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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  Good car for the money - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By fenjersey - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Solidly built vehicle with a well designed interior. With the 5 speed, this car has plenty of zip. Chrysler intended the Cruiser to have the 5 speed as its primary transmission, as it fits with the styling. The auto is for those who want the look but just cant figure out how to drive a stick. Its a given that an automatic will have less power and lower gas mileage. That said, this car is a great deal if you get the base model with a few add ons (power locks, windows, CD).

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  Better than Lexus 430 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jacobs - February 14 - 9:50 am

  Previous Lexus 430 owner. More leg room, equal ride. Loaded for half the price. Handling, turning radius superior.

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  Mercedes Influence - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jay Arnold - February 12 - 2:00 am

  While I have only had my Pacific a relatively short time, I was impressed with the ride and handling from the moment I test drove the demo. It appears that the Mercedes partnership has begun to have a very positive influence on the Chrysler offering. I traded in a 300M and the Pacific is heads & tails a better riding auto.

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  Chrylser satisfaction - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Don Hansen - February 11 - 1:33 am

  This is my third Sebring and is by far the best of the litter. It is also my 9th Chrylser product. Here is a car with the best of both worlds. With the top up, it is a luxurious well appointed and roomy 4 seater coupe. With the top down, it is a sporty sure footed joy to drive. The engine/transmission combination is smooth and quiet yet responsive. I am also impressed with the fuel economy getting over 31 MPG on the road and 23- 24 around town.

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  Car of the year, oh yeah - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Matt Miller - February 10 - 11:30 pm

  Have only had this vehicle for a couple days, but am loving every minute of it. This car gets more looks than Jessica Simpson in a two piece. Love the power and the fact that I feel I need to wear my Armani evrytime I am in the car. I have the navigation, and it is well worth the money along with the H.I.D lights.

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  Some problems but overall good - 1996 Chrysler LHS
  By TxJB - February 10 - 2:52 pm

  This car has been a good car. I have 168,000 miles on it so far. Ive had to replace the transmission twice. Tranny seems to only last about 50,000 miles or so. Thats been the only major problem so far. Although bushings seem to be inferior quality.

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  Fun, roomy convertible - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By NewBuyer - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Attractive styling, good handling, roomy in front & back. Every car has compromises, and this one is great fun and a very good mix of decisions that yield a vehicle that is good at cruising, good at the twisty-turning type of drives, and has good comfort.

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  Great car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Susan - February 10 - 2:16 am

  One of the nicest cars Ive had the priviledge to drive. I traded a Dodge Intrepid for the 300 and was concerned I might not be getting the room that I had in the Intrepid but I was wrong. It is a pleasure to drive the 300.

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  03 PTCrusier - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ALICIA - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Great little car. I live in a mountain region and travel 70miles up and down 2 mountains. This car whips around all the curves with ease.great pick up.

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  PTCRUISER - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jeffdahmen - February 8 - 10:00 am

  WE BOUGHT A SEAMIST GREEN PT FROM CROWN AND HAVE LOVED IT ON SIGHT,THE TURBO WAS THE BEST THING THEY COULD HAVE DONE CAUSE OUR PATRIOT BLUE NONE TURBO WAS A LOT LACKING ON POWER! THEY NEED TO PUT A LARGER OR MORE EFFICENT AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IN THO...THAT MY STORY AND IM STICKIN TO IT!!!ENJOY!