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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  I LOVE my Pacifica! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Beth - March 22 - 9:14 pm

  I was shocked to hear when this car was being discontinued because I absolutely love it! However, I do wish it got better gas. I average about 18 mpg between highway/city. I have taken this on road trips around the country with my family and friends. My last one was last summer and was about 5,000 miles long. Nobody has EVER complained about comfort, but instead prefer to ride in my car because it IS so comfortable. I love the navigation in the dash though mine is currently not reliable. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. I think the player gets dirty. In the 5 years Ive owned it, I have had to replace the front window regulators once each.

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  After four months - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Don - March 22 - 3:45 pm

  Still love the vehicle. We had to get use to the color (Marine Blue Pearlcoat) but after a while it grows on you. The interior is very comfortable. The sound system is good and the DVD entertainment is very clear. With the 255 horsepower engine and a 4500 lb vehicle, the gas mileage is something that we will accept and live with. Overall, I wish I had bought one sooner. Ours came off of a Chrysler lease with 20,155 miles, remaining factory warranty and a 80,000 mile 6 year power train coverage.

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  Review of 97 Concorde - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Mike P - March 22 - 11:04 am

  I have owned this car for about a year now, bought it used with 440,000 km on it, it now has almost half a million. No major problems at all. Changed brakes, oil, and a few other routine items, but an easy fix for someone with a little DIY experience. The 3.5 L V6 has awesome power and the transmission is very solid. I have driven this car across Canada three times now and all 3 have been without any problems. Very pleased with this car!!

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  Speedboat - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By rollin59 - March 21 - 10:40 pm

  This is a superb car. I was looking for a late model fast, V8 powered sporty car, looked at 07-09 Mustang GT and Camaro. Mustang rides like a lumber wagon on rough roads. Camaro has too little head room and both had kind of chintzy interior. A friend who has a Magnum kept raving about the 5.7 Hemi with multi-displacement. Short story, I test drove a 300C Hemi and wound up buying a low mileage lease return. So far (1 month) a great car.

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  Stuck drivers seat - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By pacifica - March 21 - 9:56 pm

  My driver seat is stuck in the forward mode, it will not go back, so when I drive it I need to struggle to get in. When I have to get out is a nightmare! I have almost pulled my shoulder out of its socket trying to pull myself out of the car. I pray I dont get in a accident because the paramedics wont be able to get me out of the car. My concern is when this happens is there an emergency release button that can be pressed? Please let me know.

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  I love this car - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ali Rodriguez - March 20 - 3:01 pm

  I have this car since 09. i never had any problem with it. The only thing is that i m starting to listen a strange noise when i switch it from park to drive..

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  Uncomfortable - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By patriot - March 18 - 9:40 pm

  We bought the car to haul the family around. However, it is so uncomfortable that we end up taking two vehicles every where. I would never recommend this vehicle to anybody with a family bigger than 4. Also get poor fuel mileage. Not super reliable either

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  Dream to Drive, Nightmare to Own - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By diblasi - March 16 - 10:53 pm

  This car was fast, had great European styling [i.e. Carbon Fiber dash, Xenon Headlamps & Turn Signals on the Mirrors]. It was great on the interstate or letting loose on county roads. However, I got to drive dealership loaners more than I got to drive this car. Purchased with 18,000 miles on it. This car had been babied & I babied it. It leaked transmission fluid non-stop. Thankfully I had a warranty, it was a $100 deductible each time it went in [7 total] which got to be steep but not as bad as the $1,100 they wouldve charged without the warranty. The problem never got fixed & I ended up trading the car in.

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  Very Lucky - 2002 Chrysler Voyager
  By lisad - March 15 - 8:12 pm

  We bought this van when it was 3 yrs old, it has been so reliable. Once it hit 140,000 miles, we had to start replacing items water pump, both front wheel bearings, rotors, valve cover gasket and transmission pump. Its now "brand new" again, no way ill get rid of it. This is so comfortable, sturdy and easy to drive. In town gas mileage is TERRIBLE, highway is great

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  I was wonder what that problem was! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Shon - March 13 - 9:11 pm

  I bought the car in April of 09, I thought it was beautiful inside and out. It had about 33000 mi on it then and about 43000 now. I didnt have frequent oil changes because the car was constantly eating up oil. I couldnt figure it out, I didnt have any evidence of oil leaks in my driveway. But know that I have read some of the reviews I see that this is a standard problem along with cracks in the tires, the visibility issue with the pillars, and the noise that is heard when the back windows are down (horrible). I love my car, but I think Im gonna take it easy on it until I can sadly trade it in for something else. I have had many lemon vehicles in the past, so I want out before it gets worse.