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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  KMK review on Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By KrisMKeefe - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy the pacifica. I had a Yukon before this which I also enjoyed. The pacifica is more "family friendly". The one thing I dislike about my pacifica is that blind spot in the rear sides. I thought the mileage would be a little better but, it is AWD. Handles better then my Yukon as far as Im concerned in snow.

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  Excellent Car with a few suggestions - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By FORMERBABE9259 - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for just one month and I love the car. It is fully loaded and comfortable. Could use a manual on the DVD/CD. The only complaint I have is that there are several blind spots in the vehicle, i.e. small back window and the side impact bars are large and obstruct the view. You truly need to rely on your side mirrors almost exclusively.

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  Drives like a dream - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By nhtgale9 - December 3 - 2:00 am

  The PT Cruiser drives like a dream. It feels like you are driving and riding in a much more expensive car. There is some road vibration on rough roads but that is the only time the drive and ride are not completely smooth. It drives even smoother than the Sable that I traded in for the PT. As a matter of fact my husband was so jealous of my new PT Cruiser that he went 5 days later and bought him one. Dorothy - Orlando

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  Great buy for the money - 2002 Chrysler Prowler
  By dblang - December 1 - 8:35 pm

  This car is unbelievable. Hand welded aluminum frame. A car built like this would be three times the price. The power to weight ratio would not be able to handle 300+ h.p. Everyone is right about the attention. Thumbs up from everyone. Not a bellybutton car like a Vette. Buy one and love life. Yellow is the way to go. Rides like a go-cart.

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  Love my Crossfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By GGGUY - December 1 - 3:34 pm

  Bought my Crossfire Limited Roadster a few months ago. Car had 13,000 miles and cost 17,600.00 after a little haggling. My old car was a 1997 Mazda Miata. What a difference. The Crossfire looks better, rides better, gets good gas mileage and could blow the doors off the Miata. Cant wait til spring. Its cold and slippery here in the great white north. Crossfires are not winter cars.

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  our new sebring convertible - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By m s s - December 1 - 10:00 am

  very impressed with how much fun to drive and overall fit and finish. surprisingly quiet on open highway with top up or down. loaded with features especially compared with all the other convertibles out there to choose from, many costing thousands more.

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  Love this car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By James Werstak - November 29 - 1:19 pm

  I have owned my Crossfire convertible for 3 1/2 years and still love to drive it. The only drawback is first gear on the manual transmission which is way too low. From second gear on up it runs strong. The original Continental tires drum and hum right around 17- 20 mph. and OK after that. I have had them trued and rebalanced which helped for a short while. They will soon be replaced with a different top name manufacturer. Gonna keep cruising with the top down!

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  My New Graduation Present - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By PCWOODALL - November 29 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my Pacifica yesterday and I just love it! I find that it is perfect for my family with us traveling alot to soccer games. I like how it feels like driving a car even though we are sitting up higher than most cars. It is more aerodynamic than the boxy looking SUVs. I feel much safer driving it because of all the safety features.

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  Everything but gas mileage - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By heelsfans - November 29 - 10:00 am

  If they build a hybrid of this car, I will never own another make or model. Love this car, its handling, its appointments and the thoughtfulness of the design.

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  We like it! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Lloyd Mims - November 29 - 10:00 am

  We wanted an SUV to complement the Lincoln Town Car we also have. However, all the SUVs we looked at were uncomfortable or not luxurious enough (unless they were very expensive). The Pacifica is somewhat like an old-fashioned "station wagon." It is easy to get in and out of but it sits higher on the road that a regular car. It is luxurious and comfortable and give good performance with adequate gas mileage. We like it!