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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  Pacifica 2 month review - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By payday - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Pacifica as a business car to replace a 2001 Buick LeSabre. Im in sales and spend a lot of time in my car, 25K to 30K annually. Im also a big man and needed a car big enough to feel comfortable in for so many hours at a time. Pacifica gave me all the room I needed, both laterally for hips and shoulders, as well as lots of leg and foot room. I can extend my left foot under the brake pedal and lock my left knee straight out. Not bad room for someone 63". Interior wise, theres as much room across the front as my LeSabre. Front passenger leg and seat room are also outstanding. Back seat room in the bucket seats is amazing.

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  Should be more reliable - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Darren, Kalamazoo MI - July 17 - 9:20 pm

  I am not happy with the reliability of this car. Items that have broken and been replaced. Front grill faded front suspension-both sides replaced EGR valve (which broke on leaving for our vacation and we missed the getaway. The car sounded like it had no exhaust and a lot of heat was entering inside passenger compartment) leaking sunroof (not replaced because warranty expired, even though the car mileage is still just 31000) annoying rattle inside drivers door, which was fixed but returned after warranty expired rattle under hood at highway speed into the wind, which is very annoying nav-DVD does not sidestreets in SW Michigan, where I live. Climate control display shorts-out, etc...

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  Cant stop driving. - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By jpsdesk - July 16 - 11:00 am

  I cant get enough drive time with this car. This car corners well, and the 3.5 v6 engine puts out great power. The wife and I get in on Saturday morning, put in a classical or oldies CD, crank up the volume and head out onto the Michigan back roads. I havent wanted to do this since I bought a new Chevy Nova Super Sport, back in 1972.

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  driving excitement - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By bruce rosen - July 15 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is exciting to drive. The excitement lies in waiting to see what will go wrong next.

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  My First Convertable - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By janetta kleier - July 15 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is difficult to see certain blind spots when the top is up. Driver must be very careful chnaging lanes or pulling out of parking spots. Vehicle lenght and hood design makes seeing the front and back of vehicle difficult.

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  PT Cruiser, a great little car. - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By J Catucci - July 13 - 10:00 am

  I find the PT Cruiser a very versatile auto. I purchased a new clothes dryer and a new dishwasher and a compound miter saw and transported them home all at once plus my wife and myself. Gas milage is not the best, (around 20 to 24 mpg). The ride is a sporty ride. I recommend this car to anyone who wants to have fun while driving.

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  Just plain fun and an eye catcher - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Tink - July 12 - 9:03 am

  I LOVE my PT cruiser convertible. At first it wasnt what I wanted, but top on my list was to get a convertible and this one was the most affordable. It is purple and believe me I get lots of comments. The interior is spacious, its easy to get into, the trunk is not bad, not huge but sufficient, gas mileage is acceptable. My biggest complaint on this model is the lever that pulls the front seat foward, my 9 yr old has a rough time with it and sometimes so do I. Overall this is a terrific car! Its not as sleek and sexy as other convertibles, what it lacks in looks it makes up for in personality!

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  every thing we need - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By buy it - July 4 - 9:19 am

  getting in and out of the front seats can give you a knot on your head. some what difficult to get in and out of the third row seat.a great highway family get a way car very little wind noise and a firm feel on the road.and it makes us feel we are wraped in a car that was made to protect your family!!!!!!!!!

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  Nice car, nice price - 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jim - July 3 - 9:06 am

  Mine is an AUTOMATIC, not manual. This site did not have that as a choice for the LX base model. The base model had all the options I needed. I was not expecting to buy a PT, originally I was looking for a small pickup with crew cab. But truck prices were too high so eventually I looked at and drove the PT. I liked it. Good visablity, comfortable seats, roomy interior, lots of cargo space, seems to be well made. Suspension is firm but not harsh, cabin is pretty darn quiet, might even be quieter then my Crown Vic. It has the electronic mileage readout and in town looks to run around 19 mpg and in mixed commuting type driving about 23 mpg. Engine power is adequate.

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  Good Car - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By an owner - June 26 - 10:48 pm

  Car drives and handles great. Good car for traveling and everyday use.