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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  Sleak and Sporty - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By DiabloPro316 - February 26 - 10:00 am

  Alot of people tell me when they see me in public that it is a sleak or sporty looking car and ask me what it is I tell them a Crossfire and usually give a little show of rubber burn on my way out just to show it has power to go with looks.

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  Hard Rockers Dream - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ozzy1414 - February 26 - 10:00 am

  Awesome car, great on gas...lots of room for a tall man.

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  Looks Great and Fun to Drive - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Wendi - February 26 - 10:00 am

  It was love at first site. Once we purchased it, we hadnt any regrets. The Pacifica is a great vehicle. Weve had it for eight months without a problem. It is really something to look at, as well as something to drive.

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  delighted - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By dc cowboy - February 26 - 10:00 am

  one look and i was hooked had to have this car. purchased it and so far completely satisfied. stares galore. was considering bmw 5 series until i got a glimpse of this car. way to go chrysler

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  Nothin but happy! - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By mombandy4 - February 26 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this car used as a wedding gift to ourselves. What a great gift it was!!! The Concorde is a beautifully built car with lots of style. The transmission was replaced shortly after purchase, and was covered under warranty. That is the ONLY problem we have had out of it. It handles as well as any small car but with a big car attitude!!

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  Great car!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By thomas haines - February 23 - 4:10 pm

  car is excellent on the road especially during long distance trips. car performance exceeds my expectation at all times. Compliments and inquires about car makes me proud to be an owner.

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  Good lookin, fun car that is reliable - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By P. Robert - February 23 - 2:00 am

  Weve put 82,000 miles on our 97 LXi with only a few minor problems. All in all, we have been very happy with it. We live in an area that experiences harsh winter weather. The car handles snow great...and, after years of all- weather driving, still not a single spot of rust! In fact, it still looks new and everything works as well as it did when it came from the dealer.

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  Concorde - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By Boltonfn - February 23 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1998 Concorde also. I love the car!!! Never had a problem. Lots of room. Safe car

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  This is a great Car - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Cate - February 22 - 2:00 am

  This car has lots of get up and go, we travel back and forth to NYC and Boston quite often and I can honestly say it is a great ride! This car is very comfortable and you feel like your sitting on a cloud. The Stereo system is awesome. The back seat is large and roomy and the access to the trunk is a major plus when your on the road. Leather seat heaters heat quite fast.

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  Love my red badger cruiser - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jeffrey p nygaard - February 21 - 4:56 am

  I bought my cruiser in July of 08 and its been running like a new car even though its had a lady bang into the drivers side doors. Before I even took it home I took it to Minnesota and my relatives said its really nice!