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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  Nice Ride - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ed in NJ - June 2 - 10:00 am

  We purchased the Pacifica because we did not want a van + incentives were good. So far, the car has been great except for a few minor issues - foam "0-ring" inside tailgate handle is coming out (after seeing other Pacificas on the road, it seems to be a common problem), loose wheel wells, scratches show vividly on center consoles and there is a lot of wind noise when over 40mph. Overall I am satisfied with the purchase and that is mostly because of utility, price and a great alternative to a less desired minivan. The 2nd + 3rd row seats are very roomy, and very comfortable for adults.

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  They finally did it right - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By smithvillemike - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Until recently I had a 2001 Ltd Pt Cruiser and it was a great car, very reliable, good gas mileage, but a real dog in the power department. Well now I have the 2005 Touring Edition Convertible Turbo and the turbo makes all the difference. It is now fun to drive. It is responsive finally. Dont get the car without the turbo.

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  Fantastic Value - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By MOST ADMIRED - June 2 - 2:00 am

  This car handles curves wonderfully and has the capability to seat 5 comfortably, for the money the car is unbeatable, if you want to spend 20k more and get the same stuff go buy a german import but of course Chrysler is more German now than American so I guess the jokes on you import people...lol

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  Delightful Car - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By waneswld - June 1 - 2:00 am

  We have owned our 300M for 17 months and have enjoyed it very much with no problems of any kind. Just mormal maintaince todate. It is amazing how this full size car handles on all type of road conditions. We especially love driving it to our local mountain resort because of the auto stick transmission and its corning ability just plain super.

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  Nice Car All Around - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Garry - May 31 - 5:20 pm

  I was looking to replace our 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis and was seriously considering a 2005 Mercury Montego(the Ford 500 twin)and on the way home from that test drive we dropped in our Chrysler dealer and took out a Black 2005 300 Touring. Needless to say for roughly the same price the 300 is miles ahead of the Mercury, and we bought the 300 right then and there. It is a very nice car. It performs very well, is roomy and I enjoy driving it. We took it on a 400+mile trip and it was a great ride all the way. I recommend it 100%

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  New PT convertible - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By pallidun - May 31 - 1:46 pm

  Had an orginal PT, this one is so much better in every respect, design, engine performance handling etc.

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  Better than my Jaguar - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By TJ - May 30 - 11:40 pm

  I bought the 300C as my run around and to work vehicle. It has become my primary vehicle for all trips. The ride is excellent and the gas mileage is okay. I actually enjoy it more than my Jaguar XJ8. I will not buy another Jaguar as long as the 300C is available. My wife is planning to trade her 1999 Jaguar XJ8 to get her a green 300C. By the way, my 300C is blue and people, even stopped at traffic lights, are telling me how great it looks. My surprise is that the ride is actually better than the looks.

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  Best Car Ive owned - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Todd1 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for a couple years now. Use to own a smaller car. This is one comfortable car to drive. The surprise to it is the gas mileage Ive been able to get with it. Ive had as high as 35mpg with it. On a long trip taking the I-80 from CA to IA. I had some tanks of gas I was able to get 35mpg, most of the time I was able to get 30mpg. When I had a big car in the early 80s I was lucky to get 15mpg.

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  I call it Hercule - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Mahler - May 30 - 2:00 am

  The most fun I have ever had with a car. Sporty, yet functional and comfortable. When you close the door or hatch, it feels solid and not flimsy like some other cars under 20k. It has the best headlights I have ever had on a vehicle and it seems to hug the road very well for a smaller car. When I am on the highway, the big rigs dont push me around.

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  golden glow - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By duffer5 - May 29 - 2:00 am

  Great looking car with excellent performance and handling. A very good trip car because of comfort and stability at highway speeds. Good on 87 octane gas despite its size (mid- 20s at highway speeds. Lots of features for the price.