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 buy so far - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Greg - August 16 - 11:46 am

  I bought this car about 2 years ago, and have put on 20,000 miles so it has a total of 40K. This car has, thus far, been pretty reliable. I love the 5 speed manual and all the space. Removable seats have come in handy alot. Only problem noteworthy is the lift gate hydraulic struts stick and Click really loud when opened. Only BIG problem, this car is HORRIBLE in the snow. Will NEVER buy a car without ABS ever again. Great for cruisin and moving stuff as it has LOADS of space, just really not recommended for northern states who get lots of snow.

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  Great Car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bob - August 16 - 9:06 am

  I went from an 88 Jaguar XJ6 to a 2006 PT Cruiser basic and am very happy with it. It rides well and feels substantial. I was taken with the exterior design when they first came out but didnt like the dark interior. The 2006 has a great interior and friends with more expensive cars have love the dash.

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  LOVE THIS CAR!!!!!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Islesmiles - August 15 - 2:00 am

  I only have this car for 2 weeks and 800 miles but I just think its GREAT!!!! Ended my lease on an Infiniti early to get the Pacifica. I kept looking at other croossovers and kept coming back to the Pacifica....so glad I did. Very safe and solid ride. So many features I didnt even know about. Gas mileage is fair but hopefully will improve.

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  Pacifica - PERFECT - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By saumsieglescott - August 15 - 2:00 am

  What a car/SUV! I have 3 small kids, plenty of room. Unbelievable utility. Nice leather interior and set up. Plenty of options to move seats, use space for luggage and trips to Home Depot. Large roof rack for additional storage. No problems in ice and snow, quiet and very comfortable

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  Quality Concerns - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By MCLYDE - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Nice Looking inside and out!I was very surprised it was a Chrysler. Drives nice, handles well. I do have a concern on the build quality. Im experiencing rattles, and squeaks...something I have never experienced in the 5 yrs I had my Toyota.

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  Mercedes at a Chrysler Price - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By DenaliGuy - August 14 - 4:07 pm

  Wow! This car has it all and for the price it cant be beat by any of its competitors. Having owned Japanese autos from day one, I was amazed how wonderful this car felt on the road not to mention its unlimited power. The Hemi is smoother and more controlled than any multi-valve, VTEC, or supercharged engine.

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  Money Pit on Wheels - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jms - August 14 - 2:46 pm

  In the year and a half that I have owned ny cruiser, it has had repairs done on steering problems 5 times. I think the whole steering system must be new! Also, the air conditioning drags the idle speed down when waiting for traffic lights.

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  98 Voyager - 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
  By denldoc - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Leased this vehicle for 3 years, and over that time, all I did was change the oil every 4,000 miles. Never had one mechanical or interior problem. Was my first new product from Chrysler, and my second van (my first being a 96 Ford Windstar). I liked its quality, driveability and low maintenance so much, at the end of its lease I bought another Chrysler product... The Dodge Intrepid. And Im having the same great experience with it.

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  REAL GOOD JOB CHRYSLER - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By rodney - August 14 - 10:00 am

  This is a fine fine car . Chrysler really did their homework. Every detail well thought out. Even door handles have a thumb fitting for comfort. A real head turner on the road. Power is a little light but this wasnt meant to be a real terror on the road. Just a real beauty to the eyes.

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  a different car - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By leith - August 14 - 3:13 am

  it is somewhat weird car. it is very good and relibale, but weird. excellent acceleration and wonderful comfort. plenty of comfort features, the seats for the driver are GREAT