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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  Kool Pac - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By tmcdaniels - July 13 - 4:50 pm

  I have had this car for three weeks and 3,000 miles now. Not a problem, drives like a dream, not too bad on gas for such a heavy car. 19 city and 25 highway. Drives like my volvo and rides better than my caddy. I love this car. Good quality fit and finish

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  Great Alternative to the Minivan - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Tom1714 - July 13 - 2:16 pm

  I had eyed this one for about 3 months and finaly purchased. The car is fun to drive and very elegant. Smooth ride and comfortable interior. Mileage could be better, but for a large vehicle it is fine. Mileage for Pacifica was better than my old GMC Jimmy and my wifes Town and Country. You can tell the difference in mileage if you drive it correctly. If you accelerate hard you can feel the dollars being sucked out of your pocket! Overall love the Pacifica and would by from Chrysler again.

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  Satisfied - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By RAK - July 12 - 3:50 pm

  I purchased my Cruiser when they were first introduced and waited 9 months for it. It has been a very reliable car - I now have 169,000 miles on it and am running into issues. I need to replace the wheels due to corrosion of the wheels and shocks, struts, etc.. Considering how long I have had this vehicle and how many miles, I have had very little trouble with it. The paint has held up beautifully. I would definitely recommend the cruiser to others

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  Very Nice Car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By JAy - July 12 - 12:59 pm

  I think that this is a great car. I purchased my LX V6 sedan because I have always liked the body styling and it was the least expensive used sedan on the lot. I made the right choice. It handles better than the Mustang it replaced. I have had no mechanical problems. It gets 25 miles to the gallon commuting. The seats are comfortable. The controls are well laid out. I have driven 4 other people to lunch, and no one complained of the size. I would definitely recommend this car to my friends. It is a great car for the money.

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  The Best Sebring Yet - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By convertible Len - July 11 - 3:53 pm

  Having owned a 2005 Sebring with an anemic engine, I decided to buy the new 2008 Sebring Limited for the 3.5 engine and the 6 speed gear box and am I glad I did. This car has good power and handling and is certainly a great improvement over the last Sebring I owned. I also do not like the hard top, so I found the rare cloth top Limited to buy. I have standard antilock breaks plus positraction, and electronic stability control options so the car is very solid, quick off the line and handles very well It us a very solid car. It does not swim all over the road. Overall, it is a really fun boulevard car to drive. I love using the key fob to start it from 35 feet or drop the top.

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  Not Just For Dad - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mremic - July 11 - 12:35 pm

  Purchased this vehicle for my Father and Mother. Dad and Mom are at 80 this year and I noticed them having trouble getting in and out of their old car. They looked and drove other makes, but decided on the 300. When we got to the dealership I asked them to look at the Pacifica. He fell in love with it, and "damn those SUVs on the road, I cant see around them" attitude, was a thing of the past. Moms quote "Its so big, I dont like it". They have since driven to PA. on a trip, and Mom, now on her 1 millionth trip to the store, loves "being up there". They still smile when I ask them, hows the car now?

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  great automobile!!!! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By dan kerrigan - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, great fit and finish, great acceleration, excellent automobile

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  good ride - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By gizzmo - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I am more than pleased with the overall quality and performance with the vehicle.

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  Problem - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Mr. Upset - July 10 - 10:00 am

  My pacifica 2002 is NEW! Has less than 5,000 miles on it. The longer I drive it it automatically shuts down and wont start again until hours later. For Example, I pulled up (fortunately) in front of my house. The car literally died. Could not start it until the next morning. Something has got to be wrong with it mechanically built at the factory. How can I explain what is the matter? It seems the longer you drive it then it can simply stop on its own. Im afraid to drive it now for fear of an accident on a highway or local traffic. anyone else have that problem. How do I get it fixed?

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  No Power! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By No Guts - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Car looks and drives nicely with one MAJOR exception. . . No Power. The 3.5L Engine is far less (60-HP) than this heavy boat needs for the get up and go. If this car had an engine, it would put the BMW X5 into the morgue!