Just got done watching the Academy Awards, hoping to see if Mopar would just give the viewing public a hint of the new 300s. Mopar ran commercials on the Chrysler and Dodge mini-vans. It was clearly evident that the persons in charge didn't view the commercial beforehand, as, at the very end, when they state you can get 0% financing and 3000 cash-back, they flash a big sign..... Offer ends Mar 1, which is tomorrow!!!!! Anyone else catch that??
I hope the 300 advertizing blitz is placed in better hands.
For a price in the mid $30,000 range, the 300C has the interior space of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, elevated seating for a better view of the road (and maybe more comfort), the HEMI, bigger brakes, and many fancy features such as exterior mirrors which dim at night and and dip down in reverse. I think that the combination of those kind of specifications & features at those prices is exactly what many of us "boomers" want. Most of us, even those of us who could pay it, would never, ever, spend what an S-Class (or even E-Class) costs.
My '73 Chrysler Newport had a 124" wheelbase, as did all 65-78 Chrysler Sedans. Possible exception: Imperials may have been a tad more.
The overall length on that Newport was 224" The new 300 lists at 197". For a more modern comparison, a current Ford Crown Vic has a 114" wheelbase and is 212" long.
The 300 is not a big car. OTOH, I have been wondering when someone was finally going to resurect the good-performing RWD midsize.
Even though the 300 is significantly longer and wider, it has less trunk space than a Camry. This is unfortunate. So the return of the big RWD V8 car is not fully realized. I don't think anybody wants a return to the huge cars of the 60s and 70s, but they were great highway cruisers, you gotta admit that. If trunk space is a priority, there's always the Magnum.
I sat in a Hemi 300 at the Milwaukee Auto Show on Tuesday of last week. Unfortunately, the power for the seats and pedals was disabled. I'm about 5'8" and found the "default" settings to be acceptable for my frame, though a taller gentleman was less than enthused.
I found it easy to see out of the car in all directions. The interior was very comfortable and tastefully executed. Rear seat room seemed more than adequate. I thought the trunk was acceptable in size. I was surprised to find the battery in the trunk and vented rear disks.
All in all, I would encourage all those interested to see the vehicle in person. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Battery is in the trunk????? Now that I would not have expected, since the 300 is 8" wider than my '94 Lebaron. Evidently, it may have been placed there to help out in the weight distribution. That's quite a long run though, amperage-wise, to the starter. That can heat up fast with continious cranking.......hopefully, this variable displacement 5.7 will turn out to be a reliable cold weather starter.
A number of manufacturers are doing that in an effort to achieve as close to a 50-50 weight distribution as possible. BMW is a prime user of that trick and the results speak for themselves:
They are putting an EXTRA battery in the trunk at the auto shows to run all the power accessories. All those extra power cords are NOT there on the 'real' cars but to support the seats, windows, radio, etc.
For those of you who have access to Autonews.com can you please post the article titled "Chrysler insists snow is no problem for 300" that is on the main page tonite?
Also, for those of you who've seen the trunk...What kind of hinges are they using for it? Are they using the old style "luggage crusher" or the hinges that don't crush luggage?
Until recently I have seen 300s under test here in Los Angeles painted in dark gray primer. Now I am seeing them around painted in actual colors - still with manufacturer plates. So it looks like they are ramping up production.
Although the styling is not for me, the concept is intriguing and I will be interested to see how they sell. DCX would be wise to do a better job of adverting the 300 than they have the Pacifica, especially at launch.
It shouldn't be any worse than any other RWD vehicle you may have owned. If all you've owned are FWD, then you'll see a difference. Actually, one only gets into stability problems with RWD when one doesn't take into consideration the weather and road conditions, and try to drive like it's a nice sunny day in July. I see that all the time. We have main drags here that are 40 mph, and even in icey conditions, people are going 40+, ...........until they realize the light is ready to change. It's quite entertaining.
Sorry, I don't see that article posted anywhere else on the net, Bph74. However, i did come across this one.
I actually have a Lexus IS300 which is rwd...put Michelin Pilot Alpins on it and it did great in the snow...was just interested in reading the article.
Thanks for posting the article...was very interesting.
Funny you should ask...I don't know if this is any indication, but I just saw a trailer hauling a bunch of Chryslers as if delivering to a dealership. On it were convertible PT cruiser's, a 300M and a 300C! Just drove past my window at work today (in Hollywood, CA).
Since Road & Track is based in southern California, I wonder if the 300C on the car hauler is for them? The magazines will need cars for their full test drives. As understand it, they only had them for several hours in Palm Springs.
I also saw another 300c driving on the streets of Burbank yesterday. This wasn't one of those "masked" out models but what looked like an actual production model. It was silver, and quite dirty.
Wow! This forum is jumping almost like the 300M forum did in its prime! And nobody even owns one yet!
It'll be interesting to see what happens when they are actually out on the market...
A comment on Chrysler marketing strategy -- one thing that has not changed since the merger is Chrysler's inept marketing for a new product. The 300M came on with no fanfare in 1998, became Car & Driver's car of the year for '99 (again no hype) and has now lived its full life cycle as one of the best kept secrets in the automotive industry!
They may do a better job on the new 300 if they start to get their act together NOW. They have more at stake here -- this is make it or break it time for Chrysler...
fastdriver asked: How come your messages don't print all the way across the page?
Looks just fine from where I'm sitting, Fastdriver. I use Netscape, maybe that has something to do with it???? I never tried using IE.....I prefer Netscape.
What's happening, I think, is that soozpk hits enter when the edge of the text box is reached. Everyone's display is different depending on the screen resolution, choice of browser and things like that, so the end of a typed line varies for all of us.
Hitting enter when you get to edge of the text box inserts a hard carriage return at that specific point. Without any hard carriage returns, the messages on a page will be reformatted to fit the viewer's screen - the line breaks occur naturally. But hard CR's cause a line break at the point where they were entered, regardless of the viewer's screen. This will make odd-looking line displays for folks who do not have the exact browser and exact resolution that the poster has.
Sorry if that is a bunch of mumbledy jumbo to any of you, but the bottom line is just type and don't hit enter when you get to the edge of the message box. The text will wrap automatically and that will allow a new line to start where it needs to start in everyone's browser.
Okay, I'll try that the next time. I use Netscape at both home and work, and it looked pretty good. How's this then???? Now, if we can only drag a .jpg image onto this we'd really have a ball.
The 5,500 reportedly made and warehoused awaiting delivery, are not being warehoused. They have been re-badged as Hyundai Amanti's [sp] and are on sale right now at your local Hyundai dealer. lol
There very well may be 5500 300s being held from shipping, but I think not for reason of advertizing purpose. At the moment, there is a Canadian rail strike, with Ford CAW workers refusing to unload boxcars. It is also affecting GM and Ford's ability to ship out vehicles. According to the article, Mopar doesn't ship vehicles out by rail, but their parts, and engines, like the 5.7 Hemi, are shipped north from Mexico. However, from yet another article, the 300C isn't affected, and I quote:
`It's not an issue,'' Elshoff said. ``We've got engines stockpiled because they're in a launch curve.''
So far I've seen two of these on the road already. The first was a Satin Jade heading westbound from Detroit in mid-January (I was heading into Detroit for the Auto Show). Also passed a flat-black Dodge Magnum (semi-disguised - most logos were blacked out) heading into Detroit a few minutes later. I assumed they were out road-testing at the time. Just this past weekend I saw another 300, over in Kalamazoo, MI. I don't think this was the same car I'd seen previously, as it looked too dark to be the Satin Jade, but it still had a greenish tint. Possibly the Magnesium Pearl Coat paint?
From the Detroit news: "DaimlerChrysler’s Chrysler Group does not ship finished vehicles via rail, according to spokesman David Elshoff, but does transport its popular 5.7 liter Hemi engine from Santillo, Mexico, by rail to its Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant for installation in the Dodge Magnum"
Wait a minute, Chrysler doesn't ship finished cars by train? So they need to ship 5500 cars to their destinations with nothing but trucks!?!
I'm in Arizona, my car is in Ontario. 2300 miles. Can I just come get it?
that's interesting about shipping vehicles on trains. when i ordered a '96 intrepid it was shipped via rail to minneapolis...then trucked to where i live. i wonder if det news has that screwed up?? especially since the intrepid was built in the same factory that the 300 and magnum are being built in.
Another excellent review (it is on the front web page today, 3/3)!
Given the range from the base model to the 300C, it will be interesting to see if the car magazines and web sites correctly realize that they need to test the different 300 models against the cars each version of 300 competes with, based on both size and price.
Unfortunately, if past performance is any indication, the magazines will concentrate on the 300C and ignor the others. This would be unfortunate. As an example, all of the magazines have reviewed the SRX, but I've never seen a review of the V6 version, even though, apparently, it outsells the V8.
I think Pat_HOST hit the nail on the head. Just keep typing in the message window here without hitting return at the end of the line. I always use Netscape too, but your messages were the only ones that looked that way. This is how I saw them:
"It shouldn't be any worse than any other RWD vehicle you may have owned. If all you've owned are FWD, then you'll see a difference. Actually, one only gets into stability problems with RWD when one doesn't take into consideration the weather and road conditions,....."
Your message after Pat's explanation is okay except for one line.
For what it's worth, I called the local Chrysler dealership here in Minneapolis, and was told that they are expecting the 300s to come in about March 15th. They had a list of what's coming in. We do have a car show happening right about then, so don't know if they are getting them a little faster because of that.
If you ask me, we will all pretty much be able to take a drive in one within the next two-three weeks.
P.S.-The local Dodge dealership said they are expecting the Dodge Magnums to arrive around the end of April. Go figure.
I am really interested in the 300c. I have not been a fan of DCX because of questionable build quality. However, two years ago I bought a PT Cruiser (I did not want a car that look like all the others) and have been very impressed. No problems. The question I have is why is DCX and Honda (we also have a 04 Pilot) building in Canada? Are they getting great tax incentives? Is it NAFTA? Cheaper labor? I can understand Mexico - cheap labor - but not Canada.
Don't have any reservations about the Canadian build quality. They are as good as it gets. In fact, Chrysler has long-enjoyed a good relationship with Canadian buyers. It's a very popular brand up there. I had the same reservations when I ordered my '94 Lebaron. That was built down in Toluca Mexico, but that has held up very well.
went to the car show today and saw\sat in a 300 first hand... unfortunatly it was the stripped base model with no extras and the 2.7 engine.... I was not impressed... I was hoping they'd have the touring or limited so I could sit in one of those, but to no avail... they had a 300C with the Hemi but you couldn't go sit in it... just look... it looked better than the other ....
Anyone here remember the Green Hornet tv show of the sixties? Remember the car he drove? The 300c looks like it. If they made a Green Hornet movie, that should be the car he drives. I wonder what a 300c stretch limo would look like.
The Green Hornet's car was a customized 1966 Chrysler Imperial sedan. So you could say there is some family history showing! The Green Hornet rode in the back seat and his driver Kato (Bruce Lee) handled the car.
The Canadian Auto press review is the best I have yet seen, and includes a photo gallery with nice large pictures of the front and rear suspension, engine (including cylinder deactivation), and more:
"All-wheel drive will be optional in the fall, for those feeling uneasy about giving up their front-wheel drive Intrepids, Concords and 300Ms, the models to be replaced. Powering four wheels is, of course, better in inclement weather than two."
I really hope that you can get the car somewhere else with the sunroof because I want the sunroof too and haven't seen the 300 in the color I want with the options at the dealers. Hopefully some more will be coming to the dealers soon the way we want the cars set up. What kind of BS are they pulling? What's next? Limit color choices down to 3? Good luck. Let me know if things change.
Just remember as the reviewer waxes effusively over the new 300 [which got an overwhelmingly negative initial reaction from 300M owners both here and at the Club site] that the car is made in his country, and the success of that car and the Magnum are real important to the Canadian economy. Handles better than a Caddy? Like comparing apples and oranges. My 300M rides distinctively different that my wife's Eldo, because it is a "luxury sports sedan" feel and hers has the luxury ride feel. The new Caddy's with the Magnetic Selective Ride [that the Vette's came out with last year] should be way quieter and smoother, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion on ride quality I guess.
the Detroit FreePress likes the car too. I have to agree with bigmike5 above. I was thinking the exact same thing as I was reading that Canadian review. Time will tell how good this "flagship" car turns out.
You wrote in 300 sightings "The first was a Satin Jade heading...". How did the color look? I ordered the Satin Jade 3 weeks ago and only had a tiny paint sample to go by. Please tell me it looked good.
Comments
give the viewing public a hint of the new 300s. Mopar ran commercials on
the Chrysler and Dodge mini-vans. It was clearly evident that the persons in
charge didn't view the commercial beforehand, as, at the very end, when they
state you can get 0% financing and 3000 cash-back, they flash a big sign.....
Offer ends Mar 1, which is tomorrow!!!!! Anyone else catch that??
I hope the 300 advertizing blitz is placed in better hands.
The overall length on that Newport was 224" The new 300 lists at 197". For a more modern comparison, a current Ford Crown Vic has a 114" wheelbase and is 212" long.
The 300 is not a big car. OTOH, I have been wondering when someone was finally going to resurect the good-performing RWD midsize.
I found it easy to see out of the car in all directions. The interior was very comfortable and tastefully executed. Rear seat room seemed more than adequate. I thought the trunk was acceptable in size. I was surprised to find the battery in the trunk and vented rear disks.
All in all, I would encourage all those interested to see the vehicle in person. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
That's quite a long run though, amperage-wise, to the starter. That can heat up fast with
continious cranking.......hopefully, this variable displacement 5.7 will turn out to be a reliable
cold weather starter.
330i 6-Speed 50.1%/49.9% (Front/Rear)
530i 6-Speed 50.4%/49.6% (Front/Rear)
Will the 300C be even close to that weight distribution? One can hope. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Thats alot to have sitting in a holding yard.
Also, for those of you who've seen the trunk...What kind of hinges are they using for it? Are they using the old style "luggage crusher" or the hinges that don't crush luggage?
Thanks.
Although the styling is not for me, the concept is intriguing and I will be interested to see how they sell. DCX would be wise to do a better job of adverting the 300 than they have the Pacifica, especially at launch.
you've owned are FWD, then you'll see a difference. Actually, one only gets into
stability problems with RWD when one doesn't take into consideration the weather
and road conditions, and try to drive like it's a nice sunny day in July. I see that all
the time. We have main drags here that are 40 mph, and even in icey conditions,
people are going 40+, ...........until they realize the light is ready to change. It's
quite entertaining.
Sorry, I don't see that article posted anywhere else on the net, Bph74. However,
i did come across this one.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040206/def023_1.html
Enjoy !
Thanks for posting the article...was very interesting.
Brad
How come your messages don't print all the way across the page? Do you purposely type them that way? Just curious.
ipoddin-
Some people won't be happy to hear that a 300C was on the truck when they were told that they are all in a quonsit hut in Canada until next month!
fastdriver
It'll be interesting to see what happens when they are actually out on the market...
A comment on Chrysler marketing strategy -- one thing that has not changed since the merger is Chrysler's inept marketing for a new product. The 300M came on with no fanfare in 1998, became Car & Driver's car of the year for '99 (again no hype) and has now lived its full life cycle as one of the best kept secrets in the automotive industry!
They may do a better job on the new 300 if they start to get their act together NOW. They have more at stake here -- this is make it or break it time for Chrysler...
Looks just fine from where I'm sitting, Fastdriver. I use Netscape, maybe that has something
to do with it???? I never tried using IE.....I prefer Netscape.
Hitting enter when you get to edge of the text box inserts a hard carriage return at that specific point. Without any hard carriage returns, the messages on a page will be reformatted to fit the viewer's screen - the line breaks occur naturally. But hard CR's cause a line break at the point where they were entered, regardless of the viewer's screen. This will make odd-looking line displays for folks who do not have the exact browser and exact resolution that the poster has.
Sorry if that is a bunch of mumbledy jumbo to any of you, but the bottom line is just type and don't hit enter when you get to the edge of the message box. The text will wrap automatically and that will allow a new line to start where it needs to start in everyone's browser.
:-)
refusing to unload boxcars. It is also affecting GM and Ford's ability to ship out vehicles.
According to the article, Mopar doesn't ship vehicles out by rail, but their parts, and engines, like the 5.7 Hemi, are shipped north from Mexico. However, from yet another article, the 300C isn't affected, and I quote:
`It's not an issue,'' Elshoff said. ``We've got engines stockpiled because they're in a launch curve.''
http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0402/27/d01-73895.htm
http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm18600_20040225.htm
The first was a Satin Jade heading westbound from Detroit in mid-January (I was heading into Detroit for the Auto Show). Also passed a flat-black Dodge Magnum (semi-disguised - most logos were blacked out) heading into Detroit a few minutes later. I assumed they were out road-testing at the time.
Just this past weekend I saw another 300, over in Kalamazoo, MI. I don't think this was the same car I'd seen previously, as it looked too dark to be the Satin Jade, but it still had a greenish tint. Possibly the Magnesium Pearl Coat paint?
Wait a minute, Chrysler doesn't ship finished cars by train? So they need to ship 5500 cars to their destinations with nothing but trucks!?!
I'm in Arizona, my car is in Ontario. 2300 miles. Can I just come get it?
in Ontario. 2300 miles.
Can I just come get it?"
Yes. Just pick a number from 1 to 5500. If you guess the right number, you can have your car early.
that's interesting about shipping vehicles on trains. when i ordered a '96 intrepid it was shipped via rail to minneapolis...then trucked to where i live. i wonder if det news has that screwed up?? especially since the intrepid was built in the same factory that the 300 and magnum are being built in.
Given the range from the base model to the 300C, it will be interesting to see if the car magazines and web sites correctly realize that they need to test the different 300 models against the cars each version of 300 competes with, based on both size and price.
I think Pat_HOST hit the nail on the head. Just keep typing in the message window here without hitting return at the end of the line. I always use Netscape too, but your messages were the only ones that looked that way. This is how I saw them:
"It shouldn't be any worse than any other RWD vehicle you may have
owned. If all
you've owned are FWD, then you'll see a difference. Actually, one only gets
into
stability problems with RWD when one doesn't take into consideration the
weather
and road conditions,....."
Your message after Pat's explanation is okay except for one line.
fastdriver
Chrysler dealership here in Minneapolis,
and was told that they are expecting the
300s to come in about March 15th. They
had a list of what's coming in. We do have
a car show happening right about then,
so don't know if they are getting them
a little faster because of that.
If you ask me, we will all pretty much
be able to take a drive in one within the
next two-three weeks.
P.S.-The local Dodge dealership said they
are expecting the Dodge Magnums to arrive
around the end of April. Go figure.
the factory where the 300 is produced used to be owned by AMC...chrysler inherited it when they bought out AMC.
http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/roadtest,view,Chrysler.spy?ar- tid=21679
That's nice!
What other car will you get if not the 300?
7600 so far, and not a car to be found on a dealer's lot.
http://www.freep.com/money/autoreviews/3004_20040304.htm
fastdriver