[Zorro01]

"I've had the misfortune of driving one of these hateful cars for a few days (before swapping it for a MUCH better car)."

I know exactly what you mean. Ever since I "tripped" over these cars, dating back to 2001 when we accidentally hired a 300M, and thought "mmm. This is OK!" we've tried to hire or blag an upgrade to a 300 every time. However, I'd never really paid much attention to the diferent specs available across the water. Until last year, when, as requested we were given the keys to a 300. On finding the car in the huge car park, we had to double check, as the keys were for what I now understand to be the base model. Apart from the rather low rent interior, the engine was decidely arthritic and asthmatic, and the springs seemed to be made out of Angel Delight.

Suffice to say, after two days of suffering, we invented an excuse that the car was no good, jumped up and down at the rental company, and were eventually handed the keys to the "manager's own wheels. You must know some mighty powerful people." Turned out to be what we thought all 300s should look like. A US 300C Hemi, with lots of bling additions. We had a fine time for the rest of the holiday, despite having to shell out quite often for petrol at 12mpg.

Z