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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  The Best! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By hobbyokie - September 11 - 10:00 am

  After 18 months I am still very satisfied with my PT Cruise in Inferno Red. Actually am going to order the Turbo next month when it becomes available.

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  excellent car to drive and own - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By j-ro - September 11 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive, room for family, great combo of performance and gas mileage, looks/ appearance is like new if cared for and garaged regularly.

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  I love this car! - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By buttcrack101 - September 9 - 2:00 am

  This car is awsome. It rides smooth and isnt to loud. It is perfect not to classy not to sporty its just right and i think it was made exactly for mwa.

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  Glad to have it - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By S Ramos - September 8 - 10:13 pm

  I like the fuel economy. That I have a better view, because I sit up higher than a sedan. Visibility all round is very good because of the larger mirrors and windows. The metallic blue color I selected (electric blue) really stands out on a sunny day and evenings.

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  THE BEST OF THE BEST - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By BENR - September 8 - 2:00 am

  253 HP 254 TORKE IS ENOGH TO BIT ANY OTHER SEDAN IN THE STREET LIKE HONDA ACCORD , LEXUS IS300, TOYOTA CAMRY ETC. I KNOW CHRYSLER DO NOT HAVE THE BEST RECORD IN CARS HISTORY. BUT THIS TIME IS DIFERENT. THANKS TO MERCEDES TO BE PART OF CHRYSLER NOW CHRYSLER IS ONE OF THE BEST CARS IN THE STREET ONE OF THE MOST ATRACTIVE CARS AND FUTURISTIC STYLE IN THE MARKET. THE 300M IS AMAZING. GOT EVERYTHING, POWER, COMFORT,LUXURY, QUALITY AND SEXY. THANKS DAIMLER BENZ TO BE PART OF CHRYSLER CORP. AND MAKE THE 300M THE BEST OF THE BEST.

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  I Love My Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Frances Archer - September 8 - 12:46 am

  I am absolutely in love with my car. I wanted a P T Cruiser ever since I laid eyes on my very first one. My car gets alot of use is very dependable good on gas and is very low maintenence. Most important its so much FUN to drive!!!!I take my grandkids out alot its nice to know I can drive with peace of mind knowing I have such a dependable safe car to put them in. Since I got my cruiser driving isnt a chore any more its a plesure.... Fran Archer

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  my 300 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By chuck - September 7 - 9:16 am

  I think that the 300 is the best car that chrysler has made in a long time. Im a dodge man my self but chrysler makes them both so I cant say much. My wife and I love the car. You have to drive one then you will buy one.

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  300M - Surprisingly Good - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By LeeH - September 7 - 2:00 am

  We just traded this car after 77000 miles. There was nothing wrong with it, we just wanted a new car. In fact, this car was very easy to love and we consdered buying another as its replacement. Our other car is a 1996 911, so we are used to quality and performance. The 300s performance felt much better than the review numbers say. Its a very satisfying car to drive quickly on the interstate and its not too bad around town.

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  EXCELLENTE - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Dude151 - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This is an awesome car! It has all you need

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  Awesome! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By MYfavcar120 - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This has to be the Best Car in the World!