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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  Expensive fun - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By t gambill - September 2 - 9:20 am

  Gets lots of attention on the road but for a price! Fuel/oil costs are significant for such a small car. Warranty work is a bit of a hassle since most small-town dealerships dont see enough of them to be able to easily solve problems. Negotiate tough...this is not a car that everyone wants.

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  Love my Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By LsT - September 1 - 6:06 pm

  I wasnt looking to buy a car until next year but I was watching tv on day and couldnt believe the look of this car. I logged on to the internet to see how much it cost and I couldnt believe it. I started calling dealerships the next day. I had my car within a week. Ive had the car since April and I love it.

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  Classy - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Casey - September 1 - 12:16 pm

  Love it!! Owned 3 Zs but this one tops them all. Classy, Sharp and a Lot of Fun to drive. Feel very safe even though it is small. The luggage is nice too.

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  PT Review - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Carl E. Geffken - September 1 - 10:00 am

  This is an extremely versatile car that is powerful enough for City driving, spacious enough to hold 5 people with luggage or packages in the back and decent fuel economy. Its well equiped, well built, and A LOT OF VALUE FOR THE MONEY!

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  Large SUV alternative - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By e janke - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Practical suv that has room for oversize people,and has room to haul things without been the size of a full size SUV. The next best motor vehical compared to a mnivan.

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  Nice car - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Samsheam - September 1 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2004 300M. I really have enjoyed the car. I am getting ready to sell it because I just purchased a Pacifica. The only complaint I have on the car is that the paint chips a little too easily. But before I even go my Pacifica home, it had a chip in the front bumber. I assume it happened from something flying up on the highway. Overal, I love the car and would probably purchase it again.

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  Chrysler - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By bernard ;\lumpkins - August 30 - 4:53 pm

  The ride is better than riding in a cadillac. The inside is very roomy and comfortable. It takes the word LUXURY to a level I cant describe, but I do enjoy.

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  So far so good! - 2003 Chrysler Voyager
  By myvoyager - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Van has 18000 miles...so far no problems.....even had major accident wiping out whole drivers side...wife walked away from it...11,000 damage. Overall comfortable , convenient and with rebated was lowest priced van at the time of purchase, other than Kia Sedona. Didnt hear many good things about KIA. Very happy except when traveling on hill / mountain areas. 4 banger has no power except when u rev it to death....but compromise in power for MPG. Van steadily gets about 22 or better on road trips...got 27MPG on trip to Florida.

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  Its a deal!! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By taohk - August 30 - 2:00 am

  My mom wanted a new car, and we went out test drived the Camry, Altima, Accord, and Passat. Then the Sebring is the best deal under $17000. The sebing comes with V6, alloy wheel, sunroof, leather seats. At $18000, Camry is under power Altimas ride was too sniff for my mom Accord EX was nice but no rebate which cost over $21000 V6 Passat was way out our budget. The ride is smooth and quite. Leather seats are nice. The body style is attractive, and stereo is nice. Most important, Americans should buy American cars to help the economy. Why help other countries when our economy is bad!

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  Love It! - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By ladyraj - August 29 - 2:00 am

  My Lxi is loaded with features that I have yet to explore. The pros are: options pricing, performance, and an enjoyable ride with no buyers regret. The cons include poor placement of seat heater swithes, very small opening to the trunk, and fellow city dwellers that have dinged my car.