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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  My wonderful Pacificia - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ron/Judy - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I love this vehicle. Previously owned a SUV and never felt comfortable driving it due to its size. I feel very comfortable driving my Pacifica. It rides like a million. I do not have all the bells and whistles but I dont care. Two thumbs up on style and comfort to Chrysler.

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  Awesome Car! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By darkknyt - October 17 - 10:00 am

  In this price range, this car blows away the competition. Very comfortable, rides really nice, and has some kick to it. Everyone I have talked to loves how it looks.

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  best car of 2005 models - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jim Carbone - October 17 - 10:00 am

  This car has the look and style of a Bentley , Mercedes , and retro look of the 50s. It handles great , Looks great , and is fun to drive. everyone looks at this car when it comes downthe road. Its alot of car for the money.

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  Affordable Fun - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ray - October 16 - 7:58 pm

  We bought it last fall with 52K miles. Computer slippery with strong Chrysler retro styling. Roomy, great road trip for two. We read the clubs web site cover to cover. We anticipated all the ankle-biter stuff (the "leaks" from clogged drains, instrument cluster solder joints, suspension fixes, etc.). By learning the root cause of these problems we saved hundreds. Purchase price was low, so we invested in long term things (seals, an original blend Candy Apple Red paint job, some body work, some suspension work). Now we enjoy it. We have done a couple of 1K+ road trips. We have less than 60K on the car now and around 10K invested -- and no car payments. Its 12 yrs old, ready for another 12.

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  My Sebring is perfect - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By SebringIS1337 - October 15 - 6:07 pm

  We have had this car for about 6 or 7 years now and the only things we have had get fixed are two flat tires (damn nails) and a new starter. Other than that is has had oil changes. I have one complaint and that is about the tiny front brakes, they are about the size of a coffee can lid, and this car weighs a ton to slow down. But you can take a turn going so fast and you wont loose traction and it is perfect int the snow, just plows right through the snow. Since it weighs so much you can burn out if you want really easy, just step on the gas a tad and you fly!

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  As Good As It Gets, Fun, Fun, Fun - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Wipandgail - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I ordered my PT, the first day they could be ordered, and had the 3rd one in town. It has never missed a beat. NO PROBLEMS!! NONE. As most PT owners will tell you it is a little underpowered. I have that cured with my next PT, Which is the 2003 Turbo Dream Cruiser II, which I have on order...Chrysler did their homework before making the Pt, and did it right.

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  Purrdy Thang - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Purrdy Thang - October 14 - 6:33 am

  I love the way my pt handles both in the city and on the highway. On my last road trip my pt got 40 miles to the gal.The ride is very smooth. The inside is more spacious then it appears to be.

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  Best kept SUV scecret! Blah Escalade! - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Basenji08 - October 12 - 9:40 pm

  This is NO Durango! 2008 Aspen Limited Signature Series 4x4 - Cool Vanilla, HEMI, 28J package- aka..LOADED! I am IN LOVE with this truck. Ive had 4 back surgeries and just chucked my Toyota Sienna XLE. This is my first American car in 15 years and Im trilled. Took a LONG ride today and it was so comfortable and quiet. Loved the heated leather seats on my low back. Even with the 20" beefy tires, it just floated. No road noise to speak of. The power lift gate is super, remote start, MyGig Alpine is fantastic, even came with 12 mos. free Sirius. Listed for $42K and paid $29,400 spankin new. It was a steal! I can pay for a lot of gas with the money saved from Lexus or Caddy! THRILLED

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  The car of style - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Eddie - October 11 - 2:11 pm

  What sold me was the style inside and outside, rear passenger foot room, headlights/driving lamps, and the cornering is wonderful. The 2.7 liter V6 gets the job done for the size of motor and can keep up with most of the 3.0 series engines in the market today. I get and average of 24 to 27 mpg in city and 26 to 30 on hwy which is pretty good for a V6. If you are looking for a great car to have fun in and turn heads this would be that car and a plus is it is affordable.

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  Never had a problem with this one - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By sometime - October 11 - 10:00 am

  I have had it for over a year and have had a great time with it. The service from Bonneville is superlative. I would buy another vehicle from them.