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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  FUN, FUN , FUN! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By MADMANJIM - January 2 - 10:00 am

  CAR BLOWS ME AWAY, HUGE BANG FOR THE BUCK!!

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  Memory seat problems - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By I just - January 2 - 10:00 am

  I have a problem with the front seat memory. When I exit, the seat does not go back and the wheel do not go up. The dealer installed a new seat memory chip and I still have the same problem. The factory is supposed to be working on a flash system that will fix the problem. They have been workin on this since May and still no action. After complaing about the problem many times the sevice manager got the the factery to install a sat.radio at no cost to me.

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  94 LHS cost more to repair than buy - 1994 Chrysler LHS
  By Bill Petsch - January 2 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car new. Ive spent over 14,000 in repairs since I bought the car. The transmission has been rebuilt three times. The AC, cooling, timing belt, water pump, paint, trim, power windows and locks, fuel system, weatherstripping, headlights, windshield wipers, struts, strut bushings, brakes, power antenna, all have been repaired.

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  Bravo! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Arturo Ebay - January 1 - 1:46 am

  I have never owned an American automobile, other than as a hand-me- down during my high school, and early college days. Ive owned a VW bus, an XKE Jaguar, a Lotus Europa twin-cam special, a VW GTI, Schirocco, Corado, an Audi A4 and am now driving an Audi TT. I have driven the 300C and it is the most visually and performance satisfying American automobile in memory! The performance might be enough to get people excited, it is very rewarding to move this large car so handily, but the "snooty baby Bently exterior with the touch of "gangsta pimp" puts the 300C in the crossfire of strong traditional and contemporary elements. The interior is very pleasing in details and plenty of room!An A+ !!

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  Glad they aborted this series - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Lota Problems - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Look out. Brakes are forever needing replacement. The transmission is always a problem. If you own one now, get rid of it before she exhausts all of your savings. This was the first time I had ever bought domestic, and it has ruined my belief in American automobile engineering. All current owners of this money pit should get a full refund from Chrysler with compensation for the stress involved.

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  Chrysler Concorde LX - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By Christine Land - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I really like this car. It has a great ride compared to our old Honda Accord and it is good on fuel economy when you compare it to the comfort you get. It gets around 24 to 26 miles per gallon. My husband and I are both tall so we like the comfort and leg room.

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  Awesome Replacement - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By Aurora450 - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for a replacement for my 1997 Olds Aurora, which I loved, but it was getting too many miles. I was leery about the 6 cyl engine versus the V-8 of the Olds, but theres NO problem. I think it handles better, too. Otherwise it has most all the same features.Im really glad I made this choice.

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  PT GT Rocks!!!!! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PTGTJOE - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Electric Blue 5 spd with the cloth interior and sunroof; chrome wheels...this vehicle is the best out there for the performance, style and the money...nothing else comes close! Im also 61, and find it difficult to find head room in regular cars...this has room to spare!

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  I love my PT! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bushi - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I grew up with hot rods and 40s & 50s autos so the PT immediately took me back to a fun and loving time of building hot rods and custom jobs. It has a the look of a real street rod and the privilage of modern technology. Its not a speed demon but it kicks just fine for a 2.4L 4 cyl. Of course now I wish I had waited for the trubo convertable!

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  I love my Cruiser! - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By grannyshell - December 29 - 6:13 pm

  Bought a new 2007 Touring Edition in June 2008. Its my second Cruiser but with more bells & whistles! The mileage could be better, but as Im retired, I now put on only about 1/2 the miles I did when working, and its mostly short trips. I have back difficulties and with the Cruiser I managed to take a trip to Door Co. WI, without discomfort. Heating and cooling systems are excellent. Love the compass, outdoor temp gauge, and # of miles til empty. And everyone thinks its a"cool" car for a granny to be driving! Im totally pleased with my PT Cruiser!