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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  Fab Little Turbo Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Artchicken - June 15 - 10:00 am

  Fast, versatile little car. Great for city driving, no worries merging into highway traffic with this car. The turbo is fast and quick to respond. The leather seats are comfy and sit high in the vehicle for good road visibility. The car accomodates tall people very well, both in front and back seats, in fact the back seat has tons of leg room. The suspension handles road variations and pot holes well. Tons of storage and cargo space.

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  Chrysler 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Tkay - June 15 - 10:00 am

  The power incredible, the exterior exciting, and the interior fantastic! The 300C will set the standards for years to come...Grewat job Dailmer- Chrysler.

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  Always fun to drive - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bustergunn - June 14 - 9:43 pm

  Outstanding small call, best interior design of any car. Versatile in every respect, from hauling five passengers to hurricane shutters from home depot. Very comfortable seats with good head and leg room, height is good for easy entry.

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  Style monster - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tt-rexxx - June 13 - 5:53 pm

  I am retired. Great car/suv for short trips. Entry comfort is perfect/style has no equal. No mechanical problems. Cheap to buy and maintain and insure. Production has ended at the end of 2009. Parts will be available for years. I think Chrysler made a mistake in getting rid of this one. HHR sales have never equaled PTs. This car/suv will be a retro classic and we all want to go back to the past.

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  WHAT ?! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Gahto - June 13 - 10:00 am

  I almost didnt buy this PT because of all of these needles about the lack of engine performance. But I drove it once and I was hocked. Below 65 it drives & handles like my old 1965 356SC Porsche. I dont baby this puppy and throw it around pretty well. Accelerating into highway traffic is a breeze! (Standard trans) Mileage in town is 23 MPG & I dont do enough highway to track it. Get a life people! You should have bought a standard!

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  what I have - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By silver2002 - June 12 - 1:07 am

  well not to many things to report, other then a few things that well I see as if it where done right the first time then there would be no problems. but other then that, I love my sebring, never though that would be something that I would say, but more and more these days Ima thinking of moving to a differnt car company more and more every day,

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  Cant get enough of my baby! - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Lynda from Phila - June 10 - 2:51 pm

  Its my 3rd Sebring which says alot! Ive had no problems with anything. Its so roomier,sleaker lines,drives far more smoother than my Mustang convert. Great gas mileage.Ive had 64 spinal surgeries & am perm. disabled & I am able to drop the top with ease.The luxury package, which includes heated front seats,is awesome!You can comfortably seat 4 adults, adequate trunk space,& a superb drive.Handles well.The lines of the car are so classy whether the top is up/down.Its a car for the person who doesnt want to pay the price,ins. or maintanence for the higher end converts & you dont sacrifice a thing!Its very youthful & classy with a modest price considering all that you receive!

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  Pacifica at one year - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Frank Wissell - June 10 - 10:00 am

  Car handles fine---gas mileage leaves a little to be desired (13 and 21) versus same engine in previous car (300M) at 17 and 24. Outside plastic discoloration needs to be addressed by factory. Back bumper easily reflects bumps (creases) and its costly to replace.

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  my Imperial - 1990 Chrysler Imperial
  By Wayne - June 8 - 9:12 pm

  Bought this vehicle 5 years ago. It had 95000 miles then. Have driven it 110,000 mles. Have replaced the transmission once and removed the air suspension. Have enjoyed the car very much and hope to drive it for a few years yet. Wayne

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  sebring convertible is great - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By sebring - June 7 - 6:53 pm

  I love this vehicle. it is my second sebring convertible and I rated better than a mustang convertible which I have also owned. More room and leg room than others in this price range.