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Comments
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.
That's how I keep the carpet in my Caddy, my dad's Buick, and my mom's Avalanche spotless all the time. Helps a lot if you ever go to sell or trade the car then too--you don't have nasty stained carpeted mats to try and hide.
My own preference is to use factory mats in winter, and no mats at all in summer. I paid for that original carpet, and I want to see it, I want to use it, at least during relatively dry weather. I don't care if it gets stained. That's what carpet cleaner is for.
stephen
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.
Might as well stick the factory mats in a storage unit sealed in plastic to make sure it never gets dirty.
If your covering them with another set of mats, what is the point of having them in the car at all?
The upper part of the doors, instrument panel, steering wheel on my 300C is dark slate gray, almost black. The lower part of the entire interior including seats and carpet is light slate gray, what you might call off-white. Very attractive and pleasing overall. A challenge to keep the carpets clean, but worth the trouble.
stephen
For everyones sake I hope that they are actually installing an auto open/close or active ventilation system. Personally I think this would be the ultimate feature.
Does Chrysler use "cheap" carpet in the new 300C?
Why cover it up -- I know, I know, to each his/her own. But I remember my parents put wall to wall carpeting in their house and promptly put clear plastic runners over at least 60% of the surface -- and we're not even Greek!
Is this due to poor carpet materials or "tradition?"
I'd vote for putting my feet on the carpeted floor mats and NOT covering them up -- unless the carpet is really flimsy.
No offense to anyone, for, as I noted, my parents did the same thing -- although we did not go to clear plastic on the "good sofa" -- we just weren't allowed to sit on it! Ha!
Okay, back to your regularly scheduled program...
:-)
Thanks!
Normally, on larger engines, because of combustion and massive fuel/air mixture; it's required to use premium fuel.
Though I can't speak on the 300C (yet), I can speak out of experience with 8 cyl.
Anyone care to share?
The 5.7 Hemi does not have a super-high compression ratio (less than 10:1), so 87 octane is apparently acceptable, however, I suspect that the computer will reduce your spark advance to compensate. This will cut into your performance just a wee bit, so 89 octane is recommended.
Contrary to the old ad campaigns, higher octane fuel does not help you get better gas mileage (unless your engine is designed for it specifically, and won't run well otherwise). The federal government forced the oil companies to discontinue making these claims because there was no supporting proof.
Chrysler may have put the "celestial" roof on hiatus to figure out where to reinforce the body so that the car would maintain its crashworthiness with the big whole in the roof. I would be interested to know if the people who get a 300 with a "celestial" roof later this year have the same size as the early buyers.
Hmmm...
Most engine management computer programs do in fact attempt to compensate for lower grade fuel by retarding the spark -- sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Even when it works, the issue can be lower power from the engine.
Now, I don't know the exact way this works, but the spirit of what happens is that the engine managment system and the driver tend to compensate for the lower power by using more fuel -- most of the time pre-ignition is no longer an issue.
It is also true that, generally speaking, the higher the compression ratio, the higher the octane requirements.
Once again, I am unable to comment on the exact way this works, but FSI (fuel stratified injection) engines -- like the new 3.2 V6 Audi engine -- have very high relative compression -- 12:1 or higher -- but do not require premium.
I read the how and why but I am way too far away from my comfort zone to even begin to explain it.
But, if the manual says use regular, mid grade or premium, just note that the usual effect of using lower fuel grades is INCREASED cost, not decreased.
The only other thing I can imagine wanting to do to the car would be to replace the treads and rims. 1) the performance difference over the conti's would be crazy and 2) it would give it a style thats a bit more my age. Now I'm not talking about 22's with spinners.... More like a clean aggressive sporty look. Closer to a Brabus rim package.
Speaking of Brabus. If they produce modifications for the SMART car... wouldn't it be sensible to assume that they would produce one for the 300c? 400hp and 490lbft of torque? <que drooling homer sound fx>
~mnmat (just boosted his anticipation level by another 80%) ches
Thanks
Thanks crispiegee for the 300 vs GTO information. The 300 is the car many of us really want, and have wanted for some time, but until nobody made it. I agree on the noise - for a time I had my car quite loud - it was fun setting off car alarms, but the noise really wears on you.
If you're into Rock, Sirius is for you; SIXTEEN CHANNELS OF IT!! That's a bit excessive in my opinion, but to each his/her own. I'm more into R&B/Hip-Hop; of which there are only 8 dedicated channels, but Sirius Hits 1 and a few other Top 40 stations play that genre as well so it's no biggy. Both services provide stations that cover the decades (40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s [XM also covers the 90s and Sirius bunches 40s and 50s together on channel 5 (Golden Oldies) and the 90s are covered on channel 9 and/or 10]). Both have plenty of news and entertainment, but Sirius has more. If you're a sports guy, Sirius has more sports and has just been named the official carrier of the NFL, on and off season. I believe it will also carry NASCAR.
At any rate, I think Sirius has more content than XM. If it makes you feel any better, I, too, wished I could get factory XM in my car. But after having Sirius, I don't think I'd have it any other way.
Are people finding cost effective ways to convert to HID's or are the costs as detailed over the past couple of years in auto magazines still the rule?
Prediction, Chrysler will either offer Bi-Xenons as an option or they will become standard whenever HID is checked off.
Besides, the only difference between the Pilot and MDX (besides exterior) is, literally, trim pieces.
fmmcsi, you're confusing standard Xenon/HID lights with projector beam systems. Projector beam and "regular" Xenon bulbs are totally different, but both use ballasts. (Kind of an oxymoron there. They can't be totally different if they both use ballasts! :-))
Projector beam Xenon/HID systems are quite expensive. I'm going to rue the day if one of the projectors on my 300M Special fails.
If you want even more performance, there will probably be some nice aftermarket options in the near future. I hope Corsa makes an exhaust for this car. They already make one for the Hemi trucks. Perhaps the car will benefit from a better intake - who knows. But this car will likely have some fun intake and exhaust options sometime soon.
Just like a halogen bulb...you can't touch the bulb with your bare hands. It has to be handled with something pretty sterile like a paper towel/tissue or a very clean rag. This is to prevent any oil residue from getting on the bulb which will drastically shorten its life span.
The bulbs currently listed for the pacifica (from piaa) are the H7's which run $80 for a pair. So $160 for HID's which could be installed in under 15 min.
The competition nowadays is such that every auto company MUST get the car right the first time, lest they lose all of their buyers. Although there may turn out to be a quirk here or there, I doubt that it will amount to much.
But I do recommend that you wait until after next week. That way, I can order mine and not have to wait for them to build yours!
I think there IS a gamble on getting the first year of any new model. I base that on my family experience. My parents bought the 1996 Chrysler Town & Country when it was the first model of the then new body style. I waited until 1997. I have had a virtually trouble free experience and they have had a number of things that had to be resolved. I gambled and bought the first year of the new GMC Envoy for 2002 back in the summer of 2001. It has been a fine vehicle, but I have had a number of small, irritating problems that the 2003 and beyond owners have not had. I am going to be buying a GM extended warranty before the regular warranty expires for the first time ever in my car owning days. Let's face it, if you buy the first year you are an unoffical Beta-Tester! So far, I have seen nothing that would discourage me from going ahead with buying a 300C now, but if I do so, it will be with eyes wide open to the potential hazards of such a choice.
mileshoover - where are you getting your walnut kit? Are you installing it yourself or having it done? If you are having it done, what is the price (if you don't mind sharing).
Ken
1. As of midday today, the orders for Moonroofs are NOW in effect. Chrysler is not saying why the hold, but they are accepting moonroof orders :-)
Second, I am just echoing what's been said here about performance, ride, comfort, smoothness, suspension, etc. I'm just thrilled with this car and drove the Magnesium 300C with a kool aid smile. It's as impressive in local streets and highway. I was doing 70MPH without even feeling it... it felt like 45MPH at most. Talk about interior space... WOW!!! I'm 6'5" and I couldn't have been more comfortable.
This car is truely unbelieveable and I'll be putting my order by end of May. 5-6 wks for delivery.. I can live with that.
PS- Yes, car did drift to the right a bit, but knowing there's a replacement kit for it, I'm not concerned. Another thing, didn't feel a thing when car's MDS was changing from 4 to 8 cyl and viseverse.
I'm estatic... okay, I'll shutup now! :-D
Also there are regular bulbs filled with Xenon gas, they are cheaper, sometimes brighter, and more annoying. Those are HID wannabes.
stephen
stephen
he also said he has ordered 300c's with the same equip list as those of us waiting w/o the moonroof in case anyone can do without it, he said he'd have no problem selling them if the original order guys didn't want 'em.
In addition.. he said the reason he couldn't/wouldn't add the sunroof later was because he can't give it the same safety certification that the factory can because of the side airbags.. something to do with the deployment triggering and the different body reaction with an aftermarket hole in the roof..
Still waiting ....
Thanks
As far as XM... are you aware that they are 100% commerical free for the last several months?
If I've been an XM customer for the last 2 years and already have 2 xm's with them under the family plan... why would I want to pay $12.99 for a new system to learn etc.. when I'm very happy with XM?
It will come down to the color of Magnesium Pearl or Satin Jade Pearl. I'm in South FLA... Which would you think would be best?
Any tips on where to order?
Also, I would assume that I have no bargain power when ordering?
Thanks
I think it will keep the car looking new and you can barely see the film even on black. I think they did a great job. I'ts cheaper than re-painting or lots of rock chips on a painted bumper and vulnerable surfaces.