New to 300C Forum. NOT a 300C Owner YET!!!

[RollinLS]

Like to say "hi" to everyone. I am new to the 300C forum. I am in the market for a new family car. The wife likes the look of the 300C. So the 300 is in the running. I do have a simple question for anyone that can answer it. What is the mileage like with the 300C compared to the 300/3.5? I know the factory sticker info. BUT I want REAL numbers from owners. Any suggestions or info about the pros/cons fo the 300C is appreciated.

Some more info on myself. I own a 2000 Lincoln LS named "Babys Ride". It was purchased as transportation for my daughter. It has been modded. I started showing it at car shows. The wife and I are expecting another little one. SOOO the 300C is a possible "Babys Ride II".

[CUEBALL]

Welcome to the forum!!

I get about 15 MPG average on my 5.7. I would get more, but I can't keep from mashing the gas at every stop light or running around in autostick in a lower gear. On the highway, you can get well over 20mpg. The V6's get, I believe, around 20-21 average. A bit better than the 5.7... you'll just have to weigh cost vs function. How much you want to pay, and what features you can do without as the lower models don't have all the bells and whistles C models do, and have different body styling.

Bottom line, don't let gas mileage be your deciding factor, IMO. Look at body style and features. If you are primarliy going to MOD and show, a base or touring saves a lot of money, and you can put the rest into your own styling.


Sharp car in your pic!!

[Northern Rider]

Welcome to the forum!

As to mileage, the MDS in the C gives great mileage on the highway. Many report over 25 mph. The HEMI V8 can also give low mileage - if you keep your foot down.

All in all, the mileage difference between the V6 and the V8 isn't that much in real world driving, imo.

If you liked moddin' the LS, you are going to LOVE moddin' the 300C! More than a few of us here already have that disease - and there is no known cure . . .

[bruno]

Welcome to the forums! Your wife definitely has a good eye when it comes to selecting the 300. NR and CUEBALL have made some excellent comments regarding the mileage.

I just returned from a long road trip to Las Vegas and the EVIC showed I averaged 27 mpg. Yes, MDS makes quite a difference on those longer stretches of highway, even through all the extreme elevation changes and hot weather! Around town, I average 16 mpg.

Good luck with your final decision and congrats on the upcoming birth!
bruno

[joey]

Chrysler rates the 3.5L about 2mpg better than the 5.7L C.
19/27mpg for the 3.5L vs. 17/25mpg for the 5.7L C.

But don't believe the Chrysler published EPA Fuel Economy numbers, everyone knows they are too high.
I get 15mpg on average. About 24mpg on the freeway at 70mph cruising, and about 12mpg around town.

[RollinLS]

Thanks for the info gentlemen. We have a '03 Durango with 5.7 magnum. The wife is the primary driver and gets about 12mpg. I was a bit hesitant about the 300C because of the mpg. BUT after reading your comments. I think a test drive and some SERIOUS conversation about the 300C is in order.

BTW I can't seem to stop myself from modding any car I have. If we do purchase a 300C, expect modding soon after.

[RollinLS]

Originally Posted by joey

Chrysler rates the 3.5L about 2mpg better than the 5.7L C.
19/27mpg for the 3.5L vs. 17/25mpg for the 5.7L C.

But don't believe the Chrysler published EPA Fuel Economy numbers, everyone knows they are too high.
I get 15mpg on average. About 24mpg on the freeway at 70mph cruising, and about 12mpg around town.

Yeah. I saw those same numbers. I didn't trust them either. Thats why I was asking for feedback from actual owners. The wife would be the primary driver. She drives like she IS driving Miss Daisy.

[INeedMorePower]

With my 5.7L, I average 17-18 mpg on my daily commute to work (suburban driving, not highway). On highway trips I average 22-23 mpg.

The 300C is certainly a good car for modding (at least appearance-wise). Welcome to the forum!

[fatchance]

Welcome and to answer your question. IMO the 3.5 is a waste of time. I had a rental (3.5) for a while and in the real world my 5.7 was as good if not better, not including it was a sled in comparison. just my thoughts.

[Hemi57]

Welcome RollinLS and don't listen to fatchance, I've seen the way he drives and have sympathy for that poor rental 3.5. Just Kidding Johno.

There are members here who are satisfied and proud V6 owners so you might get some "real world" comments here in this thread or you could try dropping into either the European or Aussie sections and asking there too.

I have driven and frequently ride in a 3.5. They are okay performance wise but no street racer. Economy is what you can expect from a heavy car as the V6 does need to work that bit harder to get Rollin' But you have style, features and some good engineering under you.