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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  Very pleased... - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By LittleSocrates - July 4 - 2:00 am

  My used 01 PT was purchased a few months ago with high mileage - about 75k - from a dealer. Its a 5-speed, which really helps the 150hp engine with pick-up. The exterior is beautiful and seems so far to be well constructed and road-worthy. The interior is very comfortable, but has some odd control placements, and only the drivers seat has a center arm rest. For such a high mileage car (for its age) this baby has been a cherry piece. It still drives like the newer model I test drove, and is quite fun to pilot. Gas mileage could be better (I average 23), but it could be worse. All in all, excellent buy. I may well consider another.

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  Great, but could be better in snow! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By cruisergirl57 - June 30 - 1:26 pm

  I purchased my Cruiser used a little over a year ago and have been pleased with the milage (I commute an hour each way to and from work and get about 28-30 hwy) but handles very poorly in snow. The brakes have sounded horrible since I bought it and even when checked, am told no problem. I am going to replace the brakes shortly and put on better tires for winter. Overall very nice car and my Inferno Red with custom striping is a head turner. Not for heavy use in Ohio winters. May be looking for an SUV!

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  Gas Mileage - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ben dover - June 27 - 2:00 am

  The biggest complaint I hear about the Pacifica is the gas mileage. For you Pacifica owners, I have replaced the stock air filter with a K@N filter. Sinse I have my mileage has increased approx 3 miles to the gallon. That is in town only, have not taken on a trip as of yet. The cost of the filter can be somewhere around $30.00 to 40.00. Money well spent.

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  ITS FUN TO SHOW OFF!!!! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Wyatts Mom - June 26 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE HAD MY CRUISER A YEAR AND A HALF AND LOVIN EVERY MINUTE... JUST GOT IT BACK FROM THE BODY SHOP WHERE WE CUSTOMIZED IT WITH SOME GROUND EFFECTS. AT THE SPEED OF 90 ITS SMOOTH AS ANYTHING AND DOESNT SHAKE PASSING BIG TRUCKS. IT LOOKED COOL BEFORE THE GROUND EFFECTS AND WING BUT NOW ITS DOWNRIGHT STRIKING. IT CAN GO TO CAR SHOWS AND STILL CRUISE THE STREETS. NOW THATS VERSATILE!!! I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE INTERIOR ROOM. THE ONLY PROBLEM IVE HAD WAS A NEW SUNROOF SWITCH REPLACEMENT. IT HAS BEEN VERY DEPENDABLE. I LOVE TO SEE THE LOOKS ON PEOPLES FACES WHEN THEY STARE AND BOY DO THEY STARE!!! GOOD JOB CHRYSLER!!!!

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  My 1999 300 - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By 300m Driver - June 25 - 2:33 am

  I love my 300m, but the dealor cant seem to fix those lovely squeeks or electrical problems.. It took them almost three years and two diffrent dealors to fix the drivers seat.

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  Satified Customer - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By awp869713 - June 22 - 10:00 am

  eye catching good proforming auto.

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  A great car except for a few nuisances - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Hans Gruber - June 21 - 10:45 am

  Three perpetual problems: Brakes, front end alignment, and AC. Every year, I pay a different mechanic to take a shot at fixing these things. For a few months each year when everything works correctly, this is a fantastic car. The rest of the time, its an OK car that looks great and provides transportation. Mileage (21 mpg combined) is quite good for the size/weight/power of this car. Engine and transmission have been rock solid.

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  great little run-a-bout - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By sugahbear - June 20 - 10:43 pm

  I bought a 2001 PT in 2002 from an individual - really loved the retro- styling. It turned out to be a great buy - only had 2 warranty-covered problems. I traded it on the 2006 with 23K miles. The 06 is fantastic - nice upgrades from the 01. Mileage could be better although the 06 is better than the 01 - needs another gear - 5-spd auto. But all in all, a pleasure to own - really cheap to own. Cost me $600/year in depreciation to own the 01.

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  Great first car! - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By adominique3 - June 20 - 4:16 pm

  I bought this car with over 100k miles, and had few problems with it over the 4 years I owned it. The biggest problem that I had was a worn out head gasket, but that was after I had the car 4 years and put 92,000 miles on it. Dependable, good gas mileage (28-33 mpg w/ the V6), and sporty look. Got it at a great price, and definitely got my moneys worth.

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  Surprise - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Brooke - June 20 - 7:20 am

  I have driven an Audi Allroad for 6 yrs. Came home from a trip to Europe w30 hs students to find my car replaced w the Pacifca. Now, I understand my husband is a Detroit boy but I was thinking I was a NY girl in need of a lawyer. Turns out the Audi needed a part that would take 6 weeks get here from Germany and it wasnt practical to keep. After much loud grumbling, I drove it. I have had the Pacifica for a week now and have to say it has as nice a ride and some features that I really enjoy. It is smooth and very comfortable. The only problem I seem to have is nonretractable side mirrors. I havent driven American in 12 yrs. It actually really suprises me.