Freeway Flyer: Chrysler 300

The merger that became Daimlerchrysler was supposed to create wondrous synergy: Mercedes and Chrysler would each contribute their best attributes to a range of new products. That dream failed to materialize, but it came closest to fruition in the 2005-2008 Chrysler 300c.

Chrysler first built the "300" model, which produced a then impressive 300 horsepower, over half a century ago. The 300 nameplate was resurrected from 1999 to 2004 as the front wheel drive Chrysler 300M.

Chrysler has displayed little engineering innovation in recent decades. The company built pretty Chryslers, but new sheet metal often covered old technology. The 2005-2008 Chrysler 300 is no exception, but much of the "old" technology was borrowed from Mercedes.

When the 300s were reintroduced Chrysler took a big risk on flamboyant styling and the return of rear-wheel drive. The automotive media praised the restyled 300 as "masculine", "brutal", and "distinctly American." A resemblance to the 1957-59 300 Chryslers supposedly invoked "heritage." A high belt-line, pugnacious face, square fenders, pillbox greenhouse, and boxy shape definitely recall the year 1957. Only tail fins are absent.

The fact is that the big Chryslers also strongly resemble Bentleys, conveying the impression of a much more expensive car.

The boxy retro styling yields poor aerodynamics. The 300 Chrysler's Coefficient of drag is 0.33cd. This hearkens back to the square prowed jon-boat designs of the past - using muscle to break down a door brains would simply have unlocked.

But the big 5-passenger sedan can be configured for broad appeal: from plain family sedan to asphalt ripper.

Proponents proclaim luxury car ride and sports car performance. Regular readers here know I don't like all-things-to-all-people marketing. Luxury and sports car are contradictory concepts. Softening the ride and road feel to accommodate the usually mature luxury buyer means alienating the generally younger sport buyer. But Chrysler has hit a wide market band with the available trims and options on the 300.

The 300 Chryslers have become one of the hottest American car designs in years, a sales success.

Chrysler's 300 is offered in five trims; the basic 300, the Touring version, a Limited model, the hot Hemi-powered 300C, and the even hotter SRT-8.

A base model starts in the mid-twenties, including destination, clearly below the Mercedes price band.

The Chrysler 300 Touring trim, listing in the upper $20K's, adds luxury content and a bigger 3.5-liter V-6 engine. Four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, which for me are required on any new car, are standard. 17-inch aluminum wheels, traction and electronic stability controls, emergency brake assist, fog lamps, chrome accents, and leather seating complete the package.

Chrysler's 300 Limited includes the Touring's features, adds more luxury, and starts at $30K.

The Chrysler 300C carries the 340 horsepower Hemi engine, coupled to a slick electronically controlled Mercedes five-speed automatic transmission. Larger disc brakes, rain sensing wipers, and Boston Acoustics six-speaker 288-watt digital amplifier sound system are included. The "C" starts at $33K.

Competitors in the large sedan segment include Buick Lucern, Chevrolet Impala, Ford Five Hundred, Toyota Avalon, Dodge Charger, Hyundai Azera, Kia Amanti, Mercury Grand Marquis/Ford Crown Victoria, and Nissan Maxima.

None of them can match the 300's combination of power and blingy style for the price. But several can compete with the Chrysler sedan on quality and reliability.

Quality and Reliability

This car has won plenty of acclaim.

300C was Motor Trend's 2005 Car of the Year, and made Car and Driver's Ten Best list in 2005 and 2006.

US News and World Report editors rated the 2007 300 by Chrysler 8.8 out of 10: "very good."

Consumer Reports (C-R) "recommended" 300s in the V6 versions only, citing reliability issues and fuel use on V8 models. But automotive mega-site edmunds.com said:

"with a small V6, the base model feels sluggish, and we wouldn't recommend it."

C-R has rated the 300C as one of the least reliable cars. There will always be issues with a car marketed this way: owners will push this car hard.

This is why Chrysler excluded SRT-8 models from the new "lifetime" warranty.

Inconsistent panel gaps, hard touch plastics, user reported transmission problems, and frequent/early front end alignments say average quality to me.

There are numerous Chrysler owner complaints from Arizona and South Florida about insufficient A/C in high summer.

JD Power rated the 2007 300 only 2 stars for Overall Quality, and 23 of a total 45 possible in the Large Car segment. This is not a positive rating.

The Chrysler LX platform cars are built at Brampton Assembly in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Crysler produces a version of the 300 sedan in China for local sale.

Priced below similar rear wheel drive, high-performance V8 sedans from other marques, the 300s are not as cheap overall.

Edmunds true cost to own is $.61/mile, a bit high. 5 year residuals of about 40% are listed there.

Safety

The 300 offers 5-star NHTSA crash test ratings for every test but driver lateral impact, which is 4-star. To me, this is the best reason to buy a big heavy sedan.

Front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags should be included, but are optional. Buyers are urged to insist on these.

Consumer Reports says poor outward visibility, due to thick A, B, and C pillars, detracts from the Chrysler's safety. The high rear shelf and fat C pillar limit rear visibility, making backing and passing heavily dependent on mirror checks.

Users report poor traction in the snow, buyers in northern latitudes could consider the all-wheel-drive option.

Also reported is a blind spot when sitting beneath a red light. Hey, no problem, when the light turns green, somebody will honk.

Power Train

300s are built on the LX platform, shared by stable-mates Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger.

LX was designed in America but uses components 50% sourced from the Mercedes bins. (pun)

Leftover Benz parts include independent front and rear suspensions, 5-speed automatic transmission, differential, front seat frames, wiring harnesses, steering column, and all-wheel drive system.

The big car is 197 inches long and weighs up to 4300 pounds despite Aluminum used in the hood and deck lid. Parking the 300 C in garages or small spots can be awkward.

The base power-train couples a big heavy car with a pretty lame DOHC 24-valve 2.7 liter 190-hp V-6. This combination, EPA rated at 21/28 mpg, is not recommended here. See link at bottom for more on this engine.

With the Touring and Limited trims comes another engine: an overhead cam, 3.5 liter, 250 hp V-6. A majority of six cylinder 300s are delivered with this mill and Chrysler 4-speed automatic transmission. This drive-line is EPA rated at 19 mpg city / 27 mpg highway.

300-C's come equipped with a 340 hp Hemi engine and the Mercedes 5-speed auto transmission.

"Hemi" is marketing-people-speak for hemispherical combustion chamber. The popularity of the old Chrysler Hemi in stoplight street racers, supercharged professional rail dragsters, and NASCAR stockers built a mystique.

I remember watching drag racing legend Don "Big Daddy" Garlits and his mechanic disassemble a Chrysler hemi engine between runs at an NHRA Top Fuel dragster final. Working swiftly in perfect synchronicity, and almost without verbal communication, the two rebuilt the bottom end of that supercharged mill in less than one hour. Drag race fans stood 3 deep in a circle watching.

Big Daddy, who had lost part of his gas pedal foot to a blown engine, wasn't about to blow an engine in the finals. Guess who won.

So the Hemi's comeback after so many years included a lot of backward looking marketing hype.

The hype worked. Fourty-two percent of 300's sold are 300c or SRT-8 versions equipped with Hemis.

First introduced in 2003, today's Hemi has been installed in over 1,000,000 Chrysler vehicles.

Like the styling, the engine technology is nostalgic. A cam-in-block, pushrod activated, 16-overhead valve 5.7-liter V-8 makes 340 hp, pushing the big car from 0-60 mph in around 6 seconds.

Multi-Displacement System (MDS), Chrysler's cylinder shutoff technology, is standard on 5.7-liter Hemi engines. This engine will use four cylinders when less throttle is applied, reducing fuel consumption, and seamlessly change to eight cylinder power if the right-most pedal gets mashed down.

EPA rates the 300C 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway. I have seen forum posts where careful drivers claim to have coaxed the 5.7 engine to 26 mpg highway. In a 1300 mile test at Motor Trend, a 2005 model averaged 16.1 mpg overall. Owners report disappointing stop-and-go city mileage, which goes with the 4,000 pound sedan territory.

The SRT-8 option is the real Hemi. This 6.1-liter V-8 develops 425 hp. A 425-equipped 300SRT did 0-60 in 4.7 in tests at Car and Driver. Tests under 5 sec involved carefully prepped cars and professional drivers.

Top speed is a reported 173 mph.

This monster is EPA rated a surprising 14/20 mpg.

Hemi engines are built in Saltillo, Mexico.

Fuel tank capacity of 18.0 gallons gives acceptable range.

There are complaints, both in user forums and the enthusiast media, about original equipment Continental tires.

Chrysler provided a stiffer "Street and Racing Technology" SRT-8 sport suspension, and larger brakes to accompany the additional power.

This car is a compromise between ride and handling, not a Euro-type sports sedan. With 55% of weight in the nose, the 300C feels a little stodgy. Body roll and oversteer are seen in performance and drifting videos.

But for mundane US Interstate road bullying, no SUV can match the 300C.

For this purpose, I personally prefer a Kenworth or Peterbuilt semi-tractor, powered by a King-of-the-Hill 625 hp Caterpillar diesel, with 18 speed Road Ranger transmission, and a chicken lighted chrome bumper.

Chrysler 300 Bottom Line

Changes forecast for 2008 are cosmetic, focusing on the interior and electronics.

Chryslers are notorious for selling on looks, an early-in-life-cycle sales peak, heavy depreciation, and low reliability. The eye-catching 300 fits this pattern.

The V8 powered Chrysler 300 doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.

But V6 powered 300s lack the substance to match their style: this car needs the Hemi to fulfill its creed.

Those desiring a tame family sedan might consider looking elsewhere. But if you want nostalgic V8 rear drive performance in a moderately priced roomy sedan, Chrysler 300-c has it.

Chrysler 300 user reviews at Yahoo Autos 90 reviews posted: many love the 300, but there are numerous negative reviews.

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