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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  the best car experience ever - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mr banrs - August 29 - 2:00 am

  its the best car drive

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  Car is worth the money - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ruebend - August 28 - 2:03 am

  I purchased this car for my wife 3 years ago, and has handled beautifully. Being 62 I found that I had plenty of headroom and leg room, something that I could not find in other cars that were being considered. We average out 25,000 miles a year, and for long trips, this car performs well.

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  Awesome sedan - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By southshore4 - August 25 - 8:02 pm

  I love my C and the Hemi engine. Roomy and comfortable. Great leg room for 62" and then some. I also drove an M for years, which had superior handling to the C. Reliability has been very good. Had worn tie rods at 30K, but Chrysler reimbursed for parts at least following my complaint letter. All components work great on this vehicle. Ill average 21 mpg in my 20 mile commute, not bad knowing that this car has unbelievable acceleration when needed/wanted.

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  A Fun to Drive Car - 2008 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Richard - August 24 - 7:59 pm

  Ive always wanted a 2-seat convertible and my wife and I chose the Crossfire. We bought this car new in March 2008. Sticker was 41,500, we got it for 32,000 total (tax, title, etc.) and are very happy with the car. The best feature of the car is the styling - very unique. I get positive comments most everywhere I go. Have a bad day at work? Do as my wife and I - drop the top, go for a ride in the country and youll be smiling. This car is comfy for a short wheelbase, 2-seater, the seats too. I plan to keep this car for a long time, as is my custom. If you own a Crossfire, join the Crossfire International Car Club Inc. (Google CICCI) - you wont regret it.

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  I love my Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By justlivinlife - August 24 - 10:39 am

  I bought my 2005 Touring Pacifica in June of 2005, and have love it ever since. I have put 95,000 miles on, It has not had any mechanical problems. It actually needs its first repair, which is why Im online looking for information. The Pacifica needs a EGR sensor. I only have one issue with it. With just one child at home now, I feel that it is too big.

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  Better late for a Roadster than never - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By CoronaCATom - August 23 - 9:48 pm

  When I was about 20 I wanted a Triumph TR6 baaad, but couldnt swing it-and thank god since they were so unreliable. 30+ years later I finally have my roadster, and what a fun piece of machinery! About a week ago I found a clean 2005 example with 26K miles for $16K. It is smooth, well-balanced, fast enough, and purrs like the old Triumphs-as least from my memory! I share it with my wife (have to decide between it and a MB CLK500...a tough choice let me tell you!). The styling is so distinctive, and the chassis is solid enough for fast curves, yet the ride is actually quite smooth overall. If you are considering a Mercedes SLK, try out a used Crossfire. It is its fraternal twin for less $$$.

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  Candy to the eye - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Silvia - August 23 - 7:56 pm

  I love my 2006 Chrysler 300L! It is beautiful to look at, so comfortable to ride in and the highway mileage cant be beat. When traveling over 50 mph on the road, put it in cruise. Chrysler has built in a mechanism that shifts my vehicle from a 6 cylinder to a 4 cylinder and I get 460 miles to the tank! The only complaint I have is that the engine is kinda loud for a luxury car. But it definitely has POWER and COMFORT. I love, love, love my beautiful car! Silvia, El Paso, TX

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  Great Ride - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By BillyG. - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Real good time to select AWD version of this vehicle. Handles well in snow and nasty weather. Interior room a real plus. Ample amount of room for six adults with third row of seating. Instrument layout very attractive also.

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  Love my car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Kats Cruiser - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Got the Special edition Turbo. Love this car. Comfort is extreme. More fun than is legal. Inferno red color is wild. Chrome package is beautiful. People, especially women, stop me in the parking lot all the time and ask me about my car, how much I like it, and confess they have always wanted one.

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  Excellent Value - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By RJS - August 20 - 2:06 am

  The Aspen is a very smooth ride and very quite. This makes listening to the Sirius Satellite Radio even more enjoyable! To me the interior is more like a high end SUV. The plastic on the outside however gives this away. I am very happy and do not agree with the editorial. The second seat leg room is fair but the fold down seats in second roll makes more third row leg room.