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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  So Far So Good - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By William - September 20 - 9:09 pm

  Just purchased a Base Pacifica, I am a traveling sales representative. It is nice to have room for samples and golf clubs. I put over 1,000 miles my first week and so far I like it. I hope it proves to be a reliable vehicle. The only complaint thus far is the large blind spots but the big mirrors help a little. William

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  2004 Bad Engines Known - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By kslinca - September 20 - 3:51 pm

  It is known that this car has bad engines in that there is a problem with the oil valve system causing the engine to run out of oil without telling you there is a problem. therefore the engine blows up! (Im not a professional but if you do the research youll find what i did about this) BUT Chrysler Does Not Stand By Their Products....even tho this should be covered. Cost me $8,000.

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  Worst gas mileage ever! - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Naomi - September 20 - 10:03 am

  I am getting between 11 and 14 mpg! I love the car and receive many compliments. Then, I tell them about the gas mileage. Chrysler has lost several sales because of the mileage. Much as I do not want to, I am seriously thinking of trading in the car because I cannot afford to drive it.

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  I need to trade it - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By chocolategirl - September 19 - 7:24 pm

  I bought this car in 2006 after renting one and trading in a 2001 Ford minivan. I thought that this was gonna be a long lasting relationship with this car but I have already replaced both axles, and in 2008 I stayed at the shop with it. Now I took it back about a week ago to the dealership because I heard a humming sound and no air along with water hitting my left foot. As soon as I can I am done with Chrysler cars.

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  love it - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By eli - September 18 - 9:04 pm

  No problems since ive bought it used in 07, used it in many trips - great comfort. Guess got lucky as reliability concern and so are our friends who own one. love it love it love it.

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  You Gotta Get One!! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Eric - September 18 - 6:13 pm

  Since the first time I laid my eyes on the 300, I just had to get it. I just bought one in April and have been loving it ever since. Ive recieved so many compliments on my car(300 limited) and heads are still turning. The look, ride and comfort are just great! Cant wait to get it on the road. You wont regret it.

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  My New Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Peter Scudieri - September 18 - 10:00 am

  I reciently purchased this vehicle after owing a 200 300M for 5 years. I was impressed with the quality of my previous Chrysler. The car handles great and I love the way it looks.

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  Great upscasle car - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ray Hatfield - September 18 - 12:14 am

  I specifically went looking for a reasonably priced 2003 sedan because I think it was the last sporty Sebring produced. It was purchased with an extended B to B warranty that i have used twice to replace power seat motor and A/C evaporator. Both werent working right when purchased at 56,000+ miles. I also had to replace factory original tires. the transmission needed a computer upgrade to fix erratic down shift problem. Other than that the car has needed nothing but oil changes. The 2.7 V6 purrs with excellent performance and decent gas mileage. I run Prolong in the oil for a 100% engine guarantee as long as I own the car, and recommend it.

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  LEMON - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Robert Phillips - September 17 - 1:40 pm

  Purchased the Pacifica used with 5,900 miles on it. Nothing but trouble. We owned two 05s and they were good one great one fair. We liked the car. THEN the tyranny started bucking (Would not down shift when going up an incline, (Not fixed we were told this is a problem with the Pacifica. Motor mounts four sets in 20,000 miles. The dealer says this is normal and a better mount has not been designed because the Pacifica has been discontinued. Good luck when the warranty is up. The trim has (all but three pieces) has been replaced and is spotting again. The driver’s seat shreds the seat cushion when the seat motor is engaged, AWFUL NOW a noise is starting to come in the front suspension!

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  Pile of CRAP - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By Pile of CRAP - September 17 - 1:31 pm

  I bought my 300M almost 2 years ago and have had NOTHING but PROBLEMS. After the first week, it started overheating, after that got fix the car would randomly just shut off while driving down the road. Youd have to pull over, shut the key off, and restart it, then it would just go like normal. That ended up being something with the idle..after THAT got fixed then my radio started blaring when you touch the volume button and you cant make it stop. Then all the lights inside start to flicker and wont stop until you shut the car off. Now, my transmission just went out. I will never ever buy a Chrysler again!!!