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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  Crossfire /dream - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Gayle - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I had seen the Crossfire as a concept car in a magazine several years ago and was hooked. When my local dealer called me to tell me they had one coming in I was there! The test drive sold me on the car and I purchased it - the dealer did not even have it on the lot for 24 hours! The car is a 6 speeed manual and drives like a dream. I love the acceleration! I am constantly being asked "Who makes that car?" I am always happy to say Chrysler!

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  PT Cruiser - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Blucruise - November 28 - 10:00 am

  The PT Cruiser has been a great car. I traded a Camary for it and the quality has been more than I hoped. Never a problem beyond routine maintenance. Versatility for all my needs.

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  Nice to look at....Nice to drive - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By macfastboy - November 28 - 10:00 am

  The transition from an SUV to the Pacifica was refreshing. The Pacifica is easy to get in an out of, has great handling characteristics, adequate performance and it makes a statement on the road (people stop and stare). The car is fun to drive! Gas milage is not great, but thats the price you pay for a heavy vehicle and AWD. Performance could be nicely improved by another 50 hp. I would buy it again, knowing what I know now, probably a lot cheaper now than then also.

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  Cruzin - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bbgor - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Great car and fun to drive. Has good pickup for a 4cylander. Love it and will get a convertible as soon as it is available.

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  Pleased with 04 Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dave H - November 25 - 8:27 am

  I bought this car 6 years ago and now have 200,000 miles. I have not spent any money except for common maintenance items. The salesman told me "this is just like a Mercedes under the hood" because of their relationship then with Daimler-Benz. It must have been true ! I am giving this to my daughter & son-in-law . My grandson will lobe the DVD. I hope my new Ford Edge is just as good.

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  Good Car todrive - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Edward Rauh - November 24 - 10:23 am

  This car handles well in traffic and we no longer feel overpowered by all the large vehicles on the road. I estimate one third of the cars on the roads her are SUVs

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  Astonishing Value - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Stephen - November 23 - 8:30 am

  Have had the vehicle for about 10 days and think it is a fabulous performer and value for the price paid. Have had (and still have) Mercedes since 1970. BMW, and Jaguar. This is the first "American" car Ive owned in years. The Mercedes engineering and influence is obvious. Ride seems comparable to the E Series. Terrific automobile.

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  2007 Chrysler Aspen - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By BRAE - November 22 - 8:08 am

  2007 Chrysler Aspen is one of the best cars I have ever owned. I leased the vechicle for 27 months then bought the car. Fuel economy is 14 city and 19-20 highway just as they have reported. I ordered this vechicle with everything and could not be more pleased with the performance and quality. A lot of car for the money especially when you compare with others in this class. Very disappointed they will not continue to make in the future.

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  Butane Blue Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Steamldr - November 22 - 2:00 am

  The Pacifica is a classy, elegant car. It has great interior passanger space and is very comfortable for front and backseat passangers, adults in the backseat have more than enough leg room. However, it lacks cargo space when the third row seats are used, you can only get one carry on size rolling bag in the center of the cargo space because the back end of the car is curved. The drive in the car is a very smooth ride, but the "blind spots" are very large, making changing lanes and backing up harder.

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  Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Paula r - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Overall superior - fun for road trips - also great for long commutes