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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  Great Car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By bopps - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Very pleased Easy to drive - all items at finger tips and easy to reach.

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  Thank God - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Thomas Cole - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Excellent safety rating - Saved our lives when my wife and I flipped it on the interstate after being hit twice by another driver. The ironic part of this story is that 3 days prior we traded in a convertible. The people who helped us out of the car were amazed we were not seriously injured (so were we for that matter). I completely reccommend the Pacifica - not only does it have the Mercedes chassy but it has got to be one of the safest cars on the road. We now own our second Pacifica.

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  Fun car to drive - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Russell Wells - August 27 - 10:06 am

  This car is a roomy and a fun car to drive. My wife and I just love it.And I will buy a nother one.

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  A Fun, Affordable, Attractive Car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dddwarp - August 25 - 10:00 am

  The PT Cruiser is a fun car with a great look inside and out, for an affordable price. I bought the car in the inferno red and the two tone dash and retro looking features inside give it such a classic look. For a smaller car it gives a smoothe ride and the engine has good pick up and go. I test drove the turbo model and really I couldnt tell much of a difference between it and the model I bought but Im not the type to use the turbo much anyway. But really, it is just a fun car to have, and you cant beat the price for what you get.

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  sorry cad and lincoln - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jim7911 - August 25 - 10:00 am

  just turned in 2001 navigator off lease - the 300c rides better, has more power, is quiter and looks better. i had a 99 lhs - did not not like 6 cyl. or road noise - chrysler has done everything right with the 300, an absolutely fantastic car.

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  Great Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Kimmieizey - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I love my pacifica, I have had it for a year now and wouldnt trade it for anything. Great comfort, big seats, and all the standard extras are nice to have. One long trips kids love it. Drives great in the winter, and I really got it for teh 5 star safety rating. Nice heavy car. You pay for it in the gas but thats ok to feel a little safer. I would definatly purchase another one! Thumbs up for Chrysler.

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  PT Cruizin - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bvmill - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I fell in love with the style of the PT Cruiser in 2000. When I decided to purchase another vehicle this year I just had to have a PT Cruiser. They are so much fun to drive and pretty economical with regard to gas mileage. I wouldnt want to drive anything else. My only regret is I am debating whether I should have gotten the TURBO model. I need a little bit more power.

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  LOVE MY 2ND PT CRUISER!!! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ruth Spence - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I ordered one of the very first 2001 PT Cruisers in April 2000 from Berry Chrysler in Corsicana Texas, it came in Dec. 2000,a patriot blue limited edition. Loved it! Just had to have one of the convertibles and I purchased the 1st one Berrys sold on June 18, 2004. I will never own any car other than a PT Cruiser, I am completely sold on these vehicles, drives great, looks great, what more could you ask for?

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  Happy in New York!!!!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Pablo in New York - August 19 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best... I chose the midnight blue color. Necks are always turning when I drive this car. Ive had a few people stop me and say its a beauty. The other day I caught a family looking at the car while it was parked they were so into the car they didnt see me approaching. lol .This car is great the drive nice and smooth.

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  Extremely Nice Car!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By xxsantiagoxx - August 19 - 10:00 am

  This is the nicest affordable car on the market as of now! This car is also great becasue it is so easy to hook up..throw some 22" chrome rims and watch all the other drivers turn their head to stare at your car when you stop at the traffic light!