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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  A Real Beauty. - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By stanley - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I love to drive my car. Very comfortable and smooth.

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  Awesome - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By BabyRex - October 1 - 10:50 pm

  I wasnt certain at purchase how Id adjust to this vehicle. It seemed to be more than I needed. In my first 2 weeks, I have come to love this car and its qualities. Stunned by the tight turning radius, the comfort, lack of road noise and the smooth handling. Theres plenty of pep in the V-6. This car has the feel of safety and old style craftsmanship, heavier steel, thicker glass, and design that is literally "solid" in its touch and feel. So far, an excellent ride.

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  Very Classy - great way to buy American - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ciboney - September 30 - 10:00 am

  Great cornering, wide stance and hold you in your place seats. The interior comfort for the front 2 rows is awesome, our best friends have as much room in the second row as most people have in the front of their cars. The DVD is perfect - but dont let your kids watch too much tv (rot your brain and all). The third row is for KIDS not adults, but atleast its bigger then any other 3rd row vehicle in its class. (MDX & XC90). Im getting more "Looks" from other drivers then in any other car Ive driven. And a lot of "Whats that car?" Im very proud to buy American as well.

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  Wanna have fun? Buy one!!!!!1 - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Big Gregg - September 30 - 2:00 am

  This thing is a blast!!! Handles well, quick, roomy for me (64" 240#). Tremendous bang for the $$$$ With the Performance Package (read DELETE Electronic speed limiter)it will do 145+...big time fun!!!!!

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  Wonderful car! - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By Corey Turpin - September 28 - 2:00 am

  This is truly a wonderful car! Its extremely comfortable, reliable, and great looking to boot! Its ride is smooth and controlled. I think the interior materials could look a little better, but they do their job, and thats what counts. Its steering is great, easy to drive. It may not be the most powerful car out there, but it has plenty of power on tap. The interior could be quieter, because even for a convertible its somewhat noisy. But with the top down, wind buffeting is minimal. Conversation is kept at normal tone, even on the interstate doing 75 mph. Hands down..magnificent car.

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  Bill Ds 2003 Blue P.T. - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bd smith - September 24 - 10:00 am

  The Cruiser is just plain fun. The interior is deceptively roomy, classically appointed, and combined with very unique exterior lines and styling. Removable 65/35 tumble seats nearly converts the rear to a bed and breakfast. The basic 4 cylinder will not give you whiplash, but will allow you to pop and go when needed. Road handling and steering are firm with a comfortable "seat of the pants" manueverability

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  POOR MANS BEEMER - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By EDWARD - September 24 - 2:00 am

  NICE CAR, FUN TO DRIVE. SUSPENSION A LITTLE "CHOPPY" ON SECONDARY ROADS. TOO MANY RATTLES FOR A NEW CAR. (ALWAYS A PROBLEM FOR AMERICAN VS EXPORT CARS). 11 SPEAKER SOUND SYSTEM OK BUT 3-4 SPEAKERS VIBRATE AND "BOTTOM OUT" IF BASS IS SET TOO HIGH. LACKS AUTO CLOSE FEATURE FOR SUN ROOF WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF. I HAD THIS ON MY 94 EAGLE VISION! CANT CLOSE WINDOWS WITH ACCY SETTING ON IGNITION. WHATS UP WITH THAT?

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  An awesome car!!! - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Extremely satisfied - September 24 - 2:00 am

  This car handles like it is on rails, the brakes and steering are spectacular to say the least. The fit and finish are outstanding. The ground effects are a nice added touch and are understated and the dual exhaust, all I can say is, WOW!!! I have loved this car ever since it came out in 1999 and I never thought I would own one but the deals they are offering on this car make it very affordable and an outstanding value.

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  Great Car! - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By alex4vr@aol.com - September 21 - 2:00 am

  The 300M Special is a fun car to drive, and with 4 doors it is passenger friendly too. The front wheel drive with sports suspension holds the road well as do the 18" high performance tires. While the gas mileage leaves something to be desired, the quick acceleration and excellent brakes make this family car fun to drive. Trunk space is huge, driver and passenger comfort is good in the leather- upholstered seats. Chrysler has done a great job of engineering this fun family size vehicle.

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  Will be sad to see it go - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By traderchpl - September 21 - 2:00 am

  Our lease is up in 11/2003. Not a SINGLE problem, and it has been a wonderful highway driver between Tampa and Chicago 4 times. This V-6 got 32 miles per gallon at 80 mph on those trips too! After 3 years, the chrome wheels still shine brightly, and this car still gets compliments from passers- by and all of my Honda-loving friends. When we go out on the weekends, everyone wants to ride in this car. We will hate to see this car go. We will most likely lease a 2004 in November.