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 My Xfi! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Brian - February 15 - 8:10 pm

  I had previously looked at them upon release but decided the price was a little too much. I JUMPED at the chance when the emp price was released on them. This car is almost perfect. There arent many in my area, so naturally everyone stares and asks me about it constantly. I cannot goto a gas station without someone talking to me about it. I demod an s2000, rx8 and a 350z before buying and decided on the smoother ride over that slight more power the 350 had. I can say this is a luxury sports car without hesitation. The service is a little pricey on the car, dont let a salesman fool you. I nearly died when I got a $125 oil change bill. (9qt synth and MB filter)

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  Very good car for my money - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By EuroBoy8 - February 12 - 1:49 am

  I bought my Sebring just a couple of months ago and i lov it. It hasnt given me any problems at all. The only thing i changed on it since i bought it was my stereo system, and tires, nothing else. FOr the price that i paied for my car i dont think i could have gotten a better deal. I love my Sebring!

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  Nice family alternative - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By waltculber - February 11 - 10:00 am

  Nice family alternative. It is fun to drive, beats the heck out of the old Caravan and still has most of the room

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  Excellent Automobile. - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JaimeCass82 - February 11 - 10:00 am

  The Pacifica rides so smooth. We enjoy taking road trips now because we know we can depend on it, also because it is a lot more fuel efficient than most other suvs/mini-vans. We also enjoy the power lift gate, instead of the standard. The leather seats give it a sporty look also great option is the heated seats.

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  Pleasure to drive - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By teacup - February 11 - 10:00 am

  I had a Lincoln Ls before this car and I can only say that I never though I would like a car better than a Lincoln.This car is just a dream to drive, its easy to get in & out of and drives very nice.

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  TURBO CRUISING - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ELAD - February 11 - 10:00 am

  I HAD A GT MUSTANG! BACK SURGERY FORCED ME TO SELL IT. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH TURBO. CRUISING IN THIS GT MAKES ME FEEL YOUNGER THAN THE GT MUSTANG! GREAT LOOKING AND FUN TO DRIVE!

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  Well done Chrysler! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By kencro69 - February 11 - 10:00 am

  Awesome vehicle! Never thought I would be driving a big sedan again, this car has changed my mind about rear wheel drive and sedans. Excellent fuel economy with such a powerful engine. By far best looking and performing vehicle for the price, or almost any price.

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  I love my Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Buffalo-kid - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I fell for the Pacifica while renting one on vacation in April. So, this summer I bought one! I loved how it had enough room for all the luggage of four adults that over-packed. I didnt even know there was a third row of seats under our luggage, until I started shopping for new SUVs. I had an SUV back home, and it rode like an SUV. In my Pacifica, I feel like im in the lap of luxury in my leather seat with the 10 way adjustment. Ive received so many complements on the look of the car, and they dont even know about all of the cool toys on the inside.

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  best car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jeff elzenny - February 7 - 10:00 am

  put it this way people stop me everywhere i go to tell me how much they love my 300c! In my eyes dont settle for less get the HEMI

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  The rocket sled! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By LincolnMan09 - February 3 - 5:13 am

  Cornering is "on rails". Power to spare and a pleasure to drive! The German engineering is awesome with the suspension features and great styling.