Is The Chrysler 300 The Best Daily? | TheaterFire

Is The Chrysler 300 The Best Daily?

Posted by Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 74 comments

.... for me

A mostly serious question with two attributes. First of all I already have a 300 that I really dig and am thinking about putting some more serious coin into on upgrades. Before I do that though I want to make sure I won't regret it, that there wasn't some better investment. Secondly I sort of want to push back against the "Chryslers are junk" thing I get all the time in reddit. To which I often reply, name something better for me, and get no good replies, so here's a chance.

So my 300 is a fully loaded, V8-AWD model, more specifically a John Varvatos Luxury Edition. As far as I'm concerned it's almost peak factory 300, only bested by the limited edition. Even over the SRT including the '23 last call C. The HP of the 392 isn't much good if I can't put the power down. I choose the AWD over the 392, sadly they never made a car with both, so I'll have to.

So what do I dig about this car that competitors would have to overcome:

It's cost effective, yeah there's better cars if we ignore costs. If money didn't mater a modern M5, AMG, Panamera, etc. would in some ways be a better car. But there we're talking cars that are many times more expensive, not just to buy but to own and maintain.
As mentioned the RWD based AWD, I live in an area where the roads are wet or icy more often than dry. As well as at the foot of a mountain pass I need to cross on occasion. This AWD system gives me the best of both, the handling of a RWD car with the capabilities of an AWD car.
Look, I dig the styling of the 300, as well as that it isn't really flashy. I could get the many of the same attributes in a Charger but not only do I not like their styling as much, but they get more negative attention.

There's more I could go into but that's enough to start with and not make this too long. So I challenge you, name something better, should I invest a bunch in this car or move on to something else, and if so what and why?

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mangomane09@reddit

Rented one last year while on vacation and hated it.

I spent 5 minutes dialing in the seat and setting syncing my phone, and even then my head grazed the roof. I’m only 5’11”.

The acceleration was worse than my 2015 Ford Escape.

The turning radius was also worse than my Escape. I couldn’t believe a sedan had such an awful turning radius. I’m pretty sure my dad’s F150 could make better turns than that turd.

But it’s your call my dude

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

I assume then that it had the panoramic roof and no adjustable pedals and was a V6-AWD.

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mangomane09@reddit

The title is the “Is The Chrysler 300 The Best Daily Driver (for Me)?” and I gave you 3x reasons why not

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

So you didn't read the post. You just read the title and wanted to spout some useless nonsense. How typical of redditers.

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mangomane09@reddit

You may think it’s nonsense but they’re still things that I did experience.

You say it’s typical yet keep replying 🤷‍♂️

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

It's my thread and I'll reply if I want to.

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mangomane09@reddit

Ok

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Admiral_peck@reddit

remember, AWD only helps the launch, rear wheel drive cars still have 4 wheel brakes, id take a rear drive car on good snow tires over a 4x4 on all seasons any day of the winter

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

I could I forget, there's always someone who says the exact same thing in reddit any time AWD is part of the conversation. It might as well be a bot, heck it might be, are you a bot?

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Admiral_peck@reddit

I say it because it's true and many people forget

I'm the guy, probably half the time I say it a lot

I'm not a bot, I'm just one of those grocery getter gurus

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

Well FWIW I'm all about snow tires, in the winter it's AWD with winter tires. More so I'm all about great tires, that's one of the investments I'm considering, a third set of wheels/tires. To have three sets, winter, all season, and summer.

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Admiral_peck@reddit

With where some of these all season UHP tires are going in the dry, and even some of the summer non-competition UHP's are going with wet traction, I think having both is unnecessary now if you have a good set of winter tires, especially if you do something like the newer michelin or continental 3 season winter tires that will survive summer use in most areas just fine. Just run the summer uhpxs starting in like April and switch back in September or October or so.

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

It's about going from good enough, to the best. I want to have on the best tires for conditions, not just good enough tires for the conditions. This means a max performance summer like a Pilot 4S on a larger wheel, which can't see low temps it ruins them. Going to a studded winter tire on a narrow wheel that only goes on when needed. And an in between like a Crossclimate 2.

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Hot_Block_9675@reddit

Get over your infatuation and move on.

With Chrysler at the bottom of the barrel for reliability - number 30 out of 30 brands - you can do a LOT better.

Date from 330,000 samples doesn't lie:

Which Brands Make the Best Used Cars? - Consumer Reports

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mike1097@reddit

Consumer reports is a magazine that rates household appliances. You do you. Take your recs for cars from the kitchen appliance people.

300 is a perfectly fine vehicle yet that rag says otherwise. Maybe it isn’t 100% spot on.

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Hot_Block_9675@reddit

Ummmm, NO. You are truly misinformed and ignorant.

They've been rating cars since 1936. The year the magazine was founded.

I consider 88 years of a highly consistent track record very reliable.

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mike1097@reddit

I don’t care what junk you say. I don’t like CR. They had the 300 as a recommended vehicle. Not sure of dates, but it was as of the recent and last update.

Make sense of that.

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Hot_Block_9675@reddit

Ok, let's forget about CR.

Read these NHTSA recalls instead - and come to the conclusion that 300's are great cars:

These are serious 300 defects that could kill you:

Recall # 18E053000 Date: 2018-07-11 Recall: Chrysler is recalling certain Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules Part Numbers P5160023, P5160025, and Demon Crate PCM Part Number 68412287AA. The PCMs are being recalled addressing a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle’s wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Recall # 18V280000 Date: 2018-04-30 Recall: Chrysler is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Recall # 17V097000 Date: 2017-02-13 Recall: Chrysler is recalling certain 2014-2017 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive. The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and allow the front driveshaft to disconnect, potentially causing a loss of motive power.
Recall # 16V240000 Date: 2016-04-24 Recall: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2011, to November 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 16, 2012, to December 22, 2015. The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver’s door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.
Recall # 13V610000 Date: 2013-12-06 Recall: Chrysler Group LLC is recalling certain model year 2013 Chrysler 300 AWD, Dodge Charger AWD, and Dodge Ram 1500 4×4 vehicles equipped with ZF all-wheel drive 8HP45 transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.
Recall # 08V295000 Date: 2008-07-01 Recall: Chrysler is recalling 5,509 my 2008 300, Dodge Magnum and Charger vehicles. The torque retention crimp feature was missed during the manufacture of one lot of rear axle hub nuts. This could cause the nuts to loosen and allow the half shaft to disengage from the wheel hub.
Recall # 06V341000 Date: 2006-09-06 Recall: On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the software programmed into the powertrain control module can cause a momentary lock up of the drive wheels if the vehicle is traveling over 40 MPH and the operator shifts from drive to neutral and back to drive.
Recall # 05V460000 Date: 2005-10-04 Recall: On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42RLE automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft may be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle may not be able to achieve ‘park’ position.

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

Recalls happen, you'd rather they didn't do recalls?

Only one of those effects my car.

Find me a vehicle with 20 years of production and no recalls.

You still haven't actually answered the question by suggesting something better. Even if I were to agree it sucks, I can't go without, so what's better?

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mike1097@reddit

Its a magazine.

Also, people drive the cars with no issue.

But this guy reads…

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Hot_Block_9675@reddit

You're only telling the part of the story that suits your narrative.

How lame.

The REAL reason it was returned to the recommended list was that it previously had an issue that caused it to roll away unexpectedly while in park. Chrysler fixed that. DUH. In 2017.

The 300 is still a major turd of a car that nobody in their right mind would consider putting money into.

Like I said, get rid of the fat bitch...

There have been ongoing multiple issues for decades with "Chrysler". Just today they announced a major recall for 1.5 million trucks. Their bread and butter. Stellantis is on the verge of bankruptcy.

Even their new vehicles are once again at the bottom of the barrel:

Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars? - Consumer Reports

Perfect.

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

The OP asked "So I challenge you, name something better, should I invest a bunch in this car or move on to something else, and if so what and why?"

Which you haven't done.

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mike1097@reddit

I cannot make you like Chrysler products, but You yourself are singing praises of CR. They recommended the 300 it sounds several times through its life. Who's Mr. Ignorant here.

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

They do in fact, so there.

CR is a joke, do even know how they come up with those "ratings"?

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VulpesIncendium@reddit

A friend of mine had a 300C AWD before. It's super cheap and overloaded with useless tech that loves to break down. But the worst part is the severely overloaded AWD system. The car is too heavy and the Hemi makes too much power for it, so it loves to blow itself apart unless you always drive really gently and baby it all the time.

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

Not a word of that is true.

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47ES@reddit

Nope

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IrritablePanda@reddit

I had a 2013 charger rt awd and came to many of the same conclusions as a pretty near perfect daily especially when I lived in the snow belt.

But it wasn’t perfect since they never did the better 8 speed transmissions with awd in the charger or 300. It never got a big CarPlay screen and there was little or no crossover between the awd hemi and certain fantastic options like ventilated seats, lane assist and adaptive cruise control.

I now have a 24 Durango rt awd and it has all the goods. I do miss the charger a bit, but I am spoiled by all the good options, especially for a daily.

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

The 8 speed is sort of a factor, yeah it makes the car a little faster and gets a little better MPG. But it's also much harder to maintain in the long run. The 5 speed is old school with a dipstick and standard fluid. It's also in many ways a more robust transmission. I don't really think the 8 speed is that big of an upgrade in the long run.

Car play is something I can do aftermarket if I wish.

I have ventilated seats and adaptive cruise.

No lane assist but I don't want it, I find that tech annoying and it requires EPAS which I don't want.

I've been looking into the Durango, I'm not really open to replacing the 300 with one though. I don't want to daily an SUV, I like the handling and lower profile of a sedan. I do wonder though how well the Durango can handle, what the SRT models are like when really pushed.

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Admiral_peck@reddit

you could probably bolt an AWD 5.7 oil pan to the bottom of a 392 or even a hellcat motor if you wanted to, but personally i would just put the blower on the 5.7, i believe it bolts up, and make a cool 600ish horsepower with AWD

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FearlessTomatillo911@reddit

I think 600hp is getting out of the daily category, that's just too much power for rolling around the city. If your daily involves mostly highway driving it may be a different equation though.

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

In my opinion with AWD and modern throttle and traction controls there's really no such thing as too much HP.

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FearlessTomatillo911@reddit

It depends on what your daily drive looks like, mine is in 30-50 km/h zones and bumper to bumper traffic.

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Admiral_peck@reddit

So what you need Is a big ol hog ahh cam so you can idle along for 3 Mike's in style

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Admiral_peck@reddit

600 horses on that heavy of a car with awd is actually very controllable, I dailied a 500 horsepower 96 mustang for well over a year before a Durango tore its nose off and never had an issue, you do have to have a sense for throttle control though.

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

Either are viable options.

I don't want and couldn't really utilize the Hellcat specific stuff. I want large displacement as well as the MDS. And the Hellcat has complicated cooling needs.

I'm not sure what route I'll take yet. I like the Supercharger that Edelbrock sells for the Hemi. I could do that until I can get another engine built, or just go right after a used 392.

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IrritablePanda@reddit

You can do CarPlay but modern cars have much bigger screens unless you do a head unit that sticks way out of the dash. I have 7 and 8 inch screens in a few of my other cars and they look really small driving with the 11” screen of the Durango every day.

As for the Durango being an suv, the 300 and charger awd rode high for a car and the Durango rt awd rides low for an suv. There is not that much of a gap in road feel and handling - it’s not like the 300 or charger awd are great handling cars at all. The 300, charger and Durango are also about the same length within a couple of inches.

If you compare a Durango rt to an 08 dodge magnum rt, the Durango is like 800 lbs heavier and a foot taller, but otherwise extremely close in 0-60, 1/4 mile, gas mileage and dimensions, but the Durango has 3 row seating and can tow 8000 lbs as well.

Not for everyone of course, but it was a compelling proposition for me, especially when it was 25% off msrp brand new

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SaveMelMac13@reddit

Taurus SHO

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

FWD based, ugly, and less aftermarket.

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SaveMelMac13@reddit

All those considered, still better than Chrysler

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

Why?

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SaveMelMac13@reddit

All you need to do is look at history

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

That's the best you got? Wow you're a real expert.

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SaveMelMac13@reddit

Your loyalty blinds you.

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

Your ignorance exposes you.

Here let me tell ya some SHO issues.

All SHO have the 1st gen 3.5 which is DI only so it clogs up.

The FWD version of the 3.5 has an internal water pump that when it fails leaks into the oil.

The timing chains are failing prematurely.

etc.

That you don't know this easy common knowledge says it all.

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SaveMelMac13@reddit

Never said it was a perfect car, no car is. If you are truly open to other’s opinions you should already know Chryslers issues. Please list them below…

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

List of issues:

1.

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SaveMelMac13@reddit

Again your loyalty blinds you. If you were a truly after what’s the best car for me, you would know about lifter issues, wiping cam lobes, electric gremlins. But you are just trying to ease your inner self that you made the right purchase. You are beholden to your Chrysler “God” and can not open your mind to any other opinion. So blinded by your belief no others can enlighten your thoughts. You spend more time demonizing other “cars” to fulfill your Gods demands. Now it’s time for you to go to your Chrysler 300 circle jerk, your God is waiting. Goodnight.

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

Only one of those is real, yes there's a potential for lifter issues. But it's not only not a sure thing, but the odds are low and causes understood and largely avoidable.

Unlike the issues with the 1st gen 3.5, no matter what the clogged intake and bad water pump are just a matter of time.

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flyinoveryou@reddit

Chrysler 300 is the best at being the worst

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

Very helpful.

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flyinoveryou@reddit

You’re welcome

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DecentlyRoad@reddit

Cars aren’t investments. Save your money and enjoy the car as is.

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

Yes they are, they're tools.

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hardeho@reddit

Lol, did you just call buying "upgrades" for your car and investment?

Fucking lol

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

You have a better term?

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hardeho@reddit

Money sinks

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

I don't think that really fits:

"Before I do that though I want to make sure I won't regret it, that there wasn't some better money sinks"

Nope, doesn't really fit.

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Hot_Whereas7861@reddit

no

do you have any other questions for me

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

Did you not read the post?

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Hot_Whereas7861@reddit

no why

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LeaningSaguaro@reddit

Lmao straight to the comments

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Hot_Whereas7861@reddit

ok i read it, it sounds like you want the 300 so you should get it. get snow tires too, awd isn’t going to save you on ice. but you already know this i’m sure. good luck out there

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WideOpenEmpty@reddit

He's got a 300. And they're not being made anymore.

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FlyingDutchman9977@reddit

Like you said, there isn't really anything that checks each box you have. If you get your wallet out, you can get a German sportscar with a similar driving experience and distinct styling. If you sacrifice AWD you could get a Mustang, but that's a completely different aesthetic. If you drop the RWD based in the AWD, you can get a WRX. It sounds like you want a performance car that works well in poor condition, so it might not be a bad fit.

Ultimately, you're not going to find a better Chrysler 300 than a Chrysler 300. If that's what you like, you might as well hang onto it

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DoctorSquibb420@reddit

It's fine, I have an older 300c. The only thing I hate is the design of the front end. The multi control arm setup is almost always noisy, but at least the arms are easy to change and reasonably cheap.

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

The AWD version is a one piece lower control arm. I understand it's somewhat common for people to swap the AWD lower control arms into a RWD car. But I don't know the details of that swap.

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CaptainJay313@reddit

the 300 is a very underrated, underappreciated car. they're a blast. the 392 can be driven through the winter with a decent set of snow tires, but if it's icy and hilly, you'll miss awd.

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

No argument here.

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rdkil@reddit

I have a 2014 300 s that I've been failing for about 5 years now. I bought if when it was 4 years old at 113k km, I now have it up to 236k. It's 10 years old now and I feel like it's got a lot more left.

I honestly love the car. It's rwd only, and only has the V6 but it does have the 8 speed transmission and paddle shifters and sport mode if I want to pass someone on the highway.

I would love the sound and power of a V8, but honestly, what road can i drive on and use all that power without getting a speeding ticket? And I live in Canada so yes, the rwd gets interesting in the snow, but I put on snow tires and a couple patio slabs in the trunk and just take my time.

It's a solid car that doesn't have a lot of crazy mechanicals to break down. There's room in the engine bay for me to reach things without using tweezers. And it's comfortable on the open road.

One thing I have noticed is that it does tend to go through front ends. I've had to do a couple tie rod ends and shocks so far. And because it's a Chrysler some of the interior stuff under the dash is made of parts bin plastic like the air vent control motors. I always say, it's one of the best built Chryslers of the last 20 years. But it's still a Chrysler. But you know what? It has leg room and head room in the back for my teenagers , it has leather for everyone, its a great highway cruiser. I'll be very sad when if eventually dies.

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

I speed A LOT, but I'm fortunate to live in a place where that isn't really a problem.

Mine is a '14 as well, and so far only one vent motor, not a huge deal.

Only front end issue so far has been lower control arm bushings. The AWD version has some more robust suspension parts than the RWD version.

I hope you can enjoy yours for many more years.

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hk4213@reddit

If you wanna have it post 100k miles and reliable, keep those pockets full or have mechanic friends who owe you a favor

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Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit (OP)

I'm a quite capable mechanic, and it's already 10 years old and doing fine.

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Vince_pgh@reddit

If you really like the car, keep it and do what you feel. Enjoy the thing. They are pretty cars in the spec you have.