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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  Another fine Chrysler vehicle - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By John S. - June 1 - 9:18 pm

  Mine has about 56,000 miles, mostly highway usage and has never (never) had any service issues! It looks good, has decent seat comfort, adequate adult performance and good gas mileage (almost EXACTLY what the car is rated for).Still running on original tires with lots of tread left. What is not to like? I have now had 5 Chrysler cars. They have given me better service from the previous GM and Fords I had and also the horrible Saturn Vue I foolishly bought (ugh). I have considered buying a slightly used Mercedes (for the snob appeal), but I just cant abandon Chrysler given the great results Ive had.

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  Cant complain - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By 31 yr. old Dad - May 26 - 5:20 pm

  Bought it new. Touring model. Just started having the brake rotor problems everyone else seems to be having with these. Still under warranty. Dealership replaced them with bigger ones. Problems with head space? Im 63", & have no problems, just lower the seat down all the way! The wheels that came with it had a plastic kind of cover/finish on them. Looked good but started peeling away last fall. Chrysler put four new chrome ones on it & let me keep the old ones for my winter tires. Only other thing was I didnt like the way the lumbar support in the seat, even when fully deflated. Dealership took it out for me. Just be nice and youll get places people!

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  Fun Car But Has Its Issues - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By leolady - May 20 - 2:25 pm

  I love my car & cannot emphasize that enough. Its such a fun drive, but it has its flaws. I knew more about the car then dealership from the reviews I read, so I knew the car (could) have its flaws. It has been in the shop many times for a new car: entire top panel had to be replaced because passenger side lining was cut short & falling down, driver side lining replaced because car leaked when raining, the windows sometimes dont go up all the way & the car makes a loud grinding noise with left turns. Most recently, the dashboard lights randomly dont work in the dark-electrical shortage. Love the car & will have fun, but when the warranty is up, so am I.

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  Chrysler 300C Spontaneous Engine Failure - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By KHerron - May 20 - 1:08 pm

  I was very satisfied with the overall performance and reliability of my Chrysler until the early afternoon on May 9th when the Engine decided that the parking lot of Osh Hardware Store was the place where it would decide to rest forever. I drove to the store fine and when I came out the car failed to start. I had it towed to the nearest dealership where the mechanic confirmed that that engine is completely gone. The pistons have holes in them and the valves are in pieces, it will cost $8,100.00 for a new engine. I informed Chrysler LLC about the issue and after confirming that the problem was not my fault they only offered to pay for HALF leaving me with a $4,000.00 bill

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  2006 pacifica - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Kemong - May 18 - 2:37 am

  Bought used at repo auction. Very pleased with driving and handling. Lots of room for the family. This car is fat and requires attention getting in and out of parking spaces. No problems after 7K miles of city and highway driving. Only expense so far is oil, tires and alignment. Brakes are next. No engine issues.

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  Six years and still going - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Milli - May 13 - 10:28 am

  I bought my car barely used back in 2004, and Im still driving it in 2010. Nary a leak to date, with fairly minor problems...the engines been fine, but its other stuff, like the low front profile - Ive learned to be careful not to pull in too far with nose in parking - the bumper catches and pulls loose), or the comparitively fragile motor mount. My biggest complaint is the front passenger window - its temperamental. It works in cold weather but not in hot...I live in Phoenix. Enough said? All told though, its been a fun six years and Im hoping for at least a few more.

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  Im happy and looking for a 2nd 2004 - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By John - May 11 - 1:12 am

  Ive read the other reviews and I agree with the car having blind sides. We solved it with little oval mirrors stuck on sideview mirrors. We have actually done this to every car weve owned. My wifes pacifica has the electronic rear view mirror. If I get my own pacifica I will change that to a conventional day/night mirror.It is hard to see at night when backing up,esp with tinted windows.I would probably install back up camera. I dont think they are that costly anymore.I would love to have an Escalade or a Navigator but they are lousy on gas. The Pacifica is at least 6 mpg better and has the room I need for my 2 very large dogs.

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  Lot of car for the money - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jeannot - May 1 - 9:21 pm

  I drive a black Sebring Limited covnert and love it. I bought it last year (2009) for $6700, The car has 75,000 miles, but looks and drives like new.

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  A Fun but Practical Car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jeannot - April 25 - 5:45 pm

  This car has 75,000 miles and still looks and runs like new. We love it. It is not the most sporty convertible, but wasnt meant to be. But I think its the largest, most practical. I have the Limited, which has every amentity available in 2004. Lots of thoughtful touches.

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  Update - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By William - April 23 - 10:59 pm

  I am a traveling Sales Rep and have put 30,000 miles on my Pacifica since 10/09. I still like the interior and ride. It does on ocasion groan in the driver side front end when I turn right. The tranmission on ocasion shifts hard. Other than those two issues has been a slightly above average car. Thanks! William