Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum
#1
Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum
After checking these cars out yesterday, all I can say is...I'm impressed.
And it's funny...they certainly are not beautiful, but somehow I find them attractive.
I can't wait to get a chance to drive them. They have very nice and roomy interiors. Even the base cars are nicely appointed. Eventhough they are smaller on the outside than Crown Vic and Grand Marquis....they have at least as much room inside, and are soooo much nicer.
As I mentioned in another thread, I am blown away by their affordable base price. I spent about 40 min checking out the 300 and 300C HEMI. While the loaded 300C (about $36K),got alot of attention, the $23,000 base car had everyone impressed and running in circles.
Just while I was there, numerous auto industry types and journalist came by. I kept hearing this common phrase from EVERYONE (including myself), over and over..."can you believe that this car is 23K?"
If I were in the market for a full sized sedan right now, there is no doubt which cars I'd be most interested in. I would certainly take them over an Impala or Taurus. These are updates of the classic, full sized, RWD, American sedan....with some help from the last gen Mercedes E class.
Good job Chrysler!
And it's funny...they certainly are not beautiful, but somehow I find them attractive.
I can't wait to get a chance to drive them. They have very nice and roomy interiors. Even the base cars are nicely appointed. Eventhough they are smaller on the outside than Crown Vic and Grand Marquis....they have at least as much room inside, and are soooo much nicer.
As I mentioned in another thread, I am blown away by their affordable base price. I spent about 40 min checking out the 300 and 300C HEMI. While the loaded 300C (about $36K),got alot of attention, the $23,000 base car had everyone impressed and running in circles.
Just while I was there, numerous auto industry types and journalist came by. I kept hearing this common phrase from EVERYONE (including myself), over and over..."can you believe that this car is 23K?"
If I were in the market for a full sized sedan right now, there is no doubt which cars I'd be most interested in. I would certainly take them over an Impala or Taurus. These are updates of the classic, full sized, RWD, American sedan....with some help from the last gen Mercedes E class.
Good job Chrysler!
Last edited by Z284ever; 02-06-2004 at 10:35 AM.
#2
I 1st saw the 300C in the flesh at the San Francisco show, and you hit it on the head when you say it's not a pretty car, but there is something magnetic about it's design. Then realizing that Chrysler is selling base models of these things at the same price as a simularly equpted Chevy Impala is simply mind blowing!
I checked out the interior of the Magnum at the LA show, and I gotta say it's not what Chrysler used to make. It's not Mercedes-like in quality or NEW-Ford-like in pizzaz, but it most certainly is one of the most well made and well layed out interiors I've seen on anything American made to date.
Before I left LA, there was a couple of 300Cs done up with oversized aftermarket rims and a few other dodads for advertizements, a magazine, and some car related youth TV show ("Cruising with Master Flex"?), so it seems on track to be the next "cool" car with the youngsters.
I'm predicting Chrysler will sell every single 300C they make.
Good news for those (**cough**GM**cough) sitting on the fence on RWD to see what happens.
I checked out the interior of the Magnum at the LA show, and I gotta say it's not what Chrysler used to make. It's not Mercedes-like in quality or NEW-Ford-like in pizzaz, but it most certainly is one of the most well made and well layed out interiors I've seen on anything American made to date.
Before I left LA, there was a couple of 300Cs done up with oversized aftermarket rims and a few other dodads for advertizements, a magazine, and some car related youth TV show ("Cruising with Master Flex"?), so it seems on track to be the next "cool" car with the youngsters.
I'm predicting Chrysler will sell every single 300C they make.
Good news for those (**cough**GM**cough) sitting on the fence on RWD to see what happens.
#3
I tyhink what makes the 'attractive but not pretty' is their overall profile. Both are very muscular, chiseled shapes.
However, having said that, my pesonal design hard drive gives them a negative vote (on styling, not the product(s) themselves). I personally like slooping hood lines and raked windshields. The front of the 300C with it HUGE grill turns me off. The Magnum is a little better, but still a little too blocky.
IMO, Chrysler's styling is starting to remind me of the over the top stuff from the late 50's
However, having said that, my pesonal design hard drive gives them a negative vote (on styling, not the product(s) themselves). I personally like slooping hood lines and raked windshields. The front of the 300C with it HUGE grill turns me off. The Magnum is a little better, but still a little too blocky.
IMO, Chrysler's styling is starting to remind me of the over the top stuff from the late 50's
#5
Originally posted by dream '94 Z28
...IMO, Chrysler's styling is starting to remind me of the over the top stuff from the late 50's
...IMO, Chrysler's styling is starting to remind me of the over the top stuff from the late 50's
#7
I saw them both in Detroit. Liked the Magnum even though I'm not a wagon guy. 300? I'm sure it's a nice car and all, but the styling leaves me cold. Looks more "snobby old-money" than "young and cool" IMO.
#8
Originally posted by Z28Wilson
Looks more "snobby old-money" than "young and cool" IMO.
Looks more "snobby old-money" than "young and cool" IMO.
#11
Which brings up another related subject.
Seems that there is going to be a Dodge Charger sedan that's going to see production about this time next year.
It apparently won't have the 300C/Magnum bodywork.
Seems this is why only the LX wagon is on sale at Dodge dealers.
Coupe is due sometime afterwards (2007?). It's likely to be called Challenger.
Chrysler will be adding products to the LX plant to keep it running at top capacity. The Charger & Challenger, along with the Magnum, 300C, and the European "300 Touring Car" (a Magnum with a 300 front end) is aimed to do exactly that.
Reason why I say It seems" & "Apparently" is because I still bear alot of ill-will over Daimler previously postponing and cancelling these cars after they ran out all the top Chrysler executives about 4 years ago and sucked the cash reserves dry.
These cars are actually on the books as part of Chryslers "new" product offensive. Let's just see if Daimler doesn't screw them over... again.
Seems that there is going to be a Dodge Charger sedan that's going to see production about this time next year.
It apparently won't have the 300C/Magnum bodywork.
Seems this is why only the LX wagon is on sale at Dodge dealers.
Coupe is due sometime afterwards (2007?). It's likely to be called Challenger.
Chrysler will be adding products to the LX plant to keep it running at top capacity. The Charger & Challenger, along with the Magnum, 300C, and the European "300 Touring Car" (a Magnum with a 300 front end) is aimed to do exactly that.
Reason why I say It seems" & "Apparently" is because I still bear alot of ill-will over Daimler previously postponing and cancelling these cars after they ran out all the top Chrysler executives about 4 years ago and sucked the cash reserves dry.
These cars are actually on the books as part of Chryslers "new" product offensive. Let's just see if Daimler doesn't screw them over... again.
Last edited by guionM; 02-06-2004 at 12:58 PM.
#12
[QUOTE]Originally posted by guionM
Believe it or not, that's exactly the intention (minus the tailfins, of course). [/QUOTE
Hmmm]
I've never thought being different for the sake of being different was good. Different and better, yes. Of course it's moot since styling is in the eye of the beholder. More power to them I guess.
Believe it or not, that's exactly the intention (minus the tailfins, of course). [/QUOTE
Hmmm]
I've never thought being different for the sake of being different was good. Different and better, yes. Of course it's moot since styling is in the eye of the beholder. More power to them I guess.
#13
Originally posted by guionM
Challenger,
Challenger,
I like it!
Another pony car is always good.
#14
Dodge Challenger...
See now my imagination is in high gear. Oh man, wouldn't it be cool if there were a new Trans Am type race series.
Challenger T/A , Mustang GT-350 (or should it be BOSS), Mercury Cougar, 350Z, (among others),......and of course, our favorite...Camaro Z/28, slugging it out for glory (and sales). Too bad 'Cuda AAR, Firebird and AMC Javelin won't be around.
Here's a cool Cougar Trans Am racer.
http://www.1maddmax.com/CougarTransAmcar.html
And Challenger:
http://www.historictransam.com/Drive...Challenger.htm
Here some more great pics:
http://www.historictransam.com/racep...ountry2003.htm
http://www.historictransam.com/racep...meRock2003.htm
See now my imagination is in high gear. Oh man, wouldn't it be cool if there were a new Trans Am type race series.
Challenger T/A , Mustang GT-350 (or should it be BOSS), Mercury Cougar, 350Z, (among others),......and of course, our favorite...Camaro Z/28, slugging it out for glory (and sales). Too bad 'Cuda AAR, Firebird and AMC Javelin won't be around.
Here's a cool Cougar Trans Am racer.
http://www.1maddmax.com/CougarTransAmcar.html
And Challenger:
http://www.historictransam.com/Drive...Challenger.htm
Here some more great pics:
http://www.historictransam.com/racep...ountry2003.htm
http://www.historictransam.com/racep...meRock2003.htm
Last edited by Z284ever; 02-06-2004 at 04:03 PM.
#15
Originally posted by guionM
Believe it or not, that's exactly the intention (minus the tailfins, of course).
Believe it or not, that's exactly the intention (minus the tailfins, of course).
Last edited by mastrdrver; 02-07-2004 at 03:00 AM.