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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  2006 SRT8 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Maltese Missile - September 23 - 9:24 am

  Recently purchased used from Carmax with 8k miles. IMHO, this cars rides like a Mercedes, handles like a BMW, and has the power of a good old American muscle car! Beautiful!

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  Well worth considering - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jeff - September 22 - 10:43 am

  Owned this car for 2 years. Drove over 2000 miles this summer on trip with wife and two small kids. Great ride, comfortable, not bad gas mileage and enough space. For the features and luxury, very good value. Fairly reliable, never stranded. Biggest problem has been air pressure monitoring system - replaced 2x. In single car accident and no one hurt - very safe. Car repaired and like new.

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  to costly for what you get - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ellja - September 22 - 10:00 am

  bad blind spot with top up when looking over right or left shoulder. rear window to small. sport bar makes forward view from rear set diffecult. sports bar DOESNT CUT DOWN WIND OR NOISE to rear pass.

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  Pretty good vehicle - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ken R - September 21 - 11:26 pm

  So far the Pacifica has performed pretty well. My wife drove it for the first 3 months that weve had it but she has issues with seeing out the back. We just got a Chrysler Town and Country. I now drive the Pacifica. It replaces the Pontiac Grand Prix GTP that I have been driving for the last few years. The Grand Prix performed much better than the Pacifica but is no where near as comfortable as the Pacifica.

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  I Love mine ! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PTCruizer51534 - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive added a few things and enjoyed everything the factory saw fit to include. The handling is great and the roominess is good even for my 300 lb self! I can get in and out very easy and it is quite comfortable to take on long trips.... this is my second and I cant wait for my third! The convertible WILL be mine as soon as its available!

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  Great little car - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By itsbish - September 20 - 10:00 am

  The car is fun to drive and we bought it to pull behind motorhome. The car still gets alot of looks from people and the fun factor for the price is an added bonus.

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  Love my Crossfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Brent - September 15 - 2:30 pm

  I love the car. Acceleration is off the chart. Its an attractive, eye catching sports car that is great fun to drive. If you buy, be prepared to be stared at. People will break their neck for a look. I purchased in Houston at $15,000 off the sticker for a new car with 90 miles on the odometer and full factory warranty. My wife and I broke it in on a 600 mile roadtrip from Houston to Amarillo. The car handled beautifully and was actually much more comfortable than expected. On cruise control, the car easily handled the hills with no downshift ever. Passing capability is awesome. Negatives so far; very stiff suspension, limited rear view and the dang cupholder.

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  Still Love It, 5 Years Later - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Tracey - September 12 - 8:52 pm

  Bought my 02 Chrysler Sebring 4D Sedan brand new for just under $16K. No problems except for a bad battery. Comfy car, great stereo, smooth ride. Only complaint is gas mileage. With stop and go traffic in Atlanta, I only get about 21/22 miles per gallon. But, other than that, Im a happy customer. Will probably buy a Sebring convertible when (if??) my 02 ever wears out... this is the first non- import car Ive ever owned and I have no complaints!

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  Complaints - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Lorna - September 11 - 10:00 am

  purchased 10/03.the rear sits too high and back corner panels block vision during backup. huge blind spots. front passenger seat sits too high makes it difficult to get into for tall person. gas milage terrible. comfy cruiser for long trips but would not buy it again.

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  Chrysler Convert - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dc-in-Colorado - September 11 - 10:00 am

  My wife loved it the first time she saw it, up to now you couldnt pay me to own a Chrysler. We went on vacation in June and the Pacifica was available as a rental. I figured wed drive it for a couple of weeks and that would get it out of my wifes system. Then we could get on with buying something worth owning; like a BMW or a Mercedes. I have to admit we both liked it, It just seemed a little plain. We held off till August to look at a 2005. The dealer was able to get us everything we wanted; color, interior, nav system, dvd, air-bags, etc... Weve put 5k on it so far. The ride is great, performance is good, I like it more every day. This cars a winner