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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  Sad to see this baby go - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jtg1961 - March 4 - 7:34 pm

  This is the second Chrysler Pacifica Ive owned. I was happy with my 05 but wanted to upgrade to the 08 with 4.0L engine and 6 spd transmission. The difference with the extra power and smoother shifting is incredible. Too bad they didnt get it right initially but they have it right now, just in time to discontinue the line. What a shame, this is one of the best vehicles Chrysler has ever made. I bought one of the last of the 08 model year and hopefully itll last a long time. The lifetime powertrain warranty should ensure that it does.

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  Great Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Wayne - March 3 - 8:13 am

  I have owned a lot of nice cars, but this one is one of the most fun cars I have ever had

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  Buyer Beware - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By triplefire - March 2 - 12:35 am

  Bought this car confidently after reading so many positive reviews. Purchased Certified used from Chrysler with 38400 miles. Love the styling and handling, especially the two tone interior. However, within 2 days, I noticed a VERY annoying rattling coming from the panel behind the seats/ tonneau cover. Within one week the GPS Navigation stopped functioning. Within a week and a half, I found oil leaking from the rear of the car and the lights are dimming and getting brighter while idling. I thought this was supposed to be a CERTIFIED vehicle! Dont be fooled by Chryslers so-called Certified Used program...

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  Beware - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mickey - March 1 - 6:51 pm

  When the Pacifica first came out, we did buy one and ended up having the dealership buy it back because of a large amout of trouble with it... In 07 we purchased a Pacifica Limited all wheel drive....And well needless to say, here we go again...I will sell this thing after i get it fixed, and then I am done with Chrysler! Its a very pretty car, lots of room, but a cant trust it...

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  Whats everyone complaining about? - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By car_auctioneer - March 1 - 2:54 pm

  I have a 2002 Sebring LX 4 cylinder. I bought it from a "little old lady" with 5k miles on it a few years ago. It now has 50,000 and I couldnt be happier. I dont understand all the bad press, this car has been trouble-free except for the heater blower motor resistor, a $20 part I installed myself. Otherwise, nothing, not even the battery has gone bad. Has decent acceleration for a 4, and I get 29 highway and 25 average. I think the styling is great and as used car values go, you wont find a better bang for your buck. 6 cyl buyers beware: as with all 2.7 6 cyl Chryslers, make sure you CHANGE YOUR OIL regularly. One of the best Ive owned, and I"ve had a BUNCH!

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  Nice car for the price - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Rick - February 27 - 3:42 pm

  We bought the car in 2004. Other than oil changes, we havent had to do much else with the car. We have had some issues with the brakes but other than that, its pretty much been maintenance free. Fun car to drive and I find it comfortable also. We live in the Northeast and as long as you have good winter tires, you can go just about anywhere. On snowy days I take the car instead of my Chevy 2- wheel drive truck.

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  Bad Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By TDH - February 27 - 4:13 am

  The car was fine for the first two years, but it has been a headache ever since. The turbo blew out when the car was 2 years old. It was still under warranty. The dealership performed shoddy work, and it ended up in the shop again for repeat repairs. I would never again purchase a Chrysler. I have spent almost $10,000 in repairs. I hope Chrysler and it subsidiaries go down in flames. No bail out!

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  Performance after 75000 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By 300 owner - February 26 - 9:48 am

  This vehicle did a lot of highway driving and was great up to 75000 mls, afterwhich started having problems with head gasket, water pump and thermostat which were all related to the heating system, very costly and after speaking with several Chrysler professionals it is to be expected with this 2.7 engine the problems and more not described here. Ive met technicians that would not touch this engine. For one thing the water pump is behind the timing chain which becomes faulty because of the head gasket issue, resulting in high labor costs. Really liked the vehicle but dont have time to spend at the dealership spending money in these hard times.

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  Inbetween - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By amber - February 25 - 3:10 pm

  Very comfortable and nice looking car. Have been through several tires due to the rims on the car. Almost weekly have a flat tire. The car is great if your not driving in snow, then it is awful. Locks also make a loud sound, they still work but is a screeching sound. Power windows get stuck occasionally.

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  Think Twice - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By lmccloughan - February 25 - 11:08 am

  One week after purchasing my 2007 Pacifica we had to have the drive train replaced. A while later it was lunging forward and jerking at times when accelerating. Dealer could not find anything wrong. Took it back several times before they finally found the problem. It has been in for transmission repairs 4 times. Last week when I went to take my kids to school, it would not move. The emergency brake spring broke and shot through my rear brake. ABS light and traction control problems are constant! Look up complaints on the Pacifica and you will find out a lot. I would never purchase a Chrysler vehicle again. I do not feel like my family is safe in this car.