2013 Chrysler 300 vs 1999 LS400
07-18-13, 12:07 PM
#1
2013 Chrysler 300 vs 1999 LS400
It is amazing how well my 99 LS400 stood up to the 300 hp 8 speed auto. I have been wanting to test drive one for quite a while and have been looking at the reviews on them. Honestly, I am not much of a fan of Chrysler but the 300 does have a good rep for a company not known for their quality.
I took a 300 S with the 300 hp V6 out and put it through its paces. It felt slower then my LS400 and by far the most disappointing thing about it was the transmission. I don't know what it is about American cars and their transmissions. They are so sluggish and the way it hunts for gears. The fuel economy is decent considering the size and the interior was nicely done for the price. The materials were good. Not fantastic but good.
When launching off the line the transmission was OK but if you were cruising at 40 and then stomped it it just sat there for what felt like forever trying to figure out what to do. Also, the way it slipped the gears between shifts was hardly pleasant. I am not sure if the Hemi or SRT8 have a firmer shift program but considering the cost I honestly was not even interested in test driving those. Plus, this V6 is virtually an exact match in hp.
It's a great looking car and the 8+ inch touch screen is nice but I am still amazed that my 99 really seemed more refined even with 81K miles and going on 15 years old my transmission felt so much better then that 8 speed. Handling and body roll were good and the cabin was quiet. The backseats felt smaller then my 400, which was a little surprising. I think overall, American cars still have catching up to do and this is kind of sad considering how old my 400 is.
I took a 300 S with the 300 hp V6 out and put it through its paces. It felt slower then my LS400 and by far the most disappointing thing about it was the transmission. I don't know what it is about American cars and their transmissions. They are so sluggish and the way it hunts for gears. The fuel economy is decent considering the size and the interior was nicely done for the price. The materials were good. Not fantastic but good.
When launching off the line the transmission was OK but if you were cruising at 40 and then stomped it it just sat there for what felt like forever trying to figure out what to do. Also, the way it slipped the gears between shifts was hardly pleasant. I am not sure if the Hemi or SRT8 have a firmer shift program but considering the cost I honestly was not even interested in test driving those. Plus, this V6 is virtually an exact match in hp.
It's a great looking car and the 8+ inch touch screen is nice but I am still amazed that my 99 really seemed more refined even with 81K miles and going on 15 years old my transmission felt so much better then that 8 speed. Handling and body roll were good and the cabin was quiet. The backseats felt smaller then my 400, which was a little surprising. I think overall, American cars still have catching up to do and this is kind of sad considering how old my 400 is.
Last edited by Lavrishevo; 07-18-13 at 12:11 PM.
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