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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  Chrysler 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Kevin - December 14 - 9:16 am

  Great vehicle.. I always get a lot of good comment about the car as it is unique to others.. It really stands out and its just a lot of fun to drive..

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  Crossfire Review, 2005 - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Robert Barclay - December 14 - 1:46 am

  The only drawback is that cant carry anything in the car, not even golf clubs (have to put in front seat). fantastic car to drive. I have people constantly come up and admire the car.

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  I love my PT GT! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By deborrini - December 13 - 1:03 pm

  I love love love my PT Cruiser GT. It is fun to drive and extremely comfortable. I have a pretty bad lower back, and this is the only car Ive ever owned that I can ride in for more than 20 minutes and not be in pain. Its also nice to see people turn their heads to look at my PT Cruiser when Im going down the road.

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  its a pleasure - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dbr - December 13 - 10:26 am

  2 years of ownership and to date have never had a problem--no need yet to return to the dealership. only complaint is of limited rear view and passenger side view on changing lanes. All told, this is a pleasure to drive and own.

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  04 Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jay09 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Troublesome vehicle, lots of electrical problems, problems the dealer has not been able to fix. Have taken it in 4 times now. Engine is underpowered for and does not feel very refined. Seating is not as flexible as I was hoping. Enormous blind spots.

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  BEST - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By sparks - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Weve owned 2 Land Rover Discoverys, and were about to get a BMW 3 series wagon, or Benz C-class wagon when we happened upon the Pacifica. Fotr the same price we got a larger, safer, more powerful and better appointed vehicle. The GPs in the speedometer is fantatsic, the heated second-row captains chairs are great, and the Infinity Intermezzo six-disc cd/dvd changer kicks! Pay another grand for the all- wheel drive, the differnce in MPG is negligible. This is our first "American" car and we love it!

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  NEVER met its equal! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By shopperfiend - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Between us weve had 22 vehicles from 1975-2003. Always looking for that luxury Named vehicle with the smooth comfortable ride, gadgets, styling & price. We didnt think wed ever find a vehicle with ALL this included. The salesman left us alone with the vehicle. That day, we traded our Volvo S80 for the Pacifica which has alllll those points wrapped in one vehicle. The smooth ride, gizmos galore, and fresh styling won us over immediately! We LOVE it!

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  Good performances - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Pete Johnson - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I was, at first disappointed, when I found that I did not have all of the items that I had assumed were present.It has a load of useful equipment.

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  remember the love of your fist car? - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By sunny hall - December 13 - 10:00 am

  If you can recall your very first car ,there was a special bonding between you and your car. over the years that seems to get lost along the way,it was with my wife and me until we got our crusier,the love of a car was reborn.

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  sweet ride from Phat city - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By spmcd - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I got the DreamCruiser2 because I didnt really want to mess around picking and choosing which extras I wanted on my turbo model. This has em all with two tone leather seats to boot. So much fun, its even better than I expected. The backseat is huge. I love the upright seating position and the Sirius sattelite radio. This car is great for long family trips. Fun for driver, room for two kids and their stuff. I absolutely recommend this car. I love mine more than I love pizza, and thats saying something.