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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  great car! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By clcs - November 30 - 10:00 am

  I am very please with this car. I look forward to trying out its performance in the snow this winter. It was a great choice. I love the look and performance.

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  Great first car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By critty - November 30 - 10:00 am

  This is my first new car out of college and its been wonderful. It is very stylish, holds a ton of stuff in the back, and its very affordable. Some say its sluggish, but that didnt stop me from getting a ticket for 20 mph over the first week I owned it :)

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  BEWARE...may cause rubber necking! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By WolfpackFB4 - November 30 - 10:00 am

  Beware of all the attention you are going to get if you purchase this car. Not only does it command people to stare at you, but the ride is unbelievable for the price of the car. I have a 5 speed manual and it shifts very smooth in and out of gears. The acceleration is excellent. Handles well in rain and will not leak like other convertibles. My only complaint is the factory stereo. Very cheap. Noise is limited with the top down. I would say this is one of the funnest cars Ive ever driven. I used to laugh when I heard there was a PT Cruiser club. Now Im seriously considering joing it. I love the car that much. Only regret is I didnt buy it sooner.

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  MY THIRD 300 300E-300M-300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By TTIME - November 30 - 10:00 am

  AUTO HAS GREAT LOOKS, PLENTY OF ROOM, SOLID AND QUIET. DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR BEST BUY AVAILABLE TODAY. ALSO BETTER MILAGE THAN MY 300M. AND MUCH BETTER THAN MY 1959 300E,

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  Getcha one! - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Sarah - November 30 - 5:56 am

  People definitely have a "love-hate" relationship with the pt cruiser style; they either love it or they hate it. I, of course, loved it. When it first came out in 2001 it was too pricy for me but when I realized how steeply the price had dropped I had to have it. My previous vehicle was an SUV and this was an EASY change for us, a family of three. The cruiser is at least as roomy and much, much more fun. Ive always loved the exterior which hasnt changed much over the years and was pleasantly surprised with the interior of the 2006 as well. This car feels, rides and handles great. I cant believe the price is as low as many MUCH less impressive vehicles.

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  Awesome car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Garrett - November 28 - 6:30 am

  I always wanted a Chrystler 300 so when i finally got approved i went and bought myself one and i havent and probly will never have any regretts accept that i didnt get one sooner !

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  2006 Review - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Frank - November 25 - 1:56 am

  Thought I would offer my comments on a 2006 Pacifica as there is so little information on them. I had ordered mine on the first day they accepted Fleet orders and took delivery five days ago. Already have almost 600 miles on it. The biggest complaint I had heard related to fuel economy. So far I have averaged about 20.6 MPG. It has been a mixture of city but mostly highway driving. It is a joy to drive and my kids were wild about the way it looks. .

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  Beats the XC90 Price and Otherwise - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By The Griswold Family - November 16 - 10:00 am

  After comparing the Pacifica with the Volvo XC90 (a direct competitor), we decided to save $15000 and go with the Pacifica. With its Mercedes M300 engine and full safety features, it was a great buy at $38000 (at invoice). This was the AWD model with navigation, DVD, and every option available. We love it and look forward to many years of enjoyment. We also bought the all- inclusive 7 year/100,000 mile extended warranty for just over $1000, negotiated down from almost $2000. It pays to bargain!

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  Luv it! - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Scott - November 14 - 1:16 am

  I had a 2000 Camry and wanted something sporty looking. I am 66" and I needed something I could fit in. Sitting down is a little tricky to not hit my head but after getting in there is plenty of room. I looked at a Crossfire but too small. I looked at Corvettes but too small. Then I tried a 300 and it was just right! A warning . . . . do not try to learn about the dash displays while driving! There was an incident my second day of ownership due to me looking at the dash and steering wheel and not looking at the red light! Mine is red and you do not see many of those. I am 66 years old and I have had a 1967 GTX and a 1965 GTO and 1963, 1968 Sport Furies and a nice 1967 Satellite, and many many other cars but this is the best next to the 1967 Satellite! The Satellite was just Bad Ass with a 4 spd and 383 Magnum. The 300 is also Bad Ass and very fun to drive and gets lots of glances! Prolly my last car!

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  love it - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By joe petty - November 13 - 12:30 pm

  love this car. I have owned a lot of cars but this is my favorite.After almost one year of owning it still no problems. Could not be happier with this car.