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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  Love it - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Marcellus - July 4 - 2:31 am

  Ive had a BMW Z3, which was a blast to drive. The Crossfire is not at the same level as the Z3, but it is great fun, and such an unique design. Definitely NOT just another boring plain vanilla that makes up the bulk of cars on the road. Plus, because the basic chassis & engine is from Mercedes (when they were still married to Chrysler), it drives solid as can be. Wife likes the auto transmission, and I love the fact that I can use it as a manual whenever I want to. And the "trunk" is way bigger than most roadsters out there.

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  Love this Car! - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By AnneA - July 3 - 12:53 pm

  Ive never bought a Chrysler before, Ive gone from an Alfa Romeo to a Mercedes to a Volvo. I needed a big, comfortable car that was still stylish and this is it! I absolutely love this car. It rides smoothly, the interior is luxurious and reminds me of a European car. There are so many cool features that its hard to name them all. Suffice it to say that Im very happy with my purchase and Id recommend a Pacifica to anyone.

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  Love my PT!!!! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Steph1163 - July 3 - 2:30 am

  I bought this car in 2006 with only 2800 miles on it! I got very lucky. I have always had great luck with the car. The only problem I have had is that the light cover for the windows roll up fell out. My PT has been the most reliable car I have owned!!!

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  love, love, love it - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Patty - July 2 - 2:10 pm

  I went from driving a Jeep Wrangler to driving my Chrylser 300. I did love my Jeep but due to back problems I had to give it up. We made the choice for the Chrysler 300, Warm Vanilla, boy do we turn alot of heads. It is so comfortable and fun to drive. We do drive alot, for business and pleasure. I have not used the CD player at all because we have Sirius radio and I love that too. I could of not made a better decesion in buying this vehicle.

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  My favorite car ever! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Steve - July 2 - 7:13 am

  Ive loved these cars since they came out and finally got a base model 2005 5- speed. It is the most fun I have had driving ever. With the manual, there is no need for a turbo, because this thing takes off when you hit the gas. I love the roominess, the feel, the drivability of this car. And I got a very cool color in Electric Blue which still turns heads! A great car!

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  Satisfied, Great vehicle - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Trail - July 2 - 5:20 am

  My first Chrysler and I feel we made the right choice, Great price with the features to match. Great acceleration, drives like a family vehicle without the look of a van. Plenty of interior space and leg room for even the third row passengers.

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  Happy New Pacifica Owners - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By TexMorgan - June 28 - 10:00 am

  We puchased an AWD Pacifica a couple of weeks ago and just love it!! What a lot of car for the money. The MSRP was $41K but we got it for $34,977 (+$399 D+H) Chysler sent out a mailer for a free Nav System (about $1600) and we also got a $1K rebate from Chrysler. Made this quite affordable vs. the competition!! We have the DVD system, which is great for the kids! We looked at the domestic and import luxury SUVs, but one test drive of this car, along with the price, and the decision was made! This car gets a lot of looks on the road. Power could be better, as others have stated, but we have no regrets.

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  Great Choice - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By happycamper2 - June 28 - 10:00 am

  This car is definitely worth a test drive. I had my heart set on a different SUV but after driving this car immediately knew it was for me. Great buy for a car with so many pluses.

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  300C - Excellence on wheels - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By ALTON hORTMAN - June 27 - 12:36 pm

  This is the most noticed and complimented automobile I have ever owned. Luxurious on the inside as well as comfortable. Options to customize the comfort of the driver are remembered by the key. The new HEMI is fuel efficient by turning off 4 cylinders at crusing speed - you dont even notice. The long wheelbase and 20 inch tires provide not only comfort, but also effortless acceleration. You dont feel like you are accelerating very fast until you look down at the speedometer. The protection package is an engineering marvel. I cant tell you how pleased I am to own one.

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  2004 Pacifica - Chrysler should keep it - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By John - June 26 - 7:56 am

  This car gives you much confidence on the road. It feels extremely solid , very smooth at highway speeds and brakes that are powerful. Never thought I would use the Auto/manual trans but a trip through the mountains of W Va. made me very happy we had it. Seating for 1st 2 rows is excellent, 3rd row is the penalty box. Accessories are over and above what we need. At 47,000 miles we have had 1 "fit and finish" issue with one of the roof rails (dealer fixed on the 3rd try) and the fuel gauge stopped working (1st try fix). We were rear ended by a VW Jetta. Jetta was totaled. Pacifica, just under $3,000 for the rear bumper, exhaust etc. This car is very safe. Would buy another