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 review part 2 - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By my wife - July 15 - 2:00 am

  first review on 10-15-03. since then have a problem with fuel gauge. can read up to quarter tank off. dealer re- wired both floats in the tank. it still doesnt read correct sometimes, but now it sounds like something is knocking around in the fuel tank.driver information center has never worked. i just found out i have it. vehicle is going back to dealer next week to address these items. wind buffeting very bad between 40-50 mph with moonroof open. outside trim warps a little, am worried about first 100 degree day. i also have had liftgate open when keys are placed in pocket.

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  A fun car to drive - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By DonnaF - July 15 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Sebring. I love the style and performance.The only complaint I have is the way it handles in wet weather,ie:Snow .As for reliability, my cars have always been great with normal maintainence.I must admit this car is suited to my personality and will probably be my car of choice for a long time.

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  Chrysler Sebring Convertible - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By n. engle - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Love the vehicle. Needs two improvements. See below.

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  300C 1st One in Houston - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Fbal28 - July 15 - 2:00 am

  This car is amazing, turn the ESP off and you can light up the road. I never expected this much power from the 300C. The vehicle is drop dead gorgeous and a head turner!

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  Love My Pacifica - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Brandi - July 12 - 10:12 am

  My husband and I are looking to start a family soon but since we both owned small, two-door cars, we knew it was time to upgrade to a more family- appropriate vehicle. The Pacific is a perfect fit for us! It is the most comfortable ride Ive ever had in a vehicle, and the price was right for all of the "bells and whistles" when you consider the power seats/locks, 2nd and 3rd row seats that fold for storage, etc. There are just too many great things about the Pacifica to list here!

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  This car can move - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By doug powell - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I flew 500 miles away to get the cool vanilla color with the 280 watt mp3, the drive home was some good quality time bonding with the new car. This car rides quiet, is fast, and turns heads. I dont see many on the road yet but I think there will be a lot of them soon. I dont know about reliability yet but it seems solid.

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  love my pt - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dbbats - July 9 - 8:20 am

  love my car but when car idles and air isnt on it sounds like its going to cut out. Also after 16,000 miles had to do brake job. But I really like the look.

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  Pretty fun car - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Carlos - July 8 - 11:39 am

  This is a very nice family car but is also very sporty.....nice car

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  A great fun finally - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By FRED E. - July 7 - 4:50 pm

  This is a great new car, comfortable fast and quick manuevering, the thing that I admire the most is the fact that Im getting about 30 miles per gallon in the city and highway mileage, I get nothing but compliments when I drive my customers as I own a Limousine service in Los Angeles,Ca. Ive accumulated almost 2000 miles in my first month of ownership, hopefully I will enjoy this car much more than my Towncar the car itself in paying off in the comsumption of gasoline, I literally paying half of my cost as I did a month ago, the extended chassis makes a truly enjoyable and smooth ride.

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  Latest of 35, and Best - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jim - July 7 - 4:30 pm

  Excellent road car with safe feel except for the self sealing tires, which are not up to the ability of the suspension. Very agile and easy to drive. I am an ex-high performance instructor and the car responds well to all inputs. The car takes longer than most to get used to but has become a joy to drive. It is better than I expected it to be.