11 2005 - 2008 Chrysler 300C | Assertively American
By Robert Cumberford
In Europe, this big boy is perceived as the quintessential American sedan, its bold, bricklike, chopped-top shape seen - or at least noticed - on the road more often than anything else from Detroit, even if most European 300Cs are powered by diesels from Mercedes-Benz. The original chassis design is also from a two-generations-back E-class, giving it respectable road manners and a comfortable ride. The 300 is heavy as well as voluminous, so the base V-6 is a little anemic, but the two V-8 engines, despite having only two valves per cylinder, each do an impressively adequate job of moving the mass, with the hot SRT8 being particularly tempting.
In-your-face style and plentiful interior room make this an especially desirable vehicle when someone else has kindly absorbed the initial depreciation for you. Chrysler has a spotty history for assembly quality, but there are rarely questions about engineering integrity or in-service longevity of the oily parts, so this very satisfying ride can be counted on to sustain pleasure of ownership for years with minimal risk or cost. Much of the body hardware - hinges, latches, etc. - are somewhat low-rent, but the overall effect is impressive and the car is really quite agreeable to drive, both slowly and very, very quickly. An all-wheel-drive option derived from the Mercedes 4Matic system is worth seeking if you live in snow country, although you would be better off not hauling the extra weight in the Sun Belt.
The V-8 engines are hitched to a nice, if trouble-prone, five-speed automatic. Under light throttle at legal speeds, the 5.7-liter V-8 effectively becomes a 2.8-liter V-4, with concomitant relief from emptying the nineteen-gallon tank too quickly. The cylinder-shutoff system is a nice piece of technology that seems to work exactly as advertised, with no downside. How often can you count on finding that?
When the interstate highway network was planned in the 1940s and '50s, the promise was that cars could cruise at high speeds between all U.S. cities of 50,000 people or more. Punch the cruise control at 80 mph in a 300C, and it will do that job day in, day out, uphill and down. The great thing about the 300C is that as you become accustomed to it, the exterior seems to shrink, yet you always have that oh, so American cabin spaciousness.
Price Then $35,060 (2007 300C)
Price Now $18,000
> Awards
Automobile of the Year ('05), All-Star ('07)
> Watch Out For
Avoid first-year cars, which suffered from a variety of maladies that were largely fixed in 2006 and 2007. Look for transmission issues and electronics problems. It's definitely worth picking up a certified pre-owned example.
> Fun Fact
Some people think the 300C looks like a Bentley. We don't agree; the British car is stuffy, and the chopped-top Chrysler is way cool. But you can buy a billet "Bentley" grille for the 300C that almost convinces credulous bystanders.
> Certified Pre-Owned
8-yr/80,000-total-mile powertrain warranty; 3-month/3000-mile extension to original 3-yr/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty or, if expired, from purchase
> Web sites
300cforums.com, allpar.com
> Specs
- 5.7L V-8, 340 hp, 390 lb-ft; 6.1L V-8, 425 hp, 420 lb-ft
- 5-speed automatic
- Rear- or 4-wheel drive ...next page >>