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My sentiments exactly! And, you may have noticed, there seem to be significantly more bugs in the 300C than the 300M had in it first year offering, judging by the Edmund's forums...the 300M was highly under-rated -- you really had to own one to fully appreciate it.
Actually, besides being better looking, the 300M is a better handling car and has a better drag coefficient, as well. Now, if only it had a hemi...
Regarding the new 300 / Magnum styling, the look is growing on me also but I still prefer a sleek design like the 300M. The new cars look too upright and boxy for me. Of the two I think I like the Dodge Magnum better as a wagon should be boxy. I still have not driven either one.
This morning I pinpointed the right speaker on the window as the culprit. I set up a CD (it resonates worst with this one) and the sound was very distorted on certain notes.
I tried again at noon, and it would not resonate!
I called my 5* Dodge dealer to let him know why I hadn't taken the car in after I had arranged to do so. I explained that it was a morning problem and I wasn't going to bring the car in until I could demonstrate the problem to them. He laughed and asked me which speaker it was and told me "No problem. I'll just order you one."
There are still pleasures left to experience in life...
Something weird is happening to me. Driving to work the other day, I saw a blue 300C pulling into an International House of Toast parking lot. First thought was, "That's a good looking car..." It must REALLY be growing on me, 'cuz I've never been a fan of its style. Or I need new contact lenses!!!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
The 300 is still butt ugly to my eyes, as is the upcoming Dodge Charger shown in the new Car & Driver. I guess I'll drive my 96K mile 300M as long as it runs satisfactorily, then see what is available at that time. If I had to buy something today, the only car I've seen I have any interest in is the Pontiac GTO, and I would absolutely HATE to buy any car from Generous Motors. Oh well, perhaps the fact that it's really an Aussie car might absolve me from guilt at buying a GM car.
Lynn Flowers
McKinney, Texas
I still much prefer the styling of the 300M. I'm thinking by the time the 300C becomes totally inoffensive to me, the look will no longer be "hip" and I will be able to get one @ $7-8,000 off MSRP!
Right now, the only real attraction the C has for me is the hemi...
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I'm still waiting to see the Charger, too. Cars often look much better in person...
I am concerned, however, that the Charger might be to the 300C what the Intrepid was (is) to the 300M - i.e. Dodge will likely not be up to the quality and luxury level of the Chrysler...
First, on the original tires (goodyears, no less!) and on the brakes.
Second, on the 29mpg (on regular gas!)trip.
My wife and I have 03's and I have posted previously about the worsening gas mileage from 2000 to 2003.
I went to Vegas last Saturday on a day trip (wedding) and averaged 23.9 mpg (on the recommended 89 octane). However, much of the drive was @ 75-80 mph (averaged 73.7 mph for the total trip). If I had averaged 10 mph less, I would have gotten better gas mileage (maybe 10% better? -- I don't know). @ +10%, I would have gotten 26.3 mpg. But I doubt I would have gotten that.
Still love our M's in spite of the poorer gas mileage in the later models.
I am pleased, however, that the C seems to be a hit. I think Chrysler deserves some reward for builing such an overall lovely car as our 300M. This month's Car and Driver has the new cars for '05 review. Under each mfg. they chart the changes from '04. Under 300M: Dead. Brought a tear to my eye.
BigMike: I think that my evil wife would allow me to buy a second, toy car for myself e.g a Boxter. BUT, my greatest fear is that she would then respond in more than kind e.g. buying out Tiffanys!!!
My '99 M is just over 63k miles, two of the original Goodyears (mounted in the rear) but new brakes at 60K. A few minor scrapes, interior looks pretty much new. Just a great car.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Great news on your spoiler! I haven't thought seriously about installing one on my 300M; however, my wife is toying with the idea for hers.
It sounds like Ziebart handled the whole thing (purchase and installation). Can you tell me the cost (if you remember) and maybe give me a link to see what it looks like?
Thanks.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&cate- - gory=6175&item=2492073719&rd=1
I have our 1999 300M with 80,000 miles on it on the sales block right now, basically because the wife wants me to buy a new pickup truck after I bought her a new Magnum R/T.
The 300M runs and looks like new, interior and exterior. The engine is as quiet as the day we got it. All the known problems with the 1999M have been taken care of and I am confident the car is good for another 100,000 miles, easily. Tell that to a dealer and look at his expression!
I just have a feeling that 5 or 10 years from now I'll be kicking myself for selling such a fun and practical car for such short money. I guess only other 300M owners seem to appreciate how the car becomes an extension of the driver, how the car surrounds you and puts you at ease in all kinds of driving situations, how the beautiful exterior design conceals the comfortable and roomy interior and large trunk.
Don't get me wrong, the Magnum R/T is a great car, the Hemi engine alone is worth the price of admission. But like you I can only hope I'll have the same fond feelings about the Magnum when its time to sell.
Tranny feels like it's getting ready to go yet again....seems to just LOVE third gear. When slowing and making a right turn, then starting to accellerate, it seems "sluggish". Dropping it into autostick shows it's in third gear. Slowing for a light (going about 10 mph) that turns green and pressing on the accelerator....sluggish, and once again autostick reveals third (and sometimes FOURTH) gear. Press a little harder and it drops into FIRST gear. Hardly a "smooth" experience. Combine that with the whine that is emanating from the tranny, and I'm just glad that I opted for the new tranny with the three year warranty as opposed to the rebuild with a one year warranty.
Over $5,000 worth of maintenance (and needing more) in less than 5 years and less than 70k miles is completely unaccptable to me. Congrats to those who get 100k+ miles out of these cars. AS for me, Chrysler might have designs that turn heads, indeed, my M is drop dead gorgeous. But at this point, I'd take something homely that was reliable. The M isn't that. I'll take the lowly $6k that this car will pull on trade and won't look back.
The 300, on the other hand -- without the "C" -- is ?????
You definetly need the Hemi. The car seems more solid than overweight. The acceleration is smoother and more linear than the 300M, not the all or nothing feeling of power you get from the six cylinder. The engine itself is quieter with a beautiful exhaust note.
The Hemi in our Magnum R/T gets 23-24 miles to the gallon on the highway if a drive conservatively, not much worse than our 300M.
I can't wait to test drive the larger Hemi next year in the 300C. It should be awesome.
Anyway, I thank you guys for all the helpful hints and advice.
I just want to go get some fluids changed and some spark plugs... not a $500 service by a dealer, can i do this?? I look forward to another 65k with no hassle.
also ball park tire $$ figures would be helpfull
In the realm of "reasonably" priced cars, the G35, FX35 and Acura TL are strong contenders. Moving up, I'm intrigued by the forthcoming RL and M45 as well as continuing to think the E Class MB is a beautiful car both inside and out. Haven't driven any of them yet, though. Although I've always (until the M) owned Japaneese and enjoyed excellent reliability, my M experience leaves me more willing to "take a chance" on European/Domestic autos.
Maybe a Mini convertible? Scion xA? Boxter (oh, yeah. Kids) or 3 Series? Shopping is free...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Maybe you'll get a look at the new Charger! I take it, by omission, the 300C is out of the running...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Still haven't found anything that makes me want to give up my M!
By the way, I tried Mother's "Back to Black" on the moldings of a Platinum Edition 03 M the other night, that belong to a woman in the wife's bridge group. I think it helped get rid of that ugly look that had developed. [Was kinda dark when I finished so I couldn't be too sure.] Didn't have the problem with my 99 as we had a matte finish on those door moldings. Anyone use anything else that worked better?
Intrepid: I'm kinda the same. While I WANT a new car, nothing has really set my soul on fire enough to replace my M. Everytime I look at it or drive it I think why spend the $$$. I've got a winner right here! I do look forward to a quiter ride at some point, though. But, even though my M has been a faithful servant, in the back of my mind I hear a little voice saying, "First model year, domestic, CHRYSLER! Sell it before the (insert major system name here) GOES!" I'm sure that won't happen, though...
Although on style alone, the TL also always catches my eye.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
The pix/commercials for the STS haven't moved me either. They've toned down the CTS look, but it still looks kind of tall and stubby to me. Plus the price and size. I'll of course check all this out again next month at the Auto Show.
I think it may boil down to when I buy: do I wait 'till later '05 for the M45/RL to be more available or do I go for the post XMas week to bargain on an '05 TL/FX/G... or that darn overpriced but darn attractive E Class???
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Anyway, any other buyers out there of a NEW 2004 300M? How's yours doing? Anyone drive it in the winter months on snow, advice? (I recall someone back in Feb or March from the NE saying theirs did well in the snow which helped calm me seeing these Michelin touring style tires w/o a real aggressive tread ... guess I am spoiled also owning a Jeep GC with the Goodyear SRAs). Thanks to the others who have models of the past 5 years too, enjoyable reading that most at least really do like the car.
We (my wife and I) are each on our second 300M. My first was a 2000 on lease and my current is a 2003 (purchased). My wife's first was a 2001 (purchased) which she totalled and replaced earlier this year with a 2003 demo. As you can see, we love the 300M!
The 2004 is virtually the same as the 2003. Both year's productions were shortened to prepare for the new 300. We don't have the snow problems in Southern California, but we have found all our 300M's to be very reliable. My only complaint is some decontenting in the later models and some engine tuning that has resulted in 5-10% less gas mileage. I believe the later models do run more smoothly, however.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I now have 26,000 miles with only 1 problem to report. The airbag light stayed on but a faulty airbag module was replaced and problem was solved. I am quite pleased with my 300; it is a great trip car and can get ~27 mpg at a steady 65 mph. Trips have been very enjoyable. I hope to drive it for another 10 years. Good luck with yours!
At least we generated a few days more activity. I will keep checking every week or two to keep this forum alive!
They handle great in the rain and also in the dry. Great tire.