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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  Reliable, Value dropped like a BRICK - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By no_car_now - August 7 - 2:00 am

  Bought new in 2001. Very reliable, only had the fan switch break, dealer upgraded software in engine and transmission = smoother shifts. Car can cruise all day at 100mph. Quite comfy, quite quiet top up or down. Dropped $13k in value after 2 years. Plus the windows started getting rattly, and the top creaky. Quick acceleration off the line, but took its sweet time accelerating from say 60 to 80mph. Bad cowl shake. Top got nasty, started get a hole worn in it from rubbing against the mechanism. Could feel the car age and get creaky with time. Was like a thousand little knives stabbing at me.

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  good... but.... - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By elmooso - August 6 - 1:26 pm

  Fuel economy stinks! Major complaint... poor rear and side visibility.While looking at the lane to the right of the driver in an effort to move from the left to right lane, visibility is so poor to the point of being dangerous. Storage space is VERY limited when back seats are up. Already had to have the control arms replaced (covered under warranty). Also had to have the front seat belts replaced due to a terrible onion smell on the belts due to a chemical reaction between the seat belt material and foam inside where the seat belt retracts. When I push my electronic seat programmer it changes the radio station! Yet to bring that one up to the dealer! Otherwise, car drives well and looks good

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  Outstanding blending of the best - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By philipb - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Our Pacifica is a delightful combination of luxury (we got every option and then some) and functionality. Electronics are very functional and easy to use / learn. Temp controls effective for two different tastes. Very dog and child friendly! Great for family fun and weekend getaways, and still very stylish for stepping out!

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  7 Years -- Still running great! - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By silas - August 6 - 2:00 am

  Original owner -- no major problems - normal maintenance (tire wear, battery replacement. . .) Will buy another when ready!

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  Love my Limited - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Bud1021 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  I have owned many different convertables and this Limited is by far the best and the most fun. I dont care for a manual transmission any more and the Auto-Stick really fills the bill when I want to bring back the old shifting days. It has great response and reminds me of my old Hurst side shifter I installed in my old 56 Chevy.

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  best car Ill ever drive - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By martysmarty - August 4 - 2:00 am

  After a series of ho-hum midsize Japanese sedans, we leased this car and have been satisfied customers ever since. It has awesome power and plenty of room for long trips, a perfect reliability record so far (30k+ miles), our dealer takes good care of us when we come in for scheduled maintenance, and it has more substance and style than smaller midsize Japanese sedans that cost more. Unfortunately, our next car is a minvan, but at least Ill have fond memories of driving this great car.

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  Fantastic - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By NutrnlMtblc - August 2 - 2:00 am

  You will not find a better car than this for <$30,000 (new)

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  Great car!!! - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Bronx - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Great car I use it to travel in around

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  Not Bad At All - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bm - August 1 - 4:50 am

  Comfortable and roomy. Seating is excellent, seats fold and remove for more space although they are very heavy. Mechanically sound except for an occasional miss in the engine too infrequent to worry about. Back brakes squeal, took it into the dealer and $30.00 later I was told there is no problem with them and they continue to squeal. Gas mileage is lousy and acceleration is poor. I knew these problems before I purchased it and its pretty much the same across the board, ( gas mileage and acceleration) but am happy with the car, would recommend it to other people, and would probably buy another one.

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  Large Car vs Lincoln Cadillac - 1996 Chrysler LHS
  By steve corb - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Had 93 Intrepid, LHS is smooth luxury, great styling curves, massive rear room All the buttons! Great gas mileage! 22/30. Tie Rods replaced AT 57k? cooling problems? FM quit at 60K. Appears to be Ltd. production 94-97. Overall a great car. After 7.5 yrs. can I wear it out? Bought 2nd 35K LHS original one owner for wife,$21000 ,discount over original purchase. A value? More later, Steve