New Car Review

Pandora · 07-25-2004, 12:26

I've had my new car for a month this Tuesday - 2005 Chrysler 300 V6 - review for any interested...

She's got moxy. Was a bit hard to get used to at first, as the windshield pillars are fairly wide so had to become accustomed to new blind spots where they didn't previously exist. Most responsive steering I'd touched in a stock unmodified vehicle in years. If I had to get out of the way fast I could, between the handling and the get-up-and-go it is one of those cars that make you feel safe and it is fun.

(fun = raising eyebrows when not in my 9-5 monkey-suit and have the rock cranked in a car that looks like a benz

)

Could rent out either the back seat or the trunk for an apartment - or install a jacuzzi - lots of room.

Pretty good on gas, I have been driving the highway a lot. Took her this morning down a secondary with good pavement and let it unwind - vroooooommmmmmmmmmm! Very nice - still felt full control at 130 mph.

Seems to be a magnet - Gents come up regularly in parking lots to check it out and ask a ton of questions. If you have to go the sedan route for professional reasons, I recommend it.

2VP · 07-25-2004, 13:52

Although I'm a Subaru man through and through, I really like the look both inside and out as well as the power that this new 300 comes with.

Pandora · 07-25-2004, 19:23

I had a tough time moving to the sedan-mode for work. First vehicle I learned to drive on was a rebuilt '43 Willys (sp?) at a 4X4 rally. It was a 3-speed putter that would climb hills like you would not believe. The Old Man made me learn to steer by navigating me through a tire pit.

Pops was big on off-roading and stock car racing and owned a few franchised trannie shops, so I was always driving 4-wheellers or spunky little fireballs. Kids would bring in their camaros and mustangs for work they couldn't afford and Dad would pick them up for a song... my fav was a ''77 Chevy step-side. Needed a ladder to climb in. Living way up Northern BC at the time, there wasn't a lot to spend your money on except cars. We had it good.

Going respectable as an adult for appearance' sake is tough was tough - I'm still a red-neck when it comes to preferred wheels. But the 300 has the look that makes the clients confident and the moxy that makes me happy.

I can't believe you like a little foreign box, 2VP!

Bravo1-3 · 07-25-2004, 19:33

I almost bought a 300C about 2 months ago. The dealer was insane, so I bought an 03 Special Edition 300M. One of these days I'd like to get a 300C though, even though I love the one I have.

Pandora · 07-25-2004, 19:45

Post pic!

Curious what the 300 goes for stateside? Debated the hemi, but I have a 17 y/o new driver and had to make a tough choice between her university tuition next year and insurance now. Her want her to pick them up. .

Was the '03 the one with the weird trannie? Quasi standard? Looked more like a concord or intrepid then?

edit: googled - I see yours is very similar to the 2005. The 2000 era were the ones I was thinking of as being more concord/prowler like.

Huey14 · 07-25-2004, 19:49

Auto or manual?

I'm a Nissan and Chevy man, myself.

**The Reaper** · 07-25-2004, 20:27

I like the new Acura TL, 6 Speed manual, with the Brembo brakes.

TR

2VP · 07-25-2004, 20:29

Subaru WRX. Wish I could afford an STi though.

TL is a really nice car as well.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 07-25-2004, 20:43

Catwoman's new Lexus GX 470 RULES.

Pandora · 07-25-2004, 20:50

The Acura is a nice ride - very. Had to Google Brembo brakes - on the bike also, Sir?

Given my choice and an unlimited budget, I think I'd opt for a shiny new Cherokee. Boss has one.

TS? What did you finally settle on for a new truck?

2VP · 07-25-2004, 21:02

Brembo's are huge in the aftermarket scene. Pricey but worth it.

Pandora · 07-25-2004, 21:06

Quote:

Catwoman's new Lexus GX 470 RULES.

Sure... all about the car, RL. Brake, lube and filter? Or just want to rotate and align the tires?

**The Reaper** · 07-25-2004, 21:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Pandora
The Acura is a nice ride - very. Had to Google Brembo brakes - on the bike also, Sir?

Negative, don't need them on the Road King. If I had the $ for aftermarket brakes on the bike, they would be Performance Machine.

On the TL, the Brembos only come with the 6 Speed manual version, and you also get Limited Slip and thicker torsion bars.

TR

Guy · 07-26-2004, 12:40

Quote:

Originally posted by Pandora
Pretty good on gas, I have been driving the highway a lot. Took her this morning down a secondary with good pavement and let it unwind - vroooooommmmmmmmmmm! Very nice - still felt full control at 130 mph.

Bravo1-3 · 07-26-2004, 15:13

This is it.
The chip's been replaced as well as a few other small modifications by the previous owner. It puts out 302hp from a 3.5L V6 (Stock is 255)

It's got the funky-psuedo-manual shifting feature that makes it a hoot to drive (auto stick). It's too easy to burn rubber in manual mode, so I tend not to use it unless I want to make that right on red before the oncoming traffic starts to move.

I'm thinking about adding GPS/Sat Radio to it as well, but other than that feature, it's got all of the toys.