Chrysler 300C CRD Road Test Thu, 27 Oct 2005 My advice is to get your order in now before they sell the whole year?s allocation.
Hmmm, no thanks. Too much 'in your face', really. OK, we all know it IS its sole purpose, but... where do I park such a monster anyway ?
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I am the only Pole over here.
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Had one as a hire car in the states 2 months ago for a 2 week period.
loved it, v.smooth auto - although drank the juice.
surprised at the build quality, v.high standard.
with a diesel under the bonnet - v.tempting proposition.
on the down side - big boot - but little rear leg room.
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> > surprised at the build quality
Err, no.
Lifted from a previous thread I posted about the 300C:
In Linköping, Sweden, for a few days work, with yesterday being a public holiday I stayed on to attend the custom and performance car show in Jönköping.
One of the cars I sat in was the new Chrysler 300C 5.7 Hemi.
The styling is, err different, but at least much more successful than Bangles Mangled Wagons of recent years, but the quality of interior fittings and trim is atrocious.
The silver effect plastic escucheon that surrounds the centre console buttons flexes in the middle, pushing the edges proud of the console body. This, and the buttons themselves, are riddled with plastic flash marks akin to twisting Airfix(tm) components free of their moulding frame. Flip the ash tray open, and the inside has all the plastic quality of a lemonade bottle.
The Chrysler Crossfire parked next to the 300C was even worse. Appalling fit and finish, and equally appalling quality of plastics. Why anyone would part cash for one of these defies logic.
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One of the things that really surprised me was the size, diameter wise, of the standard fit wheels & tyres.
225/60/18s are massive, though they look just about in proportion with the rest of the 300C (IMO that high shoulder line doesn't help). It seems the car was designed with this size, rather than being an afterthought.
Compare them against a "standard" size wheels/tyres for a BMW or Merc lets say 245/40/18, the 300C's are almost 3" bigger in diameter.
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Had a test drive in the 3.5 petrol on 11th November and was very impressed by the overall build quality and driving dynamics albeit I will be opting for the diesel model when it hits the UK in January. Having regard to the spec and price it must be the bargain of the century. Cannot agree with you about the rear legroom though, it is greater than in the Merc S Class!
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Had a test drive in the 3.5 petrol on 11th November and was very impressed by the overall build quality and driving dynamics albeit I will be opting for the diesel model when it hits the UK in January. Having regard to the spec and price it must be the bargain of the century. Cannot agree with you about the rear legroom though, it is greater than in the Merc S Class!
I tried a 3.5 petrol last week. It goes nicely however light grey wouldn't be my choice for the interior and I thought the dash and trim lacked quality.
Interesting, the software hasn't been updated to give mpg readings in imperial gallons - the demonstrator was showing 17.8 mpg (US).
I would rather spend the money on a used A6 or A8.
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I would not mind the Hemi!
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Had one for 4 days earlier this month in the States. It is probably one of the coolest cars on the road at the moment. Check it out in the movie " A History of Violence " it is as menacing as the gangsters driving it.
It looks the part and as ever the right colour is everything. In terms of size, it felt no bigger to drive than my Mondeo. Build quality felt good but then it had only done around 800 miles. It did drink the juice though, we had a 3.8 litre model. The inside was ok. Not as well equipped as I thought it would be and the seats while trimmed nicely had little lateral support. I did'nt notice any poor quality trim, it all seemed screwed together well enough. Another comment here mentions the tyre/wheel sizing. The wheels were only 15" and the tyres were huge. Made for a nice supple ride. I would have one if the price was right.
It compared well against the Chrysler Pacifica we had for the first part of our holiday. That car had the worst handling of any car I had ever driven. Wallowing steering made for interesting driving. On the Interstate I constantly had to concentrate on stopping the car wandering.
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I couldn't believe they were seriously going to market the car with its present styling. I think it's the most hideous thing on the planet. It looks like a very badly done Matchbox or Tonka car. It reminds me of something out of the 1950s, but I can't quite remember what that was yet. Still if there's a market for monstrosities like the Hummer, some people will buy this ugly thing. I have to pass a giant billboard every day with one on, and I shudder each time.
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with an in-your-face look rather then the clinicked blandnenss we are all used to. HJ
There is currently a 300C in DCUK HQ fitted with the Bentley style mesh grille (mentioned in your road test) which I think suits the car much better than the standard one and might be more appealing to UK buyers.
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And the estate version finished in black makes the best Mafia hearse ever.
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I refer to some of the rather unkind comments about the 300C namely the colour of the interior? Personally I think the two tone dark / slate gey looks very tasteful and the dash and trim quality is perfectly ok. As to the car being the 'ugliest car on the planet' and a 'horrendous monstrosity' is ludicrous. The vast majority of comments from ordinary motorists and motoring jornalists on websites and in the media are favourable.
I have owned many makes of cars over the past 45 years, my last car being a new Mercedes Benz and I therefore consider myself qualified to comment on quality issues!
The 300C is not intended to be a direct competitor of the German marques. What you get is a large very unique design Euro built executive saloon which drives well; is extremely well put together and is of a very acceptable overall quality.
The CRD model (built in Austria) is fitted with the very latest Mercedes Benz V6 diesel engine which can return 35mpg and a Mercedes Benz 5 speed auto transmission with manual over-ride function.
It also comes with a huge spec of standard equipment(often expensive optional extras on German cars) which is too long to list here. The OTR list price of £25,750 (even cheaper on internet sites) is an absolute bargain when compared with other vehicles. The car has to be seen in the metal in the right colour and be test driven to appreciate what it has to offer.
My intended choice is the CRD model in mineral grey metallic fitted with ther aftermarket T-Rex tripple chrome 'Bentley Style' mesh grille......pure bliss. The high praise given to the CRD model by Honest John and fellow motoring journalist Mike Rutherford says it all!
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I refer to some of the rather unkind comments about the 300C namely the colour of the interior? Personally I think the two tone dark / slate gey looks very tasteful and the dash and trim quality is perfectly ok.
Sorry you interpreted my opinion on the interior trim colours and quality as unkind - it was just that - my opinion based on my taste.
I rather like the hunky exterior and, in my view, it's a shame that Chrysler weren't as adventurous with the interior design.
I'm sure you will be very happy with your new 300C.
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I think they look absolutely superb. The new Dodge Charger is great looking too. I'd like either of them with a hemi!
Certainly an improvement over horrible American cars like the 80s Mustangs (yikes!) or even newer but still appalling stuff like the Pontiac Aztec.
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No probs Flying Red and thanks for your comments. If they were to plush it up then the list price would be affected. It would certainly be a dull old world if we all had the same likes and dislikes!
Regards
Geordie1
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This being the same rutherford who once wrote glowing praise about a Yugo 55?
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RF - currently 1 Renault short of a family
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Good grief this must have been decades ago and you obviously bought one? Perhaps Mr Rutherfords' article was about Eastern Block budget cars available in whatever era it was and the Yugo 55 may have been the 'best of a bad bunch'?
I have yet to read an article by a recognised motoring journalist who is scathingly critical of the Chrysler 300C CRD have you seen such?
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"The 300C is not intended to be a direct competitor of the German marques. What you get is a large very unique design Euro built executive saloon which drives well; is extremely well put together and is of a very acceptable overall quality."
To quote Adam Forte, the project chief of the 300srt:
"When we designed the srt-8, we wanted to ceate a car that handles like an M5, brakes like an E55 and blows everything away in a straight lin...."
If the tuned 300c is gunning for the M5 and the E55, surely the cooking versions are designed to compete with the 5 and e-class..?
Lovely motor whatever. Make mine a diesel estate in black.
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Hi Barchettaman.. I think that Chrysler comment you refer to was indeed applicable to the 300srt and was meant to convey a comparison of performance data only. I recall reading a report by a Chrysler spokesperson who specifically stated that they were not marketing the 300C as a direct competitor to the 5 Series and the E Class primarily because of the huge price differential and it is huge when you compare the spec lists.
Regards
Geordie1
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>>>Think of cars like the 300C and the Cadillac CTS as replacements for 3.0 litre Scorpios and Omegas<<<
Wonder if plod will start using them?
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Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane on the M6.
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