afaleti

Is like comparing someone who is sleeping to someone who is dead?

Your Comments ...

2005 Chrysler 300C 2005 Lexus LS 430
4dr All-wheel Drive Sedan Base + 4dr Sedan Base
(Starting @ $34,420) (Starting @ $55,675)


Engine liters 5.7+ 4.3
Cylinder configuration V-8 V-8
Horsepower 340hp @ 5,000RPM+ 290hp @ 5,600RPM
Torque 390ft.lbs. @ 4,000RPM+ 320ft.lbs. @ 3,400RPM
# of valves 16 32+
Variable valve control Not Available standard +
Variable intake manifold Not Available standard+
Sequential multi-point fuel injection standard standard
Cylinder deactivation standard + Not Available
Fuel type unleaded+ premium unleaded
Aluminum cylinder block Not Available standard+
Aluminum cylinder head standard standard
Engine oil cooler standard standard
HD radiator standard+ Not Available
Alternator amps 160+ 100
Battery cold cranking amps 730+ Not Available
Battery amp hours Not Available 55Ah+
Battery run down protection standard Not Available
Low emission vehicle standard standard
Stainless steel exhaust standard standard
Automatic transmission 5 speed 6 speed++
Mode select transmission Not Available standard +
Manual-shift auto Autostick+ standard
Overdrive standard standard
Permanently locked hubs standard+ Not Available
All-wheel drive standard ++ Not Available
Fuel economy city 17mpg 18mpg+
Fuel economy highway 25mpg 25mpg
Fuel tank capacity 19gal. 22gal. ++

Suspension/Handling
Four wheel independent suspension standard standard
Front anti-roll bar standard standard
Rear anti-roll bar standard standard
Power steering standard standard
Speed-sensing steering Not Available standard++
Rack and pinion steering standard standard
Alloy wheels standard standard
Front tires 225/60HR18.0++ 225/55HR17.0
Rear tires 225/60HR18.0++ 225/55HR17.0
Wheel size 18" + 17"
Performance tires Not Available standard

Body Exterior
Number of doors 4 4
Power heated door mirrors standard standard
Auto-dimming door mirrors Not Available standard ++
Chrome door mirrors standard?? Not Available
Body-color door mirrors Not Available standard+
Chrome door handles standard standard
Body-color bumpers standard standard
Bodyside moldings standard+ Not Available
Bodyside cladding Not Available standard+
Chrome grille standard standard
Chrome side window moldings standard standard
Chrome rear window moldings Not Available standard+
Chrome tip exhaust standard standard

Convenience Feature (This is where the Lexus Kills the Chrysler )
Air conditioning standard standard
Automatic temperature control standard standard
Front dual zone A/C standard standard
Underseat ducts standard standard
Console ducts standard standard
Dual zone air conditioning w/infrared standard Not Available
Air filter optional standard
Power moonroof optional standard++
Memory seat standard standard
Steering wheel memory standard standard
Head restraints memory Not Available standard++
Audio memory standard Not Available
Seatbelt memory Not Available standard ++
Speed control standard standard
Power windows standard standard
Remote keyless entry standard standard
Illuminated entry standard standard
Integrated key/remote Not Available standard ++
Remote window controls Not Available standard ++
Remote moonroof/convertible roof controls Not Available standard ++
Retained accessory power standard standard
Tilt steering wheel standard standard
Telescoping steering wheel standard standard
Auto tilt-away steering wheel standard standard
Day-night rearview mirror standard standard
Auto-dimming rearview mirror standard standard
Driver vanity mirror illuminated illuminated
Driver auxiliary visor Not Available standard ++
Passenger vanity mirror illuminated illuminated
Rear vanity mirror Not Available illuminated ++
Garage door transmitter standard standard
Front cupholder standard standard
Rear cupholder standard standard
Overhead console standard standard
Overhead console storage standard standard
Driver door bin standard standard
Passenger door bin standard standard
Rear door bins Not Available standard ++
Seatback storage pockets standard standard
Locking glove box illuminated illuminated
Front underseat storage tray Not Available standard ++
Driver's footrest standard standard
12V DC power outlet 2 3 ++
Power trunk closing assist Not Available standard ++

Seats and Trim
Max seating capacity of 5 standard standard
Front bucket seats standard standard
Heated front seats standard+ optional
Power driver seat standard standard
Power passenger seat standard standard
Front center armrest standard w/storage ++
Rear bench seat standard standard
Split folding rear seat standard ++ Not Available
Rear seat center armrest standard standard
Rear seat armrest storage Not Available standard +
Leather upholstery standard standard
Leather door panel trim Not Available standard ++
Carpet on lower door panel standard standard
Genuine wood dashboard insert Not Available standard ++
Genuine wood door panel insert Not Available standard ++
Genuine wood console insert Not Available standard ++
Leather/genuine wood shift **** Not Available standard ++
Leather steering wheel standard standard
Floor mats standard standard
Chrome interior accents Not Available standard ++
Carpeted cargo space standard standard
Cargo tie downs Not Available standard ++
Cargo light standard standard

Entertainment Features
AM/FM radio standard standard
Cassette optional standard ++
CD player standard Not Available
CD changer optional standard +++
Radio data system optional standard
Graphic equalizer Not Available standard
Digital signal processor optional standard
Speed sensitive volume Not Available standard ++
Steering wheel mounted audio controls standard standard
Speakers 6 7 ++
Diversity antenna Not Available standard ++

Lighting, Visibility and Instrumentation
High intensity discharge headlights optional standard
Fully automatic headlights standard standard
Delay-off headlights standard standard
Aero-composite headlamps Not Available standard ++
Auto-leveling headlights Not Available standard ++
Directionally adaptive headlights Not Available standard ++
Front fog lights standard standard
Center high mounted stop light standard standard
Variably intermittent wipers standard standard
Rain sensing wipers standard standard
Speed sensitive wipers standard standard
Heated front windshield Not Available standard ++
Front windshield visor strip Not Available standard ++
Rear window defroster standard standard
Rear window blind Not Available standard ++
Front reading lights standard standard
Rear reading lights standard standard
Tachometer standard standard
Compass standard standard
Outside temperature display standard standard
Low tire pressure warning Not Available standard +++
Trip computer standard standard
Clock analog in-dash
Low oil level warning Not Available standard ++
Low coolant warning Not Available standard ++
Service interval indicator standard standard

Safety and Security
ABS brakes standard standard
4 wheel disc brakes standard standard
Brake assist standard standard
Full size spare tire Not Available standard ++
Dual front impact airbags standard standard
Dual front side impact airbags Not Available standard ++
Overhead airbag optional standard ++
Knee airbag Not Available standard ++
Occupant sensing airbag standard standard
Height adjustable power front seatbelts Not Available standard ++
Height adjustable front seatbelts standard ++ Not Available
Seatbelt pretensioners front front and rear ++
3 point rear center seatbelt standard standard
Side impact bars standard standard
Power door locks standard standard
Perimeter/approach lights Not Available standard ++
Remote keyless entry standard standard
Rear child safety locks standard standard
Ignition disable standard standard
Security system standard standard
Panic alarm standard standard
Stability control standard standard
Traction control standard standard
Power adjustable front head restraints Not Available standard ++
Anti-whiplash front head restraints Not Available standard ++
First aid kit Not Available standard ++

Specs and Dimensions
Engine displacement 5.7 L 4.3 L
Engine horsepower 340hp @ 5,000RPM ++ 290hp @ 5,600RPM
Engine torque 390ft.lbs. @ 4,000RPM ++ 320ft.lbs. @ 3,400RPM
Engine bore x stroke 99.6mm x 90.9mm (3.92" x 3.58") 90.9mm x 82.6mm (3.58" x 3.25")
Compression ratio 9.60 to 1 10.50 to 1
Drag coefficient .35 .26
Max. towing capacity when properly equipped 907kg (2,000lbs) 907kg (2,000lbs)
Exterior length 4,999mm (196.8") 5,014mm (197.4")
Exterior body width 1,882mm (74.1") 1,829mm (72.0")
Exterior height 1,483mm (58.4") 1,491mm (58.7")
Wheelbase 3,048mm (120.0") 2,926mm (115.2")
Front tread 1,600mm (63.0") 1,570mm (61.8")
Rear tread 1,603mm (63.1") 1,570mm (61.8")
Turning radius 5.9m (19.4') 5.5m (17.9')
Front legroom 1,062mm (41.8") 1,118mm (44.0")
Rear legroom 1,021mm (40.2") 955mm (37.6")
Front headroom 983mm (38.7") 968mm (38.1")
Rear headroom 965mm (38.0") 963mm (37.9")
Front hiproom 1,450mm (57.1") 1,440mm (56.7")
Rear hiproom 1,420mm (55.9") 1,455mm (57.3")
Front shoulder room 1,509mm (59.4") ++ 1,481mm (58.3")
Rear shoulder room 1,466mm (57.7") 1,478mm (58.2") ++
Passenger volume 3,019L (106.6 cu.ft.) 3,036L (107.2 cu.ft.) ++
Interior cargo volume 442L (15.6 cu.ft.) 572L (20.2 cu.ft.) ++
Maximum interior cargo volume 442L (15.6 cu.ft.) 572L (20.2 cu.ft.) +++

Warranty
Basic warranty 36 months/36,000miles 48 months/50,000miles +++
Powertrain warranty 84 months/70,000miles ++ 72 months/70,000miles
Corrosion perforation warranty 60 months/100,000miles 72 months/ unlimited distance ++
Roadside assistance coverage 36 months/36,000miles 48 months/ unlimited distance ++

RA40

iTrader: (6)

It remains to be seen if Chrysler will move in to the luxo market. If they can treat the buyer of the car at a level they expect, then it is possible and they may well make strides toward luxury recognition. I see the 300C as a mid-range family sedan, not as a business or luxo car.

The highly optioned Accords are quite nice but they don't conjure up "luxury" class. YMMV

bicol-ini

totally agree with RA 40 ,chrysler needs to prove it can compete with, number one selling point is the reliability, and how they treat you as a customer,

AggieLS

Comparing these two is laughable - totally different target audiences. I stopped by, curiosity got me, the local Chrysler dealer after the 300 hit the market a few months ago. Was treated horribly and saw several other folks come and leave with poor experiences. Salesperson knew almost nothing, I had much greater product knowledge on the car, and the dealership staff acted like I was interrupting their nap time by stopping in.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

bwahahha, tell your friend a Lexus cannot be compared on paper, the Lexus has a certain, feel, a certain soul, a certain touch that cannot be described on a piece of paper. Chrysler might be stepping up their cars from garbage to something actually worthy, but they aren’t even close.

Chrysler even knows this, that’s why they are shooting for a different target market all together.

jvcn

Aside from the obvious, this misses the point that Lexus reputation partly derived from its fantastic reliability and flawless fit and finish.

The Chrysler is selling something else: A macho American excitement combined with some luxury touches.

This could pose dangers for the lower end German products. Whereas the Germans used to sell their cars on reliability and fit and finish, they now have to push their brand recognition, style, handling and "Feel". Hence, Lexus' swift rise to the top of the US sales charts.

The Americans have suffered from a reputation for poor quality and reliability. But of late, American reliability is up (cf. Consumer Reports and JD Powers) whlle prices remain low, and now styling seems to be improving.

The Germans on the other hand, have flat or declining reliabiility.

The real loser from this might be Volkswagen. If Chrysler can deliver better reliability and some style at this level it will hurt Ford and GM of course, but also the low end imports.

Think about it: If Chrysler's reliability were even at the level of Cadillac and people knew and expected it, a lot of Saab and VW buyers would potentially switch once they got over the lack of snob appeal.

The Lexus buyer values flawlessness and elegance above all and derides those who favor bling.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

The underlying mission statement from these two companies is different. There is a thread possibly about the Lexus quality or such that is a good read...

I don't expect to see many of these 300C's on the roads 5-7 years from now. In 10 years? If I'm wrong, great for Chrysler.

LexFather

Funny but this comparison proves some of my point of the 300C thread I had in car chat. Never in so long has America had its own car where people compare it to seemingly everything.

But 300c to LS, no way. There is a reason a LS is almost and can cost ttwice as much. It is considered the finest or one of the finest cars EVER MADE. The 300C is hot "Now" and trendy. It does have many positives but the Lexus owner showed in the thread I started, they DO know about the details. Fit and Finish, Dealer service, leather quality.

Apples to Oranges here but kudos to Chrysler to have such a new car. You don't here ANYONE talking about the Ford 500 like this.

audphile1

No comparison. First thing that does it for me is Chrysler's reputation. Lots of people treat Chrysler cars as disposable. Meaning that they do not hold their value at all as soon as they are driven out of the dealership, $ loss is tremendous. Also, if you have ever been to an auto auction, you will see that all these top model Chryslers like 300 sell for nothing. Lexus on the other hand is a different ball game. Let's say this 300c costs $40.000, which it can with few options added. Compare it to GS that is similarly priced. Compare it now and do it in 2 years. See what the 2 year old Chrysler will fetch you vs 2 year old GS.

Lexusfreak

Both cars are in such a different league it's not even funny. No contest between the 2 the Lex wins hands down. Not a good comparo

Craigster

Personally - I think it's silly NOT to compare EVERY car you might be interested in. Apples and oranges? I don't think so. If you can afford a new LS - do you put a bag over your head when it comes to other - far less expensive cars? Well.. I don't. [not that I can afford a new LS - mind you] The 300C has a lot going for it. If nothing else - I think it looks better than the new LS. Sure - the quality of the Lexus is still unquestionably better - but then it should be. [shouldn't it?] In Canada - I could buy two fully loaded 300C's for the price of just one LS430. So there is no shame in the fact that Chrysler does not match the LS as far as quality is concerned. The shame would be on Lexus if it wasn't the better car. [as far as how it's put together] But like some of you have said - imagine even pitting a Chrysler against the top Lexus. Obviously Chrysler has done something right. I don't hear anyone asking, "how does the Mercury Montego or Buick LaCrosse compare with the LS430?" Besides - as a guy who loves cars - I think there's plenty of room for ALL cars. And I consider EVERYTHING when I'm in the market for a new car. I never say to myself, "I insist on paying THIS much money for my next car!!"

Jasoneo5

iTrader: (4)

HAH, WHAT FAT JOKE! The 05' LS430 will run circles around a 300C. Those things are so over-rated. They claim to be under 6 seconds but nobody can get a sub-6 second 0-60, meaning the LS is not only nicer, but faster also. I raced one the other day in our 745LI with only about 330-340horspower/torque, and straight-up slaughtered it from 90-130, where 130 was its MAX SPEED, and I zoomed off to above 150 leaving it behind at least 1/2 mile. Where is the 390ft/lbs or torque there!? Sorry but those things are just down right cheap gutless plastic if you ask me. But then again, what do you expect from that pricerange, espcially brand new?

Jasoneo5

iTrader: (4)

Forgot to mention the 745 weighs MORE, and has LESS power. I shouldn't have stood a chance!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

man..... i didn't even bother to go through the list or so....

gosh, is that even a comparison?!

MikeC4w

i have to say, i DO look when one of those 300s go by. In Black with chrome wheels they do look guite sharp. I hope that they are able to bring the " brand" up a notch from throw away cars.