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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  Dont Waste Your Money - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By danyella3_21 - April 13 - 1:14 pm

  I have had my Pacifica for 2 years now and the gas tank has been completely replaced twice and still doesnt work properly. It takes 10-15 minutes to pump $20 of gas. Chrysler says there is no recall for this, only a "technical flag." I do love the interior of this vehicle. Its very spacious and super comfortable. Six adults can ride and have plenty of room. The seats fold down and make it easy to haul all kinds of things, big and small. It drives very well. Smooth riding for all passengers. I would love to keep it longer if my gas tank worked. I am trading it in for a Ford. (The only company that didnt take my taxpayer dollars and still showed profit!)

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  Do Not Buy This Car! - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By Mike300T - April 13 - 11:01 am

  Bought car in October 2008 with 30,000 miles on it. After 2 months both tie rods had to be replaced under warranty. January 09 loud ticking noise from engine like lifters going bad. March 09, had to replace tie rod on left side again, Still under warranty. March 2010, very loud clunky sound coming from front end. Took to dealer, report came back that left and right tension arms, left and right sway bars and right tie rod end are shot!! Warranty covers up to 50,000 miles. I have 61,000. I have a 97 Chevey Lumna that I bought with 63,000 miles on it and it has not had the number of problems like the 300. Every mechanic that I have talked to says get rid of it, problems will get worse.

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  How can a modern car be this bad? - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Pachitica - April 13 - 10:06 am

  I have had many many cars. All types, foreign and domestic, sports cars and SUVs. I have never had so many things go wrong on a car. When I bought my Pacifica, I thought it would be the perfect blend between ability to carry my family and clients, tow a boat and not have the fuel consumption of my 5.7 liter tundra. Boy was I wrong. The fuel mileage is actually worse (15.4 mix city/hwy), I have so far needed to replace both motor mounts (by the way when I bought it it had 36k miles. Now 42k), the drivers seat (because it moves just enough to annoy the hell out of you when you leave a light), there is the well documented creak in the front end, periodically there is a clunk when

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  Stay Away From This Car! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Grneyes421 - April 9 - 1:42 pm

  Everything worked fine for the first 1.5 years. Then noticed leaking when it rained, and I mean front and rear floor flooded. Had to scoop the water out. Then it was a snow ball effect in repairs. Battery,Valve cover gasket, timing belt, and water pump $700 Brakes and Tires $450 Misc stuff $300 New motor for window $100, Catalytic Converter (didnt fix) all in 6 weeks? Then BLAMMO Blew a Freaking Rod! Still owe $4000 on the loan. Now Im left with a heap of scrap metal with moldy carpets on a good set of tires. They want you to buy American, well make it reliable. Looking for a Honda or Toyota now..

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  Not a bad truck just needs better gas mileage - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By its ok - April 7 - 8:57 pm

  Eats up gas. Bad shakes at about 68 to 75. Some come with no foot boards.

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  My Chrystler Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Emily - April 1 - 5:32 pm

  I purchased my first Pacifica in the summer of 2004 and in two weeks time it had broken down, almost got me hit on the 4-lane, and was towed back to the dealership. I then got a slightly used Pacifica-same type, different color, and after about a year it started having engine lights come on for no reason, it had transmission lights flash constantly, then the skipping started after about 2 years. It has skipped and jumped, especially when the cruise is on ever since about 2007. Then just this last week, I was driving to work and the car just quit going down the road. The steering went out, it wouldnt do a thing. By the way,I have serviced it every 3,000 mi.

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  Stuck drivers seat - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By pacifica - March 21 - 9:56 pm

  My driver seat is stuck in the forward mode, it will not go back, so when I drive it I need to struggle to get in. When I have to get out is a nightmare! I have almost pulled my shoulder out of its socket trying to pull myself out of the car. I pray I dont get in a accident because the paramedics wont be able to get me out of the car. My concern is when this happens is there an emergency release button that can be pressed? Please let me know.

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  Dream to Drive, Nightmare to Own - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By diblasi - March 16 - 10:53 pm

  This car was fast, had great European styling [i.e. Carbon Fiber dash, Xenon Headlamps & Turn Signals on the Mirrors]. It was great on the interstate or letting loose on county roads. However, I got to drive dealership loaners more than I got to drive this car. Purchased with 18,000 miles on it. This car had been babied & I babied it. It leaked transmission fluid non-stop. Thankfully I had a warranty, it was a $100 deductible each time it went in [7 total] which got to be steep but not as bad as the $1,100 they wouldve charged without the warranty. The problem never got fixed & I ended up trading the car in.

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  ENGINE DIED FROM SLUDGE - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By concetta van patten - February 27 - 1:32 am

  Engine died w/approx 45,000 mi. Oil changed as recommended. Shocked that Chrysler put the 2.7 Liter engine in some of these 2004 Sebrings when there were hundreds of complaints about these engines.Theres class action lawsuit re this 2.7 L engine which is apparently built in such a way that coolant gets into the engine,oil doesnt filter properly due to structural design and turns to sludge, and the engine holds less oil, thereby requiring more frequent oil changes.Chrysler and extended warranty co.s refuse to cover cost, due to sludge even when customer produces oil change receipts.I still owe $9600 on the loan and new engine will cost half that.

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  1990 Chrysler Imperial - 1990 Chrysler Imperial
  By NY3UVL714 - February 17 - 7:46 pm

  Big luxurious 1980s style American boulevardier. Quiet and comfortable on smooth roads, rough pavement causes abrupt and harsh ride. Poor handling, with loose floating motions on quickly undulating freeways. Spacious, first class looking, fully equipped interior Impressively roomy rear seat legroom. Disappointingly, the first class interior styling is betrayed by average contstruction and assembly. Rattles in doors and dash occasionally sour the luxury ambiance. Powerful but boomy 10 speaker Infinity Ultimate Sound system. Overall a nice blast from the past available for bargain prices. Imperials do not stand up well to abuse or neglect, watch out for well maintained examples.