Car & Driver is nortorious for slamming American car makers. Even though they gave the GTO glowing praise initially, they flip flopped on their TV program. A car that was great handling and great quality according to their print article, became a mediocre handling car the GM North america had to ride Holden to keep quality up (as if Car & Driver ever praised a GM-NA product ).

Well, they wrote a glowing report on Chrysler's 300C. They have a reputation of getting high performance numbers out of their cars, and they managed to get 5.3 0-60 & a quarter over 100 mph! Comparing it to the Mercury Marauder, they said the 300C would (close quote): "send it back on a trailer crying to it's mama."

In addition to mentioning that they could lay 10 foot strips of rubber doing burnouts, Car & Driver was happy with the handling, the quality of interior materials (though they called it a bit plain ), and the hunkered down look of the car.

Last weekend, there was a road test show (forgot the name) that did a whole half hour on the 300C, including running a couple around a racetrack up here in NorCal. It was odd seeing these cars doing powerslides around the track (traction control turned off).

I'm really starting to like these cars. I saw the concept at the SF show last year, saw a ratted-out mule with the cammo removed down in Long Beach, and saw prototypes at least 4 times before moving out of LA in January, all in Silver. I think these things will be showstoppers in black or dark blue.

It may be a 4 door, it may be big, and it may have automatic's only, but with that type of acceleration (Car & Driver got the same 0-60 acceleration numbers from stick shift GTOs & earlyLS1 Camaros), Chrysler's build quality now in the running, and it's modern version of a 1930s gangster car look, It's working on my "Bad A** car award"... sedan class.

 

Ive driven two at work.

Im always excited to see new cars come in. I wasnt all that impressed with the 300c. Neither was Hemi powered, which makes some difference, however, the interior didnt do anything for me.

 

I got to see it up close at the Houston autoshow. I have to admit I liked the way it looks. There's still a slight itch about it that I can't scratch, but overall it looks like a winner.

 

speed channel test drive.those cars kick a$$ and as cheap as a impala ss

 

Motor Trend also reviews the 300c in the latest issue as well and like it - especially in Hemi form. They also generate simiilar 0-60 figures. In a sidebar to the article the Magnum is looked at. I find it odd/amusing that the Magnum is classified as a truck by the EPA because of the flat load floor(?). This apparently means that DC can dark-tint the rear and side glass which they can't do for cars. Sometimes government agencies and their logic really makes me wonder...

The 300 seems to be a compelling vehicle although I 'm still not sure about the look of it. In pictures it sure looks bigger than the 300m, so I guess it has presence - for sure. I am a fan of the 300m's style and I find the flying-brick look of the new car is a bit jarring (but wait, hasn't the flying-brick been done before...78-90 Caprice... doesn't that make it... wait for it,... retro:-). The interior looks very nice and well executed.

Back on track, ... they (MT) also praise the GTO in a comparison with the twice-as-expensive MB CLK 55 AMG. I find the C&D flip-flop on the GTO from mag to TV is a head scratcher as well.

 

I saw the 300C and the Magnum at the Toronto Auto show. I like both though I prefer the Magnum. Kudo's to DC for taking a chance on them.

It's too bad that neither fit the profile for my next vehicle. A 5,000 lb tow rating would fix that.

 

I see them almost every day on carriers going over the bridge to the U.S. from Canada and I have to say that they really are growing on me style-wise.

The first time I saw them, I remember thinking the looked a little DeVille-esque.

Are they all built in Canada?

Jeff

 

I believe they are built in Chrysler's Bramlea, Ontario plant.

 

I saw a 300C on the road last week. It had manufactorer's plates. I've been seeing a few cars like this lately. About a month ago I saw a GXP Bonneville.

 

That also means they can get away with higher emissions/lower gas milage...which is the big thing...

I don't understand the flat load floor thing either...

 

The 300C has really grown on me too. It's a great looking car with good performace numbers. I'm trying to convince my father that he isn't too old for a performance car, and into trading his 2000 Caddy STS in on one.


-Mike

 

My grandmother is in the market for a full size sedan ~30,000 - looks like i have some real good convincing to do

 

I was the same until I saw one up close at the dealer. I think it is the fact that these cars don't have the traditional huge trunk of american sedans in the past.

 

Tell him to get Corsa exhaust for that STS. It will sound bad ***! Corsa!

 

The 300C and Magnum will be hot sellers. Best bang for the buck.