Almost tipping the scales over into luxury status, but
not completely, the Chrysler 300M has to settle for near-luxury
car designation. However, given its reasonable price and
attractive combination of power and roominess, it certainly
could have done worse. The 2004 Chrysler 300M is closely
related to the Dodge Intrepid and the Chrysler Concorde.
All three share the same chassis, though the 300M has a
distinct continental look and a slightly shorter body.
The new 2004 Chrysler 300M comes from a long, distinguished
line. In the '50s and '60s, Chrysler developed a number
of models in a series of full-size cars that combined performance
and luxury. These formidable cars eventually went down in
automotive history as the Chrysler 300 "letter series"
cars. The 2004 300M continues in this tradition of size,
speed and handling.
Available Models
The 2004 Chrysler 300M is available in a base model and
an uplevel Special trim.
Interior Features
One of the main selling points of the 2004 Chrysler 300M
is its size. With four doors, the sedan can handle five
passengers without a problem. The 300M has over 105 cubic
feet of interior volume and 16.8 cubic feet of trunk space.
The 60/40 split folding rear seat with trunk pass through
provides even more space to transport gear and passengers
simultaneously.
Standard features on the 2004 Chrysler 300M include leather
upholstery, a tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio
controls, a memory system (driver seat, mirrors, radio),
cruise control and air conditioning with automatic climate
control. The Special model adds an Infinity AM/FM/cassette
player with in-dash 6-disc CD changer, among other things.
Options include a navigation system and satellite radio.
Exterior Features
Looking at the Chrysler 300M, you can see its relation to
the Dodge Intrepid. It is sleek and low riding, able to
cut through the wind with ease. Along with more features,
the Special also has unique trim, higher-speed tires and
xenon headlights.
Performance
The engine powering the base 2004 Chrysler 300M is a 3.5-liter
V6 with 250 horsepower at 6400 rpm and 250 lb-ft of torque
at 3900 rpm. The Special is given the same engine in terms
of dimensions but with slightly more power. It has a rating
of 255 horsepower and 258 lb-ft at similar rpm levels. Both
models are mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission that
offers manual shift capability.
The Special is also equipped with sport suspension for
more give over bumpy roads. Standard on both models is a
Low-Speed Traction Control system that works in tandem with
the antilock brake low speed sensors to detect wheel-slip
and apply brake pressure to the spinning wheels in order
to regain traction.
Safety and Security
In addition to antilock brakes and traction control, the
2004 300M also has dual front airbags and an emergency inside
trunk release. The 300M Special is fitted with high intensity
discharge halogen headlamps, which provide 2.5 times more
light output than the standard halogen lights.
New for the 2004 Chrysler
300M
New
exterior colors: Butane Blue and Midnight Blue
Sirius®
Satellite Radio introduced on 300M and 300M Special
New
AM/FM with DVD-based GPS Navigation
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