"The Mystery Car"

[humanRESEARCH]

Some of you no doubt have seen the "www.TheMysteryCar.com" ad in the car magazines...Well, I figured I'd post the pics and the information...There's a lot of info, so this is long

The 300 Base will start at $23,595 and come with a 190HP 2.7L V6 mated to a 4-Spd auto...All Chrysler 300 models include an 17-inch wheels, eight-way power driver's seat, manual tilt/telescoping steering column, a premium cloth interior and body color mirrors, door handles and moldings. Also available are self-sealing tires, power adjustable pedals, four-wheel disc antilock brakes, all-speed traction control, electronic stability control, emergency brake assist, short-long arm (SLA) front suspension system combined with a five-link independent rear suspension, and the first Original Equipment Manufacturer application of Boston Acoustic Premium Sound System....I can't tell you wheter the traction control system engages immediately upon depressing the accelerator from a dead stop, but the name hints at that

The 300 Touring jumps a bit while offering better performance and more luxury to $27,395 and comes with a 250HP 3.5L V6...60HP at the crank more, leather seating, fog lamps, and chrome accents inside and out for $3,800- not too shabby

The 300 Limited steps up the price and the luxury, coming in at $29,890...So for $2,300 you've now got chrome-plated aluminum wheels, electrochromic mirror, auto headlamps, heated seats, power passenger seat, express up/down front mirrors, dual zone automatic climate control, and a reconfigurable info center

And the 300C comes in at $32,995 outfitted with a 345HP 5.7L HEMI V8 mated to a 5-Spd auto with "AutoStick"...$3,100 for an increase at the crank of 95HP, 2 additional cylinders, and one more electronically controlled gear...Also, dual exhaust tips, large performance disc brakes, unique chome exterior appearance, patented tortoise shell interior highlights, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, rain sensing wipers and Boston Acoustics six-speaker 288-watt digital amplifier sound system...Self sealing tires, adjustable pedals, seven-speaker 380 watt digital amplifier, GPS navigation radio and high-intensity headlamps with washers are available options...On top of that, check this out: the 2005 Chrysler 300C will be the first modern production vehicle in North America to feature cylinder deactivation when it goes on sale in the spring of 2004. The Chrysler Group Multi Displacement System (MDS) turns off the fuel consumption in four cylinders of the 5.7-liter HEMI engine when the V-8 power is not needed...This model could actually give the import sedans some healthy competition...I won't go so far as to say that a great number of import buyers will be swayed, but this is a pretty impressive effort

Now, to the styling...To me, it looks like a Bentley and an M45 got a little sauced and made sweet, sweet love...However, the love child's looks fall short, if you ask me (and none of you did) of the "parents" lines and inspiration, so maybe it wasn't sweet love but drunken, sloppy, shoulda-just-passed-out banging...I am happy to see that the 300 isn't another round, subtle sedan but is rather a square, somewhat aggressive, masculine vehicle...I like the M45's lines so this is also attractive to me...And of course the car is sitting in powerful stance, accentuated by the short distance between wheel wells and bumpers...Also, the flares help to make the car look more powerful and give the appearance that the 17s are filling the wheel wells...I think it's a nice effort, and for the price the lines and amenities will probably take a chunk of the market...The 300 definitely offers enough trim levels with enough separation between them to please Chrysler/domestic sedan enthusiasts, and the offering of a HEMI will no doubt prove a great ploy...Interesting, to say the least

Thoughts?

"All the Power in the World resides in the Eyes..."

[humanRESEARCH]

Here's one pic...

"All the Power in the World resides in the Eyes..."

165656-300M1.jpg

[humanRESEARCH]

...and here's a second pic

"All the Power in the World resides in the Eyes..."

165659-300M2.jpg

[tod071]

...driver of that car asking his newborn..."can you say HEMI?"


2K4 G35S 6MT, Diamond Graphite/Graphite, Premium Pkg
2K2 GS300 5AT SportDesign, Millenium Silver/Black

[pelucidor]

Only a 4-speed auto until you pay over $32k? Why not 5AT as standard like everyone else...

'04 G35 Sedan 6MT in Diamond Graphite/Graphite with Premium, Nav, Aero
'02 Acura MDX Touring in Redrock Pearl/Saddle with wood bits, cargo stuff

[Z06ified]

I think it looks like ***. Even with a Hemi.

They should have produced the 300 Hemi C concept car (convertible) that was shown a few years ago before the Germans ruined Chrysler. THAT was a great looking car.

This monstrosity looks almost as bad as a Honda Element.

2003 G35C, 6MT, DG/G, Aero/Nav/Premium
2002 Corvette Z06, Electron Blue/Black

[humanRESEARCH]

LOL

I'm with you on the "monstrosity" comment...Methinks Daimler had their designers go a little too far off in the wrong direction stylistically

And I really don't understand the 4-Spd auto in the "lesser" models...

"All the Power in the World resides in the Eyes..."

[gdupg35]

A few months ago I posted something about seeing the test version of the 300C out here in Vegas. I also saw one at SEMA. I think it looks pretty tight, especially in black. It really reminds me of the mafia/mob car from GTA.

[humanRESEARCH]

LOL

The Sentinel? I need to see the 300 in person I guess...I always keep a Sentinel in my garage when I'm playing GTA III

"All the Power in the World resides in the Eyes..."

[Britishbloke]

Interesting take on the 300C. Here's what I think. Afetre owning several BMW's, Audi's and Volkswagons I went and purchased a 2001 300M. I'm in Real estate and wanted a luxury, full size car that was priced below 35k. What I got was a car that probably had the worst fit and finish, the loudest, raspiest engine and the most problems I've ever experienced from a new automobile.
After 2 years I got rid of the car (bought an 04 G35 sedan) for work , even though the new 300C tempted me, I love the squarish, almost bentley look too the car, but refuse too buy something that might?..possibly have issues down the road.
On a different note, I was in the market for a convertible at the end of 03 and considered several. I'd previously owned an AudiTT and was considering the Chrysler Crossfire. Well, I drove it, loved the looks and the price , b ut was uninspired by the car. It's basically an eight year old drivetrain (a.k.a MB) in new sheetmetal. I ended up buying last month a Honda S2000 and couldn't be happier. I'm not anti-American car manufacturers, in fact almost every car manufacturer is American owned, but I sometimes wonder why there's so little emphasis on build quality and reliabilty? I'm from the UK and have been living in the Chicago area for 10 yrs, every car I've ever owned has been chosen on it's own personal merits, of quality, performance and price. The 300M left me with a bad taste, I wonder if the 300C will be that refreshing?

Cheers.

[humanRESEARCH]

I definitely agree with the comments on reliability and quality...I have been taken out of context as an American car hater, but whatever

What part of Chicago? I was born in Chicago and lived there for 22 years, then moved to Scottsdale, AZ

"All the Power in the World resides in the Eyes..."

[Britishbloke]

I'm in the Northern suburbs, Libertyville area, we used too live down in Lakeview, but wanted too start a family, so here we are...suburbanites..Lol

[humanRESEARCH]

Weird...The last place I lived in Chicago was the Lakeview neighborhood before I moved out to Arizona...My parents in Buffalo Grove...Libertyville is definitely a great place to raise a family- excellent school system

"All the Power in the World resides in the Eyes..."

[Micah]

I also have an S2000. What year did you get?

Remember: It is un-American to buy only American goods without regard to quality and value.

[Britishbloke]

I have a 2004 that I picked up late November. Because of the weather I haven't had much of a chance too play with it, can't wait for a little sun.