What do you guys think about the Chrysler 300M. Between the TL-S and the 300M which one is better????

 

I sold it to buy a TL-S.

I loved the styling and the interior room of the 300M, but the TL-S blows it away performance and handling wise.

Also after 3 years and 50,000 miles there were a lot of squeaks and rattles on the 300M. I needed a new starter at 40,000 miles and a transmission cable at 41,000. Otherwise just a few minor annoyances.

I am thrilled with the TL-S. I just wish it had a little more head room and the paint was of a little better quality.

But nothing beats a V-Tec rush...

 

I like the look of the new 2002 300m's,they look much sharper then other years!

Alas, I am going with a CL S because I love the smooth lines and the performance...well it rocks!

300m maybe some other day after I have been at my new job for a year or two.

 

A very good friend of mine did the same thing Wash n Wax did. After drooling over my car for a few months, he went out and traded in his M for a TLS. He absolutely loves it and called me on his way home from the dealership complimenting me on my taste in cars.

Car and Driver did an eight car comparison early last year of which the 300M was one of the cars. The TL came out on top out of all of them (300M came in second). The acceleration between those cars was close, the TL beat out the 300M to 60 by only 1/10th of a second. The article was very positive on the TL, and it seems that the complaints mentioned were addressed by the '02 TL/TLS models.

My friend absolutely loves his TLS and says that there's no comparison. IMO, brand new these cars might be comparable, but after a 40K miles or so, I believe the TL will prove to be screwed together better.

I know there is a lot of complaining on this board about the quality of the car, but again IMO, in the majority of the cases, the quality of the TL is worlds better than the products produced by GM/FORD/Chrysler. I can speak from experience since I've owned POS from the first two, and I've had friends who have driven Chryslers.

My 2 cents.

 

2001/2002 300M has dramatically improved over 1999 model... you can even get REAL wood in 300M now... Also, the interior is HUGE, and with Sport suspension, 300M handles decent consider its size. Gauge Cluster is COOL(Indiglo), and looks classic with creamy white face....

For 2002, Chrysler is making 300M Special, with 5 more HP(up from 250hp), lowered suspension, factory bodykit, dual exhaust, and some....

Andy Kuo

 

hmmm

actually, it had 253hp so the extra 5 will put it at 258

I might have to go test drive one of those new 300m's for fun.

I have pretty much decided on a cl s but a 300m is appealing for it's size and it's badass comfy ride but im sure the cls is faster and handles better.

 

That car is too heavy for 258 or so HP to be much fun, plus it doesn't have the top end of the TLS. 5HP gain, hah, thats playing with numbers. The seats belong in my living room, and not the car as well! Its a very good car though either way.

 

I turned in a '99 300M lease w/handling pkg for an '02 TL-S. Yes, the 300M feels heavy on the road compared to the TL-S, but there are many things in the 300M that I miss in the TL-S, like overhead computer readouts (w/o Navi expense), auto headlights, 60/40 split fold-down seats, driver's seat that automatically moved back/forward for entry/exit ease, distinctive styling, and NO recalls or defects or problems for 3-yrs, 33,000 miles. Things I didn't like in the 300M, the 120mph speedometer -- that's it!

 

When I was deciding on what car to buy, the 300M was on my list. I drove the 300M right after driving the TL (the S wasnt out yet). The TL drove like it was carved from a solid billet of aluminum...the 300M drove like it was bolted together...drove very nice, but just not the same solid connected feel that the TL had. Many features that were very nice in the 300M and it actually fit me better (Im 6'6" tall). BUT...something about the feel of that TL......and when the S was announced, well, contest over for the 300M! :p

 

My brother-in-law was all about the 300M but I told him not to make a decision until he drove my car. After he took the Type-S out for a spin, he came back and told my sister that they will have to reconsider things. The only thing he didn't like about the TL is that it doesn't have a cavernous back seat like the 300M. I think the performance/price ratio caught his eye as well as the better warranty.

 

ummm, its a Chrysler.......
build quality???
service????
reliability????
'nuff said

 

A 99 TL is faster than the 300m.

Add to that the fact that the 300m will have no resale value in 3 years.

 

Nick, you beat me to it.

It's a Chrysler

 

Someone should ask Rock Dog on the CL board how he feels about the 300. All I know is that my sister had a 2001. It went through 2 transmissions in 3 months. The car was bought back under the Lemon Law, had less than 200 miles. She now drives a Lexes GS 430.

 

Let's remember , it's a TL being put up against a 300M :

225-hp VTEC V-6 VS. 253-hp, 3.5-liter SOHC V-6 .

If they compared our TLS's , oh my , that would have made Chrysler lovers cry even more. They had to use the TL to make it a little closer !!

Rock on !

 

And, let's remember that the TL-S has had 3 recalls (so far), 2 for the same item (now, that's quality control!), there are complaints here about the transmission, paint job, rattles, and probably a few other items I can't think of. So when dismissing the 300M as crap, also remember what's being said here about the TL-S. Out of the last few cars I've bought/leased (VW Jetta GLI, 1 plain Maxima, 2 Maxima SEs, 1 Mazda 626ES), my '99 300M was the most trouble-free car and also my 1st American car since 1972), including the TLS which has already had 3 minor recalls. My wife's 3+ year old Grand Caravan has also has zero/nada problems, with only oil/filter changes done to it.

The TL-S is a great car and most definitely a fun car to drive, but to say it's perfect and without fault is not correct. If the first few months are an indication of the future (i.e., 3 recalls), the future doesn't seem too bright, just like you would dismiss Chrysler for past performance, which was lousy. Yes, Chrysler still has some problems, but not across the board, and Acura is not immune from quality control problems.

 

Good points. No car is going to be perfectly good or bad.

That being said, ANY OBJECTIVE criteria for quality would put Acura head and shoulders above any north american car.

Thus, while there are no guarantees that your particular car will be good or bad, you gotta go with the odds.

 

Previous Reply :

" And, let's remember that the TL-S has had 3 recalls (so far), 2 for the same item (now, that's quality control!), there are complaints here about the transmission, paint job, rattles, and probably a few other items I can't think of. So when dismissing the 300M as crap, also remember what's being said here about the TL-S. Out of the last few cars I've bought/leased (VW Jetta GLI, 1 plain Maxima, 2 Maxima SEs, 1 Mazda 626ES), my '99 300M was the most trouble-free car and also my 1st American car since 1972), including the TLS which has already had 3 minor recalls. My wife's 3+ year old Grand Caravan has also has zero/nada problems, with only oil/filter changes done to it.

The TL-S is a great car and most definitely a fun car to drive, but to say it's perfect and without fault is not correct. If the first few months are an indication of the future (i.e., 3 recalls), the future doesn't seem too bright, just like you would dismiss Chrysler for past performance, which was lousy. Yes, Chrysler still has some problems, but not across the board, and Acura is not immune from quality control problems. "

OK , ok. Sounds like a nice car but the only thing I was talking about was the 300M performance stats against the Acura TLP , Not S. Why didn't they ( Car And Driver ) match the 300M against the Acura TLS ??? Forget quality for a moment and think about performance. Why would C & D match a 253 HP engine against a 225 HP one ?? It's like they are trying to de emphasize the performance of the 300M. ??

I sold chrysler and let me tell you that I saw more than 3 recalls in a year. Those trannies were in and out of our service dept. tooooo often. As far as your Grand Caravan , you must have gotten the van that wasn't built on M,T,W,F,Sat,Sun. Ha.

Mello out a bit. I think your defensiveness shows you have something to hide. Remember , it's just a car , not a child.

There must be a reason you're looking at a TLS and haning out on this forum. ???.......

 

Chrysler.. well.. my dad drives 97 Caravan, it is pretty nice car until 60,000 miles, we changed 4 gaskets it keep leaks, oil leaks, electrical problems, transmission, and etc. That car is one of the most worst car ever driven for the money. My dad spent about $6,000.00 just for the fixing and repairing. After all, we will never going back to Chrysler. Even 300M I feel same way.

300M design is kinda old.. don't you think?

 

If you guys are referring to the comparison that I posted here, remember that it was written in February 2000! The TLS wasn't even around then. It started showing up in March of 2001. Car & Driver wasn't trying to de-emphasize the 300Ms performance.

I have driven my share of both Detroit, Italian, and Asian iron. For reliability I'll take the Asian big three (Toyota, Honda, & Nissan) hands down, any day of the week. Statistically speaking, the complaints regarding quality issues on this board are relatively minor when you compare them to how many people actually own the car(s) or are even inclined to speak about it.

I'm not a big Consumer Reports fan because I feel that they don't truly compare apples to apples, but I do put weight into their reliability ratings. Those ratings are based on surveys that are sent out to people. The TL does very well in this case. Even more impressive when you consider that most people are more inclined to fill out a survey when they're really pi$$ed off.

When factoring complaints on this board, you also have to take into account that people on this board are very meticulous about their cars (my assumption) and are more inclined to notice slight imperfections (i.e. minor rattle, slight paint imperfection, etc.) than most people would. Let's not take into account people who drive their cars hard or have add-ons such as NOS that add additional stress.

Can you get a lemon with a Honda, Toyota or Nissan? Sure you could? Can you have great luck with a domestic car? Of course. But based on my experience and that of family, friends and co-workers, people who drive the Asian three are generally much happier than their counterparts who drive domestics. In many cases the domestic owners don't even realize what they're putting up with until the move over to an Asian brand. They just learned to live with the fact that they had to deal with problems.

Those of us who are used to Japanese quality are much less forgiving of a little rattle or squeak.

 

No , I wasn't referring to you. No prob.

This , in a round about way , may have brought to light your original post though. That's cool. I've tended to see domestic owners get pretty pissy about people who tell them their cars are unreliable.

I had a Grand Prix -- Fun , but definately not reliable.
Traded it in for a Toyota -- Not as much fun but tons more relaible. My Wife and I are convinced that japanese is the way to go.

My dad had Cadillac's for years . He traded in his last one for an LS400 sedan. He's bought Lexus ever since.

I had to try Acura since my brother had two legends. He loved them.

How could I loose !!
I'll take a recall over a rebuilt trannie any day !!

I see you are from my neck of the woods.
Maybe I'll see you around. I've thought of going to the Chicago Meet . Let me know if you'll be there.

 

My dad was looking at a 300M in late 98 after I bought my Accord EXV6. At the time, I wouldn't have gotten the 300M over my Accord let alone a TL (or now a TLS). How Chrysler could make a car w/ 253 hp that slow was mind boggling. Also, the interior just didn't have the look or feel of quality and luxury a $30000 car should have, the fit and finish I thought was poor, and the windshield was warped creating distortions in outward vision.

Chrysler has certainly come a long way in improving their quality and they sure do know how to make a good looking car, but to me they're just not quite there yet. It's all personal preference, but I'd say go for the TLS over the 300M.

 

GRV6668 :

No kidding, and most of the complaints aren't even recalls, they're service bulletins.

I didn't even notice your apatar. You're just down the street from me. I live over near Winchester & Midlothian, how about you?

Where did you get your car? Did you go to Acura of Libertyville?

I wanted to buy from them since they took care of me when I bought my previous Acura, but they didn't have the color/options I wanted. Ended up buying from Woodfield Acura.

I'll keep my eye out for a Silver TLS. As for the meet, I'm not sure. I thought about it, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get away. Besides, it's not like I can just drop by. I would need to make a special trip.

Who knows. Are you going?

 

That I will give you. Chrysler designers do know how to design some gorgeous cars. I absolutely love the 300Hemi concept car.

 

I live over off of Milwakee between the Ford and Cadillac Dealerships , East , near the par 3 golf course.

I'll keep an eye out for your car as well. IF you see a silver TLS with a spoiler , flash your lights. If I do it back , it's me. I might even flash the peace sign so you know for sure.

As far as the meet , I have major basement work to do. I believe it will be pretty crappy here in our area anyway. Rainy !!

Nice talking !!
I'd be more interested in seeing/talking about your mods since I haven't done a thing yet. I'm quite a novice for now....

 

goaub :

I just realized who you are. I work over on lake cook and millwakee. RMTS. Checked your call name in Outlook and got ya.
Anyway , nuff said. (rgr0h).

 

GRV6668

I sent you an e-mail.