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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  Fun to own - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Greg901 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I have been looking at this car for the last 9 months. Its as nice of a car to own as I imagined. I am very pleased.

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  My Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Otis1 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car for only a few months and I really enjoy this cruiser. It is easy to get in and out of and I love the way it looks. A Very cool car! I play music from time to time and it is no problem hauling my gear in it. Plenty of room. A great all around car.

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  Review of our Chrysler Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jim Burkhalter - November 22 - 10:00 am

  We have enjoyed our Pacifica on three road trips so far this year. Its one of the best road cars I have ever owned. Its a terrific ride in comfort and style. Im not as happy with the gas mileage, but the rest of the things we like makes up for it. Its a great trade off.

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  Chrysler Sebring Convertible = fun - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By dave III - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Great car; fun to drive; very reliable for me.

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  my new PT GT convertable - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jamesr - November 22 - 10:00 am

  This car is lots of fun to drive; much more powerful than the Ltd. Edition PT I traded in. The engine has a nice growl. Dont waste your time with the auto, this car needs the stick. Is an all wheel drive version in the future? Rear visibility isnt great and takes some getting used to.

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  Baby Hemi - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Zoey12 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  This is my first experience with a convertible and i love it.I traded a Dodge Durango in on the Crusier convertible.. Gas mileage is not as good as i wanted but much better than the durango..I think the milage will get better as it gets broken in..I have no fear of getting out to pass a car, it gives me all the power i need. I do notice a blind spot on the right side toward the back of the car, but only when the top is up..

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  Fun Car to Drive - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Kendo - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I love this car.The ride is smooth, quiet and cofortable. I love the attention it gets when I drive down the street. The price was a real bonus. I expected that a car looking so expensive would cost a lot more than it did. A couple little drawbacks...The high beams on the turn signal arm sometime go on by accident sometimes while signaling a turn. Also, I found the windows a little hard to get used to. I mean they seem small and I feel like my veiw is limited.

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  Amerucan Pride - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Minja Netchiounas - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Nice look and drive

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  More than you may think... - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By HemiMike - November 22 - 10:00 am

  The 300 Hemi C is not just a powerhouse, bringing back the rear wheel drive muscle car to Chrysler, it has an impressive and luxurious quiet ride. The MDS (multiple displacement system) allows the 340 h.p. Hemi to get fuel economy in the upper 20s on the hwy. due to shutting off 4 cylinders when they are not needed. The Mercedes Brand also bleeds through with an "E" class retuned suspension and a Mercedes design transmission with auto-stick. Just an AWWWESOME Ride!!!!!

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  Nice ride - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By JJSHARONDA - November 22 - 10:00 am

  The ride was more than I expected. It handles well. It attracts a lot of attention. I felt right at home. The comfort was tremendous. I would drive the 300 on any road trip. It makes driving exciting again. I can feel the power of the engine when it comes to performance. I felt like I was in a nice roomy quiet place. I would recommend the 300 to my friends and neighbors. I was the first to drive one...