argh, i love the 300c. think will go test drive one right now.

 

Not so much that I think the 300C is great (though if I was going to buy a sedan, I'd eat through a wall to get at one ), it's that after seeing it so many times in pictures, and seeing them pop up pretty frequently before they were "supposed" to be on sale, I got really curious, and the car wasn't what I expected.

I expected a big heavy car (which it isn't), with an OK interior (which was turned out well above what we normally see out of Chryslers), and good acceleration (which turned out a hell of alot quicker than I expected it to be.

I didn't drive the V6 300. They had the "C" suited up for test drives because according to the dealer, that's the only thing most people were interested in. The 2.7 V6 of the base 300 is a dog, but the 3.5, so I'm told, is pretty decent. At just 100 pounds heavier & 10 horses stronger than the supercharged Impala SS, I'd expect them to be nearly the same.

Used cars will ALWAYS be a better deal (thanks to a combination of depriciation & and much better durability), and it's actually financially smarter to buy a 2 year old car than a brand new one.

But next to a brand new Lincoln LS or Cadillac CTS, or even a Bonneville GXP or Grand Prix GTP, the 300C's a steal.

 

I will wait a year or two to buy my 300c in lava red. =) with awd, navidgation and hid.

In the mean time, the 2002 Lincoln Ls's look pretty good for around 12k.

 

I would still consider the 300C heavy...a tick over 2 tons. That is no lightweight by any means.

Also, what do the torque figures look like for the 3.5 vs the supercharged Impy? Those roots blowers produce tons of low end torque that helps to get these "heavier" cars moving. I'd be willing to bet the curve of the Impy is quite a bit more desirable...

 

I drove one yesterday, and it really handles well. Like Guion said, it isn't as large in the flesh as it appears on paper. Handling is very neutral, and while it rained, with esp on, it seemed very surefooted. I can't wait for my 300C to be delivered.

 

Just a few measurements to put the 300 into perspective.

Impala SS (supercharged):
$28,795
Weight: 3606
Length: 200.0"
Width: 73.0"
Height: 57.3"
240 hp @ 5200 rpm
280 lbs/ft @ 3600 rpm
0-60: approx 6.8 seconds

Chrysler 300 touring sedan:
$27,395
Weight: 3711
Length: 196.8"
Width: 74.1
Height: 58.4"
250 hp @ 6400 rpm
250 lbs/ft @ 3800 rpm
0-60: approx 7.2 seconds

The 300C is over 3" shorter, 1" wider, 1" taller, and a mere 105 pounds heavier (which is great considering the 300 is RWD, IRS, and loaded with sound deadening) than the Impala. The car is looks deceptively bigger than it really is but not as heavy as you'd think.

The 300 also pushes about the same power and performance in medium strength as the top "performance" Impala SS while coming in at a lower price.

Not bad for a luxury car vs a family sedan.

 

IMO the 300 doesn't really compete with the CTS...I mean the car is after all replacing the 300M....hardly a car that is a Cadillac competitor.

I mean it's a great car...but because the CTS is a Cadillac and costs more I think comparisons should be restricted to similarly priced cars.

Now you say a 300C is a honking value to say a GTP Comp G and I wole heartedly agree.

 

I don't see a problem comparing the 300C to the CTS at all.. the "C" is in the CTS price range... right in the middle of it actually, and as far as the 300 replacing the 300M, well, CTS replaced Catera ... which is pretty much equal to what the 300M was (FWD, V6 pseudo-luxury car).

I think it's pretty obvious that Chrysler is trying to make an upmarket move not unlike Cadillac, and I am beginning to think they are making some headway.

 

I belive that the 300C is an inch shorter then the outgoing 300M.

 

I dunno...you compare the CTS to the 300C then do you also compare it to the CTS's BMW and Mercedes competition?

The Park Avenue can be in the CTS's price range, but if you mentioned both in a comparison you would get laughed out the room.

As for quality I am sure some people would say a Jetta or Passant has a better interior than the CTS...so does that matter?

Also the CTS is meant to take on the the BMW 3/5 series and has nowhere the interior room off the 300...it is also designed to be a great handler (tuneed a Nuremburg).

The 300 on the other hand is built from cheapened, (steel instead of aluminum) last generation E classs parts and is basically meant as a return to big American RWD muscle sedans. I really think the Bentley styling is what makes this thing seem so upscale..

The CTS is priced and designed to compete with sports sedans made by BMW and Mercedes....so I think it is unfair to compare it with a Chrysler that is obviuosly priced to compete in a different segment.

A Bonneville can be priced to nearly as much as a CTS, let I am willing to bet not many people cross shop them.

What makes me mad about the whole CTS-V thing is that I am willing to bet the Ls6 is cheaper to make than the DOHC 3.6L

Again I am not dissing the 300...it is a great car, I just think we need to keep in perspective what it is.

 

Valid points.

But, it's probably hard for Chrysler to go up against Cadillac, BMW, and Mercedes , being that Mercedes is in the same family now.

Maybe a better perspective is similar cars to Cadillac at a slightly lower price. I guess it is sort of it's own niche... maybe something along the lines of what GM wants Buick to be, but so far, Chrylser is doing a much better job at finding that niche.

I guess I can picture Chrylser above Buick and below Cadillac in the world of automobilia.

 

Great post

 

Nice post and thanks for the info. However, I'd still be willing to bet that the SC Impy would trounce that 300 in a drag (not that it really matters). Combine that with nice Impy rebates...make mine the bowtie

 

See that is where the waters get muddied. If I were DCX I would not want the 300C compared to a Cadillac. Not when you have Mercedes running around with new, better compents that easily do the job. Really the only comparisons that can be drawn between the Cadillac and the 300C are that they are RWD and can be had with a nice V8. Inside the 300C is larger in every dimension, and drives much larger than the performance tuned CTS. The CTS is a luxury BMW chaser, the 300C on the other hand will compete with the Impala, Grand Prix, Maxima, Crown Vic, etc for sales. I really don't think many buyers in that group would be seriously cross shopping a CTS. Better yet how many BMW buyers will cross shop a 300.

The GTO is in the same boat.....it can compete with much more expensive cars....but does that mean it's in the same class....or a direct competitor? Not quite. The test I use for this is that I ask myself..."I don't see anyone saying screw the 6 Series, I want a GOAT!"

On top of that...would a CTS with a lower price point would contradict the whole notion of Cadillac being a premium brand and moving up.

Sorry for the rant....

An again I praise the 300C and the alimighty Hemi!

 

I find the interior of a 1989 Crown Victoria Taxi more inviting than the Impala,, and it is the sole reason I would never consider it.

Add to the fact that you are comparing a car built on the 13 year old FWD W-body platform with a ugly interior, okay exterior, and a glass transmission that will implode with more than minor mods...to a RWD sedan with Mercedes parts (old...but not as old as the W-body), stunning styling, a well-built unoffending intrerior, and huge jaw dropping ability. Considering how close the price on these cars is picking the IMPY would just be a porr decision.