2001Chrysler300MChrysler 300M2001 Chrysler 300MSedanSedanFWDBramalea, Ontario, CanadaDaimlerChrysler ups the feature content for the 300M by including standard steering wheel controls for the stereo, offering the option of side airbags and adding a luxury group package that includes real wood trim and an overhead console-mounted vehicle information center. The rear end gets a makeover in the form of clear lens taillamps and chrome dual exhaust outlets while new 17-inch wheels and anodized aluminum window trim dresses up the 300M's profile. There's now a three-point shoulder/lap belt for the central rear seat passenger and an internal emergency trunk release. Additional luxury package features include an auto dimming rear view mirror and exterior mirrors that tilt down automatically when the vehicle is placed in reverse. Two new exterior colors, Black and Deep Sapphire Blue, plus three new interior colors, Sandstone, Dark Slate Grey, and Taupe, round out the changes for 2001.Affordable luxury, aggressive styling, impressive handling.AutoStick can't mimic a manual transmission, rear visibility is compromised by wide roof pillars.The 300M is a 2-year-old iteration of Chrysler's sport sedan. Its styling and letter-series designation pick up where the original '55-'65 muscle cars left off -- take one look at its big center grille and fin-like taillights, and you'll be just a notch ahead of your flashback. But the sleek, fluid lines and the streamlined dash remind you that this vehicle does indeed represent the 21st century. This year the 300M gets clear lens taillamps, aluminum side window moldings and chrome dual exhaust outlets to further its performance car image. For this driver-oriented modernized muscle car, there's a 3.5-liter, aluminum high-output V6 (shared with the Chrysler LHS and the Prowler) that offers respectable power for its size: 253 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 255 foot-pounds of torque at 3,950 rpm. That's more power than you'll find in such performance sedans as the Nissan Maxima (a 3.0-liter V6 with 222 horses) and the Buick Regal GS (a supercharged 3.8-liter V6 with 240 horsepower). For muscle car fans with a green streak, the 300M's engine is now LEV certified. The performance theme of the 300M continues underneath. The fully independent suspension has a soft-ride setting as standard, but there's an optional, more aggressive European-tuned performance choice should you want to let the car strut its stuff. We'd opt for the European suspension, just for the promise of an enhanced driving experience. In either soft or taut setting, however, the steering remains first-rate. See, you can bring along the whole canasta club and still have a blast driving them to the Jimmy Buffet Extravaganza in Branson! The 300M is affectionately known as a 5-meter car (its length is 197.8 inches, or 5.02 meters). Chrysler says that the length was an important consideration from the start, and claims that it can be parked in smaller European garages despite its big-car cabin. The 300M's platform is shared with the Dodge Intrepid and the Chrysler Concorde and LHS, but the 300M is the most fun to drive, thanks in part to its tidy dimensions. We're disappointed that the 300M's only transmission is an automatic. Chrysler tries to make up for it with AutoStick, which gives manual control of the slushbox, but it's definitely not the same thing as a true manual. In addition to the automatic, other standard features include a leather interior with heated, eight-way power driver's seat, air conditioning, 17-inch wheels, four-wheel ABS, an Infinity 240-watt sound system with new-for-2001 steering wheel controls, heated eight-way power seats, and 17-inch wheels, available painted or with a chromed aluminum finish. Options include side airbags, real wood trim, an overhead console and an in-dash four-disc changer. Says Chrysler chief engineer Bob Rodger, "The 300 idea is the idea of a powerful, nimble, responsive automotive machine." Of course, Rodger made those comments more than 40 years ago. Amazing how history really does repeat itself. Acura TL-SeriesInfiniti I30Lincoln LSPontiac Bonneville336,000336,000336,0005100,000NANANA63.5 litersV6253 hp @ 6400 rpm255 ft-lbs. @ 3950 rpm197.8 in.74.4 in.56 in.3591 lbs.113 in.38.3 in.37.7 in.58.8 in.58.7 in.57.4 in.59.1 in.42.2 in.39.1 in.16.8 cu.ft.StandardStandardNot AvailableOptionalNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested17.2 gal.18 mpg / 26 mpg310 mi. / 447 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$27,451$29,6407.35%$655N/A3% of the Total MSRP300M (4A): 3.5L V6 SOHC SMPI 24-valve engine; 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 600 amp battery with run down protection; HD radiator; 130 amp alternator; automanual transmission oil cooler; front-wheel drive, traction control, 3.66 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; touring ride suspension, front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; power rack-and-pinion steering; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 17.3 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; body-colored bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen fully auto headlamps with delay-off feature; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote black heated folding outside mirrors; 17" x 7" silveralloy wheels; P225/55SR17 BSW touring A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning with climate control, rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan, cassette player, single CD player, 9 premium speakers, amplifier, graphic equalizer, window grid antenna, radio steering wheel controls; cruise control with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2 stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child safety rear door locks, power remote trunk release; 2 power accessory outlets, driver's foot rest, garage door opener; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, clock, compass, exterior temp, trip computer, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, water temp, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, door ajar, trunk ajar, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down; variable intermittentfront windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with heated-cushions and adjustable tilt headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 8-way power adjustment with lumbar support, passenger's seat includes 8-way power adjustment; 60/40 folding rear bench seat with adjustable headrests and center armrest; front height adjustable seatbelts; leather seats, leatherette door trim insert with carpet lower, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, simulated wood dashboard insert, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, simulated wood door panel insert, chrome interior accents; memory on driver's seat with 2 memory setting(s) includes settings for exterior mirrors; interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, 4 door curb lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors, dual auxiliary visors;auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, mini overhead console locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, 2 seat back storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, carpeted trunk lid, cargo net, cargo light; chrome grille, chrome side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles.