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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  Goodbye overpriced eurocars - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By moetexas - September 4 - 10:00 am

  Finally, a great design and build from an "American" car maker. I traded in my BMW. I chose it over a 525i sport premium package ($45000). I generally drove BMW, Lexus and Cadillacs. The 300 touring is spacious, comfortable yet sporty, fun to drive, well mannered on the road and has everything I need. If you travel long distances, this is your car. I think it is not overpriced as most eurocars. I think it will cause a few wrecks from admiring drivers not watching the road but my 300. People come up to me and ask if it is a benz, cadillac, bentley? If it is reliable, my next car WILL be the 300C with the HEMI. YES.

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  Im mystified - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bill - September 3 - 1:59 pm

  The title of my comments says it all. I dont understand why these didnt sell well. I know Chrysler didnt market them well but Ive had an S class Mercedes, a 540 BMW and 40 other cars and this is my favorite. It is great on fuel if you consider its 2 1/2 tons and gets 30+ mpg on the highway and about 20 in the city. Ive just finished a trip to New England and the miles are effortless and Im over 60 years old! Id recommend one to anyone.

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  Im in love - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bob - September 3 - 9:50 am

  Bought car used with 77,000 miles on it. Over 4 yrs. Later love it even more. 153k and runs like the day I bought it. Replaced rear wiper motor ($43 reman) very easy fix and some suspension parts, expected. Hauled 25 cu. ft. Fridge while doing 60 on expressway, no problem. By far the most stylish, dependable, versatile vehicle I have ever owned. Decided to shoot for 200k+ so I did a little customizing. Plenty of options with this one

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  Tranny Problems x4 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By JIm - September 3 - 8:54 am

  Since owning my 2006 300C AWD, I have had it to the dealers 4 times for a shifting problem with the tranny. I can be driving along and with no warning whatsoever, the car acts as if it was put into neutral, engine is running strong, but it wont go anywhere. The dealer(s) (and Tech Support) seem to be having difficulties finding the problem. Im afraid to take long drives, just in case it happens again. This makes the car not dependable or reliable at all ! Too bad because I really like it otherwise.

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  Fun vehicle to drive - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By spagal - September 3 - 2:46 am

  I think its a great car overall. It does have some mechanical problems off the bat such as faulty window switch and a noise under the hood that they cannot seem to find the problem. Overall a very fun car to drive lots of extras! The body design is nice as well as the interior color and layout. Not a lot of trunk space if using all passenger seats in back. In fact, one large suitcase is all it will hold.

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  Hasnt Let Me Down Yet - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By samuelb - September 1 - 9:28 pm

  We purchased our Pacifica FWD Touring Edition in June of 2006. It now has almost 85,000 miles on it, mostly highway miles from my commute to work. The Pacifica is a very comfortable and pleasant car to drive. The build quality has been pretty good and so far weve had no problems with it. One of the earlier comments about these cars being lousy in winter is incorrect. Ive been through 3 winters now with my Pacifica and it gets through the snow almost as well as some 4 wheel drive vehicles do. Gas mileage hasnt been spectacular, but I think I could be doing a lot worse. Overall, were quite happy with our Pacifica.

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  It reminds me of an older Honda Accord - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By jessie_harbin - September 1 - 9:11 pm

  We downgraded from a Pontiac Bonneville and just purchased our 2006 Chrysler Sebring Touring Sedan a month ago, and already its a disappointment. Dont get me wrong, for the price we got it at was a good deal but the ride quality sucks and the seats are uncomfortable. It feels like youre riding on a skate board and the transmission shifts like a standard instead of an automatic. It rides and operates like an older Honda from the 80s

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  You Gotta Have This Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By jamesdtuttle - August 31 - 10:46 pm

  I purchased a 2006 300C SRT8 from Carmax and am VERY pleased. The SRT8 has great luxury features (I compare to my Lincoln Town Car) and has superior features to the other 300s. The handling is superb, brakes are unreal, and the 6.1 hemi is the ultimate. An American muscle car V8 to the max. It has incredible throttle response, awe-inspiring power, and a delicious muscle car sound. Sedate and well mannered, it nevertheless will pull like a freight train heading into a black hole when you put your foot in it. Downsides? Compared to my Town Car, its noisy. Gas mileage aint in the stratosphere. Plusses? It sticks to the road like glue, has every luxury feature known to man, & HEMI!

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  2007 Sebring Touring - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Tracy - August 31 - 10:45 pm

  I leased my Sebring when they were brand new to the showrooms. It was a great car that handled well, has great features like Sirius satellite radio, 6 in dash CD player and most importantly UConnect. I found it so much easier to use than the Trailblazer I had. The four cylinder engine had more than enough power to take us where we were going and in the year and a half I had the car, no problems to report. The greatest concern with the car is safety. The car was in an accident which rendered it a complete loss. The car was hit head on and the air bags never went off. Thankfully my children werent in the car but I did suffer chest pain from hitting the steering wheel.

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  Cruiser Happy - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cuzbear - August 31 - 8:23 pm

  From the very first moment I saw the PT Cruiser I knew it was the car for me. It is the most perfect vehicle for my needs. I didnt expect to have people wave at me just because I was driving the car of the year at the time. The design is also very useful and handy. I carry all kinds of stuff in comfort and ease. PT is reliable and has never let me down.