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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  Crummy Cruiser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Mary Roth - July 6 - 8:50 pm

  Before the warranty was up I had to have a new transmission and two new air conditioners. Since then, the AC has had to be fixed again (by someone other than the dealer.) The gas mileage is poor for a small car. This is a cute top on a Dodge Neon platform and I am very unhappy with it. The service from Tommy Manuel is very crummy and I would never buy from them again.

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  Great car with lousy engine - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Hayabusa4u - July 6 - 2:33 am

  This car was very reliable and I never had a problem with it, but is horribly underpowered. The gas mileage is awful as well. I was actually scared a few times getting on the freeway because I couldnt accelerate fast enough. I will never buy another PT Cruiser. To top it all off, the resale value is a joke. The car was not even worth half what I paid for it just 2 years earlier. I just bought a Toyota Camry and what a difference. It gets great gas mileage and can actually accelerate up a hill. I hope the next PT Cruiser has some power, and better resale value, because I really do like the styling.

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  Cant wait for the SRT-8 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By TBear - July 5 - 10:23 pm

  Wow this is an amazing vehice. First of all the performance will blow you away for a car of its stature. The styling is also a big plus. Also in both the front and rear legroom is ample.

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  Love it - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By coupe - July 5 - 12:27 am

  I traded my mustang in for this car and I have not regretted it. This car fits my driving needs. I am always in the car and with gas prices for high, I can get up to 350 miles from my tank! This car has to much pick up to it. Its almost like being in the fast and furious. And it looks great. Everyone is envious of my car because it just looks classy.

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  Single Owner Vehicle - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Average Amy - July 4 - 7:20 pm

  I ordered my PT Cruiser in 2000 and waited around 8 mo for it to arrive. It didnt disappoint. I still love my PT Cruiser seven years and 100,000 miles later. It only broke down once, just after the 30K warranty ended. The torque converter went. After writing to Chrysler, they agreed to pay 75% of the repair and towing bills. I purchased this car primarily for its comfort. I have a very bad back and cant do bucket seats. This car is extremely comfortable. This car has served me and my family very well. Im not looking forward to purchasing a new car. Whenever I bring up the subject, my children are nearly moved to tears.

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  beautiful machine - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By DickMurphy - July 4 - 12:55 pm

  love performance of car wish it was a little more room in cabin. Hard to put on seat belt & adjust seats with door closed,but otherwise love performance & feel of a solid heavy very agile car. Dick Murphy

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  2004 sebring convertible - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By unicorn - July 3 - 11:09 am

  for a4-cylinder, it has a lot of get up and go. Very fun to drive, a lot of leg room also. Nice stereo system, and it drives like a dream.

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  Too Slow to GO - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Tracy McConnell - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I love everything about my Pacifica but the horsepower. It has none! I live in a very mountainous area with alot of hills and valleys. With going uphill I sometime become a traffic hazard. Even if I downshift manually it still doesnt give the horsepower needed to stay up with the flow of traffic. The style and comfort is wonderful! The horsepower would be the only thing to change in my opinion.

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  My PT - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Mutthaus - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I have wanted a PT Cruiser since they appeared in the Chrysler catologue but my husband said they didnt have enough power. When they came out with the Turbo...there was no stopping me. I love to drive it. Everyone who drives it says what power it has. My husband has been coverted. I am amazed at what we are able to fit in this car!

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  Would do it different if I could - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By hartz425 - July 2 - 10:32 pm

  Great looking car both inside and out, nice dash and I liked the style it has. That is where is all stops, I road noise is like driving a pick up truck, you feel every bump and crack in the road, very disappointing in these area. Fuel ecomomy has run 20 combine highway and city, I thought that would be better for a V6, inside is comfortable, the AC is bad also, but everything is black inside, another mistake, rotors are always rusting and making a mess on the garage floor. In short I can not wait until I get back to a Lincoln, have not had a Chrsyler for 32 years and hope never to have another