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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  If you like to turn heads - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By LuvMySebring - March 8 - 2:00 am

  then you will love this car. I really enjoy driving it. Very sharp. Keep in mind that this is NOT a sports car so dont expect it to drive like one. Yes, the turn radius is a bit wide, but again it is a MID SIZED car. If you find yourself whipping u-turns alot maybe you should invest in a map....??? Back seat is sufficient, but would not want to be back there on a ride over a couple hours. Very low profile, have to take it easy parking and going into/out of parking lots - easy to scrape up the front. Issues with brakes and rims can be addressed, do a google search.....several sites dedicated to the car with tons of great info on all the little quirks!

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  I have been fortunate........... - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Moparfan - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Unlike some of the reviews Ive read here, I have nothing but good things to say about my 300M. Purchased used in 12/2001, it has been perhaps the most trouble free American car I have ever owned. In the 25,000 plus miles I have driven it, the only repairs needed were a driver power window switch and a control module for the seat/radio/mirror memory. Because I was fortunate enough to have purchased an extended warranty, my out of pocket cost was zero. Im only sorry Chrysler has chosen to end its production. With only a few minor revisions, it could have soldiered on for a few years yet.

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  Gute Auto - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bill White - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Very stylish, well engineered.

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  great but can be better - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By vtwinnie - March 8 - 2:00 am

  A very good vehicle in need of a few improvements to make it a leader. Great room, fit & finish, all bells and buttons are great, good sound, auto adjust seats good, load level; tire pressure,push button rear hatch good.

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  excellent - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By terrygb - March 8 - 2:00 am

  what an outstanding vehicle for any type of person family, single, man or woman

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  A Whole New Breed of Car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By J M Brown - March 8 - 2:00 am

  My wife was tired of mini-vans, but we needed room for kids and things. We also live on a farm and need better road ability in snowy winters. This all-wheel drive package from Daimler Benz and Chrysler really does it. The ride is fantastically smooth and the handling makes it fun to drive. Everyone who rides in the car is wowed by it. A real home run for Daimler Chrylser

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  Awesome - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Rolo/Robo - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I went from a mini van to the Pacifica. It has more room than my mini van. I have 2 sons that are both teenagers and need lots of room. They love sitting in the bucket seats and have more than enough leg room. They do not feel cramped at all. I love the convience of the rear latch opener. It handles well on the road and the options included are superior!

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  Pacifica 2004 - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Art Johnson - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I found the vehicle quite responsive and causing a great deal of questions and attention. The mignight blue color shows every piece of dirt or smear. Do not recommend. The interior leather is a beautiful piece of design and work. Small thing, but I love the analog clock. In former cars, I had great difficulty reading the digital types. I have only driven 1100 miles so take my critique with a grain of salt,

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  great vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By rattler - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful vehicle, but the engine needs more power. Dont get me wrong, the Pacifica has enough power for most driving needs, but it seems like it could use a few more horsepower.

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  I LOVE MY PACIFICA! ITS THE BEST SUV - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By M.WILLIAMS - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Before purchasing my PACIFICA, I test drove and did extensive research on myriad SUVS. The PACIFICA had the highest crash test and customer ratings. I chose the PACIFICA for its performance and style and smooth ride. Ive had my fully loaded Pearl Jade PACIFICA for two months. I live in a city where there are horrible streets. The SUV drives smooth like a luxury car; I can hardly feel the bumps (craters) in the streets. The SUV has everything that I want and is beautifully designed. I am very happy with my SUV. I sit in the vehicle a little longer in the garage and drive a little more, just to be in my PACIFICA.