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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  Its the BEST! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By AS - June 13 - 8:13 am

  I just recently purchased this car and Im in heaven - I LOVE to drive it!! It is extremely comfortable, has a ton of power and rides very smooth! Its loaded with extras like steering wheel mounted radio controls, dual zone climate control, programmable garage door opener - lots of storage space in the center consoles, too. The third row seat has plenty of room even for adults which is unusual in a crossover or SUV. The step in height is great which makes it easy to get kids in and out of car seats. The only thing I wish it had standard was a back up sensor - the visibility from the back window is less than Im used to.

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  DYNAMITE CROSSFIRE - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By JON GARON - June 12 - 10:00 am

  tHIS CAR IS AS GOD AS ANY MERCEDES I HAVE EVER OWNED AND A TON BETTER THAN A LEXUS

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  mopars comeback - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By paul nutting - June 12 - 10:00 am

  extreme fun ,good handlin power is good for both city and highway we went on top of mt. washington and was first car I drove down without brakes overheating ,car is very light but gives confortable ride.

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  driving experience - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By wonton - June 12 - 10:00 am

  fun driving machine.draws attention to styling.handles great on corners.recommend highly

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  Iffy, but nice looking - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By coeys - June 12 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I bought our pacifica 2 weeks ago and it has been to the sho0p twice for some squeeking noise. The dealer said its a belt problem that Chrysler is trying to fix but how long will it take. Seem very embarrising to drive a new car with temp tags and a loud squeak to go along with it. But when I did drive it it handled nice gas of course could be alot better. Oh the squek starts when you start the car and driv for a long time. And please dont try calling Chrysler because they are no help at all.

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  Great Value for the Money - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By JustMe74 - June 12 - 10:00 am

  I traded my 1999 Trans Am WS6 for this car. I was going to buy a BMW 325i, but you get so much more for your money with this car. The build quality & styling are excellent, both inside and outside. The engine is powerful, but the ride is still smooth, and the interior is relatively quiet. Overall, there is not a better deal out there right now - this is a superb car and its a great value. I would expect the price to rise soon.

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  Car of the Year - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By bdavid - June 12 - 10:00 am

  It is a great car for a great price. IF you like a great engine in a very nice car then u should buy the 300c.

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  Just Awesome - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By wamba - June 12 - 10:00 am

  Got a chance to rent one of the 300Cs and put over 400 miles on in a few days. (Thank you rental counter agent!) I have owned sports touring vehicles, mostly imported as well as domestic sedans for all my driving. I do drive FAST and enjoy being connected with what is going in with the car. After a combination of city and highway (mostly highway) driving I have to admit this is one of the nicest sedans I have ever drivern. There was no shortage of power, smoothly delivered. If the engine went into 4 cylinder mode, I couldnt tell. Interior was quiet and the ride was so solid. Got to use the Navigation system and it was a nice to have.

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  So long Infinity!!! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Hot Hot Hot! - June 11 - 7:36 am

  I love it! This thing beats my old Infinity G 35 hands down. Its faster, better looking, and better built. I was at the nissan dealership getting the G 35 fixed all of the time. What a pile of junk it was compared to this. I have had no problems whatsoever. Great Car

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  Jade 300 Lmtd - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Noe1 - June 10 - 7:43 pm

  What can I say, I love this vehicle. From the boxy exterior design, to the muscle under the hood, indeed it is a future classic. Im into luxury, and the 300 is just that and more.