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Chrysler 300/300C

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  • svevarsvevar Member Posts: 160
    Some of the other models Chrysler's coming out with this year are: PT Convertible, Crossfire Convertible, Wrangler Unlimited, Grand Cherokee, Dakota, Town & Country, and Caravan. I seriously doubt that Chrysler would introduce a second Chrysler sedan before the introduction of a Dodge sedan based on the LX platform.

    -- Mark
  • mkcomkco Member Posts: 65
    Saw it at the Detroit auto show yesterday. All I can say is: Sell your DCX stock. This brick will be biggest Chrysler failure since the Airflow.

    But the good news is: at least the Grand Marquis finally has some competition!
  • xmf314xmf314 Member Posts: 154
    Having also seen the 300C I agree that it is obviously not going to sell on styling. However it might do well for commercial use. If DCX offers similar taxi and police underpinnings that Ford does for the Crown Victoria and can compete with that vehicle in terms of fleet prices, I think they can give the Ford boys a run for their money.

    The 2.7L would be great for taxi work, and the 5.7 Hemi would bring a smile to the face of any Highway Patrol Officer or State Trooper.
  • fuzzywuzzyfuzzywuzzy Member Posts: 958
    Can anyone really see the 300C in fleet duty? I mean that would be such a pain to park, & drive cause it's so big. Those liitle windows makes for little window views, & the car looks like it has big blind spots. Parts & maintance will likly be more too cause it's MB underpinnings. This is a new car, it has to be proved reliable too.
  • svevarsvevar Member Posts: 160
    For every person who doesn't like the styling of the 300C, I'm sure there are plenty who do. According to an article in the Detroit News, it's one of the most popular production cars on display at the show. If I could, I'd run out and buy one right now. I think it's absolutely stunning.

    As for the MB-sourced parts costing more, keep in mind that they are not actually MB parts, but rather parts based upon those of MB and made here in Chrysler factories. I wouldn't expect them to cost any more than other Chrysler parts.
  • axguyaxguy Member Posts: 16
    I think the new 300 is hot looking. If I were in the market to buy a car, I'd grab one in a minute, providing I like it in person as much as I like the pictures.
    Jeff
  • xmf314xmf314 Member Posts: 154
    I'm sure there are people who will like the styling of the 300C. However, to me it looks like a brick with gunslot windows.

    To me it apeared better in pictures than in the flesh. I suppose it will be like the current 5 and 7 series BMWs, love it or hate it. However, I predict there will be more people in the latter category.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    As a person who is currently driving the just replaced E39 5-Series BMW, and who absolutely HATES the new 5-Series and 7-Series (but who oddly enough likes the 6-Series), I can tell you that I like the 300C FAR more than the two "Bangalized" sedans.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • hotrodlincoln1hotrodlincoln1 Member Posts: 62
    I like the styling, though I've only seen pictures. BTW, the 300C is only 196.8 inches long. For comparision, a Crown Vic is 212.
  • xmf314xmf314 Member Posts: 154
    I saw the upcoming Ford 500 at the LA auto show. Although it is a little derivative in the sense it could be mistaken for a large Volkswagen Passat (a good looking car), it is a cleanly styled vehicle. I'm sure it will easily outsell the 300C.

    As far as Bangle is concerned, it puzzles me how BMW management could allow him to take the company in such an absurd styling direction. The only thing I can come up with is that the man must be a master hypnotist.
  • ipoddinipoddin Member Posts: 61
    Haven't read every post here...so I'm just wondering, any firm dates for availability? Early spring is a little vague...
  • soozpksoozpk Member Posts: 205
    My dealer said that Chrysler will start accepting orders for the 300 on 1/26/04.
  • stormdavystormdavy Member Posts: 80
    Headlight housings for Touring models vary slightly from more base levels. This is so subtle, you have to really stare to figure out how it was done. Most photos of this car are taken from straight on, and don't show how the headlamps are recessed an inch or so from the front hood line. In person, this makes for a more intimidating expression.

    My technical drawing instructor used to point out how new GMs and Fords (back when models' appearances changed each year) took awhile to grow on you, but overall withstood the test of time, whereas Chryslers were flashy from the get-go, but then petered out after a few years, style-wise.

    Maybe so, maybe not. Maybe Chrysler has learned its lesson. The face of this car is strong and different. It takes some getting used to. The grille seems a tad huge, and I'm starting to dislike sliced circles of lights within headlights I see too much of, including here. And yet, this car has alot of 'presence'.

    To sum up, the 300 has a great deal of mystique and personality, helped along by the mostly dark colors offered. I think this car and style will fill its niche(s) just fine. By comparison, Ford's new 500 is a celebration of generic blandness.
  • m45guym45guy Member Posts: 42
    Maybe....

    For grins, I priced one on DC's site as I'd order it, and I'm having a hard time, conceptually, with $37K. Ouch. Though, you can't get a decent car these days, IMHO, for under about $28K, so....

    Unfortunate for the C, but good for the checkbook, my wife and I still *really* like the Trep. Only thing I wish it had is a moonroof, and those are only about a grand to have put in. It's about done with its 100K mile 'blues', so it's good for another 100K. Tranny is all that's left to die on it, and I consider anything after 80K on these to be a bonus.

    Well, a bunch more power than the 3.5L would be nice, as would be AWD, however traction control, albeit a bit 'crude' in how it functions, is actually pretty good in snow.

    4K lbs. and AWD are the likely culprits in the relative slow 0-60 times. AWD means you can't launch near the peak torque point, though I would bet you could get under 6 seconds with power-braking. For a car this size, and price, I'd be all over that...as long as the tranny isn't all over the road after three hard launches.

    I like the blocky, non-jellybean styling, but then, I really like the angularness of the '95 LH's design, too. I mean, the Aston Martin Lagonda has appeal for me, too...even has the Torqueflite 727 3-speed in it, OEM. ;-)

    For those who may have see the C in person, can you tell if it has separate turn signals, or are they incorporated into the brake/parking lights?

    Thanks!
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    Since they're ready to take orders on this vehicle, we'll move this discussion to the Sedans board next week, where pat will be your host.

    kirstie_h
    Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
    Review your vehicle

  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    51 300Cs built this week.
    240 built so far.
  • ford624ford624 Member Posts: 75
    I personally think the 300C looks great.
    I like that it looks like it has a chopped top.
    I like the size.
    I like that MBZ had something to do with car.
    But, I wonder about the 4-6-8 Hemi.
    Can someone tell me if that will be a good thing?
    Plus, I would even like the Ford Five Hundred if it came with a bigger engine.
    "Thanks"
    Jack
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    There is nothing theoretically wrong with the V4-V6-V8 concept, however, as we all know; the devil is in the details. When Cadillac tried to implement such a design back in the 1980s, it was deemed a failure, at best. Twenty years later, with all of the CAD tools for the engine design, and the cheap availability of high end processors to control the beast, I suspect that the DC version will be far more successful.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • coronet68coronet68 Member Posts: 18
    I've been researching the 300C Hemi in hopes that it is the right replacement vehicle for my 300m.

    I love that it fixes the performance weaknesses in my otherwise great '99 300M perf. package - namely:
    1) 5 speed transmission - as the 300m 4 speed is geared too high in low gears ( 1st to 48, 2nd to 88) to get any low end power from its excellent hp & torque.
    2) V8! Hemi label is even better
    3) Rear Wheel drive!

    What I'm not as sure about:
    1) Styling - didn't like it at first nearly as much as I love the 300m styling but it is growing on me.
    and from the web site/specs
    2) Hemi package still seems week on wheels/tire package - no low profile tire option for high perf tires. "225/60R18 Touring Tires" on the top of the line Hemi-C? Hopefully there will be some plus options but (as noted in another post) starting from a 18" 60 series certainly limits the options.
    3) Final drive ratio on Hemi is down to 2.82? Hopefully they didn't gear away all the hemi torque advantages in the name of fuel economy again (although if its 6.3 for the 60 that still sounds pretty good).
    4) Not sure I like the 4-6-8 even as it sounds like it will work well but it puts the Hemi emphasis on talking about fuel economy instead of performance.
    5) All the low end 300 (2.7, 3.5) based models - it was nice to only see a limited number of 300M vehicles, this could be good for Chrysler to get the volume but loses some of the vehicle uniqueness.

    Anyone seen any reviews on the real car yet, sounds like their being built now but I haven't seen any real reviews yet?

    I've heard the Magnum will later get a sedan model which will get the RT version, and/or there will be a Charger coupe model - I'm trying to decide if I think they will hold back more real perf. options for these Dodge variants and I should wait for them versus going with the 300c now.
  • soozpksoozpk Member Posts: 205
    Our host would like to have our 300C buying experience posted in another section,
    so I'll just keep it short in this forum.

    Went to two dealers .....got the same invoice price in each place....29,973.

    I ordered one, but I didn't get the deal I traditionally get.
  • ford624ford624 Member Posts: 75
    So,soozbk, what does that mean? What percentage did you get off of the window sticker? I figured one up at about 38k with out taxes added, and no discounts.
    ...Jack
  • soozpksoozpk Member Posts: 205
    To our host: Since we dedicated this thread to only the 300 series, I'm going to run
    with it in this venue. If you need to place this in another area, that's fine too.

    When I went to the dealer I expected my usual 1000 off for every 10,000 of car, or
     3,000 off at the very least, on a 35,000 car. I was very "annoyed" (I can use a
    better word) at the first encounter with dealer # 1. I went to dealer # 2, where the
    invoice also was shown to be MRSP-32,370 / FWP-29,973. Dealer #2 was 76
    miles away, so I then assumed "that" 29,973 number may be legitimate afer all.
    Dealer # 2 explained the reason the invoice is "tight", is because of the "delayed
    depreciation", as I'm driving a 2005 model, whn in reality, it's really a 2004 model.
     So, I'll get my "extra" 1000 off in the back end, when I trade it off. Well, that may
    be plausible, but I always like to see greenbacks in my pocket up-front, now, not
    later. I always keep my cars for 100,000 miles, so my guess is that "delayed
    depreciation" won't really help me out too much at that point in time.

    Okay, the deal......

                                                 Code MSRP FWP
    300C-----------------------------------LXCS48------------32,370--- --------29, 973
    Wood Trim--------------------------CSY----------------- 400--------- 368
    Sound Group II--------------------ATL------------------ 535--------- 492
    Protection Group II--------------AD4------------------ 840--------- 773
    Power Pedals---------------------XAM----------------- 175---------- 161
    Destination Charge----------------------------------------- 625--------- 625
    ________________________________________________________
                                                                      34,945------------32,392
     
    Whatever-----------------PPA----------------------------34,945---- --------- 528
                                                                     ___________________
                                                                         34,945---------32,920
                                                                                                                                  
     PPA is the cost of doing business. Tried to fight it, to little avail.

     The bottom line-----------Sticker: 34,945-----My cost: 32,995
     This is without extended warranty, tax, etc.

     Sounds like a good deal , "IF" the invoice numbers can be trusted.
     They were the same at two seperately owned dealeships.

      The way I look at it; the stock market is up at the moment, and
      if I got screwed on this deal, I already got it back in the other.
  • soozpksoozpk Member Posts: 205
    To our Host: I'm fighting with the html vs txt thing, and can't get my previous
    message to straighten up. Can you do it, so others may print it, if need-be??
    Thanks
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Seems strange that you are only getting 2K discount.
    I guess the destination charge throws a monkey wrench into
    the calculations.
  • soozpksoozpk Member Posts: 205
    That was the thing that upset me the most If you do the math, you can probably toss out the PPA charge, which then gives them a $603 profit over invoice. The problem was, to my amazement, that the 300C's base invoice price was placed higher than I expected.....almost 30,000 before options. I was figuring on it being mid-28,000 something.

    Looking at the base Pacifica AWD here, and that goes for MSRP-32,300 / FWP-29,602.
    That's a spread of 2700. That may well be the problem as to why many potential Pacifica buyers get turned off. They couldn't get the deals they were accustomed to, especially since quite a few were pushing 40 grand. Hell, they were probably expecting 4,000 off, without rebates.

    I inquired about 0% financing, and the salesman chuckled. One would think Chrysler would use that as a nice gesture to introduce this new line of cars. I haven't done the financing yet, so things can change. The new Durango doen't qualify for 0% financing either. Matter of fact,
    if I didn't own a PC, or suscribe to car mags, I wouldn't have a clue about this car. I haven't
    seen any ads for it, except for the "Mystery Car" thing. I do hope DCX gets it's act together,
    as I don't even have a 300 catalog yet.......!!!
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,740
    I don't get it. So you want the MSRP to be higher so you can think you are getting a better deal??

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • soozpksoozpk Member Posts: 205
    No, not at all. All I'm saying is the higher the sticker, the more should come off the bottom line.

    Example: Let's do a Buick Park Ave as the prices are comparable to the 300.
      
          Buick 300C
    MSRP---34,975 32,370
    Invoice---31,652 29,973
    ________________________________
    Spread--3,323 2,397

    The difference is a full grand. The Buick dealer has more room to play with, with
    the ability to give you a better bottom line.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,740
    that's just it, there is more padding on top. So I still don't get the problem. Invoice is invoice is invoice. Whether you get $500 off or $5000 off sticker, you are working from what the dealership paid for the car when you are working from invoice. I guess we are just seeing it differently. But if you are buying your car by using the invoice price, then why should it matter what the MSRP is? Maybe you'd be happier if you thought in terms of "hey, i bought it at invoice" rather than "I got $2K off sticker." That's just my take on it.

    let me approach it from a different way. Let's say dealerships didn't all work from the same numbers. Let's say dealership A gets car xyz for $28K and puts a price of $32K on it. You walk in and get them down to $28K. Hey, a full $4K off sticker! But, dealership B is selling the same exact car for $27K sticker because they bought it for $26K. You could get it for their invoice of $26K, but that's only a measly $1K off sticker. So what is the better deal?

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    soozpk, I don't have any alignment tools that you don't have, sorry. I'll play with it in a sec, but I don't think I can correct the alignment either (can't change to a fixed-pitch font).

    And yes, you're welcome to talk about pricing in this discussion, since it's our only active one on the new 300. If it turns out that a prices paid/buying experiences discussion would generate a lot of interest, we'll look at separating the two down the road. Thanks for asking!

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
    Review your vehicle

  • ford624ford624 Member Posts: 75
    Maybe the Chrysler 300 C will be the best vehicle ever made. Can someone tell me how it drives? How does it handle on a road with many curves in the mountains? Will the paint keep looking new longer than the MBZ? What grade of leather does it have? How refreshed do you feel after a long trip? What about the brakes? Which one of us has driven one yet? Will everybody in town want to buy one? What ever the market will bear.
  • soozpksoozpk Member Posts: 205
    The problem with your scenario is that it doesn't represent the real world. The MSRP and
    the invoice price are both set in stone by the manufacturer. Dealership A should get that car
    at the same invoice as Dealership B. No dealership is going to sell a car at a price less than
    it cost them. It's up to the consumer to determine what the best price should be, once the
    invoice price is known. Remember, the dealership, depending on what models are being pushed, can get 2-8% incentives below invoice, and that is what the consumer generally
    doen't know.
    I myself, never try to buy a car below invoice. I simply used the "10% rule".....up until now.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,740
    I WAS going to use that same comparison, but say that they were 2 cars from 2 different manufacturers but are exactly the same in every respect. But then I figured you might say "no 2 cars from different manufacturers are exactly alike." But that, obviously, is not the point. The point is to show that just because one manufacturer marks their cars up $4K and one marks it up $2K does not mean that you are getting the better deal by getting $4K off.

    OK, how about a real-world example? The Lexus ES330 has $3600 difference between invoice and MSRP. So let's say you can get that $2K off the Chrysler and get it for invoice. BUT, you can get $2500 off the Lexus and pay $1100 over invoice. Is the Lexus a better deal just because you got more money off sticker? The dealership still made $1100 in profit while the Chrysler dealer is making nothing (obviously, not considering holdback or anything else).

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Usually between 91-92.5% of MSRP.

    And why haven't we sen any road tests of the car?
    They have already made 240 of them.

    What is the official launch date?
  • soozpksoozpk Member Posts: 205
    It's always a better deal to get the most off the sticker, regardless of the make. If the Lexus
    is offering a 3600 spread, that is where I would set my aim. Why give them the remaining
    1,100, You can probably whittle that down to 500, and some astute buyers could probably
    get it down further. All I'm saying is the 300's spread is less than their competitors. If a person
    goes to a GM or Lexus dealer for a comparable car, he's apt to say that he went to Chrysler,
    but they "wouldn't come down", instead of actually saying that they "couldn't come down"
    because the spread is tighter.
  • soozpksoozpk Member Posts: 205
    Here's a tidbit from what's going on behind the scenes up in Brampton...makes interesting
    reading.

                        http://caw1285.tripod.com/communicator_bap.htm
  • 3rdtime3rdtime Member Posts: 7
    Just shake your head, chuckle to yourself, and remember what P.T. Barnum said. LOL
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,740

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • hotrodlincoln1hotrodlincoln1 Member Posts: 62
    That's great (sarcasm). I saw problems like the attendance/tardiness deal when I was in the service. I think it was handled pretty well. If not many people were being late, and this was your first time in a while being late, you were advised to be on time. If lots of people made a habit of lateness, then the muster time was moved back 15 or thirty minutes for a week or so.

    I just hope disgruntled employees don't lead to quality issues.
  • soozpksoozpk Member Posts: 205
    These guys were laid-off for four months while the factory was being revamped. I don't think a walkout would be on their minds just yet. Hopefully, they're just flexing their muscle at management at the moment. They did make it quite clear that they don't care for this plant manager.
  • ipoddinipoddin Member Posts: 61
    Driving home on the 101N through Hollywood and spotted a 300C. I tried pulling up as close as I could and managed to snap some pictures. These are from my camera phone so not the best quality...and we were doing 70mph too...anyway, here they are:

    http://www.pixelmode.com/dub/photos/300c/1.JPG
    http://www.pixelmode.com/dub/photos/300c/2.JPG
    http://www.pixelmode.com/dub/photos/300c/3.JPG
    http://www.pixelmode.com/dub/photos/300c/4.JPG
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Thanks for the pics.

    That is a big durn vehicle.

    Might make a better cop/taxi cab than what Ford/GM offers.
    Chrysler might have that market sewn up again once the Dodge version gets going.
  • soozpksoozpk Member Posts: 205
    That's a 300C alright. Devoid of side mouldings, and mag wheels, it does look rather homely.
    Are those standard CA plates?? Thank you for sharing.....
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    I can't say for certain, but they look like Manufacturer plates from Michigan.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • ipoddinipoddin Member Posts: 61
    Those were not CA plates. And it did look rather ugly without all the trimmings...wasn't too fond of the maroon/dark brown color either.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    Reporter Brett Clanton is looking to interview a few people who have bought or are planning to buy a Chrysler or Dodge vehicle because of the Hemi. Please call him at 313-222-2612 or e-mail him at bclanton@detnews.com by Wednesday, January 28. Please feel free to contact me at jfallon@edmunds.com with any questions.
    Thanks!
    Jeannine Fallon
    PR Director
    Edmunds.com

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
    Review your vehicle

  • xmf314xmf314 Member Posts: 154
    I have seen several 300Cs driving around Los Angeles. The plates are Michigan Manufacturer plates. Other auto makers also test upcoming models here wearing Michigan plates.

    The 300C is a homely beast. I hope they don't sell well here, because it could help defeat the Mayor of Los Angeles' goal to "Keep Los Angeles Beautiful."
  • hotrodlincoln1hotrodlincoln1 Member Posts: 62
    Apparently our tastes differ. I think the 300C is one of the better looking passenger cars to come out since...(still thinking)...the Box Fords* of the 80's.

    Of course, it still doesn't compare to some of my all-time favorites like the 68-69 Road Runner and the '69 Newport.

    * On second thought, I remembered that they still make RR and Bentleys. But at roughly $300k a pop, do they really count as passenger cars?
  • peder59peder59 Member Posts: 3
    I have finally signed on this message board after having read your exchanges for weeks.

    I can't wait for the 300C with the powerful 5.7L Hemi motor to hit the market. What is timing? I have read end March.

    The car I want is similar to the one SOOZOPK has bought. Here I thought I had to pay about 35K using Chrysler's website, only to happily find out that I might save a couple of grand. Thanks SOOZOPK.

    IPODDIN then does excellent spy work by taking pictures on the road at 70 miles speed. Great, even if I have to say that the website model looks better.

    I saw the concept car at the San Francisco car show. How come the nt concept cars have different metallic colors that do not appear to be available on Chrysler's website?

    Also, what happened to the 19-20" low profile wheels I was reading about months ago?

    Wow, this turned out to be an essay. Now you can see how long time I have been waiting to post a message.....

    take care,
    peder59
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    I guess it is no longer a "Future Vehicle".
    We have graduated to the sedans board.
  • soozpksoozpk Member Posts: 205
    http://www.autosite.com/Previews/2005-chrysler-300.asp

    In response to peder59:

    The color selection is indeed poor, at least for the present. That
    may change. We were going to get Lava Red, but it's almost black.
    Mopar's website shows it as a medium red, which is not true to life.

    The concept car actually had two different tire widths, (wider on rear), so impractical to carry two sizes in the trunk for the real world. Why they axed the 20" size may have been ecnomics, just guessing though.
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