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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  I LOVE MY PACIFICA - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By MARILYN SIMONS - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY PACIFICA. IT LOOKS GREAT. EVEN BETTER, LIVING IN WESTERN NY STATE WHERE IT HAS SNOWED EVERY DAY IN JANUARY, I FEEL VERY SAFE DRIVING IT. IT HAS HANDLED GREAT IN THE SNOW, I HAVE AVOIDED SKIDDING ON ICY ROADS AND IT STOPS ON A DIME. THE WIDE TIRES LOOK GREAT AND PERFORM GREAT. MY SON WANTS TO SWITCH VEHICLES WITH ME. HMMM- NO!

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  great car, reasonably priced - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By agordon404 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Have had Pacifica for 2 months, lots of snow driving. fwd very adaquate. Rides smooth and very quiet, 17 in wheels and long wheel base compared to others is a good thing. I highly recomend the Pacifica.

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  fun - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By doondie001 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  ever since the release of the first pt i made up my mind that someday i would have one. then when the gt turbo became available i really wanted one, waiting only on financial conditions. then my wife suprised me on my birthday with my "dream". i love everything about it. fun, fun, fun.

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  My New PT! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Steffen - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I was interested in the PT Cruiser when it first came out, but decided to wait until the flurry died down a bit. I am glad that I did! Some of the added features make it a very special car. I recently took an extended driving trip, and was pleasantly surprised by the handling, the mileage, and the comfort for the long trip. I am having so much fun driving her, and love the looks I get when I go down the road!

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  Cakers Chrysler - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By CakerCakes - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I love these cars!! This is my third Sebring Convertible... They are so much fun to drive and they are roomy and classy looking...Heads turn when you drive one of these bad boys!!

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  Great and Cheap - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Terry Smith - March 18 - 2:00 am

  This car has great looks and a powerful V6 engine that will last you for a long time if you give it some maintnance. The only problem I had with this car was the water pump.

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  Fun for me.. - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Peggster - March 18 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive. Electrical anomolies in the dash. Love the power. Rear view is bothersome. I just use the side mirrors. I travel 100 miles to and from so the comfort is needed. But the trade- in value is way too low on this car. If you only want it a short time, find another car. Large seating area and fold down seats make this car a smart decision for me. Lots of room for Home Depot purchases.

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  Best Car Ive Owned - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By So-Cal Lee - March 17 - 7:30 am

  I bought a 2005 300-C. The dealer loaded it up with everything plus some of their own add-ons to boost their profit. That bothered me. Everything else is better than I expected. I still have my 300M but this is a totally different experience. This is without a doubt the nicest car Ive owned. Get compliments all the time. Ride is smooth, quiet and I feel the car is firmly on the road at any speed. Have driven in mountains and handling is great. Complaints: Paint quality needs improvement. I have "Orange Peel", rear view mirrow blocks visibility while turning right. Car has tendency to track to right or left with slightest crown in roadway

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  Good Value - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By C. Hill - March 16 - 2:00 am

  I had my 300m for 1 yr, 3 mos. before I totaled it. Im currently shopping for another one. The car looks great and is loaded with just about any creature comfort you can think of. I only had one repair issue (speed sensor failed which caused the gears to not shift automatically) which was covered by the warranty. The cars only shortcoming is its average fuel economy.

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  My Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By cookie921 - March 14 - 10:00 am

  I have the FWD Pacifica and the ride is extremely comfortable. I have ongoing medical problems with my lower back and a major nerve on my right side and have been able to travel long distance, arriving at my destination feeling better than I did in the vehicle it replaced. The ride is smooth and it does not hesitate when the speed is accelerated. This is the best auto purchase Ive made to date.Stabilizer very effective for driving in rain and especially in snow. I live in the mountains and it handles the different terrain as if it was on flat land.Finally,this vehicle offers a smooth ride and very good performance.