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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  cool to drive - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By coolride - February 5 - 11:00 am

  Excellent SUV to drive. Great value and fuel economy is better than expected. Full tank gets you more than 500 miles.

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  Awesome Ride - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Awesome Ride - February 4 - 1:43 am

  Great car with amazing miles(30+mpg). Bought it at 107k, drove 55k in 2 yrs now its 160K+. Luv ridin it,gives me gr8 pleasure.I never had any problem with 2.7l engine. Surprised with the reviews about bad engine.I always changed oil n other fluids for every 2500miles.I bought this car with all these probs:A/C not working, doesnt respond to computer for diagnostics Problems with the fuse: inside lights and trunk lid doent work. I dont consider these as major probs until it runs smooth n never leaves me in the middle of nowhere.Apart from these probs its a gr8 machine. I can strongly argue that i will use this for 3 more yrs(200K+). Even now it runs like brand new.

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  Love It - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Art - February 3 - 5:46 pm

  I had some great cars but there is something about my 300 that makes me feel good when driving it or looking at it.Its a base model with cool vanilla paint with a sun roof and a six cylinder motor.I read a comment saying the base 6 is sluggish which I have to say is not true.I have friends who have the 300 with 8 cylinder motors and I cant see much difference.I had a 4 cylinder Mustang and my 300 is better on gas.Im not sorry I got the base because its still an eye pleaser with more than enough power which people remark about when riding in it.

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  Love our 2005 Touring FWD - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By TBrown - February 3 - 5:16 am

  Weve owned this car just over two weeks, and we love it. We still have lots to learn about this vehicle, in terms of manipulating all of the controls which are readily available at your finger tips from either front seat. The overall interior design is excellent, with only a couple minor exceptions/possible improvements. If you have kids and you dont like minivans, you need to look at the Pacifica with 3rd row seating. From the standpoint of vision, the Pacifica feels more like a SUV because you sit higher than you would in a sedan, but it drives like a sedan. As a driver you feel safer, but not intimidated behind the wheel. Backing up in tight spaces is taking some getting used to.

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  Truly and all in one vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Kym Beegl - February 2 - 10:00 am

  The styling is a head turner. The interior really takes you by suprise. The power vs my old 300M with same engine should be boosted in future Pacificas. Sound system is truly remarkable. Overall out of 1-10 I give the new Pacifica a 9, only due to lack of power from the engine

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  Pretty good care for the price - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By msandon - February 1 - 5:00 pm

  We bought the base model. It is fun to drive but wish it had a bit more power. If i were to buy another, id buy another pt:) the downer was the gas mileage...power vs mileage should be better

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  Rating Review - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Lawrence Harper - February 1 - 11:57 am

  This is one of the most classically designed reasonably priced vehicles on the road today. Chrysler 300C needs about a 30% Improvement in interior & rear traction Imperfections to be the best model on the market, in its category. Most serious problem with Model 300C Non-Four Wheel Drive is a "Serious Lack of Rear Traction, in Snow".

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  A sportcar at last - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By giglia66 - January 26 - 6:43 pm

  Purchased car in Aug 2008 in new condition. Had 16000 on it. It is graphite gray metallic outside, interior is salmon and gray leather two tone, has designer signed sunvisor from germany, with certification. Just installed two air intake pipes in lieu of regular air filters. Talk about tone and speed it made a tremendous difference. Its awesome, love it. Should have bought something like this years ago but have it now.

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  Must have been a mistake - 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
  By Edwin - January 25 - 10:10 am

  I was unsure when I boughy this care at 102,000 miles just how long it would last. But one year later I think it is probably one of the best cars that I have ever owned.

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  Reliable - 1999 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Grace Whitney - January 25 - 3:08 am

  I bought the car used with 87000 miles on it. It now has 139000. Replaced fuel pump and ball joints only. Excellent car.