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:

• 

  make it your own - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By johnny - December 23 - 4:36 pm

  i like the overall design but there are things i would change. i want to chop the top, lower it, bag it and suicide the rear doors to start. i also want to make it so you can open the rear hatch without the key. i plan to put a supercharger on it too. a custom paint job is in the works also. i plan to make it a show car.

• 

  Second One is Always Better - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PT N Me - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Great Car. Drove it from Norther CA to Southern CA with toddler and Grandma who has bad circulation in tow. We had a great time because the seats are comfortable. Mom could let the front seat down and sit in back with toddler and have her leg stretched out in the front. Hows that for comfort (because the front passenger seat folds all the way down!

• 

  Roomy, Classy, and Fun to drive - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sajed - December 20 - 8:46 am

  Just purchased a new 2007 Pacifica and it drives like a car, but feels like your sitting in a studio condo =) Gas mileage is average for this vehicle, but the 250 HP engine makes up for it. We have taken our Pacifica to Canada and back on many occasions, and all around its a comfy ride, very spacious, and my son loves it!! I would recommend the AWD touring edition for snow dwellers.

• 

  Great Car For The Money! - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Lee Clarke - December 19 - 8:34 pm

  Ive always thought the Crossfire is a great looking car with very good performance and handling. However, the complete lack of lumbar support, somewhat cramped interior ( Im 6, 200 lbs ), lack of cup holders, other than 1 pop up, which doesnt work, kept me from buying. However, now that Chrysler is selling them at $12,000+ off msrp/sticker, the deal was too good to pass up. These cars are very high quality at a bargain price. :)

• 

  Very Happy Pac Owner - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Happy Pac Driver - December 19 - 5:06 pm

  I recently purchased an 05 Red FWD 3.8L 5 passenger Pac and have been very pleased so far. Those that knock the performance must be expecting too much. I transitioned from a Turbo Volvo S40 and I have been pleased with the performance. The car is assembled very well and exhibits surprising handling, comfort and has a quiet cabin. All in all a very satisfactory experience. I purchased mine by way of the dealers internet offer page. My price before tax,tag and title, 19,995! That included the beautiful red metallic paint and the alloy wheels. I think that at that price, my pacifica is a whole lot of car & value for the money.

• 

  \Value for your dollar - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By glock34idpa - December 18 - 6:21 pm

  This car will exceed your expectations for a car in this class. The motor is strong and very reliable. The all trac system works on demand. The interior and comfort looks like an expensive european car. The only complaint I have is the drivers window is starting to make noise from the window rollers.

• 

  wifes PT - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By big baby - December 18 - 6:13 pm

  Wifes old Jag died and we wanted to replace it with a SUV/CUV. Found this PT on line with only 16K miles at $10.6K. Also its the Touring model which includes a nicer interior and more standard content including nice alloys. I think its a bit slow and I wish the gas mileage was better, but shes happy with it and so far its been reliable. If the wifes happy everyone is happy.

• 

  The best ever, so far - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By mikem - December 18 - 12:51 pm

  I hade a numbers of cars in my life span but never have I had a car that have been that reliable and comfortable as my 300 Touring. I love the design and my fuel economy have improved by adding a cold air intake to the engine. Fast, lots of torque, enough horsepower to maintaine the speed on the freeway at any time I drive. I had the car for a year and i bought it used with 10000 miles on it, now after 30000 miles it is going strong with not what so ever problems. If I would consider to exhange my vehicle I would probably buy a new SRT 8 this time with no considerations at all.

• 

  They dont know how good it is! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By dejohnny - December 18 - 10:27 am

  Hands down, this is the best car Ive owned. AMG tuning and Chrysler styling, what a combination! The car is just awsome.

• 

  Love It - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By xfiretampa - December 18 - 8:59 am

  It was my dream car and luckily I was patient & was able to purchase exactly what I wanted! Very fun car to drive. People cant keep their eyes off of it. Hopefully will upgrade to the SRT in a couple of years!