2004 Chrysler 300c

[MOMO831]

Hey guys may I need a good swift kick in the pants, I'm supposed to check in with my local Chrysler dealer today for a test drive. Actually I'm rather looking forward to it, I haven't owned a domestic in years, and I hoping that Chrysler can win me over with this new 300c. So far, I really like the car and all that I have read about it. If they can get this one right they might be able to turn the corner. I looking at the touring model that comes with a V6 limited MRSP is about 27K. The guy at Chrysler said that alot of younger crowd has been it to inquire about it.

Any thoughts on what I should be looking for in a new product? Besides fit and finish, kicking the tires, and the test drive; any thoughts, comments and or suggestions in general?

EDIT: oooops should read 2005 300c

[Vans]

you could always check the service department at the dealership as well to see if they are honest straight up guys. Sometimes you survive the sales process but then get stuck with a crappy service department. Thats always important to me.

Personally - I'd wait a couple months to buy - always good to let them figure out the kinks when assembling. The longer you wait, the better the fit and finish and over build quality will be.

[NewsReporter]

I'd wait it out a few months to see what others have to say about the 300C. I'd skip the V6 and get the Hemi.

[MOMO831]

Well I went to the Chrysler dealer today to check out the 2005 300c, but the car had not made it in yet, to bad. The reason I was going with the the V6 model is because I think that 250 hp will suffice for this car use. This will be the "family car". Thanks for the advice about the service dept. I will probaby wait a couple of months before buying the 300c, just to make sure that I don't get a POS GM product.

[camber]

There is some cheap bits on the 300 that I saw when I sat in it at the auto show. Especially if you have kids, I'd imagine they would figure out how to pull out or kick off quite a few of the plastic pieces. However, It's FREAKING HUGE!!

So..... you get some cheap bit's but you get a huge vehicle. I guess that's the same as buying a full size SUV and some minivans. IMO I like this vehicle alot more for a family car then a SUV or minivan.

250hp should be better at motivating the 300 than alot of base V6's in SUV's and minivan's.

Haven't driven it but it looks like it would make a comfortable riding highway car with the long wheelbase and independent suspension.

[Dave___in___CT]

HI...


Test drove a fully-loaded 300c (hemi engine) last weekend...

Very nice car overall... especially like the hemi's power ! http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Very good ride... handles very well... plenty of room... fells solid & substantial... rear seats even fold down...

Got lotsa' looks from people... Like... "What's that?" http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/confused.gif

The lower priced models (not the c model) seem to be a very good value for what U get... the 300c seems priced OK too with the extrtas... didn't try the 2 6-cylinder models though...

I think they have a winner !


Dave...

[mayhem]

I like the new 300 (the C designated the Hemi model btw)...a return to good old American sedans. By all accounts thus far this is a very good car and is a real bargain...we'll see how it pans out over the next year or so when we see the long term problems, TSB's and resale values emerge.

Persoanlly I wouldn't consider any model other than the V-8. With either of the 6's its just a largish midsize sedan.


However, It's FREAKING HUGE!!



In fact, its not huge at all. The 300 is only 4" longer than an Altima. A Crown Victoria is about a foot and a half longer.

I bet its not too long before we start seeing the 300's (and eventually the Dodge Charger variant) in police fleets.

[camber]

In fact, its not huge at all. The 300 is only 4" longer than an Altima.



The Altima is big car for me and something that is almost half a foot longer then the Alty would probably be in full size segment and not midsize. The Atly and Max are just on the border of being midsize or fullsize.

[MOMO831]

Whaaat you already drove the 300c last week, here in central Cali the 2005 300 on the lots are all spoken for. Some poor even paid $41K for a 300c with all the goodies minus the Navi, he was willing to pay $4K over MRSP.

Over the vehicle should be a winner, very very solid, excellent build and quailty. When I sat inside of it it felt like a tank. Its freakin huge, way bigger than a Q45.

Funny thing when I asked the salesman for a brochure, he handed me a sales guide. The sales guide listed the Toyo Camary, Audi A6, and the Niss Maxima as its competition. The 300 hands down has it bet in every catagory its a no brainer, well we will have to wait to seen on the reliability thing.

Overall I'm very excited about the 300 and anxiously awaiting a test drive.

[MOMO831]

I like the new 300 (the C designated the Hemi model btw)...a return to good old American sedans. By all accounts thus far this is a very good car and is a real bargain...we'll see how it pans out over the next year or so when we see the long term problems, TSB's and resale values emerge.

Persoanlly I wouldn't consider any model other than the V-8. With either of the 6's its just a largish midsize sedan.


However, It's FREAKING HUGE!!



In fact, its not huge at all. The 300 is only 4" longer than an Altima. A Crown Victoria is about a foot and a half longer.

I bet its not too long before we start seeing the 300's (and eventually the Dodge Charger variant) in police fleets.




mayhem have you seen thing in person trust me, I have, and its a hell of alot bigger than a Alty. I say that easily bigger than a Q45.

I hope that it doesn't end up as a rental whore or police fleets http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/tear.gif

[camber]

Whaaat you already drove the 300c last week, here in central Cali the 2005 300 on the lots are all spoken for. Some poor even paid $41K for a 300c with all the goodies minus the Navi, he was willing to pay $4K over MRSP.




They have been selling where I live and I have seen at least 5 new 300's around my area. Chrysler could have a hit on its hands.

[SHIFT_6speeds]

you could always check the service department at the dealership as well to see if they are honest straight up guys. Sometimes you survive the sales process but then get stuck with a crappy service department. Thats always important to me.

Personally - I'd wait a couple months to buy - always good to let them figure out the kinks when assembling. The longer you wait, the better the fit and finish and over build quality will be.



Keep in mind, you don't have to get your car serviced where you buy it. The Warranty is honored ant ANY Chrysler dealer in the USA. Buy where you get the best deal, and service where they have the best service. You don't buy a dealer and it's service when you buy a car.

[mayhem]

I like the new 300 (the C designated the Hemi model btw)...a return to good old American sedans. By all accounts thus far this is a very good car and is a real bargain...we'll see how it pans out over the next year or so when we see the long term problems, TSB's and resale values emerge.

Persoanlly I wouldn't consider any model other than the V-8. With either of the 6's its just a largish midsize sedan.


However, It's FREAKING HUGE!!



In fact, its not huge at all. The 300 is only 4" longer than an Altima. A Crown Victoria is about a foot and a half longer.

I bet its not too long before we start seeing the 300's (and eventually the Dodge Charger variant) in police fleets.




mayhem have you seen thing in person trust me, I have, and its a hell of alot bigger than a Alty. I say that easily bigger than a Q45.

I hope that it doesn't end up as a rental whore or police fleets http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/tear.gif





Seen it. It seems alot bigger than it is because of the squared off ends (it has "presence"), but park it next to an Altima, or a Maxima and its about the same size. Hell a Taurus is a bigger car dimensionally (1 inch longer, about the same width and height).

But to be fair, I learned to drive in full size pickpups and LTD station wagons...a 16 foot car is like driving a GEO.

[joeB]

I agree with mayhem, I looked at a 300touring and C Hemi
yesterday. It looked like it had no more room inside than
our Altima. Im not sure now much room Q45's have, but it
prolly dont have much more room inside than a Altima does.
Im going tomorrow to test drive the Hemi. The only 300
I would consider buying is the Hemi. It is a nice car,
the interior is nicely done, not to much wood, and silver
accents. The sticker was 38,000 seems a bit high for a
Chrysler. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/cool.gif