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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  My dream car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Lee - August 17 - 9:16 pm

  I love this baby! I even had a policeman stop me and tell me what a great looking hot car this was! This car rides like a dream. Very comfortable seats and lots of bells and whistles to play with. Only drawback is no trunk space....maybe just enough to put in a small overnight duffle bag. This is one great hot car!!!!

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  Good car - Bad snow - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ABean34 - August 17 - 10:00 am

  Bad in the snow!

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  To heck with a Lexus - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dave Thomas - August 17 - 10:00 am

  One test drive and I was sold. Better than most 40K plus SUVs. Handling is superb, performance is above average and styling is unbelievable. I got mine loaded and well I could not imagine what more they could offer. Incredible Vehicle, fantastic value.

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  Too much fun!! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By artf - August 17 - 10:00 am

  We traded in our 1997 Sebring Conv. There is no comparison. Everything we did not like is fixed! The car is beautiful, fun to drive, and better than ever!! The LTD, top of the line has everything you could want in options. It is an incredible car.

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  Chryslers come back !!!!!!! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By LOU - August 15 - 12:26 pm

  The only flaw is the air condition unit is weak! Other then that this is perfect car!

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  2004 PT GT - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By CalsPT - August 15 - 8:56 am

  Purchased the car new in 2003. The HO turbo makes it a blast to drive. The Auto-Stick is useful for holding a gear while descending hills. The car still exhibits good NVH, no squeaks, rattles, nor wind noise. The car was taken back to the dealer only once under warranty for a blown audio speaker.

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  Excellent High Cruiser For Larger People - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By uwil0m - August 14 - 11:56 am

  I bought a used program base model Pacifica that had 10k miles on it. I have since put 22k miles on the vehicle. The only issue I had with the vehicle was a loose bolt on a seat belt tensioner for a rear seat. My family drove the car on a 3,400 mile trip through the mountains of VA, WV and PA then up to northern Canada. The Pacifica was extremely comfortable with four large people and all their gear. We averaged 22 mpg on the trip. Normally I drive the vehicle on a 15 mile commute in stop and go traffic. It averages 19 mpg on the commute with just me in the car. I special note is that the engine requires at least 89 octane.

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  Signature Series rocks - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By BW - August 13 - 8:40 am

  This is my second Pacifica and its much much better than the 2004 version with more power and the rear camera group help with backing up greatly and Navigation package really attractive. Marine Blue is great and they have thought of everything. Crash tests and roll over 5 of 5, not too many SUV can say that. The all speed traction control and ESP are standard as well

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  Love My New Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By hlhover - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Anyone considering buying this car will love it! We purchased the new 2004 Pacifica with the additional R1 package. We didnt get the DVD player or the navigational system. Riding in this car is so comfortable. I drove my friends Jaguar the other day and I found the inside of the Pacific to be just as nice.

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  PT stands for "Perfect Transportation" - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Rich Schell - August 7 - 4:53 pm

  Still the best value on the market for style and versatility. This car drives like a car twice its size. Has a solid feel and confident handling.