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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  Disappointed with Dodge - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By linda of georgia - September 5 - 11:26 am

  I bought the pt cruiser because I liked the cute body style. I also trusted Dodge that it would last and hold its value. I was wrong. It did not last, the brakes were bad in just a few weeks, the plugs and wires wore out quickly, and now the timing chain has slipped, which is a great cost to me. The worst part of the deal is that Its value has decreased so badly that I cannot get a decent trade in value on any car. I feel I was ripped off and sold a car at an exorbatant price, that the dealer knew would not be worth its owed value when I wanted to trade. I am disappointed and feel the car industry has lived up to its reputation of over charging and over-representing used cars.

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  BEST CAR I EVER OWNED - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By REVILO - September 5 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR IS SO AWESOME ...WHAT MORE CAN I SAY ...HANDLES LIKE THE ROAD WAS MADE OF GLUE...AND YOU CAN FEEL THE MERCEDES FEEL OF THE CAR ...I PRICED SLKS AND ENDED UP SAVING $7K ... THIS CAR IS A MUST HAVE CAR ...

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  a lot for the money - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Lou G - September 5 - 2:00 am

  The Car is a modern station wagon. The power isnt great, but it will do for a mother of 2 and 2 dogs. You have to be carefull of blind spots. About the same as any other SUV. Its unique, but will it last? It has to Mercedes bet a lot on it. Shares a lot of interior style with Mercedes. You get a lot of car for 35g. Much more than GM. The DVD is great. I give it high marks for toys...Average for power, good for ride. Dont pay more than invoice. They gave me 500 under plus 3000 cash back. They arent flying out.

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  Great Chrysler - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dwayne564 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Good alternative for a minivan, and not the mommy mobile.

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  Why I Love my Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By susan thurman - September 5 - 2:00 am

  We have fully enjoyed our Pacifica. We used it for a vacation from So. Dakota to California. We had 3 adults and 1 child 5 yrs old. We met my daughter and a friend in Calif. so we ended up as 6 people in car. My grandaughter was a joy to take and I think the comfort of the vehicle helped alot. Also having the dvd player kept her occupied. The gas mileage was good, both on highway and around town. The GPS system helped alot when we were in the Los Angles area. We had plenty of storage space and lots of foot room in the 3 row seat. We alsolutely love this vehicle, it is the first SUV we have every bought and I will definately buy another one in the future

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  I love my PT Cruiser! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Vera Conner - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Chrysler outdid themselves this year when they created the Dream Cruiser 2 in Tangerine Pearl Metallic. I have had more compliments on that car then any other car that I have owed in the last 20 years. My performance of the turbo exceeds anything that I have driven. Fun to drive!

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cypress77 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the most well rounded vehicle Ive ever owned - in my opinion, that makes it the best. For comfort, interior space, fun to drive, mileage, acceleration, low maintenance, it is at the top of its class. Several of my friends and family have purchased one after riding or driving mine :) It sells itself, I dont have to say a word.

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  PT Turbo - just plain fun - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By snagol1 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  We owned a 2001 PT. Our only complaint was lack of power. Then we got the 2003 Turbo. Wow! All I can say is what a pleasure it is to drive. The best part is the look on the faces of all the owners of the big V8s when I pass them.

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  2003 GT after one year -- love it! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PBCruiser - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Purchased the car last January, and it has been trouble-free through the 1st year. Turbo acceleration is excellent, throughout the RPM range. I love the electric blue!!! Low profile tires are a bit noisy, and transmit bumps too efficiently...

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  Silver Streak - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Yarvey - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Weve only had our PT Cruiser for a month, but its a great car. Its more fun to drive than anything we have owned. Its perfect for our older dog to get in & out of & being able to completely remove the seats makes it very versatile. Buy one - you wont regret it!