Chrysler 300M Overview
The Chrysler 300M was to be the fabled "five meter" LH car that would provide a huge interior while fitting within European boundaries. Originally badged as the second-generation Eagle Vision, it was hurriedly renamed when the Eagle division was dropped. Many criticized Chrysler's use of the name 300M, because its engine was not rated at 300 hp, it was not rear wheel drive, and it did not clobber the competition as the early 300 series did. While the engine was probably capable of at least 300 hp in gross horsepower, which was used when the original 300s were made, the argument is fair; the original 300 series were world-beaters, almost regardless of price. The 1999-2004 Chrysler 300M cars did beat the competition in elegance, comfort, space, handling, and, often, acceleration, but they were not generally compared favorably to the best the world had to offer at any price.
Though the 300M has a standard 250 hp V6 that runs on regular gas and has both manners and teeth, it was smooth in operation and rarely seemed to work hard. The Special (launched for 2002), with different exhaust tuning, was louder, but the standard 300M tended to keep the engine quiet most of the time, at least inside the cab. The engine sang with two notes; it loved to be revved, and cried out for a manual transmission or a more efficient automatic. Under normal acceleration, shifts were subtle and gentle, but pushed hard, the transmission was firmer and quicker, giving a good feel; we prefer transmissions to eject the subtlety when our foot hits the floor mats. Still, the four-speed is called a slushbox for a reason; the engine clearly was spending some of its power spinning fluid around rather than spinning wheels around.
European buyers had a base 2.7 liter engine for better mileage and lower taxes. In the US, most people probably did not mind gas mileage rated by the EPA at 18 city, 27 highway (the 18 mpg was reasonable, the 27 was somewhat optimistic.) Any number of cars can go fast; few reasonably priced cars of this size can handle with such aplomb around sharp turns, especially while the gas pedal is pushed to the floor. The 300M outhandled many small cars, and did it with full dignity and a firm sense of stability. Thanks to the good tires and capable suspension, there was a complete sense of confidence, even on wet roads. The 250 horsepower V6 pushed the front suspension to its limits, but there was virtually no torque steer. The 300M made fast turns, sudden lane changes, and hard acceleration seem calm and in total control. The smooth antilock brakes and traction control also helped, on those rare occasions when they activated.
We found no torque steer on straight-line acceleration, and little slipping even when slamming on the gas in the middle of a turn; the Chrysler 300M handles this abuse very well. However, while the low-profile tires are very good at grip, they do let squeals out, and transmit more road noise than the standard tires. We also found that the stiff suspension tended to worsen handling on bad road surfaces; the Chrysler LHS, a larger car, had a much smoother ride, without bad cornering. Indeed, the base Dodge Intrepid, which was both cheaper and larger than the Intrepid, had a smoother, more comfortable ride, and both felt good on the road; the 300M had a definite edge but not all buyers favor that tradeoff. The LHS had the same deluxe interior as the 300M, while the Intrepid had a more generic, functional appearance inside.
We discovered that, despite a moderately low ground clearance, the 300M is a very good snow car. The traction control helps the car to get going, and the refined suspension helps it to avoid getting stuck or spinning out of control. We can't say that about the Honda Accord, based on the samples we saw spinning out in front of us and behind us - we were happy to be in the 300M, which serenely slowed at our request and quietly followed our request to go around the slowly spinning Accord. (The one behind us went into a spin when its driver tried to slow down). It might have been luck, but we found the 300M to be very good in the snow. Our 2001 Chrysler 300M test car had an extra handling package, which made the suspension somewhat firmer than the stock model. For most people, the handling package will probably be overkill.
Along with the superior handling comes a stiffer ride, more like a BMW than a Cadillac. The stock 300M has very good handling as well. Steering effort was a bit high at low speeds, a minor issue. The wide front tires contribute to a moderately "off" steering feel; it's tight, but tends to be a little slow to return to center, and doesn't have that small-car feeling of maneuverability. That said, the 300M, compared with its successors in the 2005-2010 LX lineup, feels much lighter and more nimble, even when it isn't. (The Challenger can probably easily outhandle the 300M, but it feels heavier and more solid. Some people like that, others don't.) Overall, the Chrysler 300M remains a strong contender when you are looking for a car; admittedly they are now all used. We recommend the standard 300M over the pricier Special, which has more powerful headlights but an overly stiff ride and cheap-looking faux carbon fiber dashboard appliques.
