http://www.auto.com/industry/tick30_20011030.htm

Here's a very short article about how Chrysler is going to be selling a limited edition "souped-up" 300M for 2002.

Here's a quote.... "The 2002 300M Special will have a 255-horsepower, 3.5-liter engine, bigger wheels, added molding and other features that will make it perform more like future versions of the car, said Eric Ridenour, Chrysler's premium-vehicle product team vice president. "

WOW!!! A whopping 2 extra hp! And hey! It's getting "added molding" too. You think if I add some molding to my CL-S I can take out a C5?

I had **almost** forgotten why I have no respect for the Big 3....

The saying "go big or stay at home" comes to mind....

**EDIT**
I read on.... it says.... "Chrysler plans to use special versions of its products and new accessories to increase sales next year because it doesn't have any new high-volume models to introduce, executives have said."

SO, in other words, in lieu of having any really cool products, they'll just put special names on cars to make customers **think** they're buying something really cool. Oh yeah... that'll work!

 

"

MICROSOFT

 

hahahahahahahahaha LMAO!!

 

Oh and Gold, it's actually 5 more HP according the Chrysler's site!!

They have it listed on there already too.... check it out....
http://www.chrysler.com/300m/models/300m_special.html

 

I was just starting to get an ounce of respect for the 300M. It's specs are a bit below the CL-S's but it costs just as much... If the 300M was about $7,000 cheaper than the CL-S, itr would be a good buy. I looked over the specs expecting it to sticker around $25,000 (knowing my CL-S was $29,000 last year).... but it goes for $28,000 (Edmunds). I might go test drive one just for the Hallabut.

 

I mean TL/TL-S since its four door.

This is interesting... I was thinking of posting something about the 300m sometime soon. Now you did... How about that?

 

Well....... Lets see.......
I did own a 300M. A 2000 with the Performance package. I hooked it up with 18's, a custom intake, & dual exhaust. In fact I just sold it. Buying the CL-S in a few weeks. It really is a nice car. It does have alot of features the CL-S doesn't. It's slow off the line yes. It's gearing is all wrong. Howerver the 300M will eat most anything at high speeds. That's the trade off with the gearing. Better top end, with lesser bottom end. I pegged top speed of my with a co workers Viper at about 151mph. After that it was just wind that wouldn't get it going any faster. In the 300M, you floor it at 60, & your at 100+ in seconds. I tried that in the CL-S when I test drove it, it was not as quick. It's more of a older age group car, & more luxury too. That's why there's no performance market for it. SO now here's the special. Has eveything I did to my 300M, except it's lowerd a whole 1/2 inch, & has a body kit. Which no company has ever made. Yes teh HP increase isn't alot, but the gearing is supposed to be different, so off the line numbers should be better. I got rid of mine because I was paying alot for it, had all that room, & was only me in it, & resale/trade value was just terriable. Mine was trouble free for the most part, but when something did go wrong the service was the killer for me. It's shouldn't take 2 weeks to replace a speed sensor! I hope to have better luck, & a better ride in the new CL-S I'm getting.

 

The 300m stickers for $28,995, the TL-S stickers for $29,360. What features does the 300 have that the TL doesn't? IMO the $365 difference doesn't justify getting a lesser quality car. The CL-S does indeed pull at 60+. I've had to pass above 80 to make exits before and I definitely had ample power. You know those knuckleheads who don't slow down to let you into their lane to make an exit? I've never opened the car up 100%... But people on here have said they hit the upper limit (140?), and I believe some of them... Number one we have a few nutcases on here, and number two, cruising at 80 and being able to pass with pretty nuch distance on the tach to redline. But.... I never test drove the 300. Maybe its time to see what they offer.

 

I was a passenger in a 2000 300M with a friend on a test drive. It didn't feel terribly quick to me, but I wasn't really paying attention.

I'll put my money... ALL my money down on the CL-S in a 60-100 race with the 300M. If you catch 3rd gear at just over 60mph in the CL-S, the 300M will likely pull for the first part of it until the CL-S reaches 70-75mph. Once the CL-S reaches 80mph it will downright embarras the 300M all the way to 110mph where our anemic 4th gear kicks in. You could probably make the argument that the 300M could edge out a CL-S in a 60-80 race, but not even close in the 60-100. Upper rpms is where the CL-S shines far more than the 300M engine, IMHO.

 

Have you driven a 300M? It's not a fair comparison if you didn't. I have. The 300M is faster after 60, & after 100. I tested this in the CL-S. I'm suprised the sales guy let me do that though.

Features...The 300M has that info center that gives MPG, DTE etc. That's usefull. As well as 8 way power seats for driver AND passanger. Seats that fold down, Cool looking indiglow gauges, a better sounding stereo, & a seat that glides up & down for easy exit/entrance. I'm not saying it's pefect, it isn't. Quailty is just not there as well as service. I'm never going back to buying an american car again. I'm sure I'll be just as happy in the CL-S, if not more happy. The 300M is a nice cruiser. It's not a stop light racer. It's just not marketed for that. It's at home on an open HW, going 100mph. Like overseas where you can drive like that, & 0-60 isn't important.

 

After 100mph, I'll buy it - the CL-S is a dog in 4th gear. But on the 60-110 run, the CL-S will murder it. I'm absolutely positive. So much so that I'm going on a 300M hunt starting right now!!!

Surely someone on this site has raced a 300M after 60mph???

 

I have driven my uncle's 300M a few times. I am sure my CL-S would beat the 300M on the highway, but will definitely not murder it. They really do have good pull on the highway.

My old car was a Intrepid ES with the 3.5L engine (older version of the one in the 300M). It was a dog down low, but a beast on the highway too. I raced my friend from 65-100 in his Integra GS-R on the highway. He had H/I/E and talked a lot of smack. Well, I actually pulled about 1 car on him at the end. No lie. He was very shocked and impressed. The quality of my car was total crap though. No match for my CL.

Just warning you. It would not be as easy as you think

 

it looks like they do have the cool side mirror turn signals...

 

What is the top speed in third gear for the CL-S? I would have to respectfully disagree with the CL being sluggish getting to 100... The few times I really had to gun it; I got into the 90+ range easily. Those of you in Eastern PA and know Interstate 78, and PA 22 south of Allentown know what I mean. Alot of people cruise at 85 in the right lane close to each other. So there will be a long line of 85mph cars in the right, and your exit comming up. Too close together to squeze between so the only choice is to get her up there and pass. Put the right turn signal on they ignore you. The CL-S will pull into the 95mph range easily.

My dad's Lincoln had the computer thing that calculated MPG, oil level and all that neat stuff. Do you think that justifies the lack in a major price difference? How much do you think the 300M would go for with just the features the CL-S has? Just a guestimate...

 

3rd gear in the CL-S is good for about 110mph. But if you're going much over 90mph in 4th or 5th and floor it, sometimes it won't give you 3rd and you're stuck in 4th gear. Then the car is a total dog. But if you can get 3rd gear at just below 90mph, the car will fly to 110mph.

Likewise, if you're going 60mph, you can probably catch 2nd gear and take it up to about 70mph before hitting third in which case you'll still pull on a majority of the cars out there. But if you're going say, 62mph and floor it, you'll be stuck at the bottom of 3rd gear and it will take a little bit for the revs to build before the car really starts to pull. I have no doubt a 300M could pull on us there. But what I'm saying is above 5000rpm in any gear but 4th or 5th, we will decidedly pull on a 300M and a lot of other cars out there.

So, like you said... punching it at 85mph will put you solidly in VTEC range in 3rd gear and the car will haul ass.

 

Ah ha! I now understand. The deaf man says, I hear ya! I can see clearly now...

 

My wife has a '99 300M with that years performance package and 4 speed tiptronic and I have a '01 CL-S. I don't drive up to 100 very often but from 60 to 85 the CL-S would kill her 300. The fit and finish of the CL-S is much better as well.

 

Let's forget about the fit and finish for now. Pretend the Chrysler has the same fit and finish as the Acura. DO you think its stilla better car then the TL-S? I don't think it is. 4spd transmission? With destination charges and the like I bet the bottom line price lands just about the same. Anyone know?

 

Never driven the TL-S but it is not a better or even as good as my CL-S. It is a 4 speed automatic as opposed to our 5 speed auto. Before taxes and tags we paid 29.5K for the 300M in 1999 and I paid 30K for the CL-S (with Nav) this past April. Specific items that make the CLS better are:

Better quality interior(leather, knobs)
gas mileage (I'll get 29mpg on highway vs 22 for 300)
handling
stereo
acceleration
braking
5sp transmission

Some items that are better on the 300
headroom
fold down rear seat