I think the 300C is a compelling car if you're willing to take the risk with Chrysler quality. I think it actually competes in the M45 class while costing about the same as the G35. Definitely appears to be a good deal.

<font color=purple>2004 G35 Coupe Diamond Graphite/Graphite 5AT</font color=purple>
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I have seen a few on the road and they have some potential to look very cool and have outstanding performance to boot (at least in a straight line aspect).

I have to second the motion that Chrysler is typically horrid when it comes to resale values. I remember looking at the 300M (used) a while back as a second car (sort of a beater). In 2002 a 2000/2001 with low miles was going for about $11,000. That is just pathetic.

 

Well you don't buy cars as an investment ... I wouldn't buy the 300C because I think it's ugly but there is a lot of E class in that car someone mentioned the suspension but don't forget the tranny is also a mercedes hand me down. Although Merc <> Quality too

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Boy, Chrysler has brainwashed a lot of folks with their "hemi" advertising. The hemi engine was a semi-big deal in the sixties, when they came out with the "426" hemi Plymouth Road Runner. The hemispherical head configuration was being touted as giving better fuel/air mixing. From a power standpoint, the Ford 427 top-oiler or the Chevy 427 solid lifter engines were comparable. What made the Plymouth fast was the fact that they stripped the car to reduce the weight. The possible advantage of the hemi-shaped combustion chamber has long since been overtaken by new technology, such as multivalve heads. Chrysler is trying to make hay out of a 40+ year old technology. The engine is still a crappy American overhead valve engine, using cubic inches for power. PS: I owned a '66 427 Vette, which stock had 455hp and 517 lb-ft of torque. At the time, the only two stock cars that were faster, were the hemi Road Runner and the 427 Shelby Cobra, because both had a tremendous weight advantage.

 

think 5 yrs from now..or even 10..which one will last longer..which one handles better, which one jus looks better..

if all your answer is the g..I think u know wa too do..

but go where ur heart wants..hehehe



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Marty:
For the most part, I believe you are correct concerning the Chrysler Hemi - but you have to give this engine and this design it's due.

Despite all the technological advances we've seen since the 60's (multi-valve, variable valve timing, electronic engine monitoring for optimal spark and fuel settings, etc.) - the Hemi design still produces more horsepower "pound for pound" than any other engine in the world. If you doubt this, just check out the Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster scenes - these guys do this professionally for BIG money, and if any other design produced more power, they'd be using that design but no, EVERY successful top fuel motor design is a clone of Chrysler's original Hemi (with structural advances and improvements), and ALL use the hemispherical combustion chamber design (despite the fact that the Hemi heads have a tremendous weight penalty over all other designs).

Not trying to knock you and your knowledge here, as you obviously have first hand experience, and that '66 Vette you had is one of my top 5 all-time muscle cars. I was 10 year old in 1967 when my neighbor "Rocky" brought home his brand new 1967 Tri-Power Vette with 4 speed, and factory sidepipes - god what a beautiful car (the interior and exterior designs were simply breathtaking), and it ran like a scalded dog. I had older brothers who were gearheads and drag raced at Fremont, California every weekend, and I remember how impressed everybody was when Rocky put a set of fenderwell headers on that '67 Vette - it wouldn't even run anymore with the breathing opened up like that, he had to re-jet the carbs and put a WHOLE lot more fuel in that puppy, but the horsepower must have instantly increased by 100+ (no easily or cheaply accessible dyno's for the average guy back then). I believe that 427 was rated at 435 HP, slightly less than the 4 barrel version you had, and we later had great success in bracket racing drag boats in the 80's with that same killer little 427 (putting out about 800-850 HP built to pro-stock specs, with stock Chevrolet Hi-Po internals), putting many a Hemi powered boat on the trailer (we were always quickest, but with our lower trap speeds the Hemi's were always gaining top end at the end of the track).

Even so, my friends dad took delivery on a Hemi Cuda (in '70 or '71, don't remember) with two 4 barrels and a 4-speed, and once he added headers and traction bars, it was king of the hill (it was fun watching the two 4-barrels try to inhale the hood whenever you got on it). Still, for all around performance and looks, the 'Vette was just the baddest!

Whether there is actually any significant performance advantage to a Hemi design vs. others in 2004 street machines, I don't know for sure - but you can't blame Chrysler for hitching their publicity wagon to the Hemi horse and letting it's continuing legacy and performance image (in drag racing) pull their PR wagon "till the cows come home".

Apologies to all for going so far off topic, but when you start talking cars, especially muscle cars, my brain goes into overdrive. - DB

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2004 6MT Sedan/Sport/Navigation/Premium/Aero

 

I feel you on the 300C. It's very tempting. I think the reason I've decided to stick with the G is 1) it is a Chrysler after all and MB has a lot of work to do to get me to forget that and 2) though I think it's cool looking, it comes of as a little too "sugar daddy"/"my drunk uncle jimmy from the 70's" for my taste.

 

Agreed, DrkMarauder. The thing is just too 60's / 70's bulky-looking for me. Anyone remember the Green Hornet? His car came back without him.

 

I don't think retro looking cars can have lasting appeal. It may be cool for a year or two, but then it looks old rather than retro. (Exception would be cars that are retro and look "cute" like the Mini)

 

If it's like any other Chrysler, it'll break down a lot and be a piece of junk in about 5 years. I hate Chryslers. They have it in styling over the other American cars, but I wouldn't trust one to last very long. They have terrible quality problems. Even Mercedes has been taking some very bad hits lately.

 

I agree completely that the 300C is a nice, fast car... in a straight line. One of the greatest parts of the G is its ability to corner nearly as well as more expensive sports cars.

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