300C • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **Roger** » 29 May 2005 22:23

Hi all - it's been quite some time since I last posted anything. Sorry for my absence, although I do come and check out the site from time to time. My car is still very much a work in progress and is coming along nicely thanks. Next stage is to rebuild the trans, change over diff from the 2.76 to 3.23 or 3.55, install extractors (headers) which I've just had ceramic coated, then the body and paint (probably the most expensive part since it's going to be black).

In the coming few months they are going to start selling the 300C here in Australia. It's currently being used as the pace car for all the "super V-8" races here and has attracted its fair share of interest. While not a cheap car in anyone's terms (AU$58,000+) for the basic V-8 model, it is better than buying a Ford or a GM in my opinion. Do any of the members on this forum own one and if so, what is your opinion of the car? I have not seen one in the flesh so to speak, although have heard some very good reports about it. If anyone has some personal experiences and perhaps some photos, I would appreciate your comments and opinions. Feel free to send me a pm should Dave and the moderator feel this is not pertinent to this site's content.
Cheers from sunny Australia...Roger

by **Christer** » 30 May 2005 5:33

My answer is more of a question:Isn´t a Dodge Magnum and a Chrysler 300C similar cars? In case they are then read this: http://challenger.mpoli.fi/forum/viewto ... 9156#19156

Great to hear that you are making progress on your car. It would be even greater if you could share some pic´s with us....

by **dave-r** » 30 May 2005 7:49

I have heard the new Charger looks a lot better than the 300 and is more attractive than it looks in the press photos.

by **pink panther** » 30 May 2005 20:45

The dodge magnum is a wagon, the 300C is an awfull good looking car, Looks like a BMW or so. I don't care for the Charger since it is only available in the 4 door model, If you think Charger from past, you don't think of a 4 door, you would think of a big long car not a short 4 door coupe.

by **Roger** » 30 May 2005 22:33

She's nothing like a Magnum or Charger - more like a mercedes or bmw in style and looks. It's received some pretty rave reviews here and there are a couple of them on display at various Chrysler dealers around the country (LHD versions only), however I have not been able to see one in the metal as yet. Chrysler Australia has a site dedicated to it : http://www.300c.com.au with some good photos and downloadable e-cards. Just wondered if any of our American members had any experiences with one yet? They are marketing it here as the alternative to the big Holden (GM) SS Commodore and the Ford Falcon GT - both V-8's with the chevy 350 and ford 351. The 300C has the injected 360 so I believe, however I have no idea about the drive-train, so would like some opinions about this motor/trans if anyone can offer some.
Cheers...R
PS will post some photos of my car soon, once the last mechanical mods have been done.

by **insuranceguy** » 31 May 2005 22:08

Roger,

Have a look @ lxforums.com which has a lot of info on the Magnum, 300c etc.. You will find that many are very impressed with the cars.

I have the Magnum RT AWD and really enjoy driving it.

Good luck!

by **rpmartworks** » 01 Jun 2005 0:25

the new charger 4 door ??? :?:

never seen one from my past :s007:

even though they are not bad looking just the wrong title on such a car..Maybe should of been called a Belvedere

or Satelite ..

Rick@rpmartworks

by **Roger** » 02 Jun 2005 2:46

Thanks for the link insuranceguy. I've learned there is a great deal of praise for the car and many happy owners out there. There's a fair bit of difference in price for us, compared to the US or Canada, but that's to be expected I suppose, considering the conversion to RHD. I'll do more research before coming to a decision, but I must say it looks like an awesome piece of machinery, especially in the 6.1 litre SRT-8 guise (with 425hp)! Video here if you're interested: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Po ... eId=104671

Still not sure about the four cylinders shutting down in fuel saver mode though... I'll research that one carefully I think. If I'm going to buy a four-door, then it's going to be a comfortable sedan, not a coupe made to be easier for the rear passengers to get in.

Cheers...

by **insuranceguy** » 02 Jun 2005 13:42

Don't worry about the mds, it works great, and I have never felt it engage or disengage. I am leaving tomorrow for a 3000 round trip, and expect to get 21-23 miles per gallon, yet when you hit the go button, it really moves.

In the us car market, the 300c & Dodge Magnum R/T get a lot of looks and respect. Kind of like the Old Mopar scene? If you like them or not, you can't help looking, and when you see the tail lights you can't help but notice it is fast. My Challenger may be a little faster, but off the line my station wagon can kick my Challengers But, Hands down.

Finally, when and if you ever go to a big event that the vehicles are all Valets parked; don’t be surprised when your 300c or Magnum is out front. It happened to me and was especially gratifying to see the 05 Bmw M-3 waiting while they got his car while mine was in front with a SL600 and a G55. :-)

by **Roger** » 03 Jun 2005 1:08

I'll be visiting my nearest Chrysler dealer in the coming weeks to find out more about pricing, options etc. Then a long talk with my bank manager...

The more I hear about this car, the more respect others seem to have for it - both owners of Mopars and wanabees... My philosopy about all this, is - you only live once and I don't want to find myself on my death-bed mulling over in my mind all the things I wish I had done in my life. Come hell or highwater, I'm going to get me a 300C. Now if I can order the SRT-8 that would turn a few heads around my neck of the woods, I can assure you that there's nothing I love more than to see a Ford or GM owner give himself a crook neck in an attempt to see what just flashed past him as a blurrrrr... :s003:

by **insuranceguy** » 03 Jun 2005 4:43

Sounds like a perfect plan. Especially as the Hemi is built in Brampton (sp?) Ontario. Quite fitting to have a Canadian Import making the bully boys in their Bowties feel inadequate?

Off to Disneyland with the Wifey and my 3 year old princess.

Cheers

by **dave-r** » 03 Jun 2005 7:41

The 300C seems to be THE car for flashy football players in this country at the moment.

by **Christer** » 15 Jun 2005 8:49

dave-r wrote:I have heard the new Charger looks a lot better than the 300 and is more attractive than it looks in the press photos.

One cool little note: Daimler-Chrysler have shipped a Charger ´68 down to Cannes (South of France) just to promote the new Charger.

Quite an honour to have a car as attractive as that (Owner: Yngve Adelsjö). The car should be back in Sweden by now after a 10 days visit in France.

It would be nice to see the car in the flesh. The car will be at a show not far from here this weekend, but I doubt that I will have the time and energy to go there. :worry:

by **Roger** » 15 Jun 2005 23:42

I've had a phone call from the marketing manager of DC Australia in regard to the options and pricing of the 300C here. It seems that we are to pay a premium of AU$70,000 for the car when it finally lands here in Nov this year. He also advised that there is currently no RHD version available, so I don't know what they're driving in the UK, but I guess it's a LHD car.
The RHD model will be built in DC's plant in Graaz Austria - not Brampton Ontario Canada. It will also have a 5 speed auto and "European" build quality, according to the fellow who phoned me. The SRT-8 version may be available in RHD guise, but not for at least another 18 months. This model does not have the system that shuts down 4 cylinders when in idle or cruise mode, but is fitted with the new 6.1 litre hemi with approx 90hp more than the 5.7 hemi that is claimed to have 425hp - must be quite a motor... With 20" wheels and 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, this must surely be one of the quickest mass produced cars around, with handling to match (apparently). Shame they didn't make the new Charger as attractive a package and for sale globally too.