2005 Chrysler 300C - Design - Long-Term Test Verdict

The Check Engine light came on one time: The OBD system's code was for low oil pressure, although no abnormal conditions were found, and the warning never occurred again. We replaced the tires once at a cost of $490.94-but that was due to too many burnouts for the camera and not any tire-wear problem that could be traced to the car. The brakes were checked at that 11,959-mile service visit and had 80 percent of their linings left. The fronts had just begun to throb as we turned the car in.

All the materials wore well, and the structure and cabin remained as tight and rattle-free on the day the 300C went away as on the day it arrived. A model year of service from Chrysler's big Kahuna, although by the time we were done, the SRT-8 version had come to market, and we were jonesing for a set of its 20-inch wheels.

At this point in each long-term test verdict, we summarize how a given machine performed and what we think of it having lived with it for a year. But we found the 300's summary right in our logbook: "Chrysler has leapfrogged the other American brands in this segment in one fell swoop. Hello, Ford? Hello, Lincoln? Yo, Cadillac? Do you get it now? The 300C carries itself with an aristocratic air that exceeds expectations and is evident to other drivers whom I catch stealing a glimpse. Chrysler has reclaimed its once great reputation and built a car people can drive with pride."

From The Logbook

The hemi feels sweeter and punchier with every mile. I'd like a tad more rebound control on the shocks just to check body movement and more feel in the brake pedal. You can feel the Benz DNA buried deep in this car.-Angus MacKenzie

Drove it to Vegas this weekend, where it cemented its position as a road machine that would do any Rat Packer proud. Chrysler has smashed through barriers here and proves you can still do something new with the old four-door sedan.-Matt Stone

Quiet, solid, smooth ride on I-5 from L.A. to Sacramento. Definitely gives the substantial feeling of a big, luxurious sedan. Interior design and materials could use some work; plastic chrome housing around the shifter snaps off easily.-Brian Vance

Structure, power, handling all first-rate. Boston Acoustic sound system has impressive depth and clarity. however, Sirius doesn't seem to have the same buffer as XM. Drive under trees, and it sometimes loses signal.-John Matthius

Chassis dynamics are impressive. Smooth while cruising and tremendous in cornering. Engine a huge accomplishment-love that i can't detect cylinder shutoff.from the logbook-Mark Williams