Future-Shite - 2012 Chrysler 300C

[gtd2000]

Well my latest conveyance, is this pimp mobile 300C and I have to say for a change, especially for an American branded car, it's not a bad thing to drive at all so far!

 

Does this look like a funny face...?

 

OTT radio...

 

 

 

 

 

Walk around the block...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a sneaking suspicion I'm not going to be seeing 35MPG for the next few weeks....

[Pete-M]

Looks like a fun way to not see 35 mpg though.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

WTF is an icon of a DOG doing in a car stereo?

[gtd2000]

WTF is an icon of a DOG doing in a car stereo?

 

Could it be one of those sound hounds...?

[gtd2000]

Looks like a fun way to not see 35 mpg though.

 

Well I have to admit it does have a fair bit of grunt to it - slight lag before the power cut in but pulls well enough once it gets going

 

Fortunately I get my fuel bills paid so despite me trying to drive economically as default being a tight Scottish git this may well prove to be the exception

 

What surprises me is that it is actually pretty well screwed together and doesn't feel like an overly heavy heap of American dross...which the reason I avoid American cars wherever possible...

[Micrashed]

WTF is an icon of a DOG doing in a car stereo?

The dog is SAT, SAT NAV?! 111!!!

 

The 300C is Grad A cast Iron future shite. I drove an estate when they first came out - rearward visibility wasnt great but it was like piloting the USS Enterprise (the first one, not the TNG one). With all that gleaming chrome and flashing lights.

[RedSparrow]

Do these thing depreciate in value over there as quickly as one would expect?

[Cavcraft]

Looks a bit weird to be honest. I can't see why having a Corsa C steering wheel, retro-1970's Ford clocks and the cheesey stick on Formica wood look helps it.

 

Also ref. the picture of the dog, it almost looks like it says (or should say) SHIT or SHAT underneath it.

[Shep Shepherd]

WTF is an icon of a DOG doing in a car stereo?

 

It's the logo of Sirius Satellite Radio:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius_Satellite_Radio

 

It's all about the dog ^^

[Cheggers]

WTF is an icon of a DOG doing in a car stereo?

 

It's the logo of Sirius Satellite Radio:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius_Satellite_Radio

 

It's all about the dog ^^

 

I assumed it was a preselect for classical music, specifically Bach

 

Coat

[trigger]

I quite like it but that front end looks like one of those ugly end of the line Saabs to me.

 

[cort16]

I wonder if American car makers will ever get over their plastic wood fetish. Is it the v6 one.

I think I prefer the look of the original one this just doesn't quite work for me. I nearly had a 300 diesel afew years ago but it was too wide to go up my drive. I quite liked it though.

[Spiny Norman]

Do these thing depreciate in value over there as quickly as one would expect?

 

They seem to have gone straight from 'first proud owner' to 'council estate chav chariot/wannabe gangsta' almost overnight round here, without the usual gentle slide down the rungs of society's ladder. A few brave taxi drivers are using old Dizzlers as airport run jobs but as a posh taxi the Skoda Superb is far better.

I had a ride in one and it was OK in a Kia/Hyundai sort of a way, but no way would I buy one for more than a grand or so.

(Next year then.....)

 

Guaranteed future shite, obviously.....

[r.welfare]

I'm intrigued by the steering wheel design. It looks just like the new GM wheel which is fitted to everything from Astras and Insignias to Cadillacs across the pond.

 

These are being advertised at £29,995 here. I have no idea what spec but I assume some kind of diesel lump. I have no idea if that represents good value or not, but given Mercedes-Benz seem to be gutting the hell out of the contract hire market at the moment I suspect sales will be low.

[pompei]

Is there (still?) a Merc connection?

[richardthestag]

quite like it.

 

Are you planning on Bentley badges all round for ultimate shite delusional points

[gtd2000]

Is there (still?) a Merc connection?

 

It's a FIAT connection these days..

[gtd2000]

quite like it.

 

Are you planning on Bentley badges all round for ultimate shite delusional points

 

What.......!!! you mean it's not a Bentley....???

 

I've been robbed!

[Lacquer Peel]

You can do multiple quotes in one post.

[JohnDeere]

Not since the PT Cruiser has a motor been so destined to go from Hertz fleet to Shite quite so quickly.

[ypsilandra]

There's quite a lot of difference in the basic structure of the current 300C and the old one, the angle of the A pillar and roofline for example. The overall redesign had a lot of input from Centro Stile Fiat, particularly in lifting the quality of both the design and materials used in the interior, from Daimler Chrysler era plastics to something that goes some way towards being acceptable to Europeans. Don't forget that in all Euro markets other than the UK and Eire, this is a Lancia Thema. I had a good nose round one while my smart was in for a service at the local Merc dealer. Personally, I don't think it's a bad job, it is only a stopgap redesign before a more European-influenced, ground up new Thema/300C is finished. There are rumours of a 4WD version of the hot SRT8 (6.4 litre!) model, which would mean the reintroduction of the integrale badge in Lancia markets.

[Albert Ross]

A face you say? Anyone remember "Abe's Odyssey"?

[Split_Pin]

I love the look of the ole model for its block-of-cheese styling and chopped-looking roof, but not too sure this one doesn't look watered down. Still a like from me, for looks anyway

[gtd2000]

I wonder if American car makers will ever get over their plastic wood fetish. Is it the v6 one.

I think I prefer the look of the original one this just doesn't quite work for me. I nearly had a 300 diesel afew years ago but it was too wide to go up my drive. I quite liked it though.

 

Yes I just had a look it is the V6 VVT engine.

 

It's got more than enough grunt to be honest and very smooth.

 

I really am quite impressed with the intial feel to it - muy thought my change in the next week or so but the only minor niggle I have is regarding the gear changer.

 

It's one of these fly by wire type jobs. Pretends to be old style but it's electronic...probably just a case of getting used to it more than anything.

[RedSparrow]

I knew that steering wheel looked familiar...

 

 

When will the Chinese start designing cars without copying stuff?!!

[gtd2000]

A face you say? Anyone remember "Abe's Odyssey"?

 

?

 

[gtd2000]

Engine bay needs a bit of a clean up!

 

 

I had a look at the Lancia Thema version and it looks pretty sharp!

 

I take it they are manufactured in the USA then shipped over?

[ypsilandra]

They're made at Chrysler's plant in Brompton, Canada which used to be where they made this haute-merde http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_Premier. I've read that there's a possibility of the next model (which will be a bit more Lancia-ery) being built in Italy at Bertone's defunct plant in Grugliasco. Weren't the old European ones made by Magna Steyr in Austria?