2004 Chrysler 300M Review

Specifications

Large But Lively Sports Sedan

Like that somewhat “full figured” relative who surprises you with their elegant and athletic moves on the dance floor, the 2004 Chrysler 300M Special hides its real charm and character under a deceivingly large, although certainly attractive body.

Endowed with a distinctive look that Chrysler calls a “sculptured physique” meant to evoke a European “tuner” sedan image, the Special stands out with 18-inch multi-spoke aluminum wheels shod with 245/45ZR18 Michelin Pilot tires that completely fill the wheel wells. They combine with a half-inch lowered ride height to create an assertive stance that shouts “Action”!

Facing off against such worthy contenders as the Acura 3.2 TL Type-S, Infiniti G35, BMW 3-Series, Cadillac CTS, Jaguar X-Type, Maxima SL/SE, and Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, to name just a few players in this crowded and competitive $30-40K sport sedan segment, the 300M takes off the gloves to match the competition move for move in attempting to woo a European/Japanese brand-obsessed buying public. How does it stack up? On paper, great.

Churning out 255-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque from its 3.5-litre SOHC V6, up 5-hp and 8 lb-ft from the standard 300M, the Special antes up the necessary power to run with this crowd. While some of the competition may claim a few more ponies (the Infiniti G35 boasts 260 hp and the Nissan Maxima 265) the differences are inconsequential.

Coupled to the High Output V6 is Chryslers “performance-tuned” AutoStick transmission - still one of the most intuitive manu-matics on the market. Lets not forget that these guys practically invented this feature back in the early 90s and are certainly responsible for much of its popularity and marketing success. Theyre also the experts at keeping it simple: Tap right to upshift, left to downshift - youve really got to try hard to miss a shift. The Special also adds a 3.89 final drive to extract maximum performance from this power train setup.

The Mopar boys have screwed on some good bits to ensure sporty handling, ride and steering too. Sport-tuned suspension, firm strut damping and 17:1 ratio speed-sensitive steering promise a firm feeling ride coupled with crisp steering and handling. Add gas-pressurized shocks, fatter anti-roll bars, front and rear independent suspension (MacPherson struts - front; Chapman struts with lower trailing links - rear) complemented by ABS Plus 4-wheel disc brakes (senses speed differences among the wheels during braking to provide additional stability) and all the ingredients are there for a blast though hill, dale or for that matter, downtown traffic.

And thats just the performance side of the equation. In this class interior touch, look, and smell are important attributes as well. Fortunately some legendary creative juices are at work here.

Trevor Creed, DaimlerChryslers styling guru, left his stamp on the 300 M Special by designing a warm, aesthetically pleasing cabin that is nicely crafted and assembled. The creamy Light Taupe leather interior in our tester blended with the Deep Slate dash and centre console to create a cozy, yet up-market feel. Materials and fit and finish are all first rate.

Subtle but striking chrome bezels surround the big, Euro-look tach and speedometer - elegant is the word that kept coming to mind. Theres a nice line to the sweep of the dash over the vents while the little analog clock in the center adds that perfect touch of class. The leather and solid wood steering wheel and leather clad shifter feel substantial and satisfying to use as well, plus both the HVAC and 9-speaker Infinity sound system complete with an in-dash six-CD changer are straight forward and easy to operate.

Even the faux carbon fiber trim pieces are nicely integrated into the overall look. Theres nothing groundbreaking here or over the top, just excellent execution of a classically designed interior. Motorcycle-style gauges and brushed aluminum consoles are left to the newer entries in this segment (read Infiniti and 2004 Maxima). Chrysler seems to have struck a nice balance between old world class, understated luxury (Jaguar) and contemporary design.

The only minor glitches I could detect were a somewhat cheap plastic wiper/turn signal stalk that seemed pulled from lower in the corporate parts bin, and questionable placement/design of the front cup holders, whose spring-release clasps seemed reluctant to hug my coffee mug and bottled water firmly. But turn the key and let the personalized memory system swing into action by adjusting your seating position, mirror and pre-set radio station preferences, crank open the enormous made-for-summer sunroof, and these small annoyances immediately fade into the rearview as the wide open throttle seduces me from belief to a sure knowledge, the 300M Special is a real drivers car.

Ill admit my first impression was one of heft and weight while maneuvering at slow speeds around town. At nearly 3,650 lbs, this is the heavy weight sedan of the class, carrying 270 lbs of additional metal around than the G35, 100 more than the Acura Type S, and beating the Cadillac CTS by 150 at the scales.

Yet the surprise comes with how well balanced this big sedan is at speed, demonstrating reasonably flat turn-in with very moderate body roll and good control in the corners. Theres nice on-center feel to the steering, a brilliantly tight turning radius and those 18-inch unidirectional Michelin Pilots just grab the road and take the car where you point it. In fact, I felt as confident and assured pushing the 300M through the twisties as I did recently driving the same route in an Audi A4 quattro, or more recently in Hondas V6 and 6-speed equipped 2004 Accord Coupe. Outwardly a sleek highway tourer, the 300Ms “drivers car” persona emerges the harder and faster you push.

Pushing faster is a happy tune the torquey V6 enjoys humming. Crank it up past 4,500 rpm and youll be treated to a melodious Porsche-like growl that signals a serious forward lunge. Especially in sync with the manu-shift AutoStick, the engine holds itself right up at its 6,500 rpm redline in the first two gears, making me completely forget that I was driving one of the longest cars on the market. At 50 mph in 3rd gear, theres gobs of torque under the toes for two lane passing, nailing that apex or just accelerating up to, or beyond, the speed limit. The powers there - use it as you see fit.

The nice part about all this power and handling prowess is that I didnt get beat up with a stiff, jolting ride, as is often the case with many “performance-tuned” sedans. Far from cushy, the 300M Specials ride quality is sporty-firm, yet compliant. Over some pretty battered local roads the 300 outperformed recent runs in the Jaguar X Type, Accord V6 and Acura 3.2 Type-S in ride comfort. The big sedans extra weight definitely pays off by absorbing much of the harshness experienced in the competitors brands. Score points to DaimlerChryslers engineering ride guys on this one.

With every imaginable active and passive safety device already on the car including Xenon high intensity headlamps, driver and passenger side-impact airbags and head protection, EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) and Traction Control, next-generation ABS, fog lights and side impact bars, theres not much lacking to make the 300M Special a complete and desirable package.

Chrysler could make it sportier by reducing its curb weight by a couple of hundred pounds, and by sticking in more aggressively bolstered seats to complement the tight handling and performance capabilities. The seats in the brands Town & Country luxury minivan are the best they build and something similar should definitely be in this car. Now that Im writing a wish list, a 5th cog in the transmission would be appreciated - not only to keep up to the competition that have recently raised the bar, but for added flexibility when in AutoStick mode. And maybe take those audio controls out from their hiding place behind the steering wheel (where I discovered them by chance) and put them up front where theyre easier to find and use.

So why isnt Chrysler selling more 300M Specials? In a word, price. Or maybe two words; image and price. Dealers have whispered to me that people have trouble saying “Chrysler” and “$32,615″ in the same breath. Although DaimlerChrysler is aiming at raising Chrysler to premium brand status, maybe a division name change is in order. It worked for Honda with Acura, where buyers are now willing to spend more than $30,000 on a re-badged and re-contented Accord (Acura 3.2TL) and $32,000 plus G35s are flying out the door at Nissans Infiniti Division, though the car shares its engine with the Altima. Why not this worthy top-of-the-line Euro-style performance sedan?

That may be about to change. DaimlerChryslers replacement for the 300M, expected to resemble the 300C concept car that debuted in New York last month, incorporates many Mercedes-Benz parts, albeit with a more Chrysler-like price tag. Said to offer a Hemi V8 powering the rear wheels with a rumored priced in the mid to high $30,000 range, this could be the car that sets the stage for a Chrysler sedan revival.

But in the here and now, the 300M Special has arrived early for 2004 and Chrysler is unloading everything in their arsenal to move as many as possible before the next generation 300 arrives. With current factory incentives worth thousands on new 2003 models and slightly less on 2004s, coupled with a hungry dealer network willing to discount heavily, it could be possible to pick one up in the high $20s. At this price, this car is a true bargain! Make mine Bright Silver Metallic with the Light Taupe Special Royal Leather Interior.