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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  I love it ! - 2008 Chrysler Crossfire
  By TomD - January 19 - 2:56 pm

  Bought my 08 in mid December in NY and drove it home to South Texas as an early Christmas gift to myself! Great price (15k discount) and great car. Very solid machine and inspires confidence. Everything works as it should and I am very, very happpy with purchase. Average gas mileage on 1750 mile trip was 25.3 mpg, nearly all interstate. Make sure your bill of sale says new! I see some new ones for sale (by Chrysler dealers) as used, even with only 10 mi. on the odometer, to avoid the lifetime powertrain warranty to the original owner. Be careful!

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  The hidden value of the 300C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Daryl - January 18 - 1:53 pm

  I did a lot of vehicle comparisons before purchasing my 300C AWD. This car offers more bang for the buck than any other full sized sedan. Ive always been a GM fan but this car is far and away the the best and most fun Ive ever driven. It get a lot more attention on the road as well. Great proformance and styling coupled with and handling package that is truly awsome I love this car!

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  Great Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Ralph T - January 18 - 12:42 pm

  An interesting car for even us old retired folks. The hemi engine performs great. The Mopar remote start does not work in cold weather and has been in for repairs 4 times. It is a great highway car and highway gas mileage averages 25.5 mpg. For a large V-8 Hemi this is very good. On winter roads, winter tires are a must have. People give compliments on this cars looks and the "Cool Vanilla" color. Width of the trunk is a little tight for 2 sets of golf clubs though.

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  Great vehicle! - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dianebkht - January 17 - 9:06 pm

  Really nice vehicle, inside and out. The down side to the Pacifica is fuel usage. Drives great! Interior is protected, therefore making it easy to wipe off stains. Lots of space, no outside noise like the Town And Country I just traded in. Lots of leg room. Cargo is huge enough for a body (example people only) My Pacifica did not come with DVD so I will have one installed along with rims. I really got a great deal on my new Pacifica with me trading in a Chrysler. Now is the time to buy! Love the safety features as well! No bad experience at dealership nor with vehicle so far!

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  GO TURBO or stay on the porch! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By MICHAEL YANKO - January 16 - 6:13 pm

  Im in love with my car again!!!! Im a convertible man for the last 30 years and I must say Im very impressed with this awesome vehicle. I have a bad lower back and the way these seats fit me is like they were designed by my chiropractor....the height fully raised is perfect...the lumbar is firm, and because of the roof height there is no lower back strain on me getting in and out. When I test drove a new Touring Turbo ragtop I and took it on a drivers ed obstacle course, then to a vacant parking lot to find out what it would really do....I smoked the tires, tried to roll it, ..and although I didnt buy the new one I tested...I decided the PT Cruiser Turbo covertible was the one for me!

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  Big Mistake - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Joe Smith - January 15 - 6:27 pm

  I bought this car against my better judgment. I did some research, and found most of the reviews to be negative. Ive had to replace the blower module, both headlamps. The heater controls never seem to work right. It burns a quart of oil in between oil changes,and the front end makes all kinds of noises when turning. By far the worst car Ive ever owned.

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  Good Car - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By phillip - January 15 - 7:44 am

  This car handles good, and drives very smooth. The only thing I have had go wrong is a ball joint. I had the car completly checked by GM certified personal. They said the car was in great condition and 95% was original. No problems just basic maintenance. If you dont take good care of it you can run into problems though. Must take care of transmission.

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  One Great Sleak Car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Nathanieljh29 - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I Really love this car. I love the unique design, exhuast growl and tight steering. It handles very well and gets a lot of stares on the road. Every gas station that Ive visited since I bought the car, people have asked me questions and says thats one cool looking car. The car has about 215 horse power, and I think they could have put a few more horses under the hood, but it still pulls and quite fun to drive.

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  Just got mine...LOVE IT!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Pud2 - January 15 - 2:00 am

  We just picked up our new 2004 Butane Blue(delivered from factory last week!) Pacifica. Absoluteley AWESOME car/SUV/mini- van/whatever! Have put 500 miles on it this week, no problems or issues yet....seems to be VERY well built, drives super, and a luxury interior that cannot be beat! I am getting about 19.5 MPG at this stage, not bad for a new one, I am sure it will get better as it breaks in. We have no "power" issues...a drag racer its not, but power is fine for everyday driving...yes, INCLUDING passing! If you are in the market for a "crossover" type vehicle, consider the Pacifica...you will be pleasantly surprised!

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  beat out Lexus rx330 - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Lacy11 - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I just sold my RX300 for the Chrysler Pacifica. I tried driving both and hands down the chrysler beat the 330. Love it!