300C beats the Locals in sales

ltd · 21-02-2006, 11:45 PM

Yep, its official. In January 2006 the 300C sold 133 units to Holdens 120 Statesmans, and Fords 55 Fairlanes.

When Harrison Ford hung his arm out of the driver's window of his 1955 Chevrolet in the cult movie American Graffiti he could have been pictured in a 300C.

The chopped-top Chevy, the product of an unprecedented yet short-lived time of post-war expressionism, looked mean and threatening.

The 300C of today has the same attitude. It's just that once inside, this one is a pussycat. Ford, who went on to bigger things, would be right at home.

The 300C marks Chrysler's return to a rear-wheel-drive large-car platform. It is yet another vehicle to benefit from the Mercedes-Benz-Chrysler merger. In fact, about 20 per cent of its parts are Mercedes-sourced, including the multi-link rear suspension, steering column, and the five-speed auto transmission from the E-Class.

It's also the second model, after the Grand Cherokee, to arrive here with the big-bore 5.7-litre HEMI V8 engine. If that's too big and thirsty, there is a smaller 3.5-litre V6 engine that is cheaper. But, externally the car is the same.

Clearly, the look of the 300C is the key to its success. In January, the 300C outsold (133 cars) its class rivals, the Holden Statesman (120) and Ford Fairlane (55).

Forget the fuel crisis. The reason the Yank won this race is because it is distinctive. Nothing shares its styling and, as buyers seek to stamp their individuality on their possessions, wacky things like the 300C have become popular.

Don't forget it's pretty good value for money, especially if you put a price on being different.

The V8 costs $59,990, while the V6 is $6000 cheaper, at $53,990.
Standard in the V8 are leather upholstery, electric front seats with memory, electric windows and mirrors, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, climate control, rear-park assist and six airbags.

The more lavish V8 also has a premium seven-speaker Boston Acoustics sound system.

The only options for the V8 are premium paint ($370), and electric sunroof ($2430), with possibly a satellite-navigation system added to that list in the future.

The interior has strong overtones of the 1950s and 1960s, not necessarily in styling, though there are hints of yesteryear, but more in cabin space.

The seats are thick and armchair-like, the side windows narrow to create an impression of intimacy, and chrome highlights reflect luxury.

Comfort is first-class for the passengers, though the driver may have to battle to get comfortable behind a steering wheel that has no telescopic adjustment.

It has an attractive instrument layout and, tilt the head slightly upwards and there's a broad bonnet. Seeing a bonnet from the driver's seat of a car built in the third millennium, is like a country lad seeing the ocean for the first time.

As you would expect, the ride comfort is first-rate, with the big chairs and compliant suspension providing a smooth journey.

Surprisingly, this big US lump actually handles well through bends. What could have rivalled jelly for cornering, is more like a fruity, firm Christmas cake.

There is understeer, but that's found at relatively higher speeds.

Its handling is helped by a good list of safety gear, including Electronic Stability Program, Emergency Brake Assist, Traction Control System and ABS brakes.

Throw the 300C into a corner and the ESP shows it is working by some noisy clunks under the body and noticeable retardation of the engine.

It's a nice, safety feature that goes with features such as the six airbags, side mirrors that dip when reversing and the ultra-bright xenon headlights.

Yes, the V8 is pretty much out of the dark ages, but it performs as good as a more modern engine.

It is helped by some electronic aids and the silky five-speed auto gearbox.

It's quick off the mark, responsive for overtaking, and quiet when treated gently, but sounds magnificent when on song. It is also thirsty.

A combination of city, suburbs and country saw the test car clock 13.9 litres/100km. After a track session it was in the 16s.

Apparently you can save fuel by taking it easy and the ability to cut fuel to four cylinders when idling or coasting also helps.

It didn't help me much, though I'd be prepared to pay the fuel bill just to enjoy the car.

I like this car — a lot! But why the hell is there a space-saving tyre in a car competing against big Aussie saloons? Simply ridiculous.

Without a proper spare, I'd be reluctant to take it too far into the country, which is a pity because this would make a superb cruiser. Maybe it's best suited just to city cruising, with Harrison Ford at the wheel . . .

The Sunday Times

I guess you guys who thought it would take off were right. One thing I have noticed is that the more you look at them, the cooler they look.

svo347 · 21-02-2006, 11:48 PM

They still look crap.
..now back to Ford..

Fairlane · 21-02-2006, 11:53 PM

I can understand the 300c sales.

But man, are fairlane sales that bad, christ (im not even game to look at LTD sales). What makes it even sadder too is 80% of those fairlanes probably went straight to the government or a workshop to get converted into Limos/Hearses.

Advanced suspension, rigid body, nice interior, the 6 speed auto and a torquey 230kw V8 and still no one wants one, yet people will buy an antiquated LS1 statesman with old suspension and a shocking 4speed auto.

chief · 22-02-2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairlane

I can understand the 300c sales.

But man, are fairlane sales that bad, christ (im not even game to look at LTD sales). What makes it even sadder too is 80% of those fairlanes probably went straight to the government or a workshop to get converted into Limos/Hearses.

Dont forget Taxi's like Silver Service here in Sydney drive Fairlanes.

On Mtv's ribs they had some rapper who had a stretch 300c and airplane 1st class seats installed.

YELLAUTE · 22-02-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairlane

I can understand the 300c sales.

But man, are fairlane sales that bad, christ (im not even game to look at LTD sales). What makes it even sadder too is 80% of those fairlanes probably went straight to the government or a workshop to get converted into Limos/Hearses.

Advanced suspension, rigid body, nice interior, the 6 speed auto and a torquey 230kw V8 and still no one wants one, yet people will buy an antiquated LS1 statesman with old suspension and a shocking 4speed auto.

I bought one new 3 years ago (AU2LTD - $72grand) The lease finishes next month and no way am I looking at a LTD to replace it. Ford do not have a clue of how to look after this part of the market. I was mucked around in the service / warranty departments of two major Perth dealers and treated like I was complaining about small items on a base model Hyundai or Kia. Major items like noisey rear suspension and leaking sun roof not to mention colour rubbing off the leather steering wheel in 3000klms were never fixed in three years of service and warranty claims.

If Ford had looked after my car I would, out of loyality, just ordered up another this year and not even looked elsewhere.

The 300 C is cheaper, looks the part, and here in Perth is sold by one of the more prestige car dealers (Chellingworths) and they have a reputation of looking after their customers. It looks like I will be without a big Ford sedan for the first time in 22years.

ClevlndStemer · 21-02-2006, 11:57 PM

i can see why the 300C sells, it is a gorgeous car and I certainly would love one over the aussie two. The fairlane/LTD are horrible looking cars and Ford haven't had a decent one since the NL. the stato and caprice aren't too bad at all, better value for money than the ford duo.

BlueRaven · 22-02-2006, 12:13 AM

They do have a certain air about them. I'm a little surprise and wonder how consistant that sales figure will be over time.

I have longed for chrysler to return though. I want something to take on the Falcon/Commodore market segment.

**Mechan1k** · 22-02-2006, 03:41 AM

I can see why the 300C has outsold both Ford and Holden in that market ... it's a far superior car for the price ... Out of the 3 ... I'd put money down for the 300C ... no doubt about it.

Racecraft · 22-02-2006, 04:06 AM

wait until a few tuning houses start cracking the numbers out of them ...mmmmm drools

JADED6 · 22-02-2006, 04:35 AM

Hated them at first sight but now i bloody love how different they look to anything else on the road. Yet to see one in motion though.

**Mechan1k** · 22-02-2006, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JADED6

Hated them at first sight but now i bloody love how different they look to anything else on the road. Yet to see one in motion though.

One word ... PIMP ... from factory as well ... LOL
In black they look like a Mafia Staff Car.

XRated · 22-02-2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JADED6

Hated them at first sight but now i bloody love how different they look to anything else on the road. Yet to see one in motion though.

Ditto. Who gives a rat's ars3 about handling? You hardly go out to buy a LTD or Caprice for handling. A mere comfortable cruiser that looks cool - with 22s they look superb!! They need the mesh type grille though to pull it off.

merlin · 22-02-2006, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRated

Ditto. Who gives a rat's ars3 about handling? You hardly go out to buy a LTD or Caprice for handling. A mere comfortable cruiser that looks cool - with 22s they look superb!! They need the mesh type grille though to pull it off.

Agreed totally about the handling, its a cruiser not a go-kart.

A couch on wheels that goes hard in a straight line - surely thats a compliment for this sort of car, because thats exactly what that market wants.

MrSparkle · 22-02-2006, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merlin

Agreed totally about the handling, its a cruiser not a go-kart.

A couch on wheels that goes hard in a straight line - surely thats a compliment for this sort of car, because thats exactly what that market wants.

... and presence. The Fairlane is a pretty competent car as a package but sadly it has the on-road presence of a Camira. The G220 in black looks good but still falls short when put next to a black 300C.

There's really no argument in favour of the locals anyway, as the segment has spoken with sales numbers! :dj:

AuFairlaneV8 · 22-02-2006, 05:52 PM

Im hoping there resale is as bad as a fairlanes, 25k for a 3 year old 300c would be nice!

Steffo · 22-02-2006, 05:17 AM

Loved them at first, but now they're not so good. Seen a few in real life. They're very low stock, and the body roll is extremley scary.

Plus from what I've heard, they're the typical American idea of a good car. A moving couch.

I'll stick to Falcons.

MrSparkle · 22-02-2006, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

Loved them at first, but now they're not so good. Seen a few in real life. They're very low stock, and the body roll is extremley scary.

Plus from what I've heard, they're the typical American idea of a good car. A moving couch.

I'll stick to Falcons.

It's easier to fix body roll with some suspension changes, than to fix a fundamental value and equipment problem!

:

The Fairlane and LTD would be great and competitive cars, if only they were $15k+ cheaper. As it is, there is absolutely no value whatsoever in even considering one brand new. They are not a bad car let's be honest, but in this segment being just "not bad" is not exactly going to set the sales chart on fire is it.

The 300C is new (to us here), it is different (not "just another domestic LWB"), it is great value in terms of spec and equipment, and it definitely has presence. Neither the Fairlane or Statesman can claim to have ANY of those points.

:

Go Fords!! · 22-02-2006, 08:26 AM

I reckon they are pretty good for the money..My uncle bought one as soon as they came out (he got the V6 not the V8). 183kw @ 6400rpm, 340Nm @3800rpm and 1710kg kerb mass

For more specs heres a link

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsa...isplay_vehicle

I like the tyres on them 225/60 R18.. 345mm front brakes are pretty cool ..Very luxurious inside walnut and chrome with old style white gauges..very classy...The whole car p retty much sets itself up when you turn the ignition on..it remembers all your settings like where all your mirrors were positioned prior to turning off and even tells you the pressure you have in your tyres!!

Theres a whole stack more features and for nearly two tonnes of car for 53,990 not bad value I reckon...They are coming out with a wagon version as well..heaps bigger than the falcon in boot space apparently and you can get it with the hemi v8 which can deactiviate 4 cylinders to save fuel...not sure on pricing as yet but sounds like it could win a few people over

ltd · 22-02-2006, 07:57 AM

Apparently they have enormous body roll, and I'm not so sure about their suitability either, when US roads are much better than our roads. Still, on the looks side of things they do appeal.

In relation to the stato fairlane difference in numbers it must be down to issues like V8 power in stock form, and one serious thing is the lack of a big back seat in the fairlane since the BA. Otherwise I pegged em as even, but don't the numbers tell the story.

pb02 · 22-02-2006, 08:16 AM

I love the look of them but I saw a Top Gear episode and they HATED the 300C!!!!
They loved the look but said the handling was similar to that of a boat and the brakes where pathetic and the chassis was weak and not up to scratch!!!

Honestly I've never seen Top Gear pay out so much on a car before.

BlueRaven · 22-02-2006, 09:41 AM

Exactly, the value I think is good. I have a big beef with fairlanes. I think a fairlane should look completely different. Momentarily forget that my favorite fairlane is a ZG for a minute...I love that shape.

:

Anyway, ZH fairlane is a completely different looking car to an XC falcon. Likewise, the P6 LTD is different enough. Mechanically basically the same...but it looked like a different car.

As time passed, Fairlanes looked less and less different from their Falcon cousins until, one day, Ford releases a BA Fairlane. :togo:
You have to squint to see the difference. Even the AU Fairlane, while not being everyones cup of tea, it looked different. In fact, I think it has a big potential to pimp up done the right way. :evil3:

Sadly, as so little fairlanes are sold - Ford will never put in the effort to make LWB models rock again... Like they should. :sm_headba

johnydep · 22-02-2006, 10:21 AM

It definitely stands out in a croud, but I wonder if they've sorted out longevity for Australian conditions; Jeep Cherokee's are starting to fall apart.

Here is another article; Budget Bentley

aualright · 22-02-2006, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueRaven

Exactly, the value I think is good. I have a big beef with fairlanes. I think a fairlane should look completely different. Momentarily forget that my favorite fairlane is a ZG for a minute...I love that shape.

:

Anyway, ZH fairlane is a completely different looking car to an XC falcon. Likewise, the P6 LTD is different enough. Mechanically basically the same...but it looked like a different car.

As time passed, Fairlanes looked less and less different from their Falcon cousins until, one day, Ford releases a BA Fairlane. :togo:
You have to squint to see the difference. Even the AU Fairlane, while not being everyones cup of tea, it looked different. In fact, I think it has a big potential to pimp up done the right way. :evil3:

Sadly, as so little fairlanes are sold - Ford will never put in the effort to make LWB models rock again... Like they should. :sm_headba

I agree that a Fairlane shouldn't look like a Falcon which is holding back the current model. My neighbour has a GS 220 and it looks great in gun metal grey, but in the common white, it is very ordinary. Why pay that amount when you could get a Fairmont Ghia, despite the shorter wheelbase?

What makes me laugh about the Statesman is that the shape hasn't changed for years (take a risk once in a while Holden..VB -VL hehe...!!!), yet I've never liked the look of them more despite the interior (of the Commodore too) looking like it was designed with crayons.

*****

borry · 22-02-2006, 11:14 AM

there is one here on the sunny coast, number plates IBLING - and being all black with 22inch chrome deep dish rollign stock it sure backs up that statement

Hardtopxb · 22-02-2006, 01:42 PM

I believe thre was an aerodynamic comparison between a 4 story block of flats and a 300 the 300 won, JUST..

tex · 22-02-2006, 02:07 PM

I actually reckon they look really good in the flesh, but was VERY surprised how 'compact' they actually are. In the mag write ups they look a pretty big thing but in reallity they have a snug interior, one that you'd be hard pressed to get three big lads in the back of, actually make that three medium lads.

While I didn't get a drive, (only from the passenger seat) it went very well, was ghostly quiet and felt as if it had well sorted suspension. The interior of that particular car was all leather, at least 6 cows worth, it was high quality and had great fit and finish. The guages were very classy and resembled a brushed alloy finish. The shifter was pox, chromed plastic look, but the interior lighting was great as was the carpet and dash. Switch gear again was better than anything Ive scene in a locally built car.

The guy driving it was actually a HOLDEN sales rep, and swore black and blue he had personally had three confirmed (signed) orders in the 24 hours he had been showing the car around to select clients (HSV and Statesmen / Caprice owners.)

The wheels were spew material, the tyres were like they belonged on a Toyota Crown, but other than those small (and easily fixed) things it was a nice package.

When My head has turned completely grey, one of them plus forced induction would be just thing to go for Sunday drives. Bowlers hat and all....

XR8 Uterous · 22-02-2006, 02:47 PM

They look awesome driving along the road coming at you, i would love one

Smoke Pursuit · 22-02-2006, 02:50 PM

they mite be selling well now, but so did the BA fairlane when they first came out, people had ordered them all over the place...

Id just say they are still filling early orders and that in time things will get quieter.

See Holden has upgraded the Statemen now, the International is the Base model then the Grange!

Brute6 · 22-02-2006, 05:09 PM

Yeah I gotta agree with the guys from Top Gear. I am a fan of the looks, especially when the big rims and bodykits are added; just like the one at the MotorShow, but that about all that turns me on about it...

sleep:

**Polyal** · 22-02-2006, 05:13 PM

Ford and Holden have NOTHING on the 300C.

If someone gave me 60k and said buy a new car. I would get one over a GT. And thats saying alot.

There is one where I live, huge 20' chromies...its horn. Even stock ones that go buy I cannot help but stare. I will own a 300C one day, I think they are one of teh best cars on the market ($$$ wise).

And that grill....it just screams ИИИИ OFF!