Battle Of The Grilles: CTS vs 300C

[Rambit]

Here's an interesting piece I found on a Chrysler weblog:

The 300C has been a workhorse for Chrysler selling around 10,000 units a month since it was introduced in 2004. It has been one of the few steady moneymakers for Chrysler Corporation. The 300’s unique look and pricing has largely left the LX sedan without head to head competition. Well things are changing quickly. Cadillac has recently started shipping new the 2008 CTS to dealers across the country.

The GM brand has been receiving praises on the new CTS redesign ever since Bob Lutz lifted the car cover on the infamous 60 minutes segment. The new CTS is priced in the low $30s; mid $20s for a bare bones 300C. But since many 300C buyers go with the more fully loaded models, the price difference gap is irrelevant.

Will the new CTS steal sales from perspective 300C shoppers? Will the 300 hold its ground against the Cadillac CTS? Let your opinion be known.




Bernie

[Rambit]

Here's a couple of responses that caught my eye:

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Fred Says:

The CTS is clearly a cut above the 300c at this point, aside from being in a different size segment. And given the design of the CTS, I don’t think it could become the next bling thing, which was a major driver of 300c sales. (I’m sure some people will try to tart up the CTS, but it just won’t work.)

Chris Says:

Chrysler 300 = Class
The styling of the 300 is there to last. It has definitely held it’s own for years. I don’t like Cadillacs style. All the new Caddys are looking the same in the front end from their SUV’s to their sportier cars. Cadillac lost it’s overall class! If Chrysler did any radical changes to the exterior of the 300 it wouldn’t be the same.
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Bernie

[switcher]

Cadillac has had a certain "rich old man" mystique attached to it for decades which I don't think they can shake off too easily.
The front end design is a no brainer: the 300 looks agressively menacing while the CTS looks like a scared little kid with tears in his eyes.
Oh and can I mention another small thing Chrysler has going for it?
In a word: HEMI!!!

[madeulooq]

I say the exterior of the 300 is going to last, the CTS looks good too. Just imagine if the interior on the 300 had a full make over for the better

[RMC_SS_LDO]

I am a self-proclaimed GM fanboy. I opted for the 300 based on styling and bang-for-the-buck.

That said, I am impressed with the new CTS and I think they fixed most of the issues I had with the previous model, mainly the horrid interior. I have no intention to trade my 300 for a Caddy since I would have to go to the V series to even come close to the performance of my SRT8 and it would cost many thousands more for the Caddy.

Add to that the re-freshed styling and reasonable entry price point, I do think the new Caddy will be cross-shopped by potential 300 buyers and will have an edge if they are willing to give up room for refinement. Once the STS is re-done (more in-line with the 300 market) then the landscape changes dramatically. I would expect GM to learn a lot from the new CTS response and roll the STS out based on those lessons.

Unless Chrysler does more to refine the interior of the 300 (far above the mid-cycle refresh for '08) they will lose market share to the new CTS.

[rickgonz]

Originally Posted by RMC_SS_LDO

Unless Chrysler does more to refine the interior of the 300 (far above the mid-cycle refresh for '08) they will lose market share to the new CTS.

I agree with that, while the styling is from two different approaches (retro vs. modern) it takes very little to attract a buyer to switch to the CTS. For one, the performance of the top CTS V6 model approaches the 300C. Second, Cadillac will poach on the BMW 5 series market, and the various Mercedes, Nissan/Infinity and Toyota/Lexus models in that segment. Chrysler does not have a car of that size and performance. The CTS will probably not target the "older guy" market, but will get the younger guys who would have purchased a Euro or Japanese car. As to customizability, all it needs for a few of these cars to get into the hands of some shops, and you'll see larger wheels, grille mods, blacked out grilles, etc.

[Rambit]

Originally Posted by RMC_SS_LDO

Unless Chrysler does more to refine the interior of the 300 (far above the mid-cycle refresh for '08) they will lose market share to the new CTS.

Well, they say they're working on it - Chrysler - Interiors Best In Class With Attention To Detail!.

Bernie

[mouserider]

Personally, I've never liked the "stealth fighter" design look of the Cadillacs with all those angles and facets and the CTS is still too small for me for what I need.

That said, it is a nice car, just not for me.

And while many might say that the 300's interior is bland which I am one, I actually had several clients who liked it and they drive luxury stuff, interestingly, they liked how it was plain and calming, not yelling for attention.

[jcsganga34]

Love the new CTS, I am waiting for the V version but will also wait for the 09 version of the SRT-8 (525 HP). Once both are out, I will make my decision. According to Lutz the new CTS-V is supposed to put whooping on the M5, I've heard that crap before from Lutz only not to deliver. Should be interesting...

[DYNAMITE44]

the CTS is a much smaller vehicle, isn't it? the first iteration of the CTS was a small vehicle, similar in size to a mercedes C class or bmw 3 series. if the new CTS is similarly-sized, i don't see much of a compairason between the vehicle and the 300, which is a much larger vehicle.