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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  My 2003 PT Cruiser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By 1daddyjoe - July 1 - 10:54 am

  All in all I am happy with it. I bought the car new and now have 150,000 plus miles on it. I dont baby the car at all, I drive it hard. Would I buy another one, probably not. The car has treated me ok. Just regular maintainance, tires, brakes, tune ups, timing belt, and just replaced my front wheel bearings. No real major issues on the car. The gas mileage is bad, and it feels under powered. Coming from VWs and driving them hard as well but, taking care of them as well. They felt a bit more sturdy and the gas mileage and power was there when I needed it.

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  Big and Mushy - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By BoughtaNissan - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Really liked this car, some days, and hated it others, but the repairs really got to me. The Air Conditioner broke because of a design flaw, costing me over $1000 in parts/labor. The transmission was useless after 100,000 miles, at least in town. On the highway, this car was awesome. Plenty of power, comfortable seats, great sound sysmtem, all the bells and whistles, even under heavy use and abuse held up OK for 5 years (bought 4 year old car). I recently sold my 9 year old Chrysler Concorde for $2500, not too bad, but this will be the last American car, short of a truck, I will ever by. Car rides like a pig on springs down the road.

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  Not Bad, But Could be Better - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By mbistoocool - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Overall a very fun vehicle to own. Mine is a 1998 and still gets admirers. Build quality is just ok. I too have had my rear defroster come loose several times and now I dont even bother getting it fixed anymore. Starter went bad, and im worred about the transmission, it hesitates a little from first to second. But other than that it is a very nice car.

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  Have lots of fun with this car! - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By nanc-nees - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Hubby & I have thoroughly enjoyed tooling around in this sports car! The front seats are a little hard but it is a sports car but could use a little more cushioning. This year still had no good placement for drinks. That has been fixed since I see. What sold me on the car is that the back seats fold down! This is great for transporting stuff even ladders!

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  THE BEST VALUE OUT THERE - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By domingos35 - June 30 - 2:00 am

  just bought this car,and love the handling ,accelaration,good looks,styling

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  We Love The Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By We Love It - June 30 - 2:00 am

  We loved this vehicle on-sight and bought it the first trip to dealer. Fun to drive and the ultimate in comfort. Love all the luxuries. Nav system is incredible. Easy entry and sits at the perfect height. Back window needs redesign, as it is impossible to see out the rear, especially at night. Weird waffling wind noise when driving with sunroof open or rear windows down. But overall, its my favorite vehicle that Ive ever owned. Very happy that we made this choice, and you cant match the features anywhere else for this price.

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  Gorgeous - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By eeel - June 29 - 2:00 am

  This is a gorgeous automobile !!! Fit and finish are exceptional, just flawless !!! With a great ride and exceptional handling / road manners for such a large car, I think the Concorde / Intrepids are the best value for the dollar in the auto industry today.

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  Lauren - 1995 Chrysler Sebring
  By Lauren Haynie - June 28 - 2:00 am

  it was a nice car,bumper was rebuilt and had reciepts to back up all of repairs.

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  Chevy man goes Chrysler!!!! - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By G Zimmerman - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Never owned anything but a Chevy for the last 30 years. The looks of the car caught me untill I drove it. The combination of the looks and performanse made me get out the check book. Down side: Road noise!!!!! No major problems. Had to replace two speakers, on in door and one in dash. Also had problems with windows motors. Both windows on the drivers side. Will I purchase another 300M. You can count on it. It really is a rush to drive!!! I use it for stess relief and Therapy. Please, get rid of the road noise, it can be done, none of my chevy had any.

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  awesome - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By 05 chrysler crossfir - June 27 - 1:03 pm

  the chrysler crossfire convertible is an awsome car to drive the handling performance are great. has totally changed my mind about owning a chrysler