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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  my baby - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By rl2004 - August 2 - 2:00 am

  love the car ,because of air bags wish it had better glovebox and better storage on center console. overall love it. gps on speedmotor makes its easy ,plus very accurate.

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  over all picture - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By laporte - August 2 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is the best thing chrysler has developed since th mini van. the ride is great, the handling is fantastic. i also noticed that this vehicle is much quieter than other chrysler products in the past.

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  PTGT Review - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Love9200 - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive and every one stares.

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  Purple Haze - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Turbozak - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Love it, Exellent ride ,very quite,perfect exhaust note,quick, cool roof boot, nice power top,well design interior materials, sharp paint,600 miles and no problem yet.I cant believe I bought a Chrysler, Im Japannese Car driver...Hope knowone else buys one ,I love all the attention.

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  Chrysler made it right this time - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jeff in St. Louis - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I have been waiting for the replacement for my Chrysler 300M for a long time. A test drive finds that Chrysler has corrected most faults on the Chrysler 300M. This new vehicle is a beauty to look at. It looks much better in person than on the picture. The exterior lines are refreshing, classic and different from anything else on the road. The interior overall feel is one step above the 300M. The German influence on the Interior is subtle yet hard to miss: overall use of higher quality material, some switch gears can find their origans in MB parts bins. The overall feel in the cabin is spacious, clean and easy to use buttons.

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  Pauls Review - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Paul H. Emerson - August 1 - 4:53 pm

  Excellent comfort and style. Fun to drive. Only problem, which is typical for all convertibles, is some wind noise around the convertible top and some water leakage with rain

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  Why buy imports? Chrysler/Mopar is #1 - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By mopar 4 life - August 1 - 2:49 am

  I love Chrysler cars, not ever one bit of trouble with them. My first car was a 1996 Dodge Intrepid, and I loved it. It had 121,000 miles on it when I sold it this Febuary, with all original engine and transmission parts in it. I bought my 300M in January, and LOVE it. I loved the styling and all else when they came out in 99, but when they got all the chrome in 2001, I wanted one ever so badly. Super fast for a car this size with a v6, and excellent handling on mountain roads and perfect in snow (I live in Colorado). Just a couple of days ago, I drove 5 full grown adults up Pikes Peak to 14,100 feet above sea level with no problem on performace or traction. Chrysler nailed this one. Sweet

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  My SRT-8 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By klmjr - July 31 - 3:16 pm

  I love my new 300!!!! After a waiting period of over 10 months before it came in. The overall fun factor is great (speed,braking,and headturning looks I get). The ride is firm but its my everyday car. Chrysler/Mercedes hit the nail right on the head with this one. Right now, if I had to buy another one, I would. The gas mileage is better than the suv I just traded.

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  It is Special - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Poconos Bill - July 31 - 1:13 pm

  Ive driven this fine car for 3 years and have no unusual maintenance needs (only" oil changes Brake Pads and Tires at 40,000). Ive enjoyed the Interstate Highway and secondary road competence. The only worry I have is the natural tendency to exceed any speed limit! Some Tram Line agravation when I purchased this care was acutally loose lug nut related! (resolved with torque wrench check). I love driving this car in the warm months - It stays mostly garaged in the winter as the tires "Michelin Pilot Sports" are not good in snow (and you are so warned when you buy these tires). This M is special.

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  Im lovn my convertible! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By C. - July 30 - 9:17 pm

  I have never ridden in a more comfortable car. The back seats are just as comfy. Love the style and classic design.