- 93,241
- Middletown, OH
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- autoshopper.com
2007 chrysler 300 review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Bold, handsome, roomy and satisfying. introductionsmooth, quiet operation, tight handling, space, luxury: the chrysler 300 sedan has it all, at attractive prices. The base model comes well-equipped for less than $25,000, with a frugal v6. Aimed primarily at the chauffeur-driven executive class, they may also appeal to families. The longer wheelbase turns the 300's roomy back seat into something past cavernous, with more leg room than just about anything on the road. Great for tall folks or anyone who likes space and convenience. These long-wheelbase models can be equipped with custom features such writing tables and foot rests. the chrysler 300 marked a return to rear-wheel drive for large american sedans, and we consider that a benefit. Rear-wheel drive adds to the driving pleasure, which is partly why luxury sedans and sports car have traditionally used it. The traction and stability electronics are well sorted and effective on this car, delivering good all-season performance. All-wheel drive is an option for those who live in the snow belt. They're also responsive for large cars. The 300c delivers thrilling acceleration and the srt-8 true high performance in civilized fashion. Think of it as detroit's answer to the bmw m5 or the mercedes e63 amg, for about $30,000 less. then there's the styling, inside and out, where this car makes no apologies. It won't be mistaken for any other sedan the road. It can be trimmed with chrome, mono-chrome and various wheels to look stately and elegant or downright mean. the chrysler 300 delivers impressive value, but emphasizing the cost/benefit ratio may minimize its other strengths. Chrysler executive series, or long-wheelbase option 10,600). The package extends the wheelbase six inches, and gives the 300 more rear-seat leg room than executive-class stalwarts such as the audi a8l, bmw 750li and jaguar xj-8l, at a substantially lower price. the srt-8 40,420) tops the 300 pecking order. This is a true high-performance sedan, in the mode of bmw's m models or mercedes' amg brand, and it features loads of performance tweaks, unique design features and most of the luxury gear. The srt-8's centerpiece is a 425-hp, 6. 1-liter hemi v8. performance enthusiasts will appreciate the srt design group option 1,495) for the 300c. It adds many of the srt design cues, and more significantly, engine tweaks and special exhaust that raise the 5. 7-liter hemi's output to 350 horsepower, for a fraction of the full srt-8 package price. options are plentiful and potentially confusing, with 15 separate packages. One of the most popular is protection group ii 890), which adds curtain-style head-protection airbags, rear park assist, self-sealing tires and cabin air filtration. Stand alone options include a dvd-based gps navigation system 1,495), rear-seat dvd entertainment with a seven-inch lcd screen 1,150), a power sunroof 950), uconnect hands-free communication 250), and a boston acoustics audio upgrade with six-cd changer, subwoofer and 368 watts of output. the chrysler 300 has earned a five-star rating from the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) for front-impact crash protection, but its standard safety features fall below the class benchmark. All 300s come with multi-stage front airbags and anti-lock brakes (abs); all but the base model come with electronic stability program (esp), all-speed traction control system (tcs) and brake assist for the abs. Curtain-style head protection airbags for outboard passengers are optional, but the 300 does not offer torso-protecting side-impact airbags, front or rear. A handful of detractors claim the 300's styling, particularly its bentley-esque front end, is derivative, but we think that's a superficial view. But it has also redefined what a detroit sedan can be, more clearly and thoroughly than any automobile in recent years. with its rear-wheel-drive architecture, the chrysler 300 might be a case of back to the future. Yet there's little about it that's retro, except maybe the giant grille, which clearly draws on 300s from the past. The first chrysler 300 was introduced in 1955 with an engine having hemispherical combustion chambers, called the hemi. Its styling makes no apologies. The wheel-well cutouts, wrapping around rims up to 20 inches in diameter, are striking. The wheelbase is long but the overhangs are short, offering a visual sense of power. The roof rakes thickly down to a short deck, and the sides are like large slabs. These cast a useful halo of light on the ground beneath the doors when the 300 is unlocked with the remote key fob. Its unique features include body-color front and rear bumper inserts, mirrors and door handles, and the modifications are more than aesthetic. The front and rear ends direct air flow through unique ducts that cool the brakes, while a specially designed rear spoiler increases rear downforce by 39 percent, helping keep the rear tires firmly planted at high speed without increasing drag. Yet the coolest thing about the srt-8 might be its 20-inch, forged aluminum wheels and asymmetrical high-performance tires. These maximize that visual power, and they're staggered in the classic track-performance tradition, with the rear tires slightly wider than the fronts. the executive series package, or long-wheelbase version, is new for 2007. It adds six inches to the standard wheelbase and provides more than 46 inches of rear legroom inside. Outside, it gives the 300 a stately, limo look. interiorthe stylish theme set by the 2007 chrysler 300 body carries through inside, although the style in the cabin is even more clearly defined by purpose. There's a definite form-follows-function approach, with little superfluous decoration. This blueprint was no doubt a response to the booming popularity of sport-utility vehicles. The windshield rake is relatively modest, so visibility forward is enhanced over the 300's long hood. Visibility to the rear is excellent, without much intrusion from the roofline. still, those who prefer a lower, leaned-back seating position can find it. Cruise Control✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ CD Changer✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Chrome Wheels✔ Navigation System✔ Aluminum Wheels
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