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 - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Taralyn - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I love my Pacifica. I would buy another in a heart beat. And my children love the DVD player.

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  3 year owner - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By William Narey - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned the Pt Cruiser since Feb of 2001 and I drive it in the summer only and I love to drive it. I have not had any problems as of yet, but I only have 6000 miles on the car. So far so good.

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  255,000 miles and counting - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By stephen - June 7 - 4:03 pm

  overall its been the best car ive ever had. ive taken care of the car since the day i bought it and truthfully the car doesnt owe me anything. repair has included a new transmission but only because i was tired of a little leak, radiator, alternator, two tune-ups, brakes which ive done myself, wheel bearings, front end bushings etc...the battery lasted 7 years and 2 months. its been a pleasure to drive and anyone looking at the car would say that its in excellent to mint condition. im hoping to get another 150,000 miles out of it. ive heard nightmarish stories about the concorde, intrepid, and the 300m but then i look at the upkeep and simply say that ive taken care of my car.

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  Good Value for the $ - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By coloradodawg - June 5 - 11:36 am

  I now have 29 K on it and it has proofed to be a reliable fun and handy car to own. The ability to change the rear seating around as needed has really been handy. Also once I put in a K@N air filter in I was able to get as high as 33 mpg on the highway and about 28 city. Would only recommend the 5 spd due to the lack of power though unless you live somewhere really flat. If I were going to change something I would have had the power locks and rear truck release as standard equip. Also the shifting is pretty stiff compared to say a toyota.

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  Perfect Fit - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By SilverBullet - June 4 - 7:13 pm

  I researched this vehicle on the internet and had a super experience. Got exactly what I wanted and knew what I would pay before I went to the dealership. I find the ride much quieter and smoother than what you read about. Im 58" and I dont find the view awkward -rather the angles and shapes almost eliminate the blind spot. A+++ to the design team. Its peppy - not sluggish at all. Handling is a dream. Features are right where you expect them. Superb mileage. This is the 1oth vehicle I have owned and by far the most fun to drive.

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  More fun to drive than my Jaguar XJ6 - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Me Too - June 3 - 1:20 pm

  I drove a 96 Jag and my husband was in the market for a new car. One day when the Jag was in the shop (again!) they gave me a PT Cruiser as a loaner. I loved it, told my husband he could drive the Jag and bought one a week later. Ive hauled a sheet of Wonderboard, a 9x 12 carpet, kids, pets, etc. Its like a van but much cuter and sportier! I love this car!!! Mine is Inferno Red to match my cell phone. Great for all my soccer mom type of driving and hauling.

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  Best in Show - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By etandjt - June 2 - 2:00 am

  We have for median price more luxury, comfort, and practicality than the above models. Design is outstanding (inside and out)Upgrades are phenomenal in quality. Our choice is fully loaded with the exception of the navigation and dvd features which we prepped in case we change our minds. Even in L.A. the design does stop traffic. Everyone who has ridden (up to six) has been tremendously impressed. ONLY drawbacks- -mediocre accelaration on freeway on- ramps and difficulty with visibility by right back passenger side. Fuel usage was as expected. Should we have gotten the AWD instead of the FWD?

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  A very Comfortable car to drive in - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By b560656 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  The car rides very smoothly and gives me more then enough room in the front seat. I am extremely comfortable for long rides or short ones. Nice amount of cargo room when needed.

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  Great new car for 2004 - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By RottenRobin - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Pacifica in February, picked it up in the middle of a snowstorm, and it was great. I thought going from an SUV to this car was going to be a problem, but it wasnt. It is a great car and my son loves it too. He wanted a mini van and I wanted a car. This is somewhere inbetween.

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  PT GT Turbo 2003 - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Clean Gene - June 2 - 2:00 am

  So far I have found it to be a very practical,peppy vehicle. I have owned 2 Plymouth mini vans prior to this Cruiser The Turbo kicks in at a lower RPM than I expected. It is full of torque, and drives well with the Gertag five speed transmission.Assembly quality is excellent. Cargo opttions are unlimited.