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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  chryslerc error pacifica 2005 - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Help - September 4 - 12:46 am

  car was alright for the 1t few days .. within a month i started having problems with it . while driving the car would shut off... in the middle of the road or no matter where im at the car would shut off completely had a few close calls.. its a very scary thing the steering wheel starts to be very difficult to control it locks and the car turns off.. took it back to car dealer they cannot find anything ... this has happened 3-4 times so far ... called chrysler directly they did nothing.... would like to know if anyone else had similar experiences. thank you

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  LHS a grand automobile - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By steve birns - September 3 - 2:00 am

  This as a great car for people who like to have fun. Itd very comfortable, reliable and very quick. It has all the amenities you could need.

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  Great Car - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By detreeman - September 2 - 2:00 am

  It is not much you can say about a car unless you drive it. i drove from alabame to winston-salam n.c. the car surprised me it is worth every penny and more

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  I like this car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bush Baby - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I really like this car. I think that it rides as quietly as a mercedes. My husband drives my old car and I always think a window is open now. However, there is a considerable blind spot because of the back side panel. I love and wouldnt trade it for the world. Who would have thoud me a station wagon girl.

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  My PT - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By 1jerry1 - September 1 - 10:00 am

  We bought a PT to fill a void in our transportation needs. We needed a vechicle that we could take others in. All out other vechicles only transported 2 people. Also we did not want to spend a large amount on a car that would be used very little. This car will carry 4 adults and a child very comfortably and it rides like a much bigger automobile. Also a luxury equiped model with all the options was priced fairly. Fuel economy and performance are adequate but not impressive. Style, comfort, handling, and versatillity are great. Very quite inside as long as all windows and sunroof are closed. A very well designed vechicle and no problems at all.

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  Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By :0 - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Its Great Overall! Its comfortable, and an excellent car to drive.

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  Love it forever - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jolene Cox - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Great car, love to drive it, smooth, classy. Get alot of looks and wows.

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  great car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By dprimo - September 1 - 10:00 am

  excellent dealer/salesman car has started to pull to right I will be contacting dealer and am waiting to see how quickly they can resolve this issue.

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  Outstanding vehicle for money - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By very happy owner - September 1 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle will blow your mind. From the sticker price to actual ownership I cannot recommend this vehicle enough. I feel as if I am driving a Mercedes without the big payment to go with it. I have owned many many vehicles but have never driven a vehicle that turns so many heads. This car drives like a dream. I still cannot believe that I own a Chrysler because I never even noticed them, but I will be a proud owner for many years to come. Test drive one and you will see what I mean.

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  DRIVING IN STYLE - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By BIGWILL - September 1 - 10:00 am

  THE CAR IS SIMPLY TREMENDOUS!!!