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 vehicle to drive - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By spagal - September 3 - 2:46 am

  I think its a great car overall. It does have some mechanical problems off the bat such as faulty window switch and a noise under the hood that they cannot seem to find the problem. Overall a very fun car to drive lots of extras! The body design is nice as well as the interior color and layout. Not a lot of trunk space if using all passenger seats in back. In fact, one large suitcase is all it will hold.

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  You Gotta Have This Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By jamesdtuttle - August 31 - 10:46 pm

  I purchased a 2006 300C SRT8 from Carmax and am VERY pleased. The SRT8 has great luxury features (I compare to my Lincoln Town Car) and has superior features to the other 300s. The handling is superb, brakes are unreal, and the 6.1 hemi is the ultimate. An American muscle car V8 to the max. It has incredible throttle response, awe-inspiring power, and a delicious muscle car sound. Sedate and well mannered, it nevertheless will pull like a freight train heading into a black hole when you put your foot in it. Downsides? Compared to my Town Car, its noisy. Gas mileage aint in the stratosphere. Plusses? It sticks to the road like glue, has every luxury feature known to man, & HEMI!

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  Love our PT convertible - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Larry Harris - August 29 - 11:06 am

  We get more compliments from people than I can believe. Every where we go folks tell us that the wifes car is very sharp.The performance is unbelievable with the turbo and the 4 wheel disc brakes stop the car very quickly with little fade. The power top is a breeze to raise and lower also.

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  This American car rock!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Coolblue - August 29 - 10:00 am

  This is our first american car, and we didnt regret getting it. Not only with its attactive looking, and also the features inside the vehicle. First of all, its wider and longer than those Japanese cars. When we compare that with a van, this car beats them easily. AWD, with DVD and NAV thats the most features we love about. We certainly think DC did a great job in design the ease of use. Only words, what a wonderful job they did. One thing I dont quite like, is their rebates program. I dont think they should lower the price to make the sales goes up. They should build the reputation and customer will come. Just like the mercedes tactic.

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  Enjoying my PT Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By A Vozza - August 28 - 12:10 am

  enjoying the convertible very much and it rides really nice the only little dissapointment is in the gas mileage so far. good looking and roomy for 4 adults.

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  Great car - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Callipyge - August 26 - 9:13 pm

  A great car to drive. Only negative is visibility while backing up at night.

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  first 3 days with a GT Turbo - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By chas good - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Drove a 96 Acura Integra for 6 years. Was looking for something easier to get in and out of, fun to drive and 0 to 60 time of 8 seconds or less. Wanted a hackback or small wagon as they are so handy for hauling stuff. It was love at first site With the PT Crusier when it first came out. The turbo and better prices now sold me. Feels like its a 6 cyl under the hood when I press the go pedal. The GT ride is firm but not to firm. Very fun to drive. Got the leather quick order package that includes chrome 17" wheels. Reliablity is above average.

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  feri - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ferenc - August 24 - 10:00 am

  it is a great car.

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  OUTSTANDING - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By T.A.FOIL - August 24 - 10:00 am

  DONT MISS MY LS LINC LONG AWAITED THIS CAR PERFORMANCE AND RIDE ARE "OUTSTANDING" EVERYONE THAT RIDES IN THIS CAR SAYS THE SAME THING "OUTSTANDING" OH YEA THE STYLING "OUTSTANDING" THE GAS MILEAGE "OUTSTANDING" ONLY ONE THING I CAN SAY ABOUT MY 300C COME ON SAY IT WITH ME "OUTSTANDING"

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  One amazing machine! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By fame2002 - August 24 - 10:00 am

  This car is amazing. It rides like a benz, and looks even nicer, and its half the price. I totally love this car, and I am very happy with my decision, if youre going to buy this car.....GO WITH THE HEMI!!!!!!