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 - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By vegas - March 9 - 5:48 pm

  have had 2 corvettes . they may be quicker but no where near the quality of this crossfire . get fantastic mileage on the hwy and around town . this was chryslers hidden secret . what do you need more speed for this is the usa no audoban here . very cofortable and very quick . didnt have to pay over 40 thou to pass everything except a gas station .really fun car will keep minr forever until it becomes a collector . then you can all eat your heart out . no need for more speed her have more than enough . chrysler should make more of these

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  not bad - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By male28 - March 8 - 3:23 pm

  not a bad car at all. bought it with 95,000 miles have put 20,000 on it myself an it still hasnt left me stranded. isnt the fastest car in the world but from a rolling 35 itll pick up speed quick, youll be doing 90 n not even realize it, very smooth. im 63 an i have plenty of room, i just cant have anyone sit behind me. front wheel drive but stinks in the snow, great on wet roads. brakes and tranny are suspect, but nothing to make me want to get rid of it. i can honestly say ill probly have this car for a loooong looong time, even when the engine goes, ill put another 1 in it.

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  "HEMI" Rocks!!!! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By M Ross - March 5 - 6:56 am

  The HEMI engine seems to have loads of endless power on demand, and sounds great too. Chrysler recomends 89 octane fuel in the HEMI, and since purchasing this car I have averaged about 18mpg. This is about the same gas mileage I achieved in my V-6 Sebring Coupe before I traded it in! This car has a solid well put together feel to it on the inside and out, and turns heads wherever I go. In my opinion there is no other car on the market that comes close to matching the value Chrysler gives you with the $35,000 dollar(average priced)300C! Last time I checked Acura didnt have any V-8 powered sedans and the cheapest V-8 powered Cadillac or Lexus sedans have a $50,000 dollar starting price.

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  SO FAR SO GOOD - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By WOODY DRIVER - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE A PATRIOT BLUE WOODY,LOOKS NICE,HANDLES WELL.I AM A LARGE MAN AND THE INTERIOR VERY COMFOTRABLE.LITTLE LITE ON PICKUP BUT TOP END IS GOOD

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  Great car for the money - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By tx20004 - March 5 - 2:00 am

  This is a very capable car. It has enough power to drive fast, gas mileage is excellent, comfortable. just had a 6 hours trip and it was very smooth (thanks to cruise control). overall great value.

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  Great Car - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By fenikkusu - March 4 - 11:48 pm

  Great little car for the money. Ride is smooth and engine has a lot of get up and go. I was concerned after reading negative reviews, but the car has grown on me.

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  The Luxury SUV that Jeep should have.... - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By David - March 4 - 7:53 pm

  I have had my Pacifica since 2/1/05. I have about 1,900 miles on it now and I LOVE driving it. I had a 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee which I loved, but wanted more luxury inside a better ride and better handling, with All Wheel Drive. "BAM" out comes the 2005 pacifica to fill the bill. This has to be my most favorite vehicle to date. It does all the SUV and Van things, has almost all the goodies you could want, but it looks and rides like an expensive luxury machine. Dare I say Mercedes ? Easy enter and exit, awesome leather interior, as much cargo room as my jeep with the third row seats down and super handling on snow and icy roads. THUMBS UP Chrysler.. NICE JOB !

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  Sad to see this baby go - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jtg1961 - March 4 - 7:34 pm

  This is the second Chrysler Pacifica Ive owned. I was happy with my 05 but wanted to upgrade to the 08 with 4.0L engine and 6 spd transmission. The difference with the extra power and smoother shifting is incredible. Too bad they didnt get it right initially but they have it right now, just in time to discontinue the line. What a shame, this is one of the best vehicles Chrysler has ever made. I bought one of the last of the 08 model year and hopefully itll last a long time. The lifetime powertrain warranty should ensure that it does.

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  Great Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Wayne - March 3 - 8:13 am

  I have owned a lot of nice cars, but this one is one of the most fun cars I have ever had

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  A Buds Opinion - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By A BUD - February 25 - 10:00 am

  Performance is normally thought of as being very objective, determined by a stop watch. But performance can also be subjective. The PT Cruiser with four adults on board going up an incline is not going to accelerate much. But the PT will usually end up at the next red light with all the "jack rabbits" it was with at the previous red light