Is the Chrysler 300C good for new drivers?
The Chrysler 300C is a behemoth and a bruiser, offering most new drivers more power than they know what to do with. Powered by a V8 petrol-, V6 petrol- or a V6 diesel-engine, you will be spoilt with the amount of torque on tap, but you'll need to budget carefully for running costs.
There's no doubt about it — the 300C is a bit of an icon for Chrysler. After all, it was first forged during the Daimler/Chrysler partnership, and shares many components with the earlier Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Yet it never carried a Teutonic price tag, despite being built in Graz, Austria. But as tempting as it may seem to buy one, you should bear in mind, that:
1. You may struggle to find parts
The Chrysler 300C has long been discontinued and if something goes wrong or if you get into an accident, finding replacement parts may not be easy, perhaps leaving you without transport. Fiat will service your 300C but what happens if they need some component that is not readily available? Certainly something to think about.
Related: Is the American muscle car alive and well? All about the 300C SRT8
2. Insurance won't come cheap
The more powerful the engine, the higher the insurance. And if you are a new driver as well as a young driver, it adds insult to injury. Insurers classify young people as high risk, and if you're driving a high-powered car with a V6 or V8 engine, it shows you might have a penchant for speeding, thus the higher insurance premium. Show me one 18-25 year-old that's going to drive like my grandma in a car like this!
3. The 300C isn't exactly what we'd call 'economical'
If you opt for the V6 diesel model, don't expect the same consumption you'll get in a used diesel Tiguan — the 300C's will likely be about 12 litres per 100 km or so; roughly 2 l/100 km more than a 2.8 GD-6 4x4 turbodiesel Toyota Fortuner full of people and their luggage.
The V8 models in the 300C range make use of an MDS (or multi-displacement system) that allows it to run on only four of its cylinders at lower speeds, to reduce consumption. Still, you are looking at around 16 litres per 100 km in the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 which is a little steep if you still want to finance your partying lifestyle on weekends. (Hemi refers to the hemispherical cylinder head of the engine block).
The upside to Chrysler 300C ownership?
You're getting an awful lot of for very little money, including safety features. If you're financially sorted enough to keep this future classic on the road, and you can afford to have servicing or repair work done regularly, you can look forward to owning something entirely different and seriously cool that goes like the clappers. Just remember to take out a decent mechanical warranty for possible issues later on, and look for a younger, lower-mileage model if your budget allows.
Did you know...?
The SRT8 model (with a6.4-litre engine) will catapult you from 0-100 in only 5 seconds! It competes with the big dogs such as the BMW 550i, Mercedes-Benz E500, Audi S6, and Jaguar XFR, but costs a fraction of the price.
Verdict
I don't blame anyone wanting a 300C. It's super affordable, considering what you can buy on the new-car market for R225k (the starting price is for 300Cs that don't have intergalactic mileage). I happened to stumble upon a polar white 500C 3.6 Luxury Series (2013) on AutoTrader that just blows me away. This particular model (below) is kitted out with a plethora of comfort features, and also has 210kW under its hood. All you need now is a chauffeur and you'll be the talk of the campus.
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