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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  Best car ever owned - 2001 Chrysler LHS
  By Golferbill - November 9 - 9:32 pm

  Had two Cadillacs before this car. Fell in love with LHS design when it first came out. Waited two years and monitored owner bulletin boards until all bugs and complaints seemed to have been worked out.

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  Perfect for Baby Boomers - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By B25Nut - November 8 - 12:53 am

  I now have 30,000 miles on my Pacifica and I couldnt be happier. The Dodge Magnum is the only other vehicle that calls my name but I know the Magnum would only give me a fraction of the features my Pacifica gives me. Passenger comfort and ease of entry, especially for older parents, is unmatched by any other vehicle. The Pacifica has enough power to get me up to a minimum of 65 mph on any freeway onramp and enough to sustain 75 mph in autostick up a steep grade. Does anyone need more power than that? Memory seats & petals make switching drivers a breeze. Knowing you are driving one of, if not the safest cars on the road is very comforting.

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  Nice, sporty and fun car - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By CA Paul - November 5 - 11:46 am

  Have had this PTC for about 2 mos. It was a previously owned rental vehicle and was in very good condition (in and out). It rides smoothly, has a nice road feel and get around 25 mpg (overall). Its not a very economical city driver (below 20 mpg) but most folks (like me) use primarily highway. I get people commenting about it all the time. They/I like the styling (the convertible looks much nicer than the sedan), the color (opal) and the fact that is can seat passengers in the back-seat with reasonable comfort. The trunk is a bit small but slightly above average, for a convertible. The 16" alloy wheels are sharp (but I will soon replace the Goodyear tires - which are awful).

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  1st time convertible owner - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By sarbaaz - November 5 - 1:29 am

  What can I say? I always dreamed of owning a convertible but had been looking at RX-8s actually when this gorgeous 2003 Blue Sebring with Cream Leather seats caught my eye. I just had to get it!! This car is sooo nice. I havent had it long enough to see if Sebrings have any problems, and have always been skeptical of American made cars, but I love this one so far. All the reviews seem good on it too!

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  so sorry i paid for it - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By 2nd chrysler, - November 5 - 1:17 am

  2nd Chrysler product 1st was a 99 intrepid, and I loved it, but had bushings, brake and alignment issues always, never had any major work done. Got the 300 after intrepid was wrecked, and its been nothing but transmission problems, tire replacements, and now when I accelerate, and brake the car vibrates, not sure what it is, just had to spend $1032 at pomoco Chrysler in VA to get seals replaced and a few other things. now less than a month later I will be back for poor steering, and the transmission is jumping when shifting, and not shifting between gears when accelerating. I will never purchase a Chrysler again, and might sell it. over $3000 in the last 6 months, and more tomorrow.

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  Life Saver - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Marquis Johnson - November 4 - 7:01 pm

  I got my sebring for a birthday present and I loved the performance right off the bat. But the safeness of this car is astonishing. Yesterday, I was hit by a mack truck in the sebring. the car flipped three times, then slid 50 on the drivers side. eventually, the car rolled again and landed on all fours. After all of this, i got out of the car without a scratch. The door even opened with no problem. This is a really well built car, and i would reccomend it to anyone. It also has amazing power. Lots of torque to get you off the line. I had the 6 cylinder engine. Amazing Car!!!!!!!!

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  Poor Quality - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Satish - November 4 - 11:36 am

  This is great looking car, but I am disappointed with the cheap material and poor performance/workmanship and low mileage. Front bumper is made with very thin plastic. I get only 13-15 mile/gallon. During winter time it gave starting trouble several times but the dealer fixed it after 2 visits but I am still having low mileage problem.

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  Finnaly a great american car in AWD - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By 300cAWD - November 4 - 8:26 am

  AWD is amazing, i tested both the rwd and awd, the awd is amazing on michigan roads and even helped when pulling out after snowstorm that michigan took. Amazing car and i am getting the tires replaced(not the rims) to 245x55x18 size. Better traction than the continetal and wider tread means more rubber on the ground. The visibility when looking out cant see the traffic light. But who cares when pushing the gas on the green is smooth. I use the auto-stick alot amazing power and tire streaks on the road.(HEHE). The interior is well done and no complains.

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  Truly a CLASSIC - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Doug - November 4 - 2:06 am

  The 2008 Limited Hardtop convertible is a classic. It is fun to drive and has plenty of performance. I would like to add that the performance and handling of the Sebring improved greatly when we installed a set of General Altimax RT43 tires. The previous tires made the car harsh riding and were very noisy. The difference was amazing! We get great mileage on the road 27 to 28 mpg. We live in the country so almost all our driving miles are on 60 mph roads. With the windscreen up the car is quieter with the side windows down. I have had many convertibles including a 1958 Morris Minor and the Sebring is by far the best.

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  Great car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Don Erickson - November 4 - 1:26 am

  The car handles like a dream at highway speeds . Excellent cornering on country roads. Runs very quiet with strong acceleration.