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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  My Toy - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JoeDav - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Interior well appointed and also very roomy. The ride compares to my 300M and so far seems very stable on the road. Fuel usage could be a little better and engine a little more powerful but I would considering buying another one. If you want to be noticed its one of the autos well suited to attract stares. Insurance Company gave great discount for multiple saftey features

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  Excellent car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By D.Green - March 26 - 2:00 am

  We started with an interest in the Subaru Forester. Both good cars, but this one really caught our interest. Larger than we had expected to want, but comfortable, smooth and a safe vehicle. Highly recommend the Pacifica!

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  Great Driving Experience - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By DiamondRem - March 26 - 2:00 am

  My overall experience with the PT Dream has been wonderful. All of my friends enjoy riding in the car because of the leg room and amount of passanger space available. Not to mention the ease of getting in and out of the vehicle.

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  3rd Chrysler convertible since 1990 - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By tmartindell - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 2004 Sebring limited only because an accident totalled the suspension of my 1998 Sebring. (that car had less than 70K miles and still looked new - even after the wreck. I was hoping for many, many more years. I took several long cross country roadtrips in the 98 - Highway 1, Yosemite, Vegas - what a way to travel. Three could fit in well and see the country. I look forward to similar trips in the 2004.

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  Cool looking!! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Karen1227 - March 25 - 7:36 am

  Actually it is hot looking, brilliant black with tinted windows. Handles great and feel confident driving down the freeway.

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  a bargin - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By happy owner - March 23 - 9:13 pm

  we bought our car for less than 11k brand new without any hassle. The car is a joy to drive and feels nothing like the bargain basement deal it was. We are thrilled with it. The car we trade in cost twice as much in 1998 and wasnt put together as well as our PT.

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  Cruisin in style - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By lee bolding - March 23 - 7:40 am

  Have only had good experiences with this auto .. Very solid heavy feel - holds the road well, good acceleration.

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  More features and fun for the bucks - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Paul Lower - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I have always owned convertibles from the Oldsmobile to the Mustang. I bought the 1997 Sebring JXi and traded in a Mustang 5.0. I have never regreted it. I just traded in the 1997 JXi and bought a 2003 Limited. Both are peppy, quiet, reliable, and look good. The rear seat and trunk space is great. No mechancial problems at all. Dealerships very good. Love the AutoStick(manual shifting for stop and go traffic. Created as a convertible...not a redo...double cloth water tight top. Gearing makes it fast from a stop.

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  classy luxury - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By moneyman - March 23 - 2:00 am

  great luxury car with sport car attitude and luxury grace. the best full size luxury car period.

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  Letter car - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By SpongeBob - March 22 - 2:00 am

  Stable highway, quick in city, average mileage is lower than stated 27/18, but still good. Maybe its my heavy foot. It was as good as my Cadillac, but the sporty tires are stiffer riding. Good balance.