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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  love it - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By floyd - April 12 - 9:35 am

  excellent value, chrysler is definitely back! would recommend the car to everyone. A definite attention magnet, receive many complements on styling.

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  Good car for 3 years only - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By eugne - April 12 - 7:23 am

  I was driving PT cruiser since they first appeared in 2001. I loved this car. Utility, fun to drive, look, everything is good. Except reliability. After 3 year and 15,000 miles I replaced rack and pinion. At 30,000 replaced computer, engine harness and other details. If you want this car, you must buy extended warranty, or better yet, keep it for only 3 years. I paid too much for not having extended warranty and Chrysler corp does not care. Finally got rid of it and no more Chryslers for me. Only imports.

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  Eye Catcher - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By ldhio - April 10 - 10:00 am

  With only 12,000 of the 20,000 made each year in Germany imported to the US, you really get the looks on the road! Love the handling, quiet interior and quality feel of this car. Great suspension for a sports car.

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  ~Purrs~even at old age! My Garden angel - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By gwendolyn - April 9 - 10:07 pm

  This car was my first! Im telling you, if this baby goes out on me with age (miles) Im getting an exact model of this car. it has over 203,000 and runs great, even when i had minor stuff go out, it still ran! This car has never stop going... Safety is in this car carries a garden angel for sure! We had hit 3 deers, NO joke, last one was a huge deer horn deer running almost 60 mph and yes we felt the knock but when we got out thinking maybe not that much damaged we where totally WRONG! it took my front fender off hanging, pass side panel, hood was smashed in and the car still took us home! If you had seen this car you impact was not as bad as the damaged it caused. A+ RECOM!!

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  2005 Crossfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By judy - April 9 - 5:13 am

  I love everything about this car. The handling is quick and responsive. The interior is convient to the driver, and the look of the car is breathtaking.

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  If the ride is most fly u must buy! - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By ALLEN ANDERSON - April 8 - 8:40 pm

  Very smooth ride. And very roomy. This is my 2nd sebring and i was impressed with the first and i am very impressed with the interior from the 1997 model until now this model. This car definitly rocks!!!!

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  Wifes Race Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Ron H - April 8 - 1:17 pm

  This may be the wifes car, but I get it on weekends. Mannnn, this baby sure does fly. Although the Hemi can be a gas-eater, you can learn to adjust your driving style to hit 17mpg + in city driving, and 22 + on the freeway (CC @ 92). With CC @ 75, nets about 24.3 mpg. We love the car and its every bit deserving of its Car of the Year Status. We were disappointed with Consumer Reports (Japanese Biased) rating on this vehicle. Im over 6 tall and do not feel claustrophobic inside the spacious cabin. It does seat 5 large adults, comfortably. This vehicle is a modern day warrior which can easily run with the Muscle of the Late 60s and Early 70s, especially when you remove the speed limiter.

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  Like it most - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By bjoates - April 8 - 11:53 am

  Although I purchased a 2004 Conv. Sebring this is the one I like the most. I still drive it and let my daugther drive the 2004. I feel comfortable driving it in Beverly Hills and parking with Jaquars, Mercedes, etc.. and still get compliments on it.

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  I love my car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By bjoates - April 8 - 11:46 am

  I originally was given a 1996 Sebring as a gift from my daughter. I will not go back to a hard top. NO matter how I am feeling once I drive a bit with the top down, I feel better

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  SRT8 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Mike - April 6 - 9:08 pm

  I love this car. Its by far the fastest car I ever had. It has every option. Everything works fine. The main problem I had is with the front spoiler it was so low that I went over the parking block at the gas station OK but when I backed up it pulled the whole front end off. It cost me $1500.00 to fix it, I then did it again at the bank so I took it off and it fine now.