Here’s a vision for you: Imagine it’s the late 1950’s or early 1960’s. You are hanging out with the local soda-jerk (old people’s term – not mine) as the BAD boys begin rolling up. They drive a variety of Detroit iron from the late 40’s and early 50’s that are reminiscent of the bad-guy’s car from the movie, “Grease.” Cropped roofs, loud engines, sinister presence and a complete inability to round a corner.
That’s what I imagine when reminiscing about the Chrysler 300C SRT8.
Okay, it corners a lot better than a 1950 Oldsmobile Futuramic 88. This beast has a 6.1 liter HEMI V8 that growls with 425 horsepower and 420 lbs feet of torque – it’s got motor gordo. At 4,178 lbs, this is a lead-sled to be sure. With this weight and motor, the best thing the 2009 Chrysler 300C SRT8 does is purr content at nearly any speed along the highway.
Show it a corner at a sporting speed and prepare for the unknown. The steering reveals little of what the fat, 20 inch front wheels are doing. So much mass gets to speed so quickly. I clocked a few 0 to 60 times in well under 6 seconds, if you are foolish enough to turn off the traction control and accelerate around a tight bend – well, I hope you have your affairs in order. The 5-speed automatic transmission has the gimmicky autostick which does a fair job holding gears. Leaving the transmission alone to do its job is the best way to wring the most performance out of the Chrysler 300C SRT8.
I highly recommend the Boston Acoustics sound 6-speaker (with a 276 watt amplifier) sound system. The rest of the upgrades will cost you thousands including the video system (where the screen for the back seats resides in the arm rest) and the uconnect wireless online system. These are expensive toys. Still, even fully loaded, this beast is much cheaper than an equivalent German or Japanese performance sedan.
When driving, one must remember that a majority of this vehicle is underpinned by out-of-date Mercedes Benz parts. It’s true and not necessarily a curse. The (now discontinued) Mercedes Benz E Class of 1996 – 2002 was a great machine, but the core design is over a decade old. If the greasy bits were more modern, perhaps the front end’s tactile feel could improve.
On the road, it’s a pleasure to feel the thrust of a true rear drive machine (other Chrysler 300s have optional AWD). You sit low, nearly submerged in the cabin “gangsta” like. Looking out as your speed increases faster than most expect, you have to wait for the body to settle down before you charge out of a corner. It’s the only way this thing likes to be driven. Sure, the springs are tight and it is easy enough to drift the rear end - that’s NOT performance driving. On a road course, the Chrysler 300C SRT8 accounts for itself admirably until you give it the spurs.
The Pontiac G8 GT/GXP or brand new Ford Taurus SHO are much better handling vehicles.
Everything is solid and feels like it will last. I have never been excited about the design of the 300, although other enthusiasts seem to like it. It is a clean, unique design that has straight, masculine lines and in the case of the Chrysler 300C SRT8, a sporty mesh grill. I feel the Dodge Charger’s looks are more aggressive and contemporary. Either way, the look is getting a bit old.
So, am I saying this huge Chrysler is a bad car? No, not really. As long as the driver understands that this is a cruiser and not a racer, all is well. I was supremely comfortable driving at ridiculously high speeds on our interstates. Also, the sweet music the 6.1 liter HEMI makes is downright addicting. Abuse the Chrysler 300C SRT8 at 8/10th its total potential and the driver will have a ball.
Fully loaded (and before the massive amounts of rebates) the 2009 Chrysler 300C SRT8 runs nearly 50 grand. If you are careful and haggle hard as an associate of mine did, you can bring that price into the lower $40,000 bracket. For a vehicle with this much comfort and this much “go” that’s not too bad.
My overall combined mpg was a not so good at 16 mpg. My fault – I drive like an idiot.
Honestly, if you don’t mind spending your bread on go-go juice, this lead-sled may be your ride daddy-o. If you miss the big, powerful cars of yore and want the best warranty in the business – look up the Chrysler 300C SRT8. Just take it easy in the corners.
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