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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  Exactly what I was looking for - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By pecorcoran - October 9 - 1:27 pm

  Just sold Chrysler 300C HEMI and am so happy with the Aspen HEMI. Exact combination of 300C, Pacifica and Crossfire that I was craving. Aspen drives so smoothly, great acceleration and thrust -- HEMI is the perfect engine for this SUV.

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  recall and other annoyances - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By pattycifica - October 9 - 10:00 am

  My new Pacifica had a "ghost" beep for two months before they found the problem. They changed the air bag module and the beep stopped. Then it shut off on me...the dealership did not yet know of the recall...when they did I was without my car for 4 days before it was fixed.

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  LOVE IT - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ALIEN ALIASW - October 9 - 10:00 am

  HEATED SEATS ARE FAB. COMFORTABLE AND PRETTY TOO.

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  Chrysler Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jantonice - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car around 2 months now and Ive had several annoying problems with some of the dasboard display mechanisms. I have had to have two components replaced in the first two months. Ive also had a recall already. The car is comfortable to ride in but a bit sluggish upon initial accelaration. It does very well in the snow which is the reason I purchased this SUV in the first place. It is also great for kids and pets.

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  I miss my Chrysler - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By deez - October 9 - 10:00 am

  The car was awesome. No complaints at all. For some reason, I traded in for an SUV. Boy, do I miss this car! I am still kicking myself in the head for trading it in!

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  luv my sebring - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By shali - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. the take off from lights is exceptional. the bucket seats are comfortable. the back seat is spacious, and give a comfortable ride.

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  I love this car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Maggie - October 9 - 10:00 am

  This is the most comfortable and easy to drive vehicle I have ever driven. I have driven a number of different cars but the Sebring is by far the best.

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  My first sports car!!! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Fort Laud SRT6 - October 8 - 8:15 pm

  Ive owned a black SRT6 for about 2.5 months now. I bought it as a weekend/fun car. Despite only coming in an auto tranny, this car will satisfy the power hungry... believe me. Friends that have ridden with me (and the few close friends who I trusted to give it a test drive) commented on the rapid acceleration, smooth shifting auto tranny & great handling/traction. It pulls hard & upshifts from 3rd to 4th around 105 or so at full throttle. Trust what the reviews say about it & ignore the very few negative reviews because its a superb performer. Also, consumers held off on buying these at an unfair 45K so they can be had for a reasonable 30-35K w/low milage!! I paid $30,600 w/3400 miles!!!

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  One Hot Car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Sandy - October 7 - 7:47 pm

  I love my Crossfire. Every where I go people ask about the car. I love to drive it, it really moves out when power is needed. The handling is great, and its very comfortable on long drives. I have had the car for 2 years and I havent even thought of dirving anything else. I love the interior and the exterior design. Overall the performance is great and I would highly recommend your readers to take one for a drive. But, be careful, as you may end up buying one!

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  300M to 300 Limited - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jim - October 7 - 2:46 pm

  Had a 99 300M with 47000 on it and loved the look and drivability. Limited was just a great looking car with overall appeal for its looks and reliability ratings.