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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  Get a good warranty Gold - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Breeze - March 21 - 2:00 am

  I REALLY like this ride.Ive had some of the problems descibed in some of the other reviews (windows,trans sensor,rubber around headlights) but the car is AWESOME. The milage is great and the comments are nice to hear.There are all the cookie cutter cars out there, not this one, very distintive.GO FOR IT. P.S. Get one with the sun roof and sound system upgrade, worth the extra dough, good resale .

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  My Convertible - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By notirish - March 21 - 2:00 am

  This was my first convertible and I have had fun with the car. I have had it for almost 5 years and it is holding up well. The only problems were handled under warranty and some routine maintenance. Sometimes I wish it was a bit shorter and had better visibility with the top up.

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  Nice Vehicle - 2002 Chrysler Voyager
  By RickGilly - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Nice, Like the power sliding door, If I were to buy again I would have had the dealer put in the Video System

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  Chrysler Pacifica AWD-almost a home run. - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By wkelly - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my AWD Pacifica in Nov.03 and am happy overall. Driving it is highly enjoyable.Acceleration could be improved by reducing vehicle weight or increasing the engine output for better performance.Handling is where the Pacifica really shines.Very little body roll in turns & little squat or dive. Functionality is excellent with good versatility and ease of use for most controls.Entry & exit is good for front & rear passengers with wide & tall doors. The drivers seat incorporates an Easy Exit function (slides rearward upon key removal). My final rating is "A-" for this vehicle.

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  Very happy! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Hjacobson - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I am very satisfied with the Pacifica -- it handles well and is very comfortable with all of the amenities of a luxury vehicle. We bought it fully loaded and enjoy everything from the DVD to the leather seats. The gas mileage is better than our last vehicle (Jeep Grand Cherokee) and the ride is much smoother. Little things, such as the ease of putting the seats down and accessing the third row, make it a much better experience than we had even realized when we purchased it. All in all, a great vehicle at an amazingly low price.

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  nice surprise - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jaj - March 19 - 2:00 am

  The base FWD car has all I need in options. It is a very solid and comfortable wagon (crossover?)..highway driving is very comfortable. Only 2 complaints... windshield defroster could be better- corners dont defrost and put a compass on the base model..dont need 2 clocks on dash or radio controls on steering wheel.

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  I LOVE MY PACIFICA - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By MARILYN SIMONS - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY PACIFICA. IT LOOKS GREAT. EVEN BETTER, LIVING IN WESTERN NY STATE WHERE IT HAS SNOWED EVERY DAY IN JANUARY, I FEEL VERY SAFE DRIVING IT. IT HAS HANDLED GREAT IN THE SNOW, I HAVE AVOIDED SKIDDING ON ICY ROADS AND IT STOPS ON A DIME. THE WIDE TIRES LOOK GREAT AND PERFORM GREAT. MY SON WANTS TO SWITCH VEHICLES WITH ME. HMMM- NO!

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  from a mothers point of view - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By savanna - March 19 - 2:00 am

  it doesn`t like cold weather.the starter makes a noise when you first start it after sitting all night.i`ve had to have a tire sensor replaced on it after having the tires rotated.

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  Love the car! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By chrissie - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I love the car! With the extras it was closer to $38,000. Plenty of room - love the 3rd row - very easy to lay flat. More stylish than our mini-van.

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  great car, reasonably priced - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By agordon404 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Have had Pacifica for 2 months, lots of snow driving. fwd very adaquate. Rides smooth and very quiet, 17 in wheels and long wheel base compared to others is a good thing. I highly recomend the Pacifica.