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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  Pacifica Disgust - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Mark - May 10 - 10:30 pm

  I am stuck with an extremely poor quality vehicle and have experienced the worst customer service from Chrysler. Their solution is to keep on fixing every problem, and some more than once. When the right thing to do is to take the vehicle back.

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  Rides and Handles Like A Dream - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ikoco - May 10 - 8:50 pm

  The Pacifica was the perfect car for me. The ride and handling are really impressive. Most of my driving is inner city and my SUV handles like a sports car while darting in and out of traffic. The suspension is firm enough to corner well, but still smooth enough for the sunken streets and potholes of New Orleans. I have carried five full sized teenage boys across Louisiana to playoff basketball games in comfort. The rear seats offer ample head and leg room. The Infinity surround sound system and DVD player provides the highest fidelity of all the other autos I test drove. My 3.8L engines allows me to pass just about everything on the road but a gas station. I get 16/24 MPG.

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  Avoid this Sedan! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Smiles - May 10 - 12:36 pm

  The first three years were fine, not great but managable. We did have to take it in for a few warranty items to a local dealer, CD player, running roughly, etc. Now there are too many major problems to list. We were originally planning on driving it until my son could drive but I dont think this lemon will hold out. I also dont want to put my son in a car that we cant depend on. Its bushings are bad, the interior dash light rarely works, it is leaking oil, the inside "chrome" looking handles is flaking off, the leather on the steering wheel is gone, excessive brake dust on front.You get the picture. Junk! Too bad we bought the loaded version - what a waste of money.

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  Cant find anything better than this! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By gg - May 10 - 12:24 pm

  I drove my present vehicle until our family outgrew it. I was sick to part with my old truck, but had spent a couple years researching cars. I had decided a year in advance that the Pacifica would suit all my needs, without having test-driven it. I found my Pacifica on the first day of shopping, and bought it on the same day. The interior is beautiful, and there are so many extras. I am spoiled now. It is big enough for a family of 4-6, has extremely comfortable seating, but isnt too high off the ground for us short people. Seats are far apart so we dont have to hit elbows. Now I can afford a more expensive car, but will not part with my Pacifica!

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  Yellow PT - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PT Yellow - May 9 - 3:13 am

  I love my pale yellow PT. Its really a head turner. The car is so comfortable to drive. Its peppy. The ride is absolutely firm and first rate. Material quality is very good. This car is really quiet on the freeway. And, I got a lot of really great equipment with the PT. Be sure to get a Touring level with the Signature Package. The chrome wheels look great with the car. The Boston Acoustics Sound System is a must as is XM Radio. I am really doing to enjoy this car a lot. I was not expecting this much WOW factor.

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  not happy with 06 improvments - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Toledonana - May 7 - 9:33 pm

  Ive had 2 Croozers, 00 and 02, and the 06 seats are awful!! I was so disappointed when I test-drove I may go look for an 05 instead. It feels like youre sitting ON the car now instead of IN it. Theres less headroom than before and the whole interior feels smaller. Im 56" 220 and Im not comfortable in this car anymore...it makes me cry! Ive got to hold down the cost so I cant go for a Limited or GT with their adjustable seats, even if I knew it would help! Ive even looked into getting the seats rebuilt aftermarket but its crazy that I have to even consider it. I love the rest of the car but the seat problem is too big to ignore. What a shame they improved the wrong thing.

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  Awesome!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Kenle - May 7 - 7:56 am

  My new chrysler 300 is absolutely, the best car I have ever had! Drives smooth and comfortable as if floating on air AND has guts that tears into the road. Phenominal. VERY cozy interior that hauls everyone in comfort with plenty of leg room!

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  Medicore at best - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By iso - May 5 - 11:35 pm

  I bought my Sebring Convertible with 98K on it. Not new, I know. My biggest complaint is oil issues. The oil light came on, I took it in and they replaced the oil sending unit. 10 miles later, it came on again. Every mechanic I took it in to gave me a different explanation and a different price. I drove it for a year with the light on. The rear window broke and cost around $1000 to replace. The turning radius is horrid. The interior of the door came away from the door. Crappy Chrysler quality. It was fun to drive, but a headache overall. Im buying Japanese next time.

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  Vrroooom! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Philip - May 5 - 11:19 pm

  MOPAR or no car, my 300C has been a terrific car. Great power, superb ride, beautiful looks. Had one issue early on with o-rings in the transmission cooler line, but that was fixed under warranty. Thats what I get for power braking! No problems since other than a minor electrical problem with the passenger side rear view not returning from curb view when coming out of reverse.

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  Love my cruiser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Tom Whitney - May 5 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed my cruiser the last 18 months. I have had no problems at all.