burlapp car

Chrysler 300 Test drive.

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First, let me say I wasn’t too crazy about the 300 design when it came out.

I was a big fan of the previous Concorde and Intrepid. I thought these cars looked great, and actually pretty futuristic.
A friend of mine had an Intrepid, and it was a pretty nice car to drive as well.

But I have grown to appreciate the current 300 look. It has a very strong presence on the road, and lots of personality.
And that is exactly what I found when driving one.

The first thing I noticed was the view through the windshield. That big flat hood in front of you.
In most new cars, you don’t see past the windshield.
This feeling reminded me of an old 1968 Chrysler New Yorker I used to drive. And I loved it.

The side windows don’t seem so small inside. You can see out pretty well.
And it doesn’t have the weird clostrophobic feel of the Crossfire. Head room is also pretty good, and you seat pretty high.
The steering wheel is pretty big (just like in the Mercedes cars it is based on).

The 300 I drove was a base model with no option. I was curious to see what they give you for around $24 000.

Well, you get a very roomy car.
But the cloth looks really cheap. And no leather option is available. You have to step up to the more expensive models.

The dashboard is fine. A bit uninspired. And plastic quality goes from “a little cheap”‘ to “pretty good”.
But everything was screwed together very well, and the doors sound really solid when you close them.
The base radio sounded fine, and it comes with a plug for your iPod (like most new Chryslers)

How does it drive?
Well, all I’ve read in the press about the “small” 2.7 Liter V6 was trash. They all hate this engine.
I thought, but that’s just me, that it was a great “base engine”. I never really needed that much more power. Around town, cruising, passing, it was fine.
And it, somehow, felt a lot smoother and quieter than in other cars. Like the Sebring or the old Intrepid. I’m not sure what they did to it, but it works.
Or maybe the 300 just has more sound insulation.
it’s just a very quiet car. Not Lexus quiet, but quiet….

The steering is pretty light but very accurate. It always keeps a straight path on the freeway. (unlike the new Jetta)
And the ride is very smooth without being soft. Actually just a bit firm, which I like.

Overall, I was pretty surprised to “fall in love” with this car. It is a bit like driving a very modern version of the “old American car” . It drives great and has plenty of personality. Something seriously lacking most of the competition.
I just couldn’t wait to drive it, every time.
I also averaged over 20mpg in mixed driving. Not bad for a large car.

The base model doesn’t offer much upgrading. No sunroof or leather.
But all of them offer the “retro 90’s” Indiglo night lighting. And I’m a sucker for it…

A loaded 3.5 Liter Limited retails for around $30 000, before discounts. That a pretty good price for such a car.

You could go the cheaper way with a Ford 500.
Or the more “boring but better quality” way with the Avalon or Azera.
But nothing will match the strong feelings, and the smiles, you get driving the Chrysler 300.
As far as reliability is concerned, the 300 seems to be average. Which in 2006, actually means pretty reliable.

The 3.5 Liter option would seem to be the perfect choice for most people. I cannot imagine where I could ever use the 340hp of the V8 version.
Between the speed limits and traffic, it would be tough to really use that engine at its full potential.

It is pretty ironic too, that it takes a German own company to build such an great American car.

I would say this is one of the best choices around for those looking for a family sedan. It is a car you remember driving.
And that’s a hard thing to find…

The old Burlapp ’68 New Yorker I mentioned above.
(The good old days…)

Conversation 35 comments

  1. I forgot to mention I was sorry for the poor quality of the pictures.
    I didn’t have my usual camera that day…

  2. finally a decent review of an american car.
    (although form an asshole)

    the 300 isn’t based on a mercedes you idiot!
    .my local mechanic told me it is actually mercedes who is using the 300 frame on their overpriced e class..
    and i hear also that chrysler is doing so well, they might just buy back mercedes!

    great news indeed.

  6. my local mechanic told me it is actually mercedes who is using the 300
    >
    >there goes his wonderfull credibility once again, and complete immaturity, hey douchbag are you even old enough to talk to mechanics ? small children should be seen and not heard !!!!!

  9. this is the interior u said was nicer than the jetta….i beg to differ, this thing looks very cheap other than the pieces of chrome that brighten up the expanses of cheap darkness

  10. The quality of the plastic isn’t as good as the Jetta.
    But the overall look still has a human feel to it.

    The Jetta, to me, seemed like it was designed by robots. And had a very cold feel to it.

  11. “It is pretty ironic too, that it takes a German own company to build such an great American car.”

    I was thinking the exact same thing when I was driving around in a rented Charger SE. Why did it take a German to make proper RWD large american sedan?
    Great review Vince. Keep up the good work.
    Justin

  13. Douchebag Jones said…
    “the 300 isn’t based on a mercedes you idiot!”

    Now who looks like an idiot? The 300 is based on the previous generation E-Class. Full stop, no debate. I wouldnt trust your local mechanic to do any work on your car… although i doubt you can actually drive..

  16. Please remove Douchebag Jones from posting comments on this site. Not only is he completely ignorant to cars, but he is a 23 year old loser who never went to college that wastes space that should be filled with valuble insight into cars.

    Interesting review of the 300. I have only heard negative things about the base V6 on the 300.

  18. It’s good to get a review on the 2.7. Most reviewers just accept the Hemi model offered up for test driving by Chrysler and are of course impressed by it. But the rest of us have to live on a budget and pay for every tank of gas, so having an “old fashioned American car (rear wheel drive, large)” with a 2.7 that doesn’t go through gas too fast is great.

    I test drove a 300 with the 3.5 when they were rolled out at Treasure Island in San Francisco; I was the only one in line to try the 3.5, the other guests all wanted to try the Hemi. At that time I thought the 3.5 had plenty of pickup; but I though handling was a little wallow-y. (I was driving a Dodge Neon for my own car at the time.)

    It’s very hard to find base model 300’s, base model Magnums, and base model Chargers. Most of them seem destined for rental fleets. I finally found a 2005 Magnum in a used lot and test drove it; it had the 2.7 coupled with the 4 speed automatic (vs the upgraded 3.5 and 5 speed that comes with the Charger this year). I was surprised to find this was a solid, predictable handling car that had plenty of pickup and passing power, even with the 2.7.

    I think there is no doubt that for open road cruising (think: road trips to Tahoe, Yosemite, and Los Angeles) the 300 and Magnum will excel with the 2.7. Maybe not as good as the Chevy Malibus and Impalas (Chevy seems to get some pretty good mileage out of their venerable pushrods), but I am willing to make the trade off to get a RWD car with near-ideal 50/50 weight balance.

    I’d like to hear more from you, Vince, on the engine/tranny combination. For example, on typical city streets, did you have enough “scoot” to keep up with V8 SUV behemoths? On the highway, what were the on ramps like – enough acceleration to hit 70 by the time you had to merge? How was cruising at 80 – quiet? Did you get it up to 90 or 95, and how composed did it feel at those speeds?

    How were the brakes? I now have a 2006 Caravan SE, with no ABS and just a 4 cylinder; but it has incredibly well-modulated brakes, so well modulated it is easy to sense the point just before lock-up. This is in contrast to my former Golf which had brakes so routinely grabby, I was greatful for the ABS in case I ever got near lock-up.

    Any comments on the stock tires? Do you think if this had better quality socks on it, it would make a good “mountain car” for twisties?

    How did you like the trunk? Although I am coming off 5 years of hatchbacks, the CR-V and Caravan have spoiled us with their ample cargo space for family trips.

  19. Markweb.
    I took the car up to about 95 mph and it was still very quiet. And smooth.
    And still tracking very straight.
    Didn’t need to correct the steering all the time, like some other cars.

    The transmission was equally smooth and quick.
    But the new 5 speed with the 3.5 might actually deliver similar mileage than the 4 speed 2.7 combo.
    these cars should all have the 5 speed.

    I actually never had a power problem with the car. But at the most, we were just 3 inside.

    I didn’t have to use the trunk so much but it looked big and well shaped.
    But I noticed the lid wasn’t lined inside. Bare metal everywhere. (cost cutting)

    I just was very impressed and now I would love to drive the Magnum.

  20. Markweb.
    I took the car up to about 95 mph and it was still very quiet. And smooth.
    And still tracking very straight.
    Didn’t need to correct the steering all the time, like some other cars.

    The transmission was equally smooth and quick.
    But the new 5 speed with the 3.5 might actually deliver similar mileage than the 4 speed 2.7 combo.
    these cars should all have the 5 speed.

    I actually never had a power problem with the car. But at the most, we were just 3 inside.

    I didn’t have to use the trunk so much but it looked big and well shaped.
    But I noticed the lid wasn’t lined inside. Bare metal everywhere. (cost cutting)

    I just was very impressed and now I would love to drive the Magnum.

  21. I think the $22k charger SE with the 3.5 litre and 5 speed is a screaming bargain compared to the 300.

    I read in one of the LX car forums that Chrysler is droping the 2.7/4 speed for next year. 3.5 will become standard across the board. That’ll mean that the price on used 2.7s will drop like a rock by next year.

    I’m really happy to hear that the 2.7 is not slow. I think they should have offered a 5 speed manual in the 2.7 at least. That would be ideal.
    Justin

  22. Right now I can only find ONE Magnum SE on San Francisco Bay Area deal lots, using the “Search Inventory” function on the Dodge.com website.

    There’s a smattering of SXT’s (with 3.5’s and 5 speed autos) but most dealers have Hemi’s sitting on their lots.

    I toyed with the idea of getting a former rental car, but the LX cars have been holding their value and it would probably be a better deal to order one than buy a used one.

    Also, the “old” 2.7’s reportedly had sludging problems, and when I went shopping at rental car sales lots before, 7,000-8000 mile oil change intervals were common – and the rental car fleets weren’t getting synthetic oil.

    Vince, if you get a chance to drive the Charger or Magnum, let us know! And stay away from the Hemis, we pretty much know they are all great, but I like to see “real life” vehicles tested….

  23. I used to enjoy driving a 1970 Chrysler Newport that my great-aunt gave to me. Roomy as hell for a sixteen-year-old (seated eight of us skinny kids for cruising), seriously reliable as anything today, and solid as a rock in all respects. Damn, I miss the ol’ beast. She took me to some great places.

    Thanks for test driving the base 300, Vince. Brings back memories of cars our middle-class families could afford. I remember stomping the throttle of that verysmall V-8 yet spanking some pompous rednecks and their lame-ass Novas in less than a quarter mile. The Chryslers held their own, didn’t they? Even for us poor saps without a hemi or a crappy Chevy.

    Too bad Chrysler gave up the ghost and turned over the reigns to a foreign entity.

    But, according to your review, the feeling remains…

  24. Markweb,
    It sounds like you would be better off looking for a 3.5 instead of a 2.7.
    If they’re easier to find, that means a better deal. And more choices of options and colors too.
    If the 2.7 liter is so rare, you won’t get such a good deal..
    Check out carsdirect.com.
    They have at least 2000 off Magnums. (maybe more once you actually talk to someone) And they have access to the whole state to look for your car.

    Friends of mine have used them, and they were happy with it.

  28. Reminds me of Dad’s old 1978 New Yorker Brougham (440-V8). We could load up with 6 people, all their gear, a 22′ boat with dual Chrysler Outboards behind, and still have plenty of power to pass from 65-95 MPH. And the LUXURY! THICK padded velour doors, reading lamps EVERYWHERE, c-pillar assist straps+pillows. Now THAT was a CHRYSLER! (Of course the NEW 425HP 300c/SXT isn’t bad either!) HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!

  29. Here’s a fun fact: Chryslers LARGEST sedan in 1983 (the E-Class) got 32 mpg hwy. (EPA 24 city/32 hwy). And it NEVER had the following of the current 300c.

  30. Heres a fact: nobody cares.

    And the EPA fuel economy test was redesigned in the mid 80s to better reflect real world driving (same thing they are doing for the 08 model year in fact. So you can’t even compare the fuel economy numbers from 1983 with a car from 2006.

  32. we are all very intelligent, except for douchbag. from this moment forward, under no circumstance, never respond to douch, he/it WILL go away…promise, we can get rid of it this way…IGNORE

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