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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  Love this car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Bill - July 16 - 4:10 pm

  Ive had this car for a month now and I love everything about it. The ride is very smooth. I find the seats very comfortable on long business trips. I upgraded the sound system to the multi- CD player and side curtain air bags. Everyone that sees this car loves it. Its as much fun to look at as it is to drive.

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  Cant stop driving. - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By jpsdesk - July 16 - 11:00 am

  I cant get enough drive time with this car. This car corners well, and the 3.5 v6 engine puts out great power. The wife and I get in on Saturday morning, put in a classical or oldies CD, crank up the volume and head out onto the Michigan back roads. I havent wanted to do this since I bought a new Chevy Nova Super Sport, back in 1972.

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  pacifica review part 2 - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By my wife - July 15 - 2:00 am

  first review on 10-15-03. since then have a problem with fuel gauge. can read up to quarter tank off. dealer re- wired both floats in the tank. it still doesnt read correct sometimes, but now it sounds like something is knocking around in the fuel tank.driver information center has never worked. i just found out i have it. vehicle is going back to dealer next week to address these items. wind buffeting very bad between 40-50 mph with moonroof open. outside trim warps a little, am worried about first 100 degree day. i also have had liftgate open when keys are placed in pocket.

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  Chrysler does not care..... - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Terry G. - July 15 - 2:00 am

  * I purchased this vehicle for my wife and 3 small kids. Getting use of the third/rear seat is dirricult. ***Next the radio is all static. My wife needs the local radio for school closings and such...we get alot of snow. Well when we brought the car in we were told that the radio is not working by the dealership. After wating 6 months for a solution they tell me that they will replace the antenna. They put it right where my cargo roof trunk would go and the radio still doesnt work right. Chrysler wont/doesnt return my calls.

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  driving excitement - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By bruce rosen - July 15 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is exciting to drive. The excitement lies in waiting to see what will go wrong next.

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  A fun car to drive - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By DonnaF - July 15 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Sebring. I love the style and performance.The only complaint I have is the way it handles in wet weather,ie:Snow .As for reliability, my cars have always been great with normal maintainence.I must admit this car is suited to my personality and will probably be my car of choice for a long time.

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  My First Convertable - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By janetta kleier - July 15 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is difficult to see certain blind spots when the top is up. Driver must be very careful chnaging lanes or pulling out of parking spots. Vehicle lenght and hood design makes seeing the front and back of vehicle difficult.

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  Chrysler Sebring Convertible - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By n. engle - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Love the vehicle. Needs two improvements. See below.

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  300C 1st One in Houston - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Fbal28 - July 15 - 2:00 am

  This car is amazing, turn the ESP off and you can light up the road. I never expected this much power from the 300C. The vehicle is drop dead gorgeous and a head turner!

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  Unhappy in Appleton - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Teo - July 13 - 5:16 pm

  This IS my first experience with any Chyrsler products. After waiting a additional year for the 06s to come out and then test driving a demo 300C AWD I thought I made a informed decision to purchase this vehicle. My vehicle finally arrived and I took delivery of it with 16 miles on the ODO. The excitement quickly turned to dissapointment in just ONE mile from the dealership! The vehicle had a SEVERE shudder and EXTREME pull to the right! 10 more miles the check engine light comes on! Long story-short-4 months--4000 miles and 16 visits to 3 dealerships and two tire dealers(2 sets of Continentals and tried one set of Goodyear Assurances) Problems STILL there! Even D-C has NO idea?? to the ??