I showed up at the rental counter to pick up my compact and guess what... none left! I asked if they had anything interesting and for $10/day more I got me a Hemi-powered 300C. (Not an SRT8, just the "regular" Hemi V8)
A very impressive car, and I'm thinking when I retire my DD Roadmaster one of these could be a contender. The features and gadgetry are terrific. Power obviously was quite decent at 340HP (I think?).
Oddly, this is the 2nd time I've rented a Hemi and while they are quick, when I get back to my stock LT1 Roadmaster it seems just as fast. (Although it is about 10x bouncier!) Am I just imagining it? Also there is waaaay more space in the RM, but the newer gadgets and toys in the 300C were just too cool. The driver settings menu goes on and on.
Oh and I found one thing to be really chintzy. When filling her up before rental return I look for the fuel release lever and can't find it. None! You just open the door the old-fashioned way. For a modern "near-luxury" sedan I found that really weird. Stoopid thing to be concerned about but remarkably that's what I remember.
Anyway not sure where this post is going but thought I'd report.
__________________ Monstrocity
2009 Toyota Sienna LE (Silver pine mica)
2006 Lincoln Town Car Signature Limited (Wedding white)
1992 Corvette Coupe M6 (Bright aqua metallic)
1968 Cadillac Pillared Hardtop Sedan (Medium blue metallic)
I agree completely on the gas door. I have a 06 SRT8, and the first time I put gas in it I looked for the lever and couldn't find one. I got out and couldn't believe it opened the old fashion way, especially when my 8 year older vette even has a release in the car.
I love the car it has great power, and drives smooth. I actually never drove a regular 300c. The price I got on my SRT8 was low enough I didn't even consider the smaller hemi.
The navi on the car is even pretty good, I use it more than I ever expected to. I'm almost to 3K miles on it now, and we have loved ever single mile.
Location: Member: Double Yellow Dirt Bags San Diego, CA
The reason why the manual gas door went the way of the Dodo bird is because during the "oil crisis" of the late 70s, it was very common for thieves to siphon gas from poor unsuspecting car owners. Locking gas caps were extremely popular and soon, car manufacturers came up with a much better idea - a remote-controlled door release.
Today, with gas costing $4.50/gallon in many areas, it just doesn't make sense to NOT have a locking door. My 89 Mazda has one and I am glad it does, seeing that I take this car everywhere I would not take my C5.
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2001 Mag-Red Coupe 6-Speed, 1SC, Z51, Born: May 17, 2001, delivered June 7th, 2001
315.9 RWHP 337.7 RWTQ (Dynojet) 6/8/02 (no mods)
328.8 RWHP 352.2 RWTQ (Dynojet) 5/22/04 (mods listed below)
Quad Round Borla Stingers 9/6/03
Halltech Stinger-R intake system 4/17/04
Cold-air scoop mod 5/20/04
TPS Z06 shifter (replaced BPP on 12/26/11)
Intake install, oil trap, and CAI mod: http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm
Corvette Store
Rented a 300C on business
