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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  3 Year Test Drive - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By 3 year Owner - January 3 - 2:00 am

  Bought new 3 Years ago. Good not great car. Great value for the price-fun top down experience. Handling so-so, cowl shake sometimes too pronounced and irritating. Needs more HP for the quick get aways. Cupholders, interior storage could be better. Reliability so far Ok, with some electrical issues and engine surging at around 30 degrees, high humidity. 5 Star service also so-so. Luke warm on another Chrysler purchase.

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  Compared to 1966 300 - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Grendl - January 3 - 2:00 am

  This is a more powerful car than I expected, having adjusted to the last decades underperformance. I was raised on muscle cars, and have a tendency to compare those to everything I drive currently. My 1966 Chrysler 300 convertible was a stylish, luxury barge that sailed down the road, albeit fast, comfortable, and with every toy imaginable.

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  My Lil Car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PT Cruiser - January 2 - 3:56 am

  Compared to my Chev Suburban, this is a delight to drive, I made a mistake and did not buy an automatic. Otherwise this lil car is just the right thing for economy

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  Your going to love it!! - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By Doc05 - January 2 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I purchased this car out of nessecity after our van with 220k miles died on a road trip. It was a 99 model with 65k miles. We where sceptical at first, but quickly fell in love with the car. Since then we have had no major problems. I am 62" and have never driven a car with such comfort. We also have a baby and find plenty of room to place stroller, car seat, travel bags, presents at Christmas time, and much more.

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  Great Car - 2001 Chrysler Prowler
  By Chris & Taylor - January 2 - 2:00 am

  Be prepared to be an instant movie-star in your neighborhood

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  Throw away car ? Not ! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By 1924 - January 1 - 8:57 pm

  In 02 my TC by Maserati blew up/quit. After some time/research, I went to my Mopar dealer & told him I wanted a "Throw away car" I could abuse for 5 years hauling a 500 lb. show display & inventory. So, I ordered a brand new base PT Cruiser w/ disc. brakes (safety), radio upgrade, and cruise control. Ive hauled most everything: show display, bricks, 38 car fenders, most all yard stuff, etc. Problem - I liked it. Added fog/driving lights & que ball shifter knob (4 spd.). Then, 16" mag wheels & tires. Next, replaced seats w/ some leather ones from a limited. Finished w/ a used Borla stainless exhaust. @ 84,000 mi. Ive done the brakes, shift cable, shocks & struts, & drive shafts.

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  Cruisin in my PT is the best ride in town~ - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Kittypots - January 1 - 2:28 am

  I think the above stats says it all, but Ill add that I think its a shame that they dont make this car any longer! Its a great looking car, is very comfortable, roomy, handles great and is the best car Ive ever had!

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  Everyone shoudl have one of these!` - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By Rob_LXi - January 1 - 2:00 am

  This is the vehicle we wanted and finally got,,,theres no turning back to other car makers, not even imports.

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  1996 Sebring-fun car - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By ssab - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I have enjoyed my Sebring for six plus years now. This is an excellent vehicle that is fun to drive and well built. I have had only very minor mechanical problems (horn, electric door lock).I now have 100,000 miles on it and it still runs like a fine clock.

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  new pt owner - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By gkilgore123 - December 30 - 10:00 am

  sets low.take the bumps slow.but i like it setting low it looks great.