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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  Good car for the money - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PTsilver - December 26 - 3:10 pm

  I am not sure how people are getting less than 20 mpg. I have the standard engine, automatic transmission, and am getting 22 city and 25 highway MPG. You cannot drive this car like its a Corvette. Revving the engine up to 4.5K rpm routinely isnt your friend. I bought the car used with approximately 50k miles, and am really enjoying it. No issues to date so far, and its a joy to drive. Styling is retro, which is a huge change from my prior car (Lincoln Continental). The engine is a bit sluggish, but it is not a blemish on the enjoyment factor. I have experienced a bit of engine vibration at higher RPMs, but its not too noticeable. Fit/finish is fine...no issues.

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  Simply Magnificant! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Rambler358 - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Im 61" and manage to fit in this car nicely. I had headroom problems with the 350Z and RX-8, which were the other cars I was considering. I thought Id have even more of a headroom problem with this car, but not so. This car turns heads where ever it goes, and performance is great for a V6. Only 215hp but the 229 torque really gets it moving quickly. Couldnt find a red model, but the graphite metallic I got is stunning. I havent seen this car on the road yet, only at dealerships. I paid MSRP but thats to be expected for a 04 model right now with the car is still in limited quantity.

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  Turbo is the only way to go - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By V eronical - December 11 - 2:00 am

  Looks and is smaller then regular PT. Handles nicely on accelaration because of turbo. Regular gas saves at pump a bit. Younger feel to it. Deck space really small, but compensation is the freedom of the convertiable. Top easy to open and close. Safety bar looks cool. Ride is definetily a sports car. Front wheel drive only maybe not for all. Seems air tight when closed up while driving.

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  noise - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Joleen Breitbach - December 8 - 7:33 am

  Bad Noise when back windows are down partway and front windows are up. Creates a noise loud enough to break your eardrums. Almost had an accident on highway. Thought I blew a tire.

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  Zero traction on snow. - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Chris Keser - December 7 - 1:03 am

  Great car styling and ride as well as other features, but absolutely HORRIBLE on even the slightest amount of snow, even with after market snow tires on all fours. Truly DANGEROUS. Rear wheel drive is a big mistake if using the car in areas of snow accumulation. Traction control seems to be no help at all even on a 1/4 inch of fresh snow. Rear wheels just spin.

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  great car! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By clcs - November 30 - 10:00 am

  I am very please with this car. I look forward to trying out its performance in the snow this winter. It was a great choice. I love the look and performance.

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  2006 Review - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Frank - November 25 - 1:56 am

  Thought I would offer my comments on a 2006 Pacifica as there is so little information on them. I had ordered mine on the first day they accepted Fleet orders and took delivery five days ago. Already have almost 600 miles on it. The biggest complaint I had heard related to fuel economy. So far I have averaged about 20.6 MPG. It has been a mixture of city but mostly highway driving. It is a joy to drive and my kids were wild about the way it looks. .

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  Beats the Bonnevile - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By SpiceUmUp - November 7 - 10:23 pm

  This car replaced a 2002 Bonneville. While I liked the Bonneville, it was time for something new and the 300 is IT. Handsome, striking in appearance, roomier than the Bonneville, it is quiet, rides smoothly and handles securely. The 3.5-liter V6 has plenty of oomph for most situations. The car lacks certain amenities standard in the Bonnie: Automatic headlights, tire pressure sensor, 6 speakersÂ’ standard. The 300 has leather standard, the Bonnie does not. The 300 is much roomier than the Bonnie is, and rides much better. The cruise control stalk is not a great design, GM hasnt gotten that right either. Chrysler saved money on the interior materials.

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  Butane Bue and Beautiful! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By gwsilvers - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I didnt want a "me too" SUV or a soccer mom minivan. I did want stability, safety, room to carry my mobile ofice and a certain level of class. I saw the Pacifica n the TV but had not run into one on the street so was taken a bit by surprise when I got to the Chrysler dealer. Its BIGGG! When you get behind the wheel you sit up high and feel like the King of the Road. When you start to drive you feel like your in a Mercedes. I drive at least 30K a year and now Im looking forward too every mile!

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  In Luv with my PT - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PT Tim - November 2 - 10:00 am

  The styling of the car rekindled a "need-to-have" feeling that I had not felt since I bought my first 240Z back in the early 70s. I finally found my Patriot Blue Limited in January 2001 (when dealer stock was non-existant and the norm was to price it at up to $5000 over MSRP) but I had to drive over 200 miles away from home to get a reasonable price. Then the fun began ... New Tires (Potenza RE730), Shifter Kit, Headlamps etc. Still get people doing doubletakes when they see the PT go by ... Buy it, Drive it, Love It !!!