[Zack Zipperian]

HI all,

I am new to the forum and to 300's. I currently have a base model 300 and will soon be upgrading to a v8.

My question is, I have the opportunity to get either a 1st gen srt8 or a 2nd gen 300c with the 5.7 hemi. I am torn between the two. I would love the power of the srt8 but the convenience and technologically advanced 2nd gen is appealing also.

I would love to hear opinions and a little guidance lol.

 

[DGO]

Depends on what's important to you. In my opinion having had both the Gen 2 is just more up to date. The suspension issues seem to be less of a problem, you can get the double length glass roof, the Nav system is better with a much bigger screen and the interior is better.

However the early Gen 2s (pre the 2015 facelift) have less road presence (though that's just my opinion). If you can get a car with the 8 speed transmission that's much nicer than the old 5 speed Nag 1 (once you get used to it)

 

[MADDOG]

I've had two first generation 300Cs, one with the 5.7L and an SRT8.

I'd pick the SRT8 every time.

But, the first gen SRT8s are getting older and thereby need some additional attention compared to a newer 2nd Gen car. The 6.1L makes 425HP at the crank, a 2015 2nd gen 5.7L makes 363HP at the crank. So there's more bang in the SRT but it is an older car.

My SRT is not stock. I've replaced the front & rear suspension bushes and swaybars, I've lowered it, I upgraded to HID and LED lighting, it was dyno tuned by a Diablosport CMR certified tuner, it has a Legmaker a CAI, I put on a Corsa catback exhaust, I installed some audio upgrades and done a few other things to it which has made it one of the better cars I've owned. I like the NAG1, I've added paddle shifters which is a great mod but some of the tech available in the newer cars would be nice to have.

But it's hard to miss things you never had.

The car has a tick over 56K miles on it now and is worth more to me as a car that I will keep than as a trade in on a new(er) one. But that's just my situation.

Bottom line is that the first gen SRT car will be a lot of fun to drive but may cost you more to repair or upgrade than the second gen 300C will.

Ask yourself how fast do you want to go and how much are you willing to spend.

 

[Zack Zipperian]

thanks man, that was very helpful...i'm leaning more towards the second gen

 

[typan]

why did you change from HID to LED headlights?

 

[MADDOG]

The LED's are interior, turn and tail bulbs. The headlights and fogs are still HID. They still look like this:

 

[Hosehead]

Another consideration is ride.

My 05 300C rides like it's on a cloud ... even my Mom noticed and I'm 60.
My 06 SRT8 is quite a bit stiffer so road deviations are more noticeable.

Both cars are excellent.

Bruce

 

[trunorth]

HI all,

I am new to the forum and to 300's. I currently have a base model 300 and will soon be upgrading to a v8.

My question is, I have the opportunity to get either a 1st gen srt8 or a 2nd gen 300c with the 5.7 hemi. I am torn between the two. I would love the power of the srt8 but the convenience and technologically advanced 2nd gen is appealing also.

I would love to hear opinions and a little guidance lol.

I've had an 06 CSRT8 for the last 18 months. I had been thinking about a MB cls550 or similar when this low mile car came up near me. It is definitely not as refined as a MB but you will never find more car for the money in terms of raw power. And the sound alone is pure joy. On the other hand it is a bit of a tank in terms of the ride due mostly to the 20inch rims. It is probably the most reliable and least costly high performance sedan you will ever find. No need to spend a lot on mods for this car. It pretty much already has more than you can use. If electronic tech and comfort is what you want, you should probably look at a Hyundai Genesis.


Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Desert_Flyer]

Slightly different viewpoint from above since I never had the V8, always V6s. Started with a 2006 300 Walter P. Chrysler Special Edition. For the time it was great! Two-tone leather seats, sunroof, nav, and not much else. Pure drivers car. No luxury, nothing superfluous. Power was more than adequate. I had the ubiquitous suspension issues.

Next was 2013 300C. Night and day difference in many respects. Ride was much more luxurious and more to my aging liking. Handling about same but the car felt more substantial. Acceleration of the V6 with 8 speed was awesome. Never felt that I was missing out from the V8. (i am sure V8 owners would disagree). Even with more hp and kick, the mileage mpg was greatly improved from 17/25 (my avg 21) to 21/30 (my avg 26). All instrumentation superior to the previous car. Loved the Garmin nav. Obviously, big bump up to the C in terms of luxury items.

Currently driving a 2017 300 C V6. Overall, I like it even better than the ‘13. The 8 speed tranny seems more responsive at the cost of mileage being 20/29 (my avg down to 25 but I’ll take it). Instrument panel and EVIC again improved. Polished alloys instead of chrome wheels. More LED lighting (fogs, etc). Nav not as good as Garmin, but ‘17 is the first year for Apple Carplay in the 300 and I LOVE it. I use Google Maps all the time now. I understand Waze is coming too.

I havent mentioned styling as that is very subjective to each person. Overall, suffice it to say that I have really enjoyed the newer car over each previous model.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Antinome]

why did you change from HID to LED headlights?

Once you have had H.I.D. headlights nothing will do ever again. Visibility is night and day compared to Halogen bulbs.

 

[Zach's SRT8]

Instead of a 2nd gen 300c get the 2nd gen 300s. You can still get them with a V8 and they have a more attractive design

 

[itzmillertyme]

HI all,

I am new to the forum and to 300's. I currently have a base model 300 and will soon be upgrading to a v8.

My question is, I have the opportunity to get either a 1st gen srt8 or a 2nd gen 300c with the 5.7 hemi. I am torn between the two. I would love the power of the srt8 but the convenience and technologically advanced 2nd gen is appealing also.

I would love to hear opinions and a little guidance lol.

I loved my '06 (yes everyday I regret selling it). I'm looking for another first gen to use as a summer car. I like the looks of both models I plan to use for summer car so newer features not a big deal 8.4 touch screen collision warning etc... I have a new ram with all the newer electronics. The one thing you will find with the first gen is the seats are sooooo comfortable. The 2nd gen seats IMO don't compare!!! In the end its up to your style and the features you're looking for. Good luck and post pics.

 

[kd300SRT]

My biggest selling point with the 2nd gen was the interior. I used to have an 06 300c that I imagined never getting rid of. That changed immediately as soon as I sat in and test drove a 2nd gen 300 SRT8. The interior and of course the 6.4L Hemi was a nice addition.

I always thought the interior in the 1st gen was a little underwhelming. Seemed so plain and simple for a "luxury" car.

My SRT is the Core model and doesn't have some of the bells and whistles as a regular SRT, and I was still sold.. Though I miss the heated seats during the winter lol

I doubt you'll regret choosing the 2nd gen over the 1st. Especially if you're still getting a Hemi!



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