Notice anything made cheaply?

[300PMP]

Let me start by saying that overall there's not much I would change about the car, however, there are a couple things I think I would make with a little higher quality material...

#1) All the "hardened plastic" that makes up 85% of the interior dash...maybe you guys with the wood/turtle grain don't have this, but it scratches fairly easily... :o and just frankly looks cheap to me.

#2) The backseat AC/heat outlets...I mean you don't have to have three level climate systems, but can I get a couple nobs to act like somethings going on...

#3) I would like the plastic on the wheel under wells to be a little more sturdy...it seems light.

#4) The cupholder situation is ridiculous...end of story. They work, but how ubtrucive.

#5) Unless you have the steering wheel audio guages, the stereo button placement is far and uncomfortable to change when driving (6 disk version)

#6) Paint quality...is it just me?

#7) I actually think more could be done with the headlight configuration to make it look even better, JMO...

Let me know what you think...

[kangol99]

The carpet is thin and cheap. I have nicer carpet on my porch. Dash is cheap and plastic. The chrome wheels are actually plastic covers that go over the real 18" wheel. For all you C owners, go tap on your stock wheel with your finger then tap on your chrome 22's and you'll see what I mean. the 300 may resemble an expensive car but it's still made with cheap chrysler parts.

[vineuh]

I agree with the carpet, under my passenger seat its missing material showing the backing only. If my passenger seat is all the way back its very noticable.

As for the rims, from what I undertand its almost like a hubcap of sort, now is it possible to take them off or are they one piece?

The other thing I have noticed and not sure if its just my car, but behind the rear tires when wiping my car dry I have notice the 1/4 panel almost seems like it has no support. If you push on it, it feels like its missing braces or something.

[tekhen]

Originally Posted by kangol99

The carpet is thin and cheap. I have nicer carpet on my porch. Dash is cheap and plastic. The chrome wheels are actually plastic covers that go over the real 18" wheel. For all you C owners, go tap on your stock wheel with your finger then tap on your chrome 22's and you'll see what I mean. the 300 may resemble an expensive car but it's still made with cheap chrysler parts.

Hey, that's what we get for $35K.
Many of us have said how we would like higher end material. I being one as well.

I had to think about it and figured a compromise was in order. Chrysler as we know it will not be MBUSA or BMWUSA. We must all realize that we have a CHRYSLER. The MB collabo w/autostick and tranny may not be an ammenity but I worry about(the unseen) the powertrain more than the cupholder.

The 300 is a good meld for the buck. The good thing is the majority of the 'cheap' items can be replaced @ the owners discretion.

[vineuh]

Im with on that. If they used better materials, the cost would have gone up and the success wouldnt have been what it was. I have no complaints becuase I bought this car for that purpose. I know the next few years there will be radical changes to the auto industry and I wanted this car to hold me over. I would expect to keep this car for maybe 3 years till something new and exciting catches my eye.
A great car for 2005 and yes, in time as I read in another post, there will be tons out there and will become one of those leader cars that change the auto industry...thats when i will swoop in and grab something else that will be even better than this car...but it will be a few years before that happens.

[300PMP]

Originally Posted by tekhen

Hey, that's what we get for $35K.
Many of us have said how we would like higher end material. I being one as well.

I had to think about it and figured a compromise was in order. Chrysler as we know it will not be MBUSA or BMWUSA. We must all realize that we have a CHRYSLER. The MB collabo w/autostick and tranny may not be an ammenity but I worry about(the unseen) the powertrain more than the cupholder.

The 300 is a good meld for the buck. The good thing is the majority of the 'cheap' items can be replaced @ the owners discretion.

I agree with what your saying...and I want to be trusting...but if you cut back on the things I can see...what incentive do you have to not cut back on the "hidden" things. Powertrain and engine seem fine so far outside of a little sputtering when the engines cold, but aren't we all the guinena pigs of Chrysler right?

[kangol99]

I just think it's funny that my 1999 Grand prix GTP was around $25,000 brand new and it has better materials used on the interior and the carpet is alot better. I really don't think it would have cost that much to make the inside a little better to match the outside. Or at least have the "C" model interior a little bit nicer.

[vineuh]

and my Grand Prix GTP Special Edition cost me over 40 G's and yes, it does have better carpet and stuff but to get a new one here was the same price. The new Comp GTP was well over 40, it wasnt rocket science for me on this one. I love my GTP and wouldnt part with it. Its fast and love the look.

[tekhen]

300PMP,

guinea pigs, yes we are, but we are educated ones as I believe this forum has proven over the last several months.

While I am sure some of us bought blindly, I believe most of us looked at several different cars before we made the decision.

Personally, I saved myself the price of another 300C. I like cars but there is no need for 2 at this time.

This car is in its own niche (price v power)

As was stated, there will be vehicles that will have better ammenites, better gas mileage, etc......
I will say DCX was brave enough to give us something bold, all of the unseen doesn't meld if it doesn't look nice (see GTO). that's why we bought our 300s.

[300PMP]

Originally Posted by tekhen

300PMP,

guinea pigs, yes we are, but we are educated ones as I believe this forum has proven over the last several months.

While I am sure some of us bought blindly, I believe most of us looked at several different cars before we made the decision.

Personally, I saved myself the price of another 300C. I like cars but there is no need for 2 at this time.

This car is in its own niche (price v power)

As was stated, there will be vehicles that will have better ammenites, better gas mileage, etc......
I will say DCX was brave enough to give us something bold, all of the unseen doesn't meld if it doesn't look nice (see GTO). that's why we bought our 300s.

well said...

Don't get me wrong...I feel like the luckiest guinea pig in Virginia...I couldn't agree more about the Price v power. It's all people at work talk about is the "chrysler experiment".

Something bold and something new...
Something exciting just for you....
It's a 'C', a 'C', never before has it felt so good to be mediocre,
should we rename it the 300A+?

Seriously though...I'm very happy with the purchase...like I've said before, I shopped around and passed on a few other comparable choices.
But I think DCX can only go up from here. They'll have realized the true market now and start producing specimens of pure beauty and braun. Hopefully they'll take all of our suggestions into account, and we'll have nothing to forum about...