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 2 month review - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By payday - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Pacifica as a business car to replace a 2001 Buick LeSabre. Im in sales and spend a lot of time in my car, 25K to 30K annually. Im also a big man and needed a car big enough to feel comfortable in for so many hours at a time. Pacifica gave me all the room I needed, both laterally for hips and shoulders, as well as lots of leg and foot room. I can extend my left foot under the brake pedal and lock my left knee straight out. Not bad room for someone 63". Interior wise, theres as much room across the front as my LeSabre. Front passenger leg and seat room are also outstanding. Back seat room in the bucket seats is amazing.

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  Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By vic1 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Handles the road great, drives like a dream. Sits up high enough that you can see clearly, but not so high that you have to "climb" in and out.

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  Pacifica - What is It ? - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JJDuffer - July 21 - 2:00 am

  So far, so good ..... Interior design is top notch, ride is smooth and much better than previoius Crysler product (2001 Sebring LXI) ...... Gas mileage good be better ...... What is this vechicle ? A car , van, station wagon or SUV ? No one seems to know for sure. Seems to have alot of benz like qualities ............

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  pacifica review - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jlopez - July 21 - 2:00 am

  The Pacifica is very roomy, though the rear seat is only good for short people and for short rides, has good leg space, but not ample head room. It is very functional when we are by ourselves for our hobbies, when our college kids visit, and to transport large items and our big dog. It is very nice to drive and the bucket seats counldnt be more comfortable. It has enough power and i like the fact that it drives more like a car. The visibility in rear needs improvement, its difficult to back up and see well behind you. It feels solid and i like the safety rating, since its important for me to drive a safe car.

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  great ride - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By PENandMIC - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Much more than a minivan. As comfortable as a full size car. More fun to drive than any other suv or minivan.

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  Pacifica should get higher ratings - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ao5ed - July 21 - 2:00 am

  We travel from LA to Colorado a few times a year so we wanted something that could handle the snow and our gear, would still be comfortable and would get better milage that the big SUV we had. We got it. This car is amazing. It handles beautifully, is fun to drive, has a much better interior design than any of the other crossovers we tested (Including the SRX) and we got a great deal on it. We did a lot of research and test driving. We were willing to spend the money for the Cadillac, but liked this better. This is the best of the crossovers.

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  Best initial quality Ive ever experienc - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jeepjcp - July 21 - 2:00 am

  DaimlerChrysler has a winner here. Whereas it may be slightly underpowered it certainly has enough to do what I need. Comfortable, stylish,economical--- what more could anyone ask for?

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  PT Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Joeyavh - July 21 - 2:00 am

  When I first say the PT Cruiser, I was sceptical. I wasnt sure if it could bring all of my freinds around, and still have everyone in comfort. But when I finally went out and purchased it, I was proven wrong. This car is large on the inside, and has a great sound system. The moonroof that is included is a freat feature, althogh I did put in the extra for automatic and also for the ABS braking disk on the front. I also got the heated leather / suede seats which I really appreciate on all of those colder nights. I would reccommmed this car to anyone who is looking for a stylish, roomy, and still sporty car.

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  Love my PT - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PT IN BKLYN - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. I fell for the design, and must say I get more compliments from people that ride in it. It is easy to park,like a small car but has plenty of headroom inside, and feels like a big car. All the buttons on the dash(windows,etc) was hard getting used to, but is a great feature and adds to safety during driving. I would and will get another PT.

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  Great Value - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By richiet - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my second sebring convertible and third Chrysler Convertible. They get better with each one. I Use the car all year. It is reliable comfortable and fun. Build quality and materials are very good.