On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 09:22:29 -0400, kokomoNOSPAMkid wrote:

> Peter A. Stavrakoglou wrote:
>>
>> "Dori A Schmetterling" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > Wallows, rides like a "boat". Also inability to turn off electric aids
>> for
>> > testing performance limits (which, I think, won't bother most 'ordinary'
>> > drivers).
>> >
>> > I was looking for a writeup on the website
>> > http://www.topgear.com/content/misc/TV/
>> > but I expect it's too recent. Maybe they don't give detailed TV programme
>> > notes, concentrating on the printed magazine.
>> >
>> > Clicking on a 300C review failed to bring up a useful page.
>> >
>> > But there are some nice pics:
>> > http://www.topgear.com/content/fun_s...F6/XX/gallery/
>> >
>> >
>> > DAS
>>
>> It sure doesn't "ride like a boat".
>
> It probably does "ride like a boat" compared to the Monaro and Jaguar.
> The last time I was in the UK (it's been a few years, but I doubt much
> has changed) the roads in the countryside were very well maintained and
> smooth, but often twisty, and fun. On the other hand, many parts of the
> U.S. have pot holes, rough expansion joints, etc. but go mostly in
> straight lines. Therefore, the 300 suspension may be "better tuned" for
> North American roads, but compared to most European cars, it probably
> "rides like a boat." The solution, of course, is to build 300's with
> somewhat stiffer suspension for the European market. To my knowledge,
> there are no plans to build right hand drive 300's, so they sell only a
> handful in the UK, no matter how well the suspension works. Someone
> please post if I am wrong and they ARE building right hand drive 300's.

For all it's faults, terrible visability and general uglyness, the 300
does not ride like a boat. Quite the contrary it has extrodinary handling.
The 300C is a Mercedes E Class with a huge Chrysler engine and heavier
components. When I test drove the 300 and the 300C they stuck to the road
like glue. I test drove a BMW and the Acura TL on the same day and neither
could compare, the 300C was in a completely different class. I only wish
that Chrysler would offer a more attractive body style with properly sized
windows and call it an Imperial or New Yorker or something. I'd love to
have a car that drove like a 300 but also had a rear window that was large
enough that you could parallel park it. BTW I previously compared the
300's visabilty to a submarine, that's unfair to the new Virginia class
attack subs that have just been launched. The Virginia class subs have
done away with the periscope and replaced it with digital displays. If
Chrysler would add a good digital display (I think Lexus has one in an
SUV) they could fix their design mistake the the tiny windows.