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 reide37 - November 21 - 4:07 pm

  The Pacifica design was out in front and the first of its kind. The style is great and by the looks of all the new 2007s every one in the industry thinks so too. The only real problem I had was the mileage. The first 42,000 miles the best mileage I could attain is 16 mpg. Then for some reason I started to get around 20. The car is built on the e class platform from Mercedes and the only real improvement I would request is a Mercedes diesel engine. I had the oil change regularly and had no service problems with my car. The mileage and the ratings of safe cars will determine if I buy another.

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  Burst baloon - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Debi - November 20 - 8:00 am

  This is a fun vehicle to own and drive. I love it. The downside is Chrysler has changed parts company that have me replacing my control arm bushing because they split after 22 thousand Km. putting me outside the warrant period.

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  Still A Sweet Ride - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By DrDocRudge - November 19 - 3:23 pm

  Ive owned my PT Cruiser for almost a year and it still makes me smile every morning when I hop in. I still get stares, looks, and waves every time I drive and questions almost everytime I stop to put gas in it. Great value for money unless you expect a street rod.

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  Pacifica Review 2003-2006 - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By chris gianetti - November 18 - 5:50 pm

  I have had my red Pacifica for over 3 years now and I consider it a very comfortable and well made vehicle. Its cornering capabilities are unsurpassed for a vehicle of this size and weight. Its AWD system works very well in steep snowy hills and heavy rain. The ride is firm, controlled and comfortable.

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  nice car for the money - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By M - November 18 - 12:22 pm

  I got it 1 year ago. First of all, when I hear about road noise I will say check you tires, I got new set form tire rack, avon tires, those are grat both in noise, handling and price, half of what you have to pay for Michelins. Overall I will say that the car is fun to drive, I like it. Exchanging brake pads from standard metal to ceramic (cost the same) would get rid off the brake dust, great.

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  Mixed Emotions Still! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By 1st & Last Chrysler - November 15 - 10:00 am

  We have had our Pacifica for 12 months/12500 miles. The car itself is pretty cool,DVD, Nav. system, moonroof, Intermezzo radio, etc...but the reliability is so shaky. Weve had the engine half out to fix the tranny and transfer case(2 wks. to fix!), lost count of the electical problems with computer syst./Nav. syst./dash cluster/fuel guage/radio/airbags..the list goes on. the mileage is a flat out, complete lie..I live in FLAT south NJ and we get 13.2 average! so I dont know who these people are that AVERAGE 20MPG w/AWD

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  Loved this car but... - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By farrynbalch - November 13 - 3:02 am

  This was my first car. 2002 pt cruiser touring edition, automatic transmission. I LOVED this car, I bought it at 127,000 miles. Did awesome in the snow, and on long trips. Once my car hit 160,000 miles it went to shit. The timing belt went out which was around 1,000 dollars to fix. We ended up putting over $2,000 into it, then 6 months later it broke down again. Then 3 months later it broke down again. OVerall it was a good car until the miles got up there. Also has a horrible resale value. The value decreases very quickly. If it has low miles its a great car. Very roomy.

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  Top Shelf - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Joe - November 10 - 10:56 pm

  Bought my 2005 300 late July 2004, after 40000 + miles, Im satisfied. The vehicle speaks for itself. The back seats opening to the trunk has been helpful on trips to NY & Colorado.

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  4 years later - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By RK - November 10 - 10:27 am

  I wrote a review a few months after buying this car. In four years I have doubled the mileage. It seems then that every 65,000 miles things start to break. After putting 215,000 trouble free miles on a Mazda Protege this does not speak well for the quality of materials on the Chrysler. On a practical stance I bought the car wholesale and the economics of owning this car have still worked out in my favor. But there is no chance in hell that I will ever go into a Chrysler showroom when shopping for a new car.

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  sporty wagon with european suv style - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jude Santana - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I was drawn to this vehicle after owning the Volvo S80 T6 sadan. I was tired of the expenses involved with the up keep and repairs of European cars, but I love their style. I was happy to find what I was looking for in an "American" car. Style, room, and most of all, the type of ride I expect from any other expensive vehicle. The price is right, and the extended warantee was well worth the buy.