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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  Great comfortable car. - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By Johanne - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car since I car pool to work. My car poolers love all the space and comfort the car has. I have had no major problems with the car at all. Once I thought that the air conditioner broke but all it needed was to be recharged. This car handles great on the highway and provides a smooth ride.

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  Returning to the Past - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By B. Parnell - March 29 - 10:20 am

  I bought a 99 300M because in 1956 a 300 blew me away in Okla City -- I was driving a 55 Chev with a big engine and lots of toys. I liked the 99 300M, but didnt like the front wheel drive. Chrysler fixed this for me in the new 300. I have a 2006 and love everything the great designers and engineers did. Great Car. PS I also bought the wife a new PT Cruiser -- another great car.

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  Great Road Car - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By perolaf - March 29 - 2:00 am

  The Concorde is one of the few cars available (and affordable) with good gas mileage that can hold five people in any comfort. Last year I averaged 29 mpg over 68000 miles of mostly highway driving. Driver seat comfort and ride quality are excellent. In other seating positions anyone over 510" may have problems with headroom. Road noise is a bit high for this caliber car.

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  Problem free fun car - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By Poptop - March 29 - 2:00 am

  I drive it year-round. Bought it as a 1 yr. old Hertz rental car. Have 96K miles on it and not one mechanical problem. Looking to purchase another one soon. Love it!

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  What FUN!!! - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By markej - March 29 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for the past year and a half. It is far and away the most fun car Ive ever owned! The reliability has been unsurpassed for me and all systems have been go from day one. Long trips for me are somewhat wearing in this car (the seats are too short for my legs for this), but the top down MORE than makes up for that!! I bought the Limited edition and the two tone seats, the dash, the sound system, the Autostick and the extra touches have made it worth the extra few dollars. For my money, GET THIS CAR!!

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  Best Car Ive owned - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By Lee R - March 28 - 2:00 am

  After 37,000 miles my problems with this car have been ZERO !!! For a large car the comfort is great with one very minor gripe. Leg room in front right seat is a bit skimpy. I consistently get 27 m.p.g. on the road and about 18 in the city. Road noise could be improved. Why Chrysler cant fix this is beyond me. They should see how Chevrolet does this in their Impala line.

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  A Breakthru Vehicle - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Mark - March 27 - 3:20 pm

  My wife and I bought one of the first PT Cruisers available in our area. We paid $2k over list price to get delivery. To-date we have 42,000 miles on it. No rattles! We have the basic engine with an automatic. adequate for our purposes, but not a fast acceleration car. We ordered every available option except the roof rack. We take advantage of the very flexible interior and sometimes strip out the seats to carry a lot of our sailboat stuff.

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  love it - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By BethThor - March 26 - 3:20 am

  The only complaint is some minor whirring and whislte from the engine at times. Probably the turbo pressuring up and relieving pressure when coming down. Yee Hah!

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  Our Pacifica for the first 4,000 miles - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Boomer4548 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Have a 2000 300M that we like and were looking to get a newer one, but decided this would work out well for travelling. So far it has done so. Very comfortable to travel in. Would have liked better mileage, but it beats the sticker when on a trip, so cant complain too much about that. Only have 4,000 miles so far, may get better as it breaks in.

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  My Toy - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JoeDav - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Interior well appointed and also very roomy. The ride compares to my 300M and so far seems very stable on the road. Fuel usage could be a little better and engine a little more powerful but I would considering buying another one. If you want to be noticed its one of the autos well suited to attract stares. Insurance Company gave great discount for multiple saftey features