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 Char - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Its a great riding car. Its very heavy so I feel very safe in it. The quality of workmanship is there. It could use a little more power but the weight holds it back and once you get going its great. The radio and disc player has great sound feels like you are at a concert.

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  MOST ENJOYABLE - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By BRUCE DIAMOND - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for a replacement of a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited and was test driving many vehicles that were in this price area that would be a good replacement. The dealer let me test drive for 20 miles both in city and interstate conditions and that really impressed me with comfort & handling. I have a back injury and many vehiles are not easy to get in and out but this is the easist of any I tested,

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  Over the Mountains - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By SoutheasternEyeCare - September 22 - 2:00 am

  We needed a vehicle that would get us between two clinics in a mountainous area that is a major route used by many 18 wheeler coal trucks,etc.We ended up with a new Pacifica,which goes beyond our needs in almost every way with the slight exception of power on take- off,which is a little sluggish!

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  DRIVE=LOVE (ITS TRUE!) - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By patchman - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I almost forgot. DRIVING IS FUN! Had it a month now, and everything is super. I find it to have plenty of pep with 5 spd, I am usually ahead of the pack leaving lights or down hwy on ramps. Build quality is solid as a vault. MPG has been better than EPA (24 around town to 28 hwy). Comfortable driving position that melts miles away. Nimble and very manuverable. Quiet ride. Most versatile interior in class. It sure fits in the garage great. So far it has been problem free. And my kids think its the COOLEST car dads ever had!

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  A Good Vehicle - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Joe - September 19 - 5:00 pm

  We purchased out PT Cruiser new in 2002 to replace an old ford that was about worn out. My wife picked out the car and I didnt care for it much until I had to transport some building material to the house. Although a small looking car I was surprised at the open space it has when the seats were folded down and the amount of weight it would carry. Was almost like an inclosed pick up and still drove very well.

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  DODGE BOY 88 - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By DODGE BOY 88 - September 16 - 2:00 am

  THIS CARE IS GREAT I LOVE IT

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  Super Fun to Drive - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By scole - September 16 - 2:00 am

  So far I cannot find a reason to keep this one in the garage. I will drive to the mailbox to get behind the wheel. I have never had so many head turns and "nice car" gestures (thumbs up) with any other car. Honestly, though, i hate to call it a Chrysler, can I get a Mercedes badge for it? This car is totally awesome for the price.

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  great - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By garybear - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Had a pt cruiser frist never bought chrysler cars before but this is my secound one have never brought a car back to dealer for any reason other than an oil change never had any mechanical problems. Enjoy the quiet ride kid loves the sourond sound DVD not bad on gas used more in pt crusier everything at good reach distance well designed car .

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  Needs some improvements - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Pat Haley - September 16 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is very comfortable to drive especially on the highway. I feel it is over priced for the following reasons. 1. Interior componets do not live up to a $40,000 car 2. Mileage is horrible, (does not meet window sticker) 3. Limited rear view (always feel as we are going to back into something or someone.) 4. Transmission shifts rough at times.

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  Pacifica Perfection - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ivanbosw - September 16 - 2:00 am

  The Pacifica has excellent comfort, with ample room for my large 6 foot 3in. frame and is still very drivable for my 5 foot 2in. wife because of adjustable foot pedal height.The memory seat and foot pedals are programed into the key fob to work independantly for both our keys.Of course I do all the vehicle washing due to the roof height but its also permittable in car washes since the radio antenna is built into the rear glass. The freeway ride is very smooth and quiet the rear suspension with self- leveling shocks adjust quietly and quickly to accomadate friends or the trip to Costco. Kudos to Chrysler for overall perfection on my new Pacifica.