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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  Poor design poor quality. - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Extremely Unreliabe - September 11 - 11:06 am

  Water pump is driven by a timing chain that is inside engine on 2.7 engines. My original pump failed at 61,800 miles flooding engine with antifreeze. Water pump casting number is 0466373611797B followed by Chrysler STAR SYMBOL. Now Im having to pay $5000 for an engine rebuild. Chrysler refuses to own any part of the problem has been happening since 1999. Before purchasing a Chrysler 2.7 please check out the horror stories on the intranet. Old sales pitch was dont buy no ugly truck. Buyers beware.

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  I guess Ive been a lucky one! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Winter1227 - September 11 - 10:36 am

  Ive had my 2004 Pacifica for almost two years now & I am the 2nd owner. It rides *SO* smoothly (& weve had to take MANY road trips for work) and with my 8 month old son, I feel VERY safe. Only been to the mechanic once for a U joint--other than that, no problems at all. I have a base model, no GPS or DVD, & the 3rd row was a bit snug when me and my SIL sat back there once (and Im 58" and she is 510") but my husband is 61" and is a SOLID 245 and has ROOM to stretch in the front two rows, and has great head room. With the side air bags, I dont worry about my baby as much on the road! If I won the lottery, Id buy this car again.

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  Youve gotta love it! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Dick - September 11 - 7:33 am

  This is one terrific vehicle in every feature. Has more than enough "get up and go" and cruise control has saved the day (since 90mph feels like 40mph) in smaller cars). I love this car!

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  Fun Car - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ironmike - September 10 - 10:34 pm

  One of the three most enjoyable cars Ive had in over 40 years of driving. Looks great. Bought it with about 50,000 miles and now have about 145,000. Has been very reliable. Fun to drive. The only improvement I would make is more comfortable cushions on the front seats. Im looking for a newer one with low miles.

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  Best Car I Have Ever Owned - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By C. Posey - September 10 - 7:23 pm

  I am in my late fifties and have owned many luxury cars. This is by far the best and most fun auto I have owned including ones far more expensive. Handling is exceptional and the Hemi is like no other. There is no comparison on the road today.

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  I love my car! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Spagal32 - September 10 - 7:03 pm

  I did a lot of research before buying my 2005 Pacifica. I have never been so happy with a vehicle purchase. The Pacifica is great for my family and its fun to drive. The kids love it. It drives smooth and so far seems very reliable. There were a couple of glitches at first..the back window switch had the window going down when I started the ignition, and the engine tension pully was squealing. All was fixed though. Overall I love my car.

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  I must be dreaming! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Moonsta - September 10 - 12:12 pm

  I have only had my loaded Pacifica for a couple of weeks and I dont see falling out of love with it! Solid, secure feel. Luxury plus! All the little details that Chrysler puts into some of their cars is wonderful. As other people have written, gas isnt great. But hey, its big, its AWD, what do you expect? I am very happy with it and mileage is about the same as my minivan. Finally I dont get asked if I have kids (no!) I waited a long time to have a car of this caliber and truthfully?? Id buy another.

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  Beware the 2.7 L V6 - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jim - September 9 - 11:35 pm

  I have had this car about 6 months. No problems until a few weeks ago with the oil light coming on. Was told it was a bad oil pressure sensor. My extended warranty that supposedly covered everything didnt cover it. It was replaced, 10 minutes after leaving the dealer it came on again. Was told it may be a bad oil pump, though the Nissan dealer i bought it from took it to a Chrysler dealer and all they did was replace it again and do an oil flush and change the oil ,free of charge. Took it home, found the Fog Lights stopped working. What next? Its too bad the under the hood issues take away from a great looking car. Cruises nice and gets good mileage with the V6.

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  I love my pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By debbie 2626 - September 9 - 2:00 am

  This is the most fantastic vehicle I have owned. It rides good , its fun to drive and comfortable. It is everything rolled into one.

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  PACIFICA - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By MARKS - September 9 - 2:00 am

  NICE CAR. GOOD CROSS OVER BETWEEN SUV AND CAR.