Chrysler 300/300C

carcom2

How do you think the dark mats will look on top of of the light carpet especially if the back hump is not covered? As a salesman told me if you get the Upper Jade the light carpet is not as light as the light carpet with the Dark Slate Gray Upper> Is he right?

carcom2

Thanks for your feedback. I was wondering if that was a good "remedy". So you like the way the dark floor mats look over the light carpet even though you still can see the light carpet over the hump and other areas not covered by the mats?

Do you like the dark upper dash better than the Jade upper dash?

fsmmcsi

Maybe DCX will change the color choices along the way, or for the 2006 models. For now, it is simple to order the darker carpet and replace the lighter carpet. I haven't checked the cost, but it should be a few hundred dollars. You could then save the light carpet (vbe careful to fold / roll it the same way the new one came) to reinstall when you decide to sell the car.

vlis

Saw this on another 300 message board. Note that the Magnum and 300C have virtually identical handling characteristics.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/auto_technology/2004/3- /300c_magnum_winter/

ttrinchi

These were posted before but it demonstrates the 300 performance in snow conditions:

http://www.dcxmediaservices.com/videoptrs/wms/dctv/Mar04/Houghton- _Ride_Drive_300k.wvx

http://www.dcxmediaservices.com/videoptrs/wms/dctv/Mar04/Houghton- _Ride_Drive_P2_300k.wvx

tt

ed c.1

This is a reply for Carcom previous post.

Have the dealer (if possible)put the dark mats in a car and see for yourself!

I think it works in the front seat the because dash, bottom half of the console, and top half of the doors are dark blue (or black). In the back seat the top half of the doors and the console matches.

But this is completely a taste thing. What works for me might be hideous to you. And by the way, I really like the look because it gives you that two-tone appearance.

Good luck!

carcom2

I went to the Car and Driver website and they show a picture of a 300C w/ light color seats and dark carpet. Seems weird how most people think if you get light seats with the 300C you have to get light carpet. What's the real story? Customer service doesn't know.

kinglab

I spoke with Ray today at Chrysler's 800 number. He finally admitted that early production
300 models have a pull. He said that the chrysler folks were working hard on a solution but nothing was in stone yet. Seems there are two fixes. One for crap built before April 23rd (mine) and another for the junk built after the 23rd. I was told to live with it for now and hopefully a long term solution will come out to the dealers soon. I bragged that my Lexus dealer would put these guys to shame for quality, fit, finish, and overall customer satisfaction. He responded that Lexus is not forthcoming on problems, keeps things close to the vest and is not anywhere near customer oriented like the Chisler people. When I got done picking myself off the floor from laughing and catching my breath, I just asked to please have someone - anyone figure out why the car pulls, fix it soon, and then I will move on. Friends, please do not get caught up in the cool styling and the hemi. It will wear off in due time and you will still have an inferior built car. Oh, I forgot to mention. The high tech Mercedes built transmission is beginning to slip. Ron said all the issues they are experiencing are Mercedes related items used on the 300. And they wonder why my other car is a Lexus? Remember , this 300 has only 2300 miles on it .

shipo

It's too bad that we cannot get to the old topics from 1998 and 1999. You would find that Lexus does indeed have problems with admitting a problem with a new model. I am specifically referring to the then new GS series of cars. Apparently they had problems with their front ends that were far worse than a little pulling like the 300C is experiencing. One guy, who had been a HUGE Lexus bigot prior to his first GS, had to have said first car "Lemon Lawed" because of the front end problems. His second GS400 was initially better, but then things rapidly deteriorated to such an extent that Lexus wanted to take his car for a couple of days and weld the front end back together! His was not the only one. Through it all, they never admitted a problem.

In the end, the guy had to have his second GS bought back, and he went across the street and bought a 540i 6-Speed. Guess what? He became an even bigger BMW biggot.

Now, not to bash Lexus, I would say that on the whole, their dealership experience is one of the best (if not the best) in the industry, however, when they mess up, look out!

Regarding the few teething problems of the 300C, they don't sound too serious to me, especially for a new car that is practically a ground up new design. Personally, I take my hat off to the DC folks for introducing a new car that is so problem free.

Best Regards,
Shipo

ed c.1

307web

The mats look good when they are spotless, but they show lint and other light things quite plainly. Looks like the front mats have dandruff.
If you get light mats, they will darken with dirt. It is a lose-lose situation.

aaron_t

I had a Lexus for 2 years and was not as impressed with the service as I was expecting to be with it. It was better than my Ford service experiences, but not nearly as good as the hype led me to believe. Besides, I thought Lexus vehicle weren't even supposed to have problems that require service?

gnawk719

I had previously posted a message saying that I would never buy a car in it's first model year until all the bugs are worked out. This message did not get much attention or responses. However judging by what is being said on this board about problems arising and not being handled with expediency, it seems I am correct . Comments please.

pat

While this is not the place to go any further into the good and bad qualities of Lexus cars, dealers or the manufacturer, I do want folks to know that all discussions from the beginning of the Town Hall (~1997) should be available.

The Keyword Search on the left side of the page should find them for you. If you are having trouble locating something in particular, feel free to email me and I'll see if I can turn it up for you.

Now, back to the 300...

soozpk

I have an "early-built", but have no pulling problems that I can see. On concrete I-29, taking my hand off the wheel, it held very well. No alignment problems that I can see. I tried the same on
older asphalt, and again no problem that I can tell. My guess is it's a tire / road problem, not an alignment problem. KingLab, do you experience the pull "all the time", regardless of the type of road??
There has to be something to it, as some do have the pull, and some don't.

kinglab

Yes, as stated Chrysler knows there is a problem. The pull is hard to the right and one must really hold that wheel tight as it will take you away. The alignment is within specs, the tires were cross rotated and air prssure is good. It seems Chrysler believes the problem is with early models and the cam bolts on the upper control arms. If you read alot of these posts, there are many that have the pull and many that do not. For those of us that do, the car is tough to drive and the Chrysler rep says a fix is coming soon. Soon of course is up to debate.

kinglab

Please go check a calendar. This is 2004. Not 4 or 5 years ago. Every dealer/ OEM screws up and I agree teething is an issue. But reading about or hearing about someone else's car is never a big issue. It's only when it is your car and the son of a gun is hard to drive and the dealer / OEM offers no solution. Just drive a mile in my shoes please. Oh, I drive 125-225 miles a day and it would be a pleasure to drive if it did not pull so hard

kinglab

You are / were wiser than I

torpedo_62

I put a down payment on a 300C about 6 weeks ago. When I did that I was told the car would arrive in 6-8 weeks. Now talking to my Salesman, he tells me it is going to be another 6-8 weeks. I am aware that Chrysler is having problems getting the sunroofs in the quantity they initially anticipated. I don't have a good feeling about this and asked to have my order cancelled because they could not and did not have a delivery date from Chrylser. I was told that I could not have my order cancelled or get my deposit back until the car arrived and I refused to take delivery. Does this sound right. The General manager and my salesman are now giving me the run-around.
Any thoughts?
Thanx

jeep

That is pure BS. If they are a credible entity, they should give you your money back. What's the difference? With a car like this, they will have no problem selling it to someone, the day it comes in.

b4z

Drove a friend of mine's 300 V6 today.
It was a very nice driver. More power than I thought it would have and I noticed that the 3.5L was smoother than in the 300M.
The 300Ms I drove always had a vibration at idle which this one did not.
I only drove it at 50 mph, but it felt solid and was quiet.
The things that I did notice where that the brake pedal had to be pushed down pretty hard to stop.
It pulled to the right noticeably and the steering wheel wasn't centered.
There was a lot of front seat legroom and headroom was good along with the visibility.
At 6'8" I can't say that about too many cars.
I will defintely be in the market for a C this Fall.

bigkev7000

Superdave thanks for the pics on your site I have been looking for more pictures. If at all possible can you get some in the Jade color. I thinking of getting one in that color.

rctennis3811

Hey everyone, I just purchased a brand new Chrysler 300C in black with medium gray leather yesterday! The only options I didn't get are the moonroof, HID headlamps, and adjustable pedals. So far, I'm really happy with my purchase!

fooe

Does anyone a solution to the 300c not starting properly.It should start by just turning the key,but I have to put my foot on the gas pedal and give it some fuel to get it started. This doesn't seem right,its still has lots of warranty left.I have to take it in but just wondering if anyone has a solution before I take it in.

fsmmcsi

I understand that DCX is finding that 80% of the 300C orders include sunroofs, probably far more than they expected.

In my case, that is bad news, since I do not want a sun roof, since it would restrict my ability to position the seat and still fit. It means that I will probably not be able to pick up a low mileage 300C cheap, but will probably have to order one. I want a 300C now, but my SUV will only loose $1,000 in value over the next year, so I will wait.

fastdriver2

torpedo_62-

Call your state Consumer Protection Department or the Atty. General's Office. You'll see how fast you get your deposit back!

fastdriver2 AKA fastdriver

kvilleboy

When I ordered my 300C on April 10, I specifically asked the dealer if he had the allocation to obtain the car. He assured me he did. Now, 7 weeks later, still in BG (yes - I ordered the sunroof, and I know ALMOST everyone is waiting) I asked why someone (from an internet board) who had ordered 2 weeks after me with a sunroof had already received their car and mine wasn't even scheduled. He started talking about orders being "favored" if they come from a Chrysler-based dealership. Although he sells Chryslers he is a Dodge-based (Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep) dealership. Does anyone know anything about the validity of this? I picked him because he's the local dealer. Should I have gone with someone else? Thanks...

carcom2

Check it out. http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosconsumer/0405/26/g03-164089.htm

pathdoc

I looked at the 300C for the first time and liked most of what I saw. I have been following all the reviews which have been very favorable. One thing that I noticed that bothers me is the apparent inability to secure the trunk. I live in an area where valet parking for dinner is the norm and in some cases required. With the fold down rear seats one is unable to secure the trunk. The salesman also indicated that there is no "valet" key. He mentioned that the PT cruiser does have some way to secure the trunk. Is ther no mechanism to lock the trunk and secure the fold down seat back?

carcom2

http://www.leeauto.com/parts/300.html#package.

Looks like you can get slush mats in Dark Slate or Light Graystone.

mikeyjohn

My baby rooled off the assembly line at 4.00 P.M. E.S.T. to-day, and I should know in the next day or so when it will be shipped. It is one day short of one month since I put my order in. Ya Hoo!!!

rcf8000

I saw a black 300C today with what looked like 19 inch custom chrome wheels. WOW!

saywhat

Can Chrysler be trusted to turn out a quality car the first year or so? Can ANY Chrysler dealership be trusted to do the right thing, other than to offer the usual B.S. when there is a problem? What do all of you think?

bigmike5

That is the way the 300M was built too. Access to the trunk from inside the car was by pulling a strap on the outside top of the rear seat at shoulder height to unlatch the seat which would lay down. Also, the button on the dash for the trunk would function even if the key was not in the car's ignition and the car was not running. So access to the passenger compartment meant access to the trunk. I think I recall seeing the trunk button on the 300C dash near the left knee when I did a test drive, and if I am correct it is about the same place as on the 300M.

bigmike5

First year build is always a "crap shoot." Some [like mine] work out, others [like Fastdriver's "Christine"] do not. My 300M [my 1st, and only, DC product]is about as trouble free as any car I have ever owned [always Olds, except for one 93 Regal GS coupe]. Maybe I have just had good luck, but I have a responsive DC 5* dealer whose techs love to see my car come in [honest] and have been exceptionally good in caring for it. The biggest problem for the M IMHO has been some part failures. Window and lock actuators, window moldings, input and out-put tranny sensors. The build quality itself was good, I still have no rattles, etc. I've had the window and lock issues, but they were all covered under warranty and quickly resolved. I don't blame DC because some part supplier gives them inferior/defective parts, until they know about it, and have had time to correct it, which translates into at least 6 months I guess. What I fault DC for is not cutting the supplier to ribbons once they know of the part problem. The tranny input/output sensors, for example, cost $15 each, couldn't DC have the swat to make the supplier do it right the first time? That is where the time factor of waiting for the next year model can help get the bugs/defective parts out. In my own case, I was lucky and am approaching 6 years and 69K miles with my 1st year build car, and I am still almost totally happy with it.

By the way, I saw a midnight blue Touring model [I think it was- wasn't a C for sure.] at a 7-11 last night. Think it was probably a rental. One of the passengers came in and we got to talking. He said only issues he's seen so far are a sticking parking brake and a faulure to start on the first turn of the ignition key. Said he has to turn it over more than once to get it to start. Color looked nice.

jbbw20

2488 Answer----NO

mnmatches

Apparently Chrysler is coming close to finishing their new 6.1l hemi... and there are rumors floating around about them turning the new Viper V-10 into a hemi. Now I know there is no way that they would drop a V10 into the 300c....I mean come on... they're passionate about big muscle cars but thats ridiculous. Now it has been said that they are creating the 6.1l for the srt-8 version of the magnum, isn't it likely that they would do the same for its big brother the 300c? Based upon displacement alone the 6.1l is looking at 430hp. This I believe, is a more viable option because it comes off as more conservative. Adding a supercharger to a vehicle gives it a feeling of being less conservative.. which is the essence of the 300c. Don't get me wrong.. I would love a supercharged 5.7..but I just don't see DCX dropping one into the 300c.

My take is that they are going to put the 6.1 into the 300 and start selling it in mid 05. People will flock. Tire sales will go through the roof and our local street racing demographic is going to be totally thrown.

What do you guys think about each possibility? Would you prefer a supercharged 5.7 or a natural 6.1? Better yet, how about the V10 (which I've heard to be smaller, lighter and more powerful)?

serranot

This month's Motor Trend reports the SRT-8 will have the 425HP 6.1 Hemi. I think the article said it will be released early next year (or this fall, can't remember).

Tom

rwdevore

Sometimes. Never thought of myself as a Mopar guy but come to think of it I've bought or leased now five Chrysler products beginning with a '93 Jeep Grand Cherokee(great vehicle, no problems), a Neon when they were introduced(no problems), a '99 300m(fun car, no problems - while I owned it), a 2002 T&C van(it's a minivan, battery problems, child seat broke), and now a 2005 300c(days from delivery). My dealers for these vehicles have varied from terrible (the jeep dealer took my money for an extended warranty and didn't set it up) to great, (my current dealer has sold me my last four cars, near invoice or less depending on factory terms and has been very helpful when service issues have come up. I wanted a Cadillac this time around since I just got out of a Chrysler 300 but for the money I couldn't justify it to myself. Honestly after owning a '89 Merkur XR4TI when they were new, everything else is a "quality car".

jeep

You definately have a problem. You should just turn the key and have instant on like all other fuel injected engines. I'm sure they will correct the problem.

crispiegee

Argh.

I went to place my order yesterday for a 300C. Dealer called me back to tell me that factory orders are temporarily on hold until June 2nd. This just went into effect yesterday, he told me.

I asked him to keep me apprised. Frustrating.

mnmatches

Oooo! I guessed right! Wait, was that a 6.1 for the magnum or the 300c? And if you say the magnum I'm gonna need a tissue.

hardhawk

The SRT version will be for the Magnum only, unless Chrylser gets to call its version something else. I'd pass the kleenex if I were close!

mnmatches

ooooooooooofortheloveof......... booooooooooooooooo.

We should start them off by giving them a name to work with... like:

300C limited
300C special
300C beat the pants off of your neighbors car
300C BFH
etc.

Since the 300c are whisping out the dealership doors... it would easy for them to produce a higher hp performance tuned model. It would make marketing sense, since most of the talk and feedback about the car include comments about its performance characteristics. The people want a better performing C. Dump the tires and rims, stiffen the suspension, and tune out or swap out the engine for more hp. This car can be targeted to the group of people that would rather cruise with style and performance than on a good lookin couch.

.. wanting 6.1l hemi makes mnmatches go something something....

hardhawk

How about 300C AMG or 300C61 ??? I agree totally that a Chrysler version of the SRT would be great. But will they do it???????????? We can only hope. At the current pace of sales, however, they really have no incentive to do anything different until the blistering pace of the sales slows down. On the SRT Magnum, they better put the HID lights on it as it will easily outrun the light pattern of the standard halogen beams. Frankly, the current Hemi is such a drastic improvement I'd be happy with it for now. There will be plenty of aftermarket tire/wheel and suspension upgrades available soon, I have a feeling.

mnmatches

In the pursuit of spreading rumors, a poster from another forum stated that he works within the confines of the R&D facility for DC and that they are currently working on/finishing up something. It was also stated that it could be called a "300C Special" or "300C Limited". Of course this so called "insider" could be blowing smoke up ___________ but one can only hope that the rumors are true.

I had thought about calling it the "300C AMG" but MB might not appreciate it being put on a Chrysler. I'm not insinuating that Chrysler is a bad brand... but in this case MB is the premium brand and might want to retain certain badging.

crispiegee

Chrysler wouldn't call it an AMG, since it wouldn't be built by AMG. It's as simple as that.

A better suggestion would be for Chrysler to tie a performance version of the 300 to some heritage name. (This is the reason I think Chrysler was dumb to dilute the 300 name with base models - ugh!)

Maybe the 6.1 liter could have a Hurst gated shifter, and they could call it the 300 Hurst, which was a little known model around 1970.

mnmatches

Here is a small list of what I've read (may or may not be true):

- It's going to be called the 300C SRT-8
- hp ratings are 454 (no mention on torque)
- big 4 piston Brembo brakes
- re engineered suspension
- it will have a 6.1l engine and not a blown 5.7l
- lowered .5" and have Y rated tires
- more heavily bolstered seats with SRT-8 in the headrest
- 3" exhaust

The person that posted most of the information also said that there should be some spy pics coming out in the next month in the three big mags. I can only hope his accusations are true! WOOHOO!

hardhawk

Any info on what all this is going to cost???? I need to start saving my pennies NOW!

nvbanker

Forgive me, bigmike, I'm not trying to insult you in the least. But with all the problems you've had with your new 300C, I'd be driving the damn thing through the dealership showroom window!! That's not a good report card!! I can tell you were a former GM customer - low expectations....

I'm used to much, much better results, even from a first year out vehicle from Ford and from Nissan.

Again, no disrespect intended. I think GM's strategy to improve perception for years, was to lower expectations.... seems to have worked in your case. You just took this car off the list for me.