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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  I never thought I would buy a Chrysler - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By 300hemi - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Fabulous, fast, and gorgeous. Better than an S class at half the cost. The torque and power are grin inducing every time I put the hammer down. The interior styling is Infiniti/Lexus elegant (a good thing)and no one can touch the exterior styling.

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  Mistake - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Fred Tuttle - February 7 - 2:02 am

  Purchased new. Underpowered, yet relatively poor mileage (16 city, 24 highway), has always consumed an excessive amount of oil (about 0.1 qt per 100 miles), and a turn radius that once got caused a traffic stop for suspicion of DUI. Besides ordinary and expected service: A/C fan controller failed at 35 K, again at 70 K and again at 100 K; A/C evaporator core at 80 K; cam shaft sensor at 66 K, followed by a cylinder head at 80 K; passenger seat airbag sensor failed at 70 K; transmission failed at 90 K; and weirdly, three of four in the initial set of tire went flat within first 25 K, with no further problems after they were replaced. Approximate excess repair cost to date: $15 K. Total cost to purchase and operate to 100K: $0.47 per mile plus insurance/interest. Bottom line: nice styling, reasonably roomy and comfortable, but better, cheaper options were available.

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  A great car. - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By MC - February 5 - 3:22 pm

  I bought the car new and it has been great. No major problems ever. Fun to drive and extremely dependable. The car now has 110,000 miles on it and still a great car.

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  What a lemon! - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By wishfull thinking - February 5 - 2:14 am

  I have had this vehicle into the shop more than my 6 year old vehicle. There is always something wrong. The windows stick, some leak. LOUD road noise. Interior electical went out. AC unit had to be replaced. Front bumper is too low, have had to have replaced 2 times. Suspension has had to be tighten/ adjusted. Children complain of rear seatbelts. This car was the worst mistakeI ever made!!!

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  Great Little Car - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jay - February 4 - 9:42 pm

  This is really a fun car to drive. I have the navigation system which is a must have. Sound system (with 6 CD player) is cool. Convertible top works at the push of a button and have had no trouble with it at all... This is a real college/entering the work force type car for singles. The editor here must have had the one in a million lemon because this is a great little car!

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  Love my 300C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By SCW - February 4 - 1:23 pm

  I love the car. It has a few interior flaws that i am unhappy with. The dash has a gap that the dealer couldnt fix. The carpet is coming untucked on passenger side.I agree with that the air conditioning is weak. The car is sooo eye catching! I have mine on 22s and tinted the windows. Every time I drive it people stare. I have people ask me what it is all the time! The Exterior is a 10.

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  great affordable car - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Erica Roberts - February 1 - 2:18 pm

  i would have to say this car has been great for me my parents bought me my first starter car and it has gotten me everywhere with great gas mileage and no break downs so far (knock on wood)

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  Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Larry Boone - February 1 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle metts all of my needs. Its perfect for work i.e taking customers out for meetiings, I have a four year old son and the vehicle has ample space to carry him and all of his motorised toys and equiptment, and most of all when I go out socially, I dont feel out of place being formally dressed on a night on the town. This is the perfect automobile!!!

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  Its terrific!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Mrs. Matthews - February 1 - 10:00 am

  Its the best car you can buy for the money.

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  Most fun car Ive ever had - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By David - January 31 - 10:26 pm

  Great car! Decent gas mileage (22) around town. Ive only had it on long trips about 5 times so 99% has been in town. I have the standard shift which is much more suited to this vehicle than the automatic.