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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  Rare Rag Top - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By pa69reg - November 8 - 12:16 pm

  This is one of those cars that will be an eye catcher for a long time. The SRT- 6 Roadster is one of the coolest cars that you will ever see, if you will see one at all. Only 928 SRT-6 Roadsters were built world-wide in one year only. This gem of a sportscar is just what I needed. It runs and handles great. The stiff ride is part of the high performance package. So if you need a softer ride, buy the base or limited model. The sticker states that this car has 90% German parts, all Mercedes. Great car for sure. It will only see sunny days.

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  Replaced the Explorer/Use E.C. Rated Oil - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Matt V - November 8 - 3:26 am

  Had WET battery replaced by the dealer five days after purchase with a "maintenance free" GEL battery by Chrysler. Every other component has worked as promised. Very pleased with this car. At 5,000 miles I Changed the oil to synthetic 10-30 Castrol SYNTEC Energy Conserving and have improved mileage from 15.5 to 17 for basic town trips. 22-23MPG depending on 65-70mph trips. Anything above 70mph will drop it down to 19-20mpg. Hauling 2,000lbs brings the mileage down to 15MPG. So far, this has outperformed the 97 "Full Time" 4x4 Eddie Bauer Explorer we had. It received 17MPG average with 18 max on the highway. Insurance is HALF! It handles better and does not wobble over a curb.

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  LOVING IT!!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Pacifica Galxx - November 8 - 2:00 am

  I just got my new Pacifica, I love it, it has all the extra features and they rock..the dvd sound system rates right up there with the best movie theaters. I am a former PT Cruiser owner and loved it, with the pacifica I dont miss it at all.

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  Sebring Convertible - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Vince - November 7 - 10:00 pm

  Ive only owned the vehicle for a few months (it was a present for my wife) but Ive enjoyed the simplicity of the dashboard and the leg room in the front. I cant wait until the spring to put down the top on a regular basis. The cost versus other comp. cars is what impressed me along with the style of the car. Its sleek and not boxy. More like on the jaguar line.

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  C lunking Sebring - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By extec - November 7 - 11:23 am

  I bought my 01 sebring 4drLX v6 on3-01 now 3-02 it been back to the dealer 12 times,for a clunking noise when you take off from a stop.This is common for this model.I would wait until all the bugs are taken care of.I had other problems.

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  2007 Sebring Limited 3.5L V6 - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jeff - November 7 - 2:29 am

  A Sebring wasnt even on my next car list several years ago but the redesigned 2007 changed all that. I bought the 3.5L V6 for better performance and, combined with the 6- speed autostick, it doesnt disappoint me. I think it has every option except the moonroof, which I didnt want anyway. I love the Inferno Red color with the chrome accents and the interior with the MyGIG navigation system looks sharp. Little things like the nice, solid sound and feel of the door closing tells me its a quality built car. It is so quiet and smooth on the highway.

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  Ill keep this one forever - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Hunana - November 6 - 9:14 pm

  My wife and I are fairly new owners of this, but this is the best driving car Ive ever owned. I am 63", and would say Im the top range of fit for this car. This car handles and drives like a dream (a little stiff) but what do you expect in a true sports car. The power is great. The interior is stylish and user friendly.

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  California Pacifica 2004 AWD Loaded - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By PATRASK - November 5 - 2:35 pm

  We have owned this vehicle since it first came out in early 2003. It had always had some annoying suspension clunks on braking, and the dealer tightened something and that went away for a while. While on a trip down To San Diego with four people in the car, it had a connecting rod loosen and started making the expected clunk, clunk, getting louder as we neared the final resting place, a gas station. We had it towed back 75 miles to Irvine to the dealer. The vehilce was under extended warranty and had only 58,000 miles on it, was properly maintained at the dealer. Wouldnt do it again.

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  ? - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By dottie - November 4 - 10:00 am

  my car keeps cutting off when I makea a complete stop. I have took it back to the dealer ship 3 times, and they can not find anything wrong with it. I am driving the same kind of car while they are trying to fix mine. the car that i am driving now keeps cutting off on me while I am driving.

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  The best of the best - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Naynay - November 4 - 10:00 am

  It Has been a complete joy to drive this vehical over the years. The style and comfort is un matched