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:
Showing 3351 through 3360 of 7,767.00-
Still in Love - 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
By Kwisk - September 5 - 10:00 amHow is it possible for Chrysler to keep improving on the mini-van. Usually after so many years a model is "let go". Still smoother than many luxury cars, comfortable for even the longest trip. In 80,000 km. of driving there was one small warranty repair. People cant believe how easily the sliding doors work even after all this time.
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6 months and 16kmi & no probs!!!!! - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
By moparaustin - September 5 - 2:00 amIt is a large car, that averages 20.5 mpg with maybe 40-45% (65mph is less than 2k rpm) highway driving. It has space for 5 adults and ALL their stuff. The trunk is like a cavern. Preformance is excellent for 234hp an auto, and being a relatively large car. Fantastic brakes also. There has been one warranty repair, and that was because the antenna is in the rear window, and when the rear defrost was on it had a little static if listening to the radio, no biggie. Slightly rough idle, but is very reliable. You get a very nicely finished car for a great price, but you get a slightly rough idle that runs excellently. I see no problem there.
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Limited availability means no sale - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
By Bob Tucker - September 4 - 8:25 pmThis is an all around great car. I was really to buy a touring L plus, but was unable to find one from a reputable dealer. Now Im waiting for the 2018 cars to arrive.
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Cynz 300m - 2003 Chrysler 300M
By Cynthia S - September 4 - 2:00 amI love the room in my car. The shape is awesome. I love the way it rides.
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1999 Sebring Convertible - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
By cupkake53 - September 4 - 2:00 amLove my car! Traded in a Buick Park Avenue for my Sebring, thought I would really miss the comfort of the PA but have found that I get great gas mileage compared to the PA and have not really missed the size of the PA. Only negative aspect is the noise of the convertible comparatively speaking, but in defense of the Sebring I believe all convertibles would be noisier. Car drives like a dream, even on icy, snow covered roads, have never been stuck.
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LHS a grand automobile - 1995 Chrysler LHS
By steve birns - September 3 - 2:00 amThis as a great car for people who like to have fun. Itd very comfortable, reliable and very quick. It has all the amenities you could need.
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Great Car - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
By detreeman - September 2 - 2:00 amIt is not much you can say about a car unless you drive it. i drove from alabame to winston-salam n.c. the car surprised me it is worth every penny and more
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I like this car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
By Bush Baby - September 1 - 10:00 amI really like this car. I think that it rides as quietly as a mercedes. My husband drives my old car and I always think a window is open now. However, there is a considerable blind spot because of the back side panel. I love and wouldnt trade it for the world. Who would have thoud me a station wagon girl.
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My PT - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
By 1jerry1 - September 1 - 10:00 amWe bought a PT to fill a void in our transportation needs. We needed a vechicle that we could take others in. All out other vechicles only transported 2 people. Also we did not want to spend a large amount on a car that would be used very little. This car will carry 4 adults and a child very comfortably and it rides like a much bigger automobile. Also a luxury equiped model with all the options was priced fairly. Fuel economy and performance are adequate but not impressive. Style, comfort, handling, and versatillity are great. Very quite inside as long as all windows and sunroof are closed. A very well designed vechicle and no problems at all.
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Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
By :0 - September 1 - 10:00 amIts Great Overall! Its comfortable, and an excellent car to drive.
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Chrysler 200 187 Reviews
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Chrysler 300 1,386 Reviews
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Chrysler 300M 483 Reviews
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Chrysler Aspen 140 Reviews
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Chrysler Cirrus 149 Reviews
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Chrysler Concorde 437 Reviews
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Chrysler Crossfire 546 Reviews
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Chrysler Grand Voyager 18 Reviews
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Chrysler Imperial 14 Reviews
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Chrysler LHS 210 Reviews
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Chrysler Pacifica 1,401 Reviews
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Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid 5 Reviews
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Chrysler Prowler 18 Reviews
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Chrysler PT Cruiser 1,365 Reviews
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Chrysler Sebring 1,334 Reviews
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Chrysler Voyager 74 Reviews