire - April 15 - 2:00 am

  Car is exceptionally fun to drive. Built with excellent quality. Needs a little more HP in my opinion.

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  300 Outstanding performance - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By NILES LADERER - April 13 - 12:43 pm

  This is the finest automobile ive ever owned. Fuel mileage is outstanding, comfort, looks inside and out are outstanding a marvelous automobile

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  300m review - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By bigozzyfan4life - April 13 - 2:00 am

  i havent had too many experiences with the car yet but it has been perfect so far. it is absolutely the nicest car out there that you can still afford unlike a caddy or lexus.

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  Suh-weet! - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jenny Wentz - April 13 - 2:00 am

  This car is so much fun to drive- it really goes! Not only does the inside look super nice, but the outside is sporty and sleek too. It drives really well in snow b/c it has front wheel drive and its even low pro! And the factory sound system will blow your mind it sounds so good! I wanted a reliable car that I could keep for a few years but also one that would look good too. They really matched the colors nicely. Mine is silver and has some silver interior along with the black. This car is super awesome, I tell you no lies!

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  My Crossfire - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By preid - April 13 - 2:00 am

  love to drive. very quick steering wheell, dont look away for even a second, the car will move. hate drink holder. It tears paper glasses, difficult to put cans in it, bottles even harder. wish that could be redesigned. But hes fun, fast and i love to shift his knob.