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-Dealers mark-up to high - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Tim - January 10 - 2:53 pm

  Dealers cant keep these on the lot and Chrysler isnt making enough. Low inventatory is making this a 40k + car out the door.

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  1994 Concord Albatross - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By woodrow ban - January 10 - 2:00 am

  Dont buy this car. Mechanically unsound. Despite religous oil changes, bottom end traumatic failure at ~80000. Transmission rebuild at ~90000. A/C evaporator failed after extended warranty expired. No factory help. Blown head gasket at 167000. Several water pumps. Needed rotors every 17000 until we found NAPAs thick rotors. Front rack only good for ~80,000. Tie rod ends only good for ~90000. Car gets decent milage for a larger sedan. Pick-up so-so. Maneuvers well for its size, and drives and handles like a smaller car.

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  2000 Cirrus - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By woodrow ban - January 10 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable responsive car. Bit noisy, both exhaust noise (probably intentional) and wind noise (really crummy window fit) quite noticeable, along with elevated road noise. Sound system works OK, but sound disappointing. While from a reliability standpoint this is one of Chryslers more trouble free models, even so you will need to budget more money for repairs. Tires make a BIG difference in handling. Eats front brake pads.

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  1998 Seibring jx convertible - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By woodrow ban - January 10 - 2:00 am

  Dealership great. Car underpowered. Needs the v-6. Milage unimpressive. Cornering sluggish. Mechanically poor. Head gasket at ~60,000. After a fight, Chrysler did do a good-will adjustment. Outer tie rod ends at 65,000. Way too soon. No grease fittings on originals or replacements. Electrical window switches have required replacement twice. Internal headlight aimer failed. Ended up illuminating the telephone wires. Not repairable, needed a ~$250 headlamp module. Interior panels crack and break.

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  Family Friendly - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By HJLOVE - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Well rounded family car with wonderful features. Great in poor weather, and carries my two long-legged ballerinas and all their stuff with ease. I am 65", and when I drive there is still enough room behind me for an above avg. adult to sit in comfort. The nav position is shockingly logical, and the dvd and bluetooth are easy to use. The profile is attractive from every angle. We opted for red with chrome wheels, and get stares of approval everywhere we drive. Sport tourer is the right name, I could take this car on long drives through all kinds of weather any day. One of the best cars Ive ever owned.

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  Glad I bought a Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Stephan from NJ - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Pacifica has the SUV/truck versatility that I need, while having a luxury ride of a sedan that I want. No more "climbing in" to the car either. Handling of the car is great. Everything needed by the driver is easily accessable. Feel safe in the vehicle too! No complaints from any rear passengers - comfortable ride all around. Gas mileage actually getting better the more its driven. Not looking for a car to race around in, rather getting a car with more comfort was my goal. Try the car...I think youll like it!

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  Lovin my 300!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By TikiAmy - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Very excited about my new car. This car handle Very well! I previously had the Chrysler LHS. This is definetly a Big Step up!! Beautiful interior, and very handsome exterior makes this car a win win!

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  One fine car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Eston W. Hunter - January 8 - 10:00 am

  This is the finest car I ever drove and is designed so well inside and out. Teenagers have shouted at me "nice car"

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  SWEEET - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By steve & carmen - January 8 - 10:00 am

  The 300c is the best purchase we have ever made. We started looking and could not find another car on the market with the features or option for the price of a 300c.

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  Love the Leg Room - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By sedate - January 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought this (used) car because of the stats for rear seat leg room (the best I could find). Was concerned about the low front window, but aclimated within days. The main computer went out within 24 hours (@42000 miles), the headlight gaskets creep out of place, but at 147000 miles I have had one other non-major repair and love it almost as much as my Porsche. It feels luxurious, rides like a dream. The gas mileage is surprisingly good. Even a 6- footer will be comfortable in the rear seat. The pass-through to the trunk is also a plus - especially when grocery items roll to the back of the trunk, because this is the only way I can reach them!