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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  1999 300M vs. 2004 300M Special - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Eduarmont - December 13 - 2:00 am

  Loved the 1999 300M in every respect therefore just bought the 2004 300M Special version. So far, I love the handling, power and looks, but am surprised to find the 2004 lacking in lighted power window controllers, headlight switch and central lock switches, as well as door courtesy lights, all standard on the 1999 version.

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  love it - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By long island - December 7 - 2:00 am

  once looked at fell in love, got blue looks sharp fully loaded and with standard features u get a much better deal the acura and me/be and bmw for the money the pacifica is the best deal

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  2003 Chrsler Voyager LX (Used) - 2003 Chrysler Voyager
  By Dana Marder - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle as a replacemnt to a 2000 grand caravan sport that was a lemon. This vehicle though less fancy has more power and runs flawlessly. Althought the interior compared to most is sparse, all u need is there competent heat and AC and a very good compact disc player. I also opted for the child seats which my 4 year old loves.I bought this car with 29000 miles and it runs new!!!!

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  06 PT 4dr Touring Edition - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Joel Sander - December 4 - 11:53 pm

  We bought this vehicle for 4 reasons, American made, unique looks, economical price, and fuel economy. We are very pleased with it, after several months of driving now, and about 5,000 miles on the ticker. With the cruise control set at 62 mph on the highway, (Im in no hurry) I can get 35 mpg all day long. It is roomy for a small vehicle, and quite comfortable. With the 5 spd manual it is a fun, spirited car to drive. 0-60 takes only 8.5 seconds. It is a lot of vehicle for the price you pay, and as reliable and trust worthy as the family golden retriever. If you are looking for a bargain in todays $3/ gal. society, and like to buy "American", look no further.

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  Great Car - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By neon1 - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Great car, Great engine comfortable seats and good lumbar support, classic styling and rust free after 9 years, beautiful sounding stereo and great reliability

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  PT Turbo - Just plain fun! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By snagol1 - December 2 - 10:00 am

  This little car is just plain fun to drive. With 220 hp it will chew up and spit out most mid and full size cars and trucks. We had a 2002 and liked it alot except for the lack of power, so when the turbo arrived we had to have one.

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  I give it a 10! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Ryan Faulk - December 2 - 10:00 am

  This car hauls ass!

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  cncrd - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By jkl - December 1 - 2:00 am

  great car nice ride good price great style power - dealership wonderful especially sales department service helpful

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  Very Impressed - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By jrprocacci - December 1 - 2:00 am

  After spending over 6 months reviewing numerous vehicles, I finally decided on a 2004 Chrysler 300M Special. The car is absolutely beautiful to look at, and a blast to drive. With a $4,000 rebate and dealer discounts, I purchased the vehicle for slightly less than Edmunds.com TMV (which is a bargain!). I considered waiting for the 2005, however after seeing the new design (and price increase!), it was an easy decision to stick with the 2004. I believe it looks much better than the 2005. The car is sporty, roomy, and (I hate to use this word) practical. Plenty of room, power and looks for anyone.

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  My new car! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By LFW - December 1 - 2:00 am

  This is my second sports car, in 25 years. I love the fact that it is not fiberglass. It handles great. Love that I can turn off the passenger air bags, to beable to take my grand child in the car. Would never sell this car. We plan on keeping it forever...