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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  Its a different on the road - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Simon Wu - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I owned at least 10+ Chrysler vehicles, the Pacifica is totaly different on the road, the interior design is so beautiful, I love the seat position for the best, unlike other Chrysler products I drove before, the height and support are just like Volvo, firm but very comfort, the cabin is so quite on the highway, I cna believe it moved at 85 mph, the only thing Im not sured is the Japeness style of power window button, they operated just opposite of the direction what I used to do, overall Im very impressed of the initial quality of the Pacifica, I can find anything wrong in the 1st 30 days of the ownership

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  Real Surprise - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Doug Brown - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Turning in a 2000 Jaguar XJR for a Pacifiac was painful, but necessary to meet our needs. Waht a pelsant surprise when the real drivability and finish matched the test drives.

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  Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By tom tommy - September 26 - 10:00 am

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  A Vehicle That Works - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By BWeid - September 26 - 10:00 am

  The Pacifica is the vehicle our family needed. We had a new Audi A6 and the comfort was just not there for all of us. For me the sacrifice was in performance going from a luxury sedan with a turbo and manual transmission, but the payoff was in a wonderfully roomy feel like we were all together to enjoy the ride, not just take it. My wife says its the perfect car for her...we have plenty of room for luggage on trips now...two kids in the back and once were there two extra seats open up....we both really love it!

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  BEST CAR CHRYSLER HAS BUILT - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By TIMOTHY BUDDEN - September 26 - 10:00 am

  PERHAPS THE BEST VEHICLE CHRYSLER HAS BUILT. NOTHING COMPARES TO THE QUALITY OR RIDE. THERE WILL BE NO FOREIGN COMPETITION IF THIS QUALITY CONTINUES.

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  Love em bought two - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Rhonda1 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This car is the most fun, I bought one for me and one for my daughter ( whose 19 yrs old). Great in town and on the road, through the mountains and flat ground too. Big trucks dont intimidate me and my PT is small enough I can get through LA traffic without batting an eye. Ive never had a car that gives me more joy. I would recommend it to any and all. I also like the fact that I have almost as much hauling room as I did with my Lumina Van.

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  I Love My PTC - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Chipjag - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Other than routine oil and filter changes, all Ive done is turn the key and drive. It has never missed a beat and has been driven for extended periods in all terrains. Pleanty of room for kids to golf clubs. Fuel economy is acceptable but could be a bit higher to be perfect. Opt for the cloth seats. They clean easily and appear extremely durable. Great for any member of the family and does not hog garage space.

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  Im in Love! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By AnaV - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I love my car and so do most people who have seen it. I have not encountered any other Platinum models in my area. It is a very fun car and just too cool!

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  2004 LIMITED SEBRING CONVERTIBLE - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By gllarrabee - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Just in the 3 weeks we have had the car I can say I am really impressed. I bought it for the wife for her birthday, its blue with a tan top. The car almost drives itself. and its fun putting the top down and going for a drive. We have already gone to Montery, Pebble Beach, and lake Tahoe. The car just wants to go for a ride, so we havnt been home the last three week-ends. I like the auto stick for hills and curves. It also has a secure feeling ride. This is the first Chrysler I have ever owned and Im glad I took a chance, very suprised with it all the way around.

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  Dont miss out on fun with comfort - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Rakrak - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I waited for a convertible that was reasonably priced, good looking, reliable. I wanted the top to move up and down easily without much air noise. This is it! I love this automobile and now everyone wants to ride in MY car. The sound system is good and I can talk in a normal voice to the front passenger when the top is down. I was amazed at the gas mileage.