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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  It is a good Van - 2002 Chrysler Voyager
  By gabesgarage - June 6 - 11:19 pm

  Purchased the 2002 used,from a dealer, to replace my 96 Voyager with 151,000 miles. The 2002 had 23,000 miles on it and was just what I was looking for.It has been very reliable and has many more creature comforts than my old van. It handles well, has decent performance and gas mileage. Two or three trips back to the dealer for a few minor repairs that were fixed right the first time.[recalls and noisey front brake rotors]I have had it a year and still enjoy eveything about it.

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  My Sebring - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Raphael - June 6 - 5:21 pm

  Purchased this 04 with 12K miles in Jan of 05. Love it. This car has wonderful handling and has drawn many positive comments regarding its good looks :) Easy to reach all instruments and functions.

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  not what expected - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bboy - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Interior design is poor... Suspension system is poor... Interior is noisy... difficult to check blind spots...

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  Still Got the PT Cruiser Blues - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By garcande - June 5 - 6:11 pm

  Hi, its me again. Ive already told you about the AC going out and the top not going up or down. Now, after I picked it up from the mechanic the last time it started making a thumping noise in the front right. I thought it was something the mechanic had done, but no, it was the right front motor mount! Now, Chrysler recommends you PULL the engine to replace the mount, but my man said he didnt have to do that. Only cost $700 this time. And by the way, he said, there were only 2 out of 4 bolts holding the mount on and thats why it broke! Also only 2 out 4 bolts on the power steering pump at only 27K miles! To be continued...

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  Awesome - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By BethesdaMD - June 5 - 12:15 am

  This is the most awesome car Ive driven besides the Corvette. The car may not take off on the race track, but Im always at or over the speed limit while still on the entrance ramp. Automatic transmission is as smooth as silk. Im stopped everyday with questions and "nice car" comments. I love this car!

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  Love this car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Randy - June 4 - 6:00 pm

  Fell in love with this car the moment I set eyes on it. This car WILL turn heads. I can live with the reduced visibility as it is about the only complaint that I have. Had to bring it back to the dealer during the first month due to the six disc CD player skiped for no apparent reason. They replaced it and the new one has operated perfectly. I would recomend this car to anyone.

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  No Problems..Just concern - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By WRizo58 - June 3 - 10:00 am

  Overall the car runs fine. However, when I hit 5000 miles the ignition stopped turning over as quick.

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  Chryslers best kept secret - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By kcmiller - June 2 - 6:53 pm

  Weve only owned this car for a few months, but we really fell in love with it after renting one when our previous car (Toyota Sienna) was totalled by an insane old lady. This is the first Chrysler product we have ever owned and we are impressed with it thus far. If it is as reliable as we hope then we will continue to be fans of Chrysler products. Chrysler really needs to advertise this one!

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  Helpful Tips - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Jerry - June 2 - 2:27 pm

  This if my first sports car and I love it. Ride: You do feel the road but it is not uncomfortable Tires: Expensive to replace aprox $1,200 for a full set Oil Change: Conflicting reports, dealer says 3,000 miles and $100 to change oil. Book says 7,000. I would go by the book and shop around for better deal on the cost Visability: Lots of blind spots, be sure to have your side mirrors set properly and you will be fine. Also, when parking if you can have the nose out it is much safer. To accomplish this you can either back in or pull through to the next space. Interior: I am short so the seating is not a problem. For those with longer legs it is much more difficult

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  our crossfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By bboop1956 - June 1 - 3:33 pm

  we just bought our crossfire. SO far so good,, we LUV it, its a fun car to drive and you get alot of looks in it,, its just a sharp looking little sports car, plenty of leg room. its great having the top down. the top is easy to put down also. the only thing i dont like is when the top is up u do have a bad blind spot so you do have to be careful. not sure if a person taller than 6-5 would like it,, my son is 6-4 and the top of the windsheild is at his eye level.its just an all around nice car