The Joy of 300C
I just bought a 2009 300C and wrote to say what a great car it is. I only have about 500 miles now, after having taken a trip to the coast today. The car is cool vanilla with the light interior. The only options are a sunroof and uconnect gps. What an elegant ride!
The standard features are surprising: first-rate leather seats that are remarkably comfortable, memory seat/pedals/wheel/mirrors, autotemp A/C, smart (auto bright/dim) headlamps, smart wipers, heated seats, fancy stitching and tortoise shell trim throughout, leather/chrome shift knob, leather/tortoise shell steering wheel, chrome/aluminum wheels, remote start and, of course, the 360 hp V8.
What we don’t seem to read about in the press is Chryco’s progress with the high-zoot look and feel of the senior Chrysler line. The ride quality and isolation is the equal or better of much more costly vehicles (read MB-S or BMW-7), as is the room. I know this because I am regularly chauffeured in those cars while on business in the Middle East.
The heating and cooling system is much superior to the Benzes and Bimmers, as well – again from experience. After having rented or test-driven the Hyundai Genesis, the Lexus LS, Toyota Avalon, Acura RL, etc., there’s no comparison (at least to my eye and hands) to the 300C in fitment quality, build quality, feel of the touch points, power and handling. All the Asian machines feel like big Elantras, Corollas and Civics. Not bad, but also not truly luxurious; they’re somewhat-cynically built for women who want something nice to put on and show off. The only car that my 300C compares with is my old 1958 Imperial (with the last Gen 1 Hemi) – indeed, Chrysler should’ve called the 300C an Imperial, instead. My passengers have all remarked about the top-flight nature of this car.
While on my recent trip I ran at 59 MPH (on cruise control), but had to make a few hard passes for doddling strings of cars. It was no problem (though shocking) to be over 100 MPH before the end of the pass! Still, there was no meaningful sensation of high speed, though the engine did sound wound tight when it was at redline, as it fluidly shifted through the gears. Admittedly, my tires were inflated to over 40 psi (suggested inflation is 30 psi) to reduce rolling resistance, but the ride did not suffer, and I arrived completely fresh and ready for our meetings. Anyway, on the tight, new engine, my trip average was 25.5 MPG, which is only slightly worse than my old 2003 SRT4 (I bought a used one and put in geezer seats). Needless to say, the purchase is not regretted.
Now here’s the best (worst?) part – I walked out of the dealer with this car for $30k (plus tax and license), with 36 month, interest-free financing, and no money down! I don’t understand why everyone isn’t driving one of these machines for this money.
Best regards from the road,
H. David Braew
They are a wonderful car–alot of car for the money. I would add the unique styling as one of the strongest advantages. With the exception of the CTS, most luxury cars have adopted a fairly uniform Benz / Bimmer germanic look–Genesis, LS460, all of them. Other than perhaps the Mini or Fiat 500, I know of no car offering more style for the money.
Lexus has its LS, MB it’s S class. But the 300-C is truly the ONLY American flagship sedan left. Lincoln no longer offers anything comparable, neither does Buick, nor–arguably–Cadillac (given their most dynamic model, the similarly-priced CTS, is much smaller). Most of the competition from Germany or Asia is much more expensive (Genesis can match the value, but not the presence on the road). Really, the 300′s are in a class of their own.
Anyone interested in buying a Benz or Lexus owes it to themselves to test drive one of these.
I hope Chrysler will alter its focus to accomplish just that. It’s no longer Buick or Oldsmobile or Dodge or Plymouth or Lincoln they need to compete with–they need to put themseleves on the radar screen of anyone looking for an entry lux or luxury car. Marketing has to change, dealer practices have to change. The improvements to the 300 that are coming, as well as a companion 200-C, can get Chrysler there, if they will change the perception of the Chrysler brand from an also-ran to an equal (to the established near lux / luxury marques). If Hyundai can go into the segment, and Audi and Lexus increase sales in the midst of a recession, there’s no reason Chrysler can’t put forth the effort and thrive there.
I’ve always liked the interior design of these cars, as an alternative to what Lexus and BMW offers, if nothing else. Any deficiency there will certainly be corrected in the 2010/2011 model.
The CTS is also German…
I just purchased a 2008 300c Heritage Edition. Love it!! Amazing value for a luxury vehicle and with old school Mopar badging.
A neighbor of mine picked up a 2008 300C AWD last year after having a couple of BMW 5-series and a 7-series. He doesn’t regret making the switch, which was prompted by continuously lousy service at the local BMW dealer.
Congratulations on the purchase. Not owning a car right now, I wish I could buy myself a car though it may be some time before I could afford one. The 300C is nice, but it’s certainly not my cup of tea. I am honestly not trying to be a troll, but I read this and I feel it may be beneficial to the conversation to hear the voice of someone not necessarily a fan of Chryslers, though I certainly respect them. Which is what brought me to this site recently, I was perusing the Dodge Caliber as a candidate.
On to the 300C. It certainly is nice, and I did ride in the back of one as a taxi during my honeymoon. It was the 300C too, not the 300. However, as I already said it is not my preference. “I don’t understand why everyone isn’t driving one of these machines for this money.” In answer to that, unfortunately it does not sell with a sick shift. That’s the biggest thing for me. I resolutely refuse to drive automatic transmissioned cars. Also Chryco fan mentioned that an advantage to the 300 over the CTS is that the 300 is much bigger. From my point of view, that is a problem. I am a 27 year old who grew up driving an old 2nd generation Accord, then a 1991 Civic, then a 1992 Nissan 240SX, and finally a 2006 Mazda Miata (which I regrettably wrecked during a freak Texas ice storm this winter). Look up the stats on those cars, and you will find that amongst my selection the Miata was the 2nd heaviest car I have ever owned!!! From my eyes, I am oddly uncomfortable driving a large car. Every time I borrowed my father in law’s 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager I am always deeply relieved when I step out of the car and get to hand the keys back (with a full tank of gas, naturally!). I sat in the CTS at the recent Dallas Auto Show and while it is by far on the large side of what I would normally like, I would find it acceptable I think. As a bonus, the CTS is also offered with a manual transmission. Though to be fair you have to order it like that since you will never find one on the lots.
So for me, in terms of luxury cars in this rough price range, I would be more likely to select the Lexus IS250, or the CTS, or the Infiniti G37 Sport Coupe, or the BMW 128i. Fortunately for Chrysler though, I am not looking for a luxury car! Ever since wrecking my Miata I have discovered that my wife is pregnant with our first child so 2 seaters are now out of the question. Hence we feed back full circle into why I came around here in the first place, the Dodge Caliber :)
Congrats on the new ride! As a recent purchaser of a Magnum RT, I know just how you feel. This car makes me smile every time I get into it. Sadly, my dealership experience was far less satisfactory. As a matter of fact, although I would buy another Chrysler product, If they survive, I would never go back to the dealer I used. If Chrysler could get people to test these cars, I’m sure the sales would improve. If you can find a worthwhile dealership!
They are wonderful cars as is the Challenger which i am due this afternoon to order My HURST 50th edition. My wife isnt happy with the outlay but hey I am committed
It will be driven rarely as I am buying it as a “farewell” to Ply/Dodge/Chry as they have been my familys brands since 40′s…And Ill bet you money that within 2 yrs of the signing..you will see no more of the true heritage and we will be big brothered into yugo clones….cmon guys Fiat for god’s sake….If anyone can make me see where I should actually like this deal please enlighten me