A perfect license plate for either the Chrysler 300C sedan or the Dodge Magnum station wagon would be "Attention Hog." That's right, these cars gather eyes as easily as Donald Trump fires people. Call it risk taking or just plain back to the future thinking, but DaimlerChrylser has created two family haulers that are credit friendly, handle well, and stir the juices.
What is more noteworthy is the company has brought back the HEMI engine and that brand name still has cachet with many buyers, even though we feel that having 340 horsepower in a passenger sedan or wagon is clearly overkill. However, Chrysler did it responsibly providing good gas mileage figures of over 20 mpg. After driving models with the base six cylinder and the bad boy HEMI we whole-heartedly recommend you drive both the sedan and the wagon with each of the three available engines because you might be surprised. Although a lot of attention has been placed on the HEMI the other eight-cylinder engine and the base six-cylinder model are more than adequate except for mountain driving and towing.
Inside the Dodge and Chrysler there is room for four with five a possibility. The interior is modern and certainly not what one would expect of a Chrysler product in the past. The trunk has a very handy cargo net and except for a short-range remote, is easy to open and load.
Of course, our favorite was the Magnum because of its in your face chopped top appearance. Indeed, it reminded us of the coveted Chevrolet Nomad wagon with it small windows and high waistline. This is one Dodge that looks like a custom car and can even be modified to make it even trendier.
Riding this bumper crop (pun intended) of DaimlerChrysler products the company has decided that the HEMI should be modified even more and is going to provide one with 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, special Brembo brakes, retuned suspension, and supercar performance. Can you say world class?
With most new products there is some need for refinements. The seats can be uncomfortable, especially the less adjustable passenger seat, and the visibility to the rear and to the sides is restricted for both the Dodge and Chrysler. The plastic seems to be less attractive looking than in other vehicles in this price range and we noticed the covering of the front headlights had small irregularities. Tire noise is noticeable, but the wind noise made is very subdued. We also noted that there is just one key lock and that is for the driver's door. Small quibbles aside, this is a superior first effort from DaimlerChrysler.
Mom's view: Understated would not be a term to describe these two fellows. They are in your face, larger than life, and appear to have been dipped inside and out in the chrome tank. That being said, it is not a bad ride and the cars have very good safety ratings and certain to be someone's pick for car of the year.
Chrysler offers three engine choices starting with a base 190-hp V6, a Touring version with a 250-hp V6, and the HEMI. When this large displacement engine is tucked into the sedan it continues one of the alphabet Chrysler cars being labeled a 300C model. I have no idea what they are going to call the sedan when it hosts an even more powerful engine with 425 horsepower planned should anyone need to fulfill some primal need for speed.
Between the wagon and sedan my choice would be the sedan. I found the Dodge Magnum station wagon's leisurely ride, limited rear visibility, difficult to activate horn, and hard seats not to my liking when compared to the 300 sedan. Although there is no doubt the Magnum is an excellent station wagon and one of the best bargains we have ever driven with a base price of just $21,870 (US) for the six-cylinder model. Perhaps my love hate relationship with the Magnum was the rear hatch. It was huge and allowed me to load more than any other wagon ever did. Unfortunately, closing this hatch was next to impossible unless you grabbed the rear wiper arm. There is just not an adequate handle and it drove me to distraction, as I had to wrestle it down. Perhaps for a few hundred extra Dodge could put in the power lift gate from their fabulous mini van. It would be well worth it. Another concern was the limited horn activation area. There are just two small places you can push to complete the circuit to sound the horn making it very difficult to use in an emergency. The positive news is the horn has a beefy sound similar to the Cadillac.
What is more noteworthy is the company has brought back the HEMI engine and that brand name still has cachet with many buyers, even though we feel that having 340 horsepower in a passenger sedan or wagon is clearly overkill. However, Chrysler did it responsibly providing good gas mileage figures of over 20 mpg. After driving models with the base six cylinder and the bad boy HEMI we whole-heartedly recommend you drive both the sedan and the wagon with each of the three available engines because you might be surprised. Although a lot of attention has been placed on the HEMI the other eight-cylinder engine and the base six-cylinder model are more than adequate except for mountain driving and towing.
Inside the Dodge and Chrysler there is room for four with five a possibility. The interior is modern and certainly not what one would expect of a Chrysler product in the past. The trunk has a very handy cargo net and except for a short-range remote, is easy to open and load.
Of course, our favorite was the Magnum because of its in your face chopped top appearance. Indeed, it reminded us of the coveted Chevrolet Nomad wagon with it small windows and high waistline. This is one Dodge that looks like a custom car and can even be modified to make it even trendier.
Riding this bumper crop (pun intended) of DaimlerChrysler products the company has decided that the HEMI should be modified even more and is going to provide one with 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, special Brembo brakes, retuned suspension, and supercar performance. Can you say world class?
With most new products there is some need for refinements. The seats can be uncomfortable, especially the less adjustable passenger seat, and the visibility to the rear and to the sides is restricted for both the Dodge and Chrysler. The plastic seems to be less attractive looking than in other vehicles in this price range and we noticed the covering of the front headlights had small irregularities. Tire noise is noticeable, but the wind noise made is very subdued. We also noted that there is just one key lock and that is for the driver's door. Small quibbles aside, this is a superior first effort from DaimlerChrysler.
Mom's view: Understated would not be a term to describe these two fellows. They are in your face, larger than life, and appear to have been dipped inside and out in the chrome tank. That being said, it is not a bad ride and the cars have very good safety ratings and certain to be someone's pick for car of the year.
Chrysler offers three engine choices starting with a base 190-hp V6, a Touring version with a 250-hp V6, and the HEMI. When this large displacement engine is tucked into the sedan it continues one of the alphabet Chrysler cars being labeled a 300C model. I have no idea what they are going to call the sedan when it hosts an even more powerful engine with 425 horsepower planned should anyone need to fulfill some primal need for speed.
Between the wagon and sedan my choice would be the sedan. I found the Dodge Magnum station wagon's leisurely ride, limited rear visibility, difficult to activate horn, and hard seats not to my liking when compared to the 300 sedan. Although there is no doubt the Magnum is an excellent station wagon and one of the best bargains we have ever driven with a base price of just $21,870 (US) for the six-cylinder model. Perhaps my love hate relationship with the Magnum was the rear hatch. It was huge and allowed me to load more than any other wagon ever did. Unfortunately, closing this hatch was next to impossible unless you grabbed the rear wiper arm. There is just not an adequate handle and it drove me to distraction, as I had to wrestle it down. Perhaps for a few hundred extra Dodge could put in the power lift gate from their fabulous mini van. It would be well worth it. Another concern was the limited horn activation area. There are just two small places you can push to complete the circuit to sound the horn making it very difficult to use in an emergency. The positive news is the horn has a beefy sound similar to the Cadillac.