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Comments
They said to adjust the cradle first to see if that corrects the problem. The dealer did that, and there is quite a substantial improvement. Now when I let go of the wheel it is not so fast to drift to the right. Just a little, maybe something I can live with. I'm going to drive it a few more miles to see how it handles on various road surfaces and more importantly, on days when the wind isn't blowing as much as it was today.
stephen
One other thing: can someone confirm that the side view mirrors are not heated? I don't think they are, but neither salesman knew the answer.
stephen
Anyway, I got VON number from her. Called Chrysler customer service on Thursday. Now I have a VIM number! Looks like I'm going to get the car. I'll call next week and hopefully get a build date. I'll keep you posted.
Another example is she just ordered an updated DVD. Wanted to have it overnighted as she was leaving for a long trip in 3 days. Paid the extra $27 for the overnight service. A week later it showed up. Apparently the DVD's were on backorder, but when they did come in, Alpine overnighted it and charged here anyway. Some of the strangest logic.....
How in the world can you run out of DVD's????
He then asked if my sunglasses were polarized. I removed the sunglasses, and then the window distortion was gone. Voila! It's a conspiracy I tell you! Sometimes the oddest mysteries are right on top of your nose.
everyday humans? Are people springing for the
Hemi just "because it's there"? I need some
motivation to spend my hard earned money! Oh
yeah, I'm debating between the 300 and a Nissan
Maxima. Advice?
Hey Schwingy.. I was down to the Maxima, G35 4 door, or the 300c, and after driving all of them I just liked the big bada$$ness of the 300c best.. next to it the maxima turns into plain old ugly and the G35 while still nice and stylish for its ilk just lost its appeal (plus there are like 9 gagillion of those things on the road already.. I'm sure eventually there will be zillions of 300's too.. but for now.. or then if my order ever gets kicked into production... the 300 stands out)
</ opinion>
-S
This same guy spoke very highly of the Continentals. I suggested to him that it might be the tires that contribute to the "poor handling." But I'm no tire expert.
Also, unfortunately, I wasn't wearing sunglasses (or any glasses for that matter.) Maybe I need to get my eyes checked.
Yes, the Hemi has entirely too much power... which is why I'm ordering mine with the Hemi.
Actually, I drove the 3.5 powered 300 Touring, and I found the power MORE than adequate. It kind of surprised me, because I figured that it might be a little on the slow side. If you're not a power-monger (like me), I would bet that the 3.5 will be good for you. Now go drive one and see for yourself.
Between the 300 and the Maxima, there's no comparison, in my opinion. The old Maxima was a decent luxury/performance value, but the new one is too expensive and too ugly to justify its price. If you chose a FWD Japanese sedan, the Acura TL is a much better car for the money than the Nissan.
And if you get the 300 Limited with the 3.5 V6, you'll have a car that costs much less than the Acura or the Maxima, with good performance, lots of room and lots of stares! Good luck.
1) Need something big enough to hold five adults on occasion.
2) Want something with a little personality/pep. I.e. not
a typical full size American offering which handles like
a waterbed.
3) Money to spend capped at around 35K
(1)-(3) narrow down the choices considerably. Infiniti G35
and Acura TL are undoubtedly fine vehicles, but probably a tad
cramped for my needs. Based on what I'm hearing, a V6 300 is
probably in my future.
<eye roll...repeated eye roll>
FWIW, I'd not own a black car, not another one, if someone paid me. White, contrary to common logic, stays cleaner looking, longer.
You G35 shoppers, make sure your front seat passenger can tolerate the lump where the transmission intrudes. On the test drive, it killed it for my wife.
and a few other things that I'll just have to get used to. I'm perfectly content driving it now that I have a conventional spare to use. We're still learning how to use all the bells and whistles. One thing I need to dig into today is that the Passanger Air Bag light keeps coming on as being disabled, even when the the seat sensor should be signaling that there's a person in the seat.
This is just upon starting it seems.
Over 37,000 have already been produced!!
Looks like they have the ability to build over 200,000 a year if they have too.
Part One
I’m going to get flamed for this apples-to-oranges comparison, but it’s my personal experience, so give it a read:
For months now, I have been planning to order a Pontiac GTO (six-speed) to replace my ’97 Dodge Avenger ES, which has been a wonderful car for me (despite being gutless). Since I’m only 34 and unmarried, I wanted another coupe.
My friend at Chrysler wanted me to check out the 300, but a big four-door sedan is not to my style – too sedate, too insular. Still, the Car & Driver article mentioned rocket-like acceleration times, a video on SuperDave’s site showing the 300C doing a MASSIVE drifting burnout, and a Popular Hotrodding article on the Hemi’s excellent engineering had me intrigued.
Thursday night, I took my oldest brother and my best friend (both of whom know me well) to a Pontiac dealer and a Chrysler dealer for back-to-back test drives. The GTO was first, and with the exception of the 1-4 skip-shift feature, and excellent car to drive. The interior quality and the V8 rumble combined to make a really heart pounding test drive. My brother and my friend agreed that it was quite an impressive car, though the trunk space was pretty sad and access to the back seat was really tedious. My brother, in particular, marveled at the high quality GM has achieved with this car.
PART TWO coming up
Part Two
After parking the GTO, we went to Chrysler dealer. Upon our entry into the silver 300C, Rob – who is no fan of Chrysler – immediately commented, “Wow. This is nice!” My friend Tim said with disbelief, “This costs the same as the GTO?”
We left the dealer in absolute silence – not my favorite quality in a V8 engine – but the car felt so well-constructed that it was a joy to drive. A stab at the pedal made the car bolt forward like a scalded cat, but the speed built up without drama. The serene driving environment was partly disappointing because I like the feeling of speed, yet it also gave me a sense that this car was very well-engineered. Rob and Tim kept uttering superlatives, such as, "Great interior," and "Feels like a much more expensive car."
The decision was made, and it was far easier than I ever expected: I’m getting the 300C. The GTO, which remains dear to my heart, just does not convey the prestige or luxury for the same amount of money. The driving experience in the GTO is just what I like (visceral and exciting), however, the 300 feels good in a different way. I feel like a successful young executive and it feels great to drive slow OR fast. It feels nimble and responsive for a big car, yet if I’m stuck in traffic, I won’t feel angry or inconvenienced – I’ll just enjoy being in it.
Incidentally, I’ve been e-mailing different girl/friends of mine pictures of both the 300C and the GTO, and asking them their thoughts on each car. While the GTO elicited comments such as, “Nice,” the 300C met with praise, such as, “Wow! That’s a beautiful car!”
Ultimately, my decision revolves around what suits ME, and I am so taken with the 300. It is just a tremendous car, especially for the price. It is fun to drive, but I have no feeling of guilt about having an impractical car. I’ll be shopping my trade-in and ordering my 300 next week. I can’t stop thinking about it.
Still can't find anything on Chrysler's site about the loyalty bonus. Don't think saying "Edmund's says so" is going to cut it. Bummer.
How could you NOT see the Loyalty Cash Bonus info. on the Chrysler web site?? As soon as you click on the Chrysler 300 box on the top of the screen it will appear in the bottom right hand corner.
PS whats Superdaves website with the 300c, anyone?????
$1000 BONUS CASH
then, in smaller print - for Chrysler Financial Customers
Are others actually still seeing "loyalty"?
http://superdave369.home.comcast.net/300C/300C.html
Power Sunroof
NO LONGER AVAILABLE for factory ordering as of April 30, 2004.
So that does sound like there might be a problem with the sunroofs or at least a longer delay. Would be interesting to know what is really going on and when that status changes. I ordered mine on April 19th. Will see if I still get it with the moonroof... and when...
I called Inalfa last week, the company that makes the moonroofs for the 300, and asked what the problem was. He said that the problem is NOT Inalfa because they have all the moonroofs that Chrysler wants.
Someone else on this site said that it was the company that makes the chassis cutout for the roof? Makes NO sense to me. I remember that the same thing happened when the 300M came out in 1998. There was a restriction on moonroofs back then too.
fastdriver
Required is the Electronic Serial Number (ESN) which is obtained by turning off the radio/NAV, key in ACC, and pressing both LOAD and SET/RND buttons simultaneously. The ESN is projected onto the screen; you must write it down (a 12 digit number) so you can recite it to the help at Sirius.
IF you go to the site, there is a place to enter that number. However, if you have a new 300C, that ESN will be refused, time and time again.
YOU MUST CALL SIRIUS at 1-888-539-7474 to activate/register. Internet registration is NOT available because --
DC has "given" all of us who own 2005 "C's" (and probably other models) a "free" year's subscription and registration. Isn't that nice. Wonder why DC hasn't told anyone?
By so doing, each ESN affected is preregistered and will not work on the site, you must call in to Sirius to register and activate. No one tells you that either!!
Normally registration is $15 ($5, if via the site) and a year is worth about $150 or so (it varies).
Yeah, I'm a bit hot about the whole thing -- what a way to run a railroad. What a bunch of clowns!
I don't believe it either. I haven't been to the other place in a while to see what people are saying there. Wonder if anyone has SEEN the actual notice from DC saying that the moonroof is on "hold"?
fastdriver
I think the carsdirect.com thing is interesting. Even more interesting is that for the Magnum it says Temporarily not available for the moon roof option where for the 300 it says No longer available. I think (hope) that carsdirect made a mistake there and also means temporarily.
To me it's a wonder anyway how things like cars are built. So much has to come together at the right time. I totally understand that something like this can happen. I am not upset at all. It would just be nice that if there is a delay for moonroof orders to know kind of how long of a wait we are talking about. My dealer also told me that the same thing happened with the 300M. At first they were told it would be like six months for moonroof orders and it ended being a six weeks delay. So there is, as always, hope :-)
stephen
I like the light interior very well. The dark jade complements the interior on the dash and lower door panels, it is appropriate, too, IMO. Particlularly easy on the eyes regarding glare/reflection.
Chief reason I wanted the light interior was to reduce the tunnel effect which I feel occurs with the darker interiors.
What color is the steering wheel on the light gray interior? I drove one the other night, but I can't remember for the life of me.
I hate gray steering wheels, and the catalog shows black, but I don't think it really is. Arrghh... a black dashboard looks so much better than gray. Give me a black dash with a tan interior, and I'd be happy as a clam.
My steering wheel is dark jade leather with California Walnut Burl above. This is due to the Wood option; normally the top would be tortoise.
The dash is dark jade on top, very light gray below. Doors match with dark jade on top and light gray on the bottoms, below the armrests.
I'm going to install a walnut burl wood kit which will replace all the aluminun strips with the wood, including a 3" wide swath across the dash just below the top and above the light gray. There will be wood highlights added to the vents, and other places including the transmission area, a total of about 27/28 pieces.