When I turned 60 I decided to treat myself to a new car.  I didn’t want just any car.  I wanted to a car that looked as good as the Bentley’s and Mercedes littering my neighborhood, but also had the muscle to make a statement when the light turned green.

Allow me to present the 2015 Chrysler 300 C Class 3.6L VVT Pentastar. The combination of luxury and power at an affordable price (Under $33,000).

I opted out of getting the 5.7L Hemi because although the car looks like I have money, I can’t afford the $2000 tickets my neighbors can pay, to break the speed limit here in Florida.  I love the ample 300 horses the Pentastar delivers.  The luxurious, tan leather interior makes me say “Who needs a Mercedes?”  The seats are more comfortable than my recliner which I can adjust 8 ways to Sunday.  The instrument panel is intelligently laid out.  It took me about two days to get use to the turn knob gear shift.

I love the bells and whistle of this top of the line, dealer added options. I discovered after I had the car tinted, that there is a rear window shade that rises to keep your passengers comfortable.  Of course, there are ample USB jacks, cup holders in the front and center consoles.  The UConnect audio system is unrivaled by all standards. I love the panoramic roof. You can open it to several positions.  It is really romantic under a nice moonlit sky.  The sound system is decent. I prefer loud music and it’s not due to hearing loss. I’m old skool. I would recommend if you’re the same, get one with the Beats sound system.

Now for the performance.  It may not do 0-60 in 4.3 secs like its big brother (300 SRT), but 6.3 is fast enough to merge into traffic on the unforgiving I-95 Interstate.  When you’re running above 80 mph, you are not aware that you’re going that fast because the car floats.  It is a feeling comparable to being in a Boeing 747 that is on the glide path. It is when you go north of 100 mph, yes I’ve been that naughty, but I’m a professional driver that you hear the motor roaring. The standard brakes are ample if you drive like you have sense. However, I would still recommend upgrading the brakes because even at 60 mph, the standard brakes struggle to stop this 4000 plus pound beast to stop.

The electronic steering is responsive and there are multiple steering modes including sport.  There is also a traction mode which is great on the wet roads. When it is not engaged the RWD vehicle tends to fish tale, and this is a big fish.  It has a noticeable body lean when you are hard cornering.  I’ve heard that the 300S does not have this issue or it’s hardly noticeable, and probably why it costs $4000 more.

To summarize, there is no car on the market today that I would trade this car for, unless it was a Bentley with the same white exterior, tan interior, and I could afford the $2000 ticket.  I will keep watching this car as it evolves. I’m sure I’ll upgrade it in a couple of years unless they screw up in the design like Cadillac did.

Jerrimiah Stonecastle

Stonecastle Publications