2010 Chrysler 300C HEMI RWD (827)

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2010 Chrysler 300 C SRT8. This is the first HEMI RWD (for rear wheel drive). I guess I’m old fashioned but I feel a lot more in control with a rear wheel drive vehicle. I suspect that is why they made them that way and it stuck for so long. I think you just get a better sense of how your car will react in under and over steer situations. And I suspect those of you who favor front wheel drive will disagree. Old ideas that work are hard to shake. But then the only car I did a ‘not on purpose’ 360 spin out was in turn 3 at Willow Springs Raceway in an AWD (all wheel drive) Porsche. Guess it doesn’t matter how many drive wheels you have if you make an error in judgment.

I’m pleased to see this car is made in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. What a good idea, eh?

By the way I want to extend thanks (and wish lots of good luck) to Chrysler Group LLC because I want them to succeed. What would we do without such gutsy designs as has come out of every Chrysler owner group of this historic company. I wouldn’t want to see any of the Big (remaining) three American car makers fail. It’s bad enough having to watch brands like Oldsmobile (founded by and named after Ransom Olds in 1897), and Pontiac (originally made by Oakland Motor Company in 1907) disappear. If they were living wild beasts they would be on the endangered species list.

Well we had fair warning that certain car brands were endangered – and to the thoughtful and reasoning business person we knew the real reason resulted from Poor Management and irresponsible spending compounded by greedy unions in this industry. Surely both are responsible and should be tossed out.

Opinion:

As to the above comment about irresponsible spending – you wouldn’t have thought that all poor managers needed to do was go to their rich Uncle for a loan they may never pay back. I’ll bet your rich uncle would have a predictable answer if you asked him for a loan you couldn’t promise to ever pay it back. I think it fair to say uncle would know if you were so stupid and out of control he would only be putting off the inevitable and he would only be throwing good money after bad. The idiom is to waste additional money after wasting money once.

On the other hand, if your rich uncle was risking someone else’s money he might say ‘Give the frogs a loan’. Was the bail out a waste. Your call!

Handling & Performance:

Powerful HEMI V8, fair fuel economy for this size car and a noticeably comfortable on the highway. Its low center of gravity gives it good mountain handling but it isn’t its strong suit.

Styling:

It is an interesting combination look of a ‘low rider’ and elegant luxury car thrown together. Features like the analog clock give it that touch of class. It has a definite wide stance and confident presence. Nice job.

Fit and Finish:
Very good. This isn’t my mothers Chrysler. They’ve come a long way mom!

Cost:

Arguably this is out of class with some really pricey vehicles. Yes, the recognized competition is fairly wide in coverage, so it is fair to question that a $90,000 Mercedes should be compared with a Chrysler 300C. Well, consider that much of the technology that went into this 300C came from the relationship with Daimler-Benz.

Cost

therefore is pretty attractive for a quality engineered car coupled with an impressive array of standard features.

Conveniences and comfort:

The 300 C is up there with the big boys. Really great stuff for the money. Impressive.

Consumer Recommendation:

I could live without the options except for the Adaptive Cruise Control. Great safety feature so if your wife insists on putting eye liner while driving she’ll be safer as the ‘smart’ device will likely prevent her from having a collision.

I’d use my cell phone Nav application or buy a much less expensive and more flexible portable Nav like Tom Tom or Garmin. And I’m not interested in a sun roof.

Recognized Competition:

Chrysler 300 $27-45,000, Acura RL $47-54,000, Acura TL $35-43,000, Audi A6 $45-59,000, BMW 5 Series $46-61,000, BMW M5 $85,700, Buick Lucerne $29-43,000, Cadillac DTS $46-59,000, Dodge Charger $24-38,000, Ford Taurus $25-38,000, Hyundai Azera $25-30,000, Hyundai Genesis $33-40,000, Infiniti M $46-60,000, Kia Amanti $26,045, Lexus GS $46-54,000, Lincoln MKS $41-48,000, Lincoln Towncar $46-52,000, Mercedes Benz E Class $49-88,000, Nissan Maxima $31-33,000, Pontiac G8 $8-38,000, Toyota Avalon $32-35,000, Volkswagen Passat $28,000, Volvo S60 $33-36,000, Volvo S80 $39-51,000.

Good News:
Unique styling, great heritage and engineering, quality at much less money, powerful HEMI for powerful and finally it is a comfortable ride.

Bad News:

None worth mentioning.

Standard Equipment:

5.7 liter 360 hp HEMI V8, 5-speed automatic transmission, front and side curtain airbags front and rear, 4-wheel ABS brake system with brake assist, electronic stability program, 4-wheel independent suspension, all speed traction control, power adjustable pedals with memory, remote start system and keyless entry and keyless go (key fob just needs to be on your person), cruise control, speed sensitive power locks, rain sensitive windshield wipers, air filtering system, rear park assist sensing, dual zone climate control, 6- Boston acoustics speaker 276 watt digital audio with CD/DVD, HDD and Sirius satellite with 1 year service, leather trimmed bucket seats, power windows, power tilt / telescope steering column with memory, steering wheel audio controls, tortoise shell interior accents, illuminated vanity mirrors and cup holders, power heated front seats, rear reading lights, 18” chrome aluminum wheels and fog lights.
Optional Equipment:
Luxury Group II – upgraded368 watt audio system, California Walnut interior accents, exterior mirrors with turn signal and courtesy lights, heated 2nd row seats, power fold away mirrors, wood / leather wrapped steering wheel ($2190); power sunroof ($950); Adaptive cruise control ($595); Media center with GPS Navigation etc., ($900)

Gas Stats:

$3.03/ Gal avg. July 31, 2010
www.fueleconomy.gov
for more information.

16 City and 25 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $38,010 and $42,910 including options.