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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  Dont Want To Get Out Of It! - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Burtis - May 13 - 12:13 pm

  totally comfortable vehicle. plenty of interior room, great horsepower, stereo system is topshelf, all interior features easily accessible. Great vehicle to drive on both short and long trips.

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  Pacifica in NYC - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By bklynboy - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Having two toddlers, I was looking into an MDX truck or Honda Odyssesy Minivan. Unfortunately, I opted for the new Chrysler Pacifica--it looks better than it drives-I also got more for my money than a foreign car--so I thought! I get alot of "whats that car?" Little do they know- After an extra $7,000 on the top of the MSRP I thought I hit a homerun. Well it was a foul ball....Let me begin. It bottoms out, can not see rear view parking-mirrors should adjust, as there should be a camera in the rear for parking into my navigation system, this "crossover" is eating my gas with no power.

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  NEW OWNER - 2001 Chrysler LHS
  By big gal - May 13 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my LHS a couple months now and so far I love it! I did get a manufacturers recall to replace some bolts on the drivers seat but other than that, so far so good!

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  Honest assesment - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Geconio - May 13 - 2:00 am

  Great value for the money with plush features and powerful engine with STRONG TORQUE

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  Awesome Sedan - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Rich Smith - May 12 - 2:00 am

  I have owned beamers and audis that have a much high price tag, but they simply cannot compare to the overall value which the 300M has offered me. It is more car for the money, I have 99000 miles on mine and have not had one problem!!

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  READ THIS!! ITS TRUE!! - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By dkny - May 12 - 2:00 am

  small to big,... fast to sluggish,.. Ive owned them all. The absolute,overall favorite is the Chrysler 300M. Fast, sexy, comfortable, nimble, logical, fun, uncommon, and nearly as beautiful as the perfect woman. Curves in the right places, predictable attitude, a dream to be with, enviable from every angle, fast and precise with a full throttle voice to die for. A perfect specimen, especially when topless. Soft in the right places and graciously endowed with the right equipment. Push the right buttons and get ready for the ride of your life.

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  WOW - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Daniella - May 12 - 2:00 am

  I just got the car and it is amazing! The handling is incredible, the maneuvering so easy, and it is so smooth and quiet. The sound system is crystal clear and the entire thing feels so luxurious and safe. I am a younger driver and it is very important for me to have an extremely well made car for safety reasons. This car is so high quality its unbelievable. So fun to drive, I find myself looking for places to go!

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  PT Cruiser Convertable - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Van Johnson - May 9 - 2:46 am

  I havent own this long , but it seems to be ( for the price ) ok. I do feel it bounce around when you hit bumps in the road and if your not use to it ,it will scare you . The fuel mileage isnt that good ( to me anyways ),you only get about 16 to 17 miles to the gallon in the city ( with a strong tail wind ) I gave up a 2002 Monte Carlo which avg. 19 miles to the gal. in the city for this and would never do it again !!! This is my WIFES car and she LOVES it !, so as long as she is happy, I can Put up with it!!

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  Paul - 2002 Chrysler Voyager
  By Pratyush - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Great mini Van. Drove 40K miles so far in 2.5 years, 1st year was 24k miles, only the battery went dead once. I did regular oil change, and free tire rotation in SAMs/Costco. Fun to drive, lot more space, highly reliable, never had a problem so far. Big driving comfort, elbows are rested while you drive. I use only regular gas. Drove in heat and snow...in Texas and NJ, its built tough.

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  2004 Pacifica Personal Experience Review - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Alexander Rivera - May 7 - 2:00 am

  The 2004 Chrysler Pacifica handles well on the road and off-road. The comfort of the vehicle is phenominal except for the last row seating leg room, and its interior amenities are quite impressive.