Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist, founded the Chrysler Corporation in 1925. Chrysler Corporation bought over Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit, and in 1928 purchased Dodge, to create the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions. In the 1930s, Chrysler introduced its "Airflow" car, a front-mounted inline eight, which did not go down well with the public. The Depression added to Chrysler's misfortunes, but for the sales generated by Dodge and Plymouth vehicles. Chrysler revived its sales in the post-war years, with a "Hemi" V8 engine, which was meant to compete with similar offerings by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival. And that kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the '50s and '60s. The 1950s saw the beginning of horsepower struggles that came out of Detroit, around which time Chrysler's Town and Country and the 300C made their debuts. By 1961, Chrysler dropped the DeSoto division and was involved in NASCAR and performance-oriented cars.

The oil crisis of the 1970s saw Chrysler expanding overseas, a move it would soon regret, as it was on the verge of bankruptcy. By the mid-'80s Chrysler paid off a government loan $1.5 billion and purchased American Motors Corporation and a joint venture with Mitsubishi - the Diamond Star Motors. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. German technology and advanced engineering bore fruit with new models in the marque.

Chrysler 300 ($23,405-$41,585)
The 2008 Chrysler 300 large sedan is available in five wide-ranging trim levels LX, Touring, Limited, C and SRT8. The base 300 LX comes with a 2.7-liter V6 rated for 178 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. Touring and Limited models upgrade to a 3.5-liter V6 capable of 250 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. Either rear- or all-wheel drive is available, as is the more muscular 300C with its 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that generates 340 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.

Chrysler Aspen ($30,935-$34,880)
The 2008 Chrysler Aspen is a large SUV, seats seven or eight and is offered in a single Limited trim level with either two- or four-wheel drive. Standard is a 4.7-liter V8 rated at 303 hp and 330 pound-feet of torque. A 5.7-liter Hemi V8 rated at 335 horses and 370 lb-ft of torque is optional. A five-speed automatic transmission delivers power with 2WD or 4WD. When properly equipped, an Aspen, with the 4.7-liter V8, can tow up to 5,950 pounds; Hemi-powered models can tow up to 8,900 pounds.

Chrysler Crossfire ($0-$49,370)
The 2008 Chrysler Crossfire is available in either coupe or convertible form and seats two-passengers. Only the Limited trim level is offered for 2008. The Crossfire is powered by a 3.2-liter V6 engine that makes 215 hp and 229 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic with manual mode is available.

Chrysler Pacifica ($24,460-$36,785)
The 2008 Chrysler Pacifica comes in three trim levels - base LX, Touring and Limited, in front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive versions. The base front-wheel-drive Pacifica LX model gets a 3.8-liter V6 producing 200 hp and 235 pound-feet of torque with a four-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel-drive LXs and all Touring and Limited models feature a 4.0-liter V6 that generates 253 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic.

Chrysler PT Cruiser ($13,530-$29,185)
The 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser is available as a small wagon or convertible. The wagon comes in base, Touring and Limited trim levels, while the convertible comes in a single base trim level. The base and Touring PT Cruiser gets a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 150 hp and 165 pound-feet of torque, with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Optional on the convertible and Touring, and standard on the Limited, is a turbocharged 180 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque version, with a four-speed automatic.

Chrysler Sebring ($18,445-$32,055)
The 2008 Chrysler Sebring is offered in sedan and convertible body styles in three trim levels - LX, Touring and Limited with front-wheel or all-wheel-drive. All Sebring convertibles are front-wheel-drive, and each trim level comes standard with a different engine. The base gets a 2.4-liter inline-4 that makes 173 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. The Touring gets a 2.7-liter V6 rated189 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque. Both engines get a four-speed automatic. The Limited receives a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 235 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque teamed with a six-speed auto.

Chrysler Town