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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  Great car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Swanee - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Only have 1000 miles on the car but love it. Handles great both in snow and on dry pavement. Quiet and great ride. Mileage OK with about 18 to 19 combined city and highway. Lots of room for adults although third seat only for children. Finish top notch.

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  Pacifica Advantages - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By scjake697 - May 9 - 2:00 am

  The Pacifica is a pleasing blend of European road sedan (Mercedes E-Class) and minivan. The interior - although less functional than a minivan - is much more luxurious. The vehicle steers and stops with the precision of an expensive sedan yet provides more interior space, flexibility, and comfort. It is a classy family wagon with safety and comfort first on the satisfaction list.

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  Very Satisfied - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By HappyOne - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive had it for a couple of weeks now, and am very pleased. It is a joy to drive, and has awoken the old car bug in me that has been asleep for a long time.

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  Dreams Do Come True - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By ORRN - May 9 - 2:00 am

  If you have always dreamed of owning a convertable(like me) this is a winner! It drives good. It rides good. It looks good.What more can you want? Even my husband(picky, picky) likes this car! Too bad I dont let him drive it!

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  My Sebring, My Baby - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By silvey - May 7 - 2:01 pm

  Love! Love! Love my 1999 LIMITED convertible! Bought used - went from a 90 LeBaron to this and both have been amazing cars. Car handles like a dream and its so much fun to drive! All of the added LIMITED features (fog lights, cloth top, cd player & autostick which I love in the snow) were so worth the extra few dollars. Custom PLATINUM color is gorgeous & the compliments are plenty, even on a 6-yr old car. Love it! Only problems were a pesky wiper that carved into the windshield and the rear defogger detached twice, which the dealership replaced, and getting used to the large blindspots. I agree with the other comments that the dealership service has been the pits, though. 5 star? NO WAY!

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  A True A+ Chrysler - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By BLPro - May 7 - 12:40 am

  -I owned this car for three years, and had NO major problems with it. The only repairs were the Battery, Front Breaks, and average Tune-ups. A fantastic Wisconsin winter & summer car. I get 30 miles/Gal. Quick pick-up for Highway Driving. I knew about the drain holes ahead of time, so I avoided wet floors. If you have the "Flooding Problems" & "Standing Water" inside on the floors, just keep the drain holes along the frame under each door uncloged, that should solve the problem with water on the floors. I have had no problem getting people in the back seats either, rather roomy back there. Basic preventative maintainance, and the car has been great. Better then the Benz I had, & cheaper.)

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  I Fly the Concorde Daily - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By j. fain in florida - May 6 - 8:53 am

  This has been my best car, yet! Sporty, yet luxurious, with very comfy seats. She is beginning to rust a bit and a family member offered to buy me another car. I said "Nooo, I like my car, shes very comfy." Then they pursued the topic, and I answered back "She just needs a paint job".

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  Great Car! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Cliff - May 6 - 3:16 am

  This car has got to be the best thing since ice cream, from fit to finish...a fine world class automoble, one youed expect from Europes high end market only.I brought mine back in September of this year 2004. My brother owns a 2003 E-320 Mercedes, He picked my 300 up from the dealership for me and declared it had the same exact ride and feel of his E-320! and for $23,995... need I say anymore. There is one thing I would like to point out. In a special issue of Road & Track for the 300s they quoted on page six... "All Chrysler 300 models came with a list of standard features including traction Control" Traction is optional on the base car. I realized this all too late, I felt very misled.

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  Sweeeet Ride - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By TJB - May 6 - 1:16 am

  Awesome car from a first impression standpoint, as well as from a quality ride. Great modern appointments on the interior, reasonable trunk space (under hatchback) and my Limited Edition even comes with luggage! Daimler really set the bar high for this collaboration. A real pleaser - through and through.

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  My new toy. - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Walesca Marrero - May 4 - 10:00 am

  When I first saw the PT Cruiser I said know my family would fit in this tiny car. We are family of five and we fit just fine. For the extra room I like that we can put the seat down or take them out. My huband wanted to purchase a Ford Taurus wagon. Now we have just decided to trade our Ford mini van for our new PT Cruiser I like it very much.