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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  Pacifica--The car no one knows about!!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dora - September 2 - 2:00 am

  The Pacifica has been a grand touring car. I have now owned it for 6 months and have taken numerous trips and used it a great deal around town and also have moved children to college. It is easy to drive, roomy and very comfortable. All the ammenities are ideal for my driving situations. Luxury is the key word for this car. The design, styling and details are amazing. Great job Chrysler! I have spent a lot of time presenting my Pacifica to prospective buyers. I love it and am proud to show others what they are missing.

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  pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By richard - September 2 - 2:00 am

  We just got our pacifica. Tired of vans. Great styling. Extremly comfortable. Every one who sees it loves it. Im really enjoying the car. Could use 300 ponies instead of 250. Like others have said, the power is ok though. Love the german engineering.

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  Satisfied owner - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Paula - September 1 - 5:54 pm

  Fun car to drive. It rides much better than the normal suv. I like this car better than any other I have owned

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  The best kept secret - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Joni B - September 1 - 1:00 pm

  This car is a blast to drive and to look at. It turns heads every time I drive it. People dont know what it is?? I hardly ever see one on the road. The performance is very good, love the auto stick. Inside is very roomy and I do not feel right up against the other person. Loved the luggage that showed up at our door about a week later, not that I think it will all fit in the trunk. Love the auto top. Takes bumps very well. Love the big wide tires. Sharp looking car!!!

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  Owned 25 new cars, this is the best one - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Wewans - August 31 - 9:19 pm

  We love this car because it has all of the room of a minivan, but it is not a box. It has a very distinct and appealing style. It looks like a classy car, and when you look in the interior it is even more so. Gas mileage is not good, but that is a trade of because of the weight and safety of the vehicle. What good is it to save on gas if the vehicle is not heavy and safe. Is a family members life worth a few hundred dollars in gas savings over the life of the vehicle? For its size and weight (4600 lbs} fuel economy is not bad. Compare apples to apples, oranges to oranges, and 4600 lbs vehicles to 4600 lb vehicles.

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  I love this car! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Caroline - August 31 - 6:52 pm

  I have had this car nearly 6 months and have never had a more pleasurable driving experience. I live in Atlanta, GA where the weather is perfect for convertible driving. I have the top down going to and coming from work, no matter what the temperature. If its cold... oh those heated seats! If its hot, and it has been this summer, who cares, I havent. The styling, the handling, the looks from other drivers... this car turns heads. The comments and compliments have never stopped. Driving it has been beyond fun, its been life-enhancing. Why dont more people drive convertibles? Im 65 years old and Ive never felt younger. Did I mention the racy growl this car has? Its beautiful.

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  Youll love it and so do the twins! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By triplet1226 - August 30 - 9:18 pm

  Where can you get a convertible that can ride 4 people and have so much fun and a great look? Only with the Seabring Limited. I love the car as much today as the day i bought it. I have the blue with the white leather interior and it catches peoples attention wherever we are. Its a great car for me to unwind from work to home and now that my twins are older they love to take a cruise in it too.

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  10s all around - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By dug - August 28 - 10:16 pm

  the team pulled it together on this car. Even the gas mileage is hard to beat as the 300c drops 4 cylinders while you drive on the hwy. It uses only 4 cylinders when you arent accelerating. Beats most 6 cylinder engines on the hwy but has the kick of a Hemi when you need it.

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  Excellent vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ron Kelley - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I am very pleased with the performance of this car. I have not had a single problem. Quality of workmanship and design is excellent. Handles well on the road and you sit up like a SUV.

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  Chrysler builds a high-end sport wagon - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Henry Menke - August 28 - 10:00 am

  The slightly de-contented “base” Premium package plus rebate represents a fairly high-end car for the money (mid-$20s out the door). The extra features in the pricey "Luxury" package are not missed – the base car still has a lot of bells and whistles. Substantial body and chassis with a hefty feel of quality. Guests are very surprised by such a high-end interior “for a Chrysler.” Only one quality fault so far: both front power seats stopped working after two weeks. Turned out to be a control module; dealer had to special-order the repair part. Overall we really love driving and riding in the car – we hate to take out our minivan or our pickup truck now.