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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  Excellent car for families - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Love4kids - October 1 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive, My kids enjoy the entertainment system, while I enjoy my music, It drives GREAT, handles GREAT, It does not have aloy of cargo space, but the seats do go down for that, I must say, I do LOVE my car!! It has so many more luxuries than most "family" cars.The 250 horsepower engine is great, I am not afraid to pass people n a 2 lane hwy anymore.

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  Best Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Kathy Ann Casteel - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I have driven a Jeep for many years. When I decided to try the Pacifica, I never dreamed I would enjoy it so much. I have had absoultely no problems with it at all. All my passenger friends also love it. The comfort, quality, interior design and all the room inside make it a very pleasurable vechicle to drive. While I still love Jeep, I stand by my Pacifica. No regrets here, I LOVE IT!!

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  2004 Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By tmb55 - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, it handles well, gas mileage is very good, althoug it has a large fuel tank, which is making fill up time hard on the pocket book. But this car is great in every way.

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  Love my Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sue B. - October 1 - 2:00 am

  We were leery of buying another Chrysler - havent always had great luck with them. Also, having driven a van for the past 18 years we were looking for a change but needed van" features. What a surprise with our new Pacifica. It drives wonderfully, is roomy, unbelievably well appointed, quiet, and looks great. We drive a lot of carpools, and all of the kids in the car find the seats very comfortable. I would highly recommend the Pacifica as an alternative to both a van and an SUV (we owned a Jeep Grand Cherokee too). It has the utility of an SUV with the ride of a luxury car and the seating of a van.

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  WEEKEND CRUISER - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By FES - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I USUALLY ONLY DRIVE IT ON WEEKENDS (ABOUT 125 MILES EACH) BUT ITS A LOT OF FUN AND I GET COMPLIMENTS ALL THE TIME.INTERIOR ROOM IS LESS THAN MY 91 ASTRO EXT BUT STILL BIG ENOUGH FOR A FEW FRIENDS TO GO CRUISE THE SHORE IN. I DIDNT CARE MUCH FOR THE WHIMPY STEREO, BUT I TOOK CARE OF THAT TWO WEEKS AFTER I GOT THE CAR.

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  You need a Sebring Convertible - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By 2ruth - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It is reliable, has decent mileage, and is attractive. Plenty of power to move onto the expressway. Everyone always wants me to drive so they can experience the fun and luxury. Great sound system - just push buttons on the steering wheel to change radio stations, to CD, volume! The best thing is that the top comes up and down quickly. And the trunk - no one could access it without the key!

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  New Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By texag - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Just bought my new Touring convertable last weekend. Drove down country roads near my home, and was very pleasantly surprised how smooth the ride was. This is the most fun to drive car I have ever owned.

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  Just got one - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Paul from Pomona - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Great speed and acceleration, with great handeling. Tight with an unexpected quiet. The most fun Ive had driving in a long while. Great back seat, with comfort and not too much wind/noise. It feels like a big sports car. The best of both - sports and sedan. Fun watching the heads turn.

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  My New Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By moondog04 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Plenty of room, almost as much as my Suburban,(with the 3rd seat down. Quiet, comfortable, and good looking. A nice crossover between a minivan(ugh) and a utility vehicle, with better mileage.

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  2004 PT Cruiser...Really Fun To Drive - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By HI SPEEDR - September 26 - 10:00 am

  What I like most about this vehicle is that its setup is perfect for a sales professional like me who is driving from appointment to appointment all day long. I arrive refreshed and when I need to use it as an office, I have the passinger seat that folds down as a desk plus the shelf at the rear door as well when I have to work outside. Also, it has the pep of a 6 cylinder because of the turbo, but the gas mileage of a 4 cylinder. The styling is refreshing and doesnt look like any other vehicle on the road.