[NDENT]

These are the 2 cars i'm looking into atm. Right now i own a 05 BB Touring but not so found with it & most likely will be selling it in the next 6 months. I know your gonna say why i just didnt get a C in the first place but the answer is i couldnt.

Prices -

2005-2006 Chrysler 300c - 38k-42K fully loaded
2002-2003 BMW 745Li - 50-55k


Out of the 2 right now i'm liking the 745Li for some reason. I think the 300's are great cars but they still lack that overall great quality. Maybe i'll think different after having or driving a 300c. I'm more of a luxury guy. I dont really care for the speed.

Feel free to post your opinions.

 

[Bubab]

It is a tough call. If you decide to buy a new 300C, you can only get a 2006. The 2006 should have all the first year glitches out of the system. I hear that the 2002 7 series had a lot of quality and electrical problems - so be careful.

Bottom line:
If you value handling and prestige, go with the BMW. Go with the 300C if you want power, a unique look, and an extra 10K in your wallet.

 

[NDENT]

Both have unique looks honestly. Another thing thats gonna make up on mind on which to get is which car is gonna hold its value longer. Im afford that in a year or 2 the 300's are gonna be played off & selling for a really low price.

 

[teahead]

Uhh...I think a better comparo would be:

300c SRT-8: ~$45k
745i: ~50-55k

The SRT-8 will kick the 745s arse as far as acceleration. Handling...I would give the nod to the SRT-8.

So unless you're really lookin' to pose, and don't mind huge, expensive repair costs, get the 745.

For all out performance/dollar value, penache, and RESALE value (the SRT-8 is a very limited prod vehicle), get the SRT-8.

 

[teahead]

BTW, I think the "wood" interior trim on those 745i's are pretty ugly looking. Looks totally fake. Worse than IKEA.

 

[NDENT]

lol on the wood remark tea.

Anyway to be honest i like the look of the C better then the SRT. Not to mention after taxes etc th SRT will be more like 50k. Im not sure yet just might forget about both & just go with a truck. The Infiniti Q56 is my top choice for a suv/truck atm. Whos knows what will i like in another 6 months. I might just start liking my Touring alot more once i do the mods i want.

 

[SRT8/BMW]

funny you should ask

I am currently driving the 745LI (2004-34000 miles). My 2005 srt8 is due in any day. Selling the BMW.

I love cars..I generally get a new one every year to 18 months. My BMW is far and away best car I have not only owned, but driven. It defines silky smooth...ride, quiet, and heres the kicker....handling superior to the C (C is good, but not in same league) and acceleration. Despite some C posters on her claiming they "blew away: a 745..I have done 0-60 in 5.6 several times. (easy to measure..the dash computer has built in stop watch) The car is extremely fast. Plus, little luxuries which are too numerous to even mention, but pretty cool, like massaging seats and voice activated everything. This car can be driven like a sports car, with the ride on long trips of a world class luxury sedan. But...you pay for it. Before I bought it, drove the Jag, Benz, Lexus, you name it. They were all nice, but this car performed superior. (Road and track ranked it 4th, but it lost style points--opinion, came in 1st on EVERY perfromance test.)

With the C, you get a great looking american muscle sedan...fast, excellent handling, powerful machine. And, you get it for a very resonable price.

Only you can decide..beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but you can't go wrong with either.

The raw understated (wolf in sheeps clothing) power and performance of the SRT8, is what drew me to my next car...but your right, in some ways the C looks nicer. Two different looks. Their competition for me this time around was the infinity M45....whoa....

wish we could have them all.

By the way, if your interested in A 2004, LOADED, mint , titanium silver, let me know. I am simply trading it in to dealer for $55..they generally will like a 10% MARKUP, so they have confidence in getting $60 for it. By the way, the miles are 90% freeway...two trips to Fla from Michigan, etc..

 

[NDENT]

I'm more after luxury then muscle & speed. The SRT seems more like a sporty car which might be the reason im not to fount of it. Like you said the massaging seats & voice activated features just has me like wow. If any Chrysler stepped it up & added those luxury options such as the 745li has.

Also i like the Li over the L version due to it being alot longer.

 

[SRT8/BMW]

It really makes their claim of "the ultimate driving machine" credible. I couldget behind that wheel and drive for days.

If I were ever going to settle on one car, and keep it (which, if I had half a brain, I would do)..that would be it.
But, like a kid in a candy store, I want to experience the great variety that is now available to us..hence the 300C SRT8..

Can't lie...really lookin forward to that power, based on the posts of those lucky few who already have one.

 

[5point7]

You can't compare the 2 IMO. If $ was not an option, BMW 745 is superior - and it's how much more to buy new?

The C is the most incredible car at 35k you can buy. Would I trade mine for 745? I haven't driven one...so I can't answer. Straight across trade?...I'd say probably yes. I LOVE my C, so that's a tough one.

I do know that whenver I see a newer 745, I stare, it's an awesome ride....and in my mind, I'm hoping the driver of the Bimmer is staring back at my C saying to herself (that was for you Hemee)...wow, awesome ride.

 

[bigslim]

That "I-Drive" in the BMW is a total mess. Please don't buy that foriegn car. Stay true and buy a car made by my union brothers.

 

[HEMMISSEY]

300c for me

stay with the fully loaded 300C! or better yet SRT8! but then again you can't go wrong with the 745

 

[300PMP]

lol on the wood remark tea.

Anyway to be honest i like the look of the C better then the SRT. Not to mention after taxes etc th SRT will be more like 50k. Im not sure yet just might forget about both & just go with a truck. The Infiniti Q56 is my top choice for a suv/truck atm. Whos knows what will i like in another 6 months. I might just start liking my Touring alot more once i do the mods i want.

NDENT it sounds like you are quite indecisive with respect to this dilemma. I can certainly understand why. This thread is very thought provoking because everybody has made some valid points...outside of "buy American" rhetoric.

Here's the deal...I think you buy these two cars for different reasons, and eventually it all comes down to that personal desire. Blonde? Brunette? Is money an issue? If not, why stop at the 745, you like lux and performance...go Austin Martin...no seriously...I think the 745 is a dream. I can't help but stare anytime I see one drive by. I love the large wheel wells and the bells and whistles. However..., not long ago, I read an article, that this particular model was one of the most unreliable cars you could buy.

http://www.forbes.com/business/global/2004/1220/025.html
Then again I don't really find Con. Reports to be too reliable after they rated the Ford 500 as one of the best.

I was watching it on the news with my girlfriend, and now when we see one, we chuckle...but again, that's just someone’s opinion.

The 300C is the best buy car. You really can't do better for your buck.
First year cars are always going to have some glitches. I'm interested to know what you don't like about your touring? My only complaint about the car is that so much of it is run off electrical programming and circuitry. We all know how this can go array when you are deploying a new product.

Will the 300C get old? Will you get more money on a trade in for the 7, of course...but its part of the calculation you make when you decide. I honestly have to say when you compare these two, it's apples and oranges, because they didn't make the 300C with bells and whistles to compete with that market. I think the 300 is the inspiration to the American market of an evolutionary shift toward the integration of muscle and quality. Give it some time, and in a few years, we will all marvel at the progress that DCX has made.

Good luck with your choice, you really can't go wrong with either, but IMO, all things being equal...I would trust the history of BMW but prepare for the historically high maintenance costs.

Piece

 

[kcrnmale]

I don't see the C going the way of the PT cruiser-we don't have a Neon with a cool looking shell!

 

[tekhen]

I will not knock any BMW.
As for the iDrive....it isn't that bad, you do have to use the manual though.

The only thing I can tell you is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
If you're willing to part w/ the cash then BMW. If you want to save the cash and get something close, as far as the drive..........

You can't go wrong with the two.

 

[rogue]

If you can afford the 745Li, you can afford the SRT-8. It all boils down to Service, build quality, and performance. I'd much rather have the SRT-8 above the 745Li. The sacrifices you make in interior ameneties etc cannot exceed the grins per mile the SRT-8 will provide. Its more of a value overall.

The 745Li's are much nicer interior wise however.

 

[Model 57]

I was on my way home from the dealer (motorcycle), last night, and across from me at the light was a 745. It looks strange from the front, the light configuration. I watched as it turned left in front of me.
I couldn't help but think how much better looking the lines are on the 300C and it costs less, (to buy, and the parts, etc. to maintain it). Every time you need a part you are going to have to dig deep.

 

[Rambit]

What are the cars Europeans REALLY want, if they had a chance? Go over there and you'll find it's North American muscle cars. All these cars being discussed here are a dime a dozen over there.

Rambit

 

[HaTaX]

I'd say the M45 would be a car you might want to consider as well.... It's probably planted right between the 300C and the 745 and may just be your happy medium.....

 

[vengra]

How things have changed, when a Chyrsler is an option vs a high end bimmer.

That's my story.

I was about two weeks away from buying a 745 last April and I walked into a Chrysler dealer and saw the C and bought it on the spot (no wait,lucky). It was just right, look, power and style. I still like the bimmer but this American muscle car does it for me. I've never regreted it and as soon as my SRT shows up I'll be even happier.