Almost round the corner from that Audi 80 I wrote about, I was happy to discover a nice 300C, and then another one. And another.
I noticed this silver late model 300C first, as it was parked up front and its relatively bright color was more visible against the darkening evening. Besides, its big- those are big cars. You can’t really miss them. Behind it, as you can see:
A first generation 300C was parked, its stance much more muscular than its younger brother. I can’t say whether the dog standing there was guarding the Chrysler or the Chrysler was guarding the dog.
I thought I was done with these 300s, but then I turned my head to the other side of the street, and…:
Now that’s a first for me. You don’t see many of these big Chryslers in Israel- most people prefer to spend their money on German alternatives. So to discover a family of 300Cs parked together was nice.
As common as these are I’m still liking the look. No one on my street gas one yet I turn onto the main roads and shebang. Every corner stop sign and traffic light I will see one. Its a cohesive design. The first gen is aging well. I wonder when a while new redesign will occur.
I love the 300 as well. I do see it and it’s Charger sister selling well.
Sergio (when he has talked about the replacement) has talked about putting it on the Pacifica minivan platform, which would likely mean V6 and FWD/AWD. That would definitely take most of the swagger out of it for me. :-/
Ive heard that same rumor. If they downgrade these to another fwd appliance then I say why even bother. The whole point of the LX’s is a muscular, burly, rwd machine with power and swagger. A truly AMERICAN style platform and something that is a return to cars you’re supposed to be proud to own.
The fact that these cars are literally nothing like the fwd soulless transportation devices that have become commonplace is exactly why they are a successful platform. If Chrysler is to be relevant, it needs a flagship and that needs to be something aspirational. A fwd sedan based on the Pacifica could slot under this, but really a CUV would be the better move as that’s becoming the go-to people mover.
So, basically a Toyota Avalon with worse depreciation?
…and poorer quality and poorer driver sightlines because of the idiotic high-belt/slit-windows comic book styling, yes.
FWD would kill it for me. I like the 300 BECAUSE it’s RWD and it’s shaped like a car. While discussing this just now, my sister made the comment that many vehicles today (CUVs) are shaped like athletic shoes?!
Presumably the new Alfa Romeo platform will be used, FCA need to recoup the development costs with more volume than Alfa Romeo will achieve.
That would be the only sensible option, and if they do it right, they could end up with the best handling US-made car, given the Giulia’s capabilities. An FWD platform? Not even Fiat is that stupid, right?
You are aware, that the exact car is sold in for sure Italy, as a Lancia Thema?
Not any more. I had a look at the Lancia website. The Ypsilon (60,000 units a year!) is all they have. Lancia outsells Alfa Romeo, note.
I believe the 1st generation car is wearing Dodge Magnum wheels.
Those could be found on Magnums and Chargers. That’s a common swap and gives the 300 a bit meaner look vs the more elegant looking pieces these usually wear stock. Certainly a better look than the 20″ or more full bling clown shoes often defiling these.
+1!
Yep!
Interestingly enough if I was to buy a 300 I’d want the Hemi but I’d want the 18 in rims from the base model so I’d get some sidewall and better ride quality.
They were the standard wheels for the 300 in Australia I believe, in at least one trim.
Mine is a 2014 – it is black as well as one of the featured cars – it really shines up nice after a wash. I think they will get another year or two out of this design before a redesign or name change.
My other vehicle is photo bombing this picture. Posters in my garage indicate my other passion – airplanes. I spent 39 years working in aerospace working on everything from DC-10, F-18, F-22, A380 and the A350. I also worked on the CP-140, this is my trivia test for the day – who knows the US equivalent name for that platform?
CP-140 is a derivative of the Lockheed Electra turboprop airliner from the late 1950s, via the long-lived P3 Orion.
Doesn’t the C-130 Hercules transport share som design DNA in its wing?
That I am not sure of, but both being Lockheed Martin aircraft it would make sense.
I still like these, and a friend has one in which I have ridden in a few times. I have never driven one, however, but would like to. They seem to be solid cars.
I’m skittish about ever owning a Chrysler product ever again, but if I would take a chance, the 300 would be my choice.
Took me 10 years after the last Chrysler. I was skittish too! 2006 Jeep Cherokee is my ride right now bought used been good so far except for awful city gas mileage but living in North country I like AWD. Wife’s car is 2013 Highlander AWD. Wish Chrysler would improve the gas mileage, the Toy is amazing.
Im a bit suprised these are a rarity in Israel. I do know that the SRT 392 variant is still popular in the middle east. Here in N.A. its been discontinued…the 345 Hemi is top dog.
The ’15 refresh is definitely an improvement over the toned down ’11-’14 cars. That ’15 being painted such a ‘safe’ color does it no favors…red or black looks great on these. But you’re right, they really nailed the look with the first gen car. It looks as fresh and imposing now as it did 12 years ago. I think it will be a timeless classic. Best of all, those that didn’t get butchered by the lambo door/metalflake candy paint/24″ rim crowd tend to be well maintained adult owned and lead easy lives. I’d love a Hemi first gen in the right colors. Would make a great freeway bomber.
I would go so far as to say the first gen was the best looking sedan, other than a rolls Royce produced in the 2000’s. the 06 Heritage edition was my favorite.
Personally, I think the second generation looks the best especially in C trim but of course I’m looking at it as the spiritual successor of the New Yorker 5th Ave or Imperial LeBaron. If Chrysler is trying to get positioned as near/American luxury, that was a step in the right direction. The interior quality is so far above the 1st generation it’s ridiculous-and honestly impressive coming from Mopar. The third generation looks good too, but I don’t think it really improved much just changed it up. I rather like the Platinum interior, especially the blue and linen one but the rest are drab black on black or whitish but still lots of black.
There’s a new cranberry metallic 300 up the street from me. Very impressive and the tail lights make it equally distinctive from the rear.
The originals seemed like an afterthought attached to that dramatic front end design.
I am curious: how are the early 300s with the 2.7 V6 holding up ?
Fairly well. I’ve a rare Rose Pink 300 Touring in Monticello, NY along with a matching Maserati spyder… Don’t sell FCA (Now Can-Am) short though, the 300 does what it does and can do it in spades!!!! The Aussies and Canucks love ’em. Now if Mopar can resurrect the Valiant, they’d come to town!
These sold well in Australia.
I saw an SRT wagon recently, unfortunately no chance to get a photo of it going the other way in traffic.
I like the second generation better than the first as the styling is more cleanly executed, even if the original grille was very well done and better than the bland 2nd-gen one pictured here.
I’d take any one of the 300s, but that is an adorable dog.
Darlings of the UK livery industry for a few years after taking over from Merc E classes on which its based.
A local drives a pimped version with twin exhausts and stupid oversize alloys.
Debadging and fitting a “Bently” type mesh grill was a passing fad here to..
Add me to the Bentley grill haters club.
I actually bought an early production 05 300C because of the specs and unbelievable value for dollar proposition. Wasn’t crazy about the style at first but it grew on me and is still different from the appliances that litter the roads. You certainly can’t mistake it for something else, still have it 13 years later and despite the never ending front end work, all it takes is jab of the go faster pedal for me to forgive this fault. Solid, no squeaks, rattles and hunkers down on the road like there’s no tomorrow. would love to see an American version of this in a 2 door coupe- have looked at a Cadillac ATS V6 but it just doesn’ t quite do it. Here’s hoping for another breakthrough from one of the “big3”
The silver one and the black one behind it are BUX (export) models in more-or-less European trim, judging by the visible lighting equipment. The one across the street, it’s a little difficult to tell.
“You don’t see many of these big Chryslers in Israel- most people prefer to spend their money on German alternatives”
Do Israelis not have any issues buying German cars because of…you know…history?
No, not anymore. Even the Administration uses German cars (Audi A6s and A8s). It used to be the case (my father never bought ANYTHING German-made) but there are less and less people who actually lived through 1939-1945. Don’t forget that relationships between Germany and Israel since 1945 have been very good, so that has a positive effect too.
Well that’s a surprise find. I considered a Lancia Thema (a 300 with… Lancia badges for the EU market) for a while before I bought my current vehicle – the local dealer was discounting them heavily – but then sanity prevailed (driving in narrow Viennese streets and / or trying to park it anywhere is no fun).
Personally, I just can’t stand the look-alike melted jelly bean shapes of so many new cars today.
My DD has been a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited since new (1st Mopar product btw). Working in design/construction and landlord, it served me very well thru the years. Pretty much trouble free except for 3 sets of warrantied front rotors when it was brand new. Had the 3 spd trans, 4.7L V8 which only got a horrid 9mpg city & 15-17 hwy!
Although ‘everyone’ wants an SUV now, I decided that I was tired of it and now and wanted a sedan again. Since 16yo, I’ve owned 23 very diverse vehicles, 6 of them new (someday I’d love to post on some of them here), and would have bought a new Cadillac if they had anything that appealed to me as a complete package… sadly, they did not. So after deep research, I targeted the 300, went back to my dealer and got a hell of a deal from my friend who is co-owner there. It had everything I wanted but the AWD, the $ discount couldn’t be passed by. She is an optional color= Phantom Black Pearl Coat, which has glitter sized pearl flakes and changes colors drastically in diff lighting. (added bonus for a black car, it hides dust/dirt well)
The things that alot of people rip on about the LX cars are the very things that made me choose it for my new car. (ie: old. old MB platform, old school sedan design, RWD etc) Did I mention old? It is… but updated with tastefully done LED lighting, safety tech, rock-solid engine/ 8-speed trans combo., massive pano-roof and huge touch screen (BUT w/redundant manual controls <take note Cadillac).
There were things I liked about each available package, so I kind of put together my own car. I purchased a new 'S' model, because of the firmer & much improved handling, way nicer seat design and styling changes inside/out. Also has a small HP bump, (now 307 w/K&N intake mod), has paddle shifters and true Sport-mode shift tuning when engaged. So then I swapped the polished aluminum wheels from a C Platinum, added a custom discreet BSM and small beveled polished SS molding at the rocker to pull from the wheels. Overall, it gave the car a leaner, longer look. I personally like the monochromatic upper trim (window surrounds, mirrors, handles), with just a bit of bling along the lower area of the car, very pleased how it turned out & made it my own.
For reference purposes, I'm the guy with the 1979 Seville that I still use as a DD every Summer. This 300 is big & heavy. It's only 4" shorter than the Cadillac, weighs almost the same @ 4400lbs, yet I get a true 30-31mpg on the highway. This Chrysler drives better than my Aunt's new MB E-class, but her interior does blow mine away in details. I could not be more thrilled with it's comfort, performance, style and overall presence, even still has a power dome hood and front fender blades. The 300 is smooth, solid and very quiet. BTW… the S leather interior is super high quality & smashes anything GM or Ford offer. Its almost on par with my ex 1995 BMW 540i, and that's saying alot. My one complaint on the car… it is hard to clean the inside of the rear window.
Like the 38yo Cadillac does today & unlike so many generic new cars, it gets stares and compliments when rolling or parked. This may or may not appeal to you, but there's no mistaking these 300's for anything else out there. nope.
Thank god for Chrysler, no matter if it's cash shortage or whatever, they are still cranking out old-school LXs with style and muscle in brand new shiny vehicles. Yes… I love my 300S, can you tell?. And yep… It's a Chrysler product.
pic 2
The absolutely UGLIEST Chrysler in Chrysler history. Some people around here call them “ghettomobiles”. Chrysler should be ashamed of itself for releasing this absurd looking thing. Only the Honda Element comes close in ugliness.
I personally think they are beautiful when new or near-new but like all non-Jeep FCA products, they tend to age poorly. Is that a function of poor design & materials or is a function of the demographic of FCA owners/deferred maintenance?!?
I simply can’t bring myself to spend my hard-earned bucks on anything FCA builds. I have as much emotional attachment to our late model Honda cars as I do to my Frigidaire appliances, but I keep leasing Hondas because they’re a safe bet.
I could see buying Hondas as a smart money play, but leasing Hondas seems to defeat the purpose. You’re throwing away the car long before it needs refreshing if you’re curious about the 300, lease one. You’ll have the experience but never have to worry about FCA quality. Although truth be told the LX platform after 2011 is very reliable.
I always liked the bold, but formal look of both generations of the modern 300 (while strangely enough, not caring for either of their Charger counterparts). However, having driven several examples in V6 guise, I was really let disappointed with the experience. While definitely not underpowered or otherwise objectionable (besides the visibility), the 300 was ultimately just another big sedan.
They might as well just keep similar styling, but go with a front wheel drive layout for the next generation. As far as vehicle dynamics are concerned, the average owner will never notice the difference.
The second and third generations have front fender flares that are too big IMHO. But it would balance out the styling better if they made a wagon version. Too bad they stopped. I would love to have a 2015+ 300 wagon!