Face-Off: Used Cars I Say I Will Buy But Probably Won't Challenge

by "Party-vi" (party-vi)
Published 06/22/2017 at 10:41

Tags: should be working ; #usedcarlyfe ; V8vsV6
STARS: 0

I want something with four doors and powah for mid-$20k. The contenders are as follows:

2015 Chrysler 300 S, 363hp V8, leather, heated seats, mobster looks. This is a big bruiser, and would probably make my 40 mile commute something to enjoy. $25,097, 39k miles

2013 Mercedes C350 Sport, 302hp V6, heated seats, navigation. This would be a lot more fun on the back roads I take, and is nearly as quick in a straight line as the Chrysler. Plus, this will get a bit better mpgs if I keep my foot out of it. $24,097, 31k miles

Which would you prefer?

Replies (88)

"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
06/22/2017 at 10:44, STARS: 0

I would take the Mercedes, and I am the first to say that German brands are overrated.
But I find the look of the 300's dash terrible, and you see that all the time you’re driving.

"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/22/2017 at 10:45, STARS: 0

I kinda like the 300. They are unique and comfy and beautiful whereas with the C350 I would just be wishing it was a c63.

"Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)" (bman76-4)
06/22/2017 at 10:46, STARS: 0

If the 300 is an 8-speed ZF I’d go with that.

"Jcarr" (jcarr)
06/22/2017 at 10:46, STARS: 0

Aren’t they both Mercedes? ;)

"Rico" (ricorich)
06/22/2017 at 10:46, STARS: 0

The 300C will be much more comfortable than the C300. If you want a more spartan interior and stiffer ride but better driving dynamics, get the Merc. If you want a more comfortable interior with a plush ride and more amenities pick the Chrysler.

"Your boy, BJR" (jerseyshoreben)
06/22/2017 at 10:47, STARS: 5

If you have the option of “____ or Chrysler 300", unless the “____” is “Demon” or “Hellcat”, the answer is always “Chrysler 300".

Nick Offerman once described it as “a seriously badass attempt at a car”, and that’s all the praise I needed to buy one.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 10:48, STARS: 1

My favorite part of my current ride is the handling, which is pretty stiff.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 10:48, STARS: 0

Like most of one and all of the other is.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 10:48, STARS: 0

orly? It is from what I can tell.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 10:49, STARS: 1

I’m OK with the C350. I’ve got the Willys for stupid HP shenanigans.

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/22/2017 at 10:50, STARS: 0

The Mercedes for me. I’m 100% with Rustholes are Weight Reduction. You’re spending too much time in the car to not have a nice dash.

But they’re very different cars— the MB is quite a bit smaller right? That’s good on twisties, but does it have enough space for your needs?

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
06/22/2017 at 10:51, STARS: 0

300.

"Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)" (bman76-4)
06/22/2017 at 10:52, STARS: 0

I always forget when the changeover from the 5-speed happened. Also, the 5.7 is a great sounding motor.

"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/22/2017 at 10:53, STARS: 0

I’m more “Durango R/T vs Mercedes R500" right now, which is oddly similar to your comparison here. As much as I want to dislike FCA, I fear them less than the Germans.

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
06/22/2017 at 10:53, STARS: 1

I’d take the Chrysler for the space and the soundtrack, and do something about the horrible stock stance. At the very least it needs spacers.

"Shift24" (the-nope)
06/22/2017 at 10:54, STARS: 3

Nether 08-09 G8 GT. Its motor is an LS2 based 6.0L with 361hp called L76. But since its LS based huge aftermarket and the best looking out of all of these. Plus you could get heated seats and whatever for ~$17K for a low mile one. I would go with the Merc but that interior ruins it, phone dial pad for radio buttons annoy me.

"punkgoose17" (punkgoose17)
06/22/2017 at 10:54, STARS: 1

I would pick the Mercedes C350 over the Ealge Premier.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 10:54, STARS: 1

I’m in an E46 coupe right now. I think the C-Class will be fine for two child seats (eventually).

"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
06/22/2017 at 10:54, STARS: 0

I think the 300 looks better and has a better sounding engine, plus it’s probably much cheaper to fix when it breaks.

"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
06/22/2017 at 10:56, STARS: 1

The 300. The new ones are quite nice, and that has the 8-speed. I’ve heard that MB’s V6's are shit.

"Your boy, BJR" (jerseyshoreben)
06/22/2017 at 10:57, STARS: 1

2012 for the pentastar, 2014 for the hemi.

"EL_ULY" (uly)
06/22/2017 at 10:57, STARS: 3

the Japanese alternative

2011 GS460 (semi rare)

4.6 V8

8 speed

41K

386 HP

367 TQ

0-60 6 seconds

Lexus quality

Out of those two doe........... C-Class

"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/22/2017 at 10:58, STARS: 1

Seconded. Itll handle way better than the 300 and almost as well as the merc while sounding amazing and looking good.

"Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)" (bman76-4)
06/22/2017 at 10:59, STARS: 1

I knew the V8s lagged behind for a year or two, just not the amount. The 5.7/ZF combo is pretty great.

"Tekamul" (tekamulburner)
06/22/2017 at 11:00, STARS: 0

MB

But I say that mainly because the only 300s I see have a flat brimmed wannabee behind the wheel and at least 2 dented panels.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 11:03, STARS: 4

you saw Ben driving? :3

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 11:04, STARS: 1

Now that would be pretty righteous.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 11:05, STARS: 1

I’ve worried about that. The M54B30 in my car hasn’t been a problem, and I’ve been able to fix most everything on it.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 11:05, STARS: 1

But will a Chrysler break more than a Mercedes? That’s the real question.

"Your boy, BJR" (jerseyshoreben)
06/22/2017 at 11:05, STARS: 1

Hey you fuck!

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 11:05, STARS: 0

But I would pick an Eagle Premier over both.

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
06/22/2017 at 11:06, STARS: 0

I’d vote for the Chrysler, but that’s because it’s one of those cars I’ve always wanted to drive but will never end up buying. I also like its presence and it’s interior design. I’ve driven the 2013 E350 though, and it’s pretty great. I’d say compare the infotainment systems as a tie breaker if you like to stream music and/or make calls/use nav. You’ll be spending a lot of time with it. The Merc’s is cumbersome but serviceable. I don’t know about Uconnecf.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 11:07, STARS: 0

I can’t seem to find many of those for that price unless it’s private sale. The only manual I found is 200 miles away and they want $40K for it!!

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 11:08, STARS: 1

No you fuck!

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 11:16, STARS: 0

It does look unfuckwithable.

"Shift24" (the-nope)
06/22/2017 at 11:26, STARS: 0

That’s because it’s a GXP which also has the 6.2L LS3. You need to look just GT, they never got a manual or the LS3 but that 300c won’t have a manual and that merc didnt ether.

$18k

http://www.snyderchevrolet.com/VehicleDetails/used-2009-Pontiac-G8-GT-Napoleon-OH/3001716733

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/22/2017 at 11:29, STARS: 0

FWIW, the rear-facing seats take up a shitload of space. I have a Lexus GS now, and my 5' 4" wife can’t quite put the seat where she wants in front of our 10 month old, although it’s liveable. I’m 5' 9" and won’t put the seat directly behind me (although I do have the seat pretty far back relative to my height). If you find yourself with 2 rear-facing seats at the same time, you’ll probably end up hating the MB.

I can put my son in the back of my E46 (vert) but the front seat becomes completely unusable.

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
06/22/2017 at 11:31, STARS: 2

Of those two I’d take the Benz hands down.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 11:35, STARS: 2

I would fake my own death if I had to put a child seat in my E46 coupe.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 11:35, STARS: 0

But what about if your hands were up?

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/22/2017 at 11:37, STARS: 1

I don’t recommend it - it’s certainly a PITA. The TL;DR is that if you think you’re going to be having kids any time soon, grab a car seat from someone and test it out in any car you’re interested in, and see for yourself what works.

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
06/22/2017 at 11:37, STARS: 0

I’d buy something else.

"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile)
06/22/2017 at 11:41, STARS: 1

So your question is should you buy a Benz made by sane people or an angry Benz made by crazy people. Angry Benz all the way.

"asenna" (asenna)
06/22/2017 at 11:43, STARS: 2

you would not be disappointed with the chrysler, I had a 2013 300s, rear wheel drive and loved it

"Wacko" (wacko--)
06/22/2017 at 11:45, STARS: 0

I really hate that Gear selector Knob and the fact they put it in the middle with a Passion.

I also find the stereo/clock vents out of place. I think a blind man with Parkinson’s with one arm could have done a better job designing it.

"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem)
06/22/2017 at 11:52, STARS: 0

I would choose whichever one sounded better when cranking talk radio.

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
06/22/2017 at 11:54, STARS: 0

This is the first time I’ve heard someone complain about the interior of a car and then suggest a G8 as the alternative. I love the G8, but is has one of the cheapest blandest interiors known to man.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 11:54, STARS: 1

The 300 does get a lot of grief for that center stack design.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 11:58, STARS: 0

You drive barges. I feel like you’d take the 300.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 11:59, STARS: 1

Oh boy I can’t wait to wander around dealerships with a car seat and base, which I already have for some reason.

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/22/2017 at 12:03, STARS: 0

No kidding - we need two new cars in the next year, and I’m not looking forward to doing that. But I will...

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
06/22/2017 at 12:03, STARS: 0

Let me put it this way: my dad kept trying to buy 300s, and I kept steering him towards other things. The only 300 I like is the early 2nd Gen, basically one that looks identical to Ben’s only with a Hemi.

For this money I’d get an Audi, Volvo, Genesis, Lexus, BMW, Infiniti or Cadillac. Frankly, damn near anything but these two. I just find both of them cheap-looking and unappealing. But that’s me.

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/22/2017 at 12:04, STARS: 0

It’s kinda old but what about this 2007 Infiniti M45 Sport with only 16k miles for $19,998?

Roomy, 325 hp V8, the sport package adds aluminum interior trim, more bolster-y seats, stiffer suspension, 19” wheels, and rear steering.

"Your boy, BJR" (jerseyshoreben)
06/22/2017 at 12:09, STARS: 2

I prefer my interior and grille, but the new tails are HOT

"Shift24" (the-nope)
06/22/2017 at 12:10, STARS: 1

Agreed and its the VE Commodore and the alpha platform so you could easily get way past the merc with aftermarket.

"Slant6" (slant-6)
06/22/2017 at 12:32, STARS: 1

Crown Vic is to Towncar/ Gran Marquis as Charger is to 300. That being said I’d imagine parts and labor on the 300 will be better than the MB in the long run.

They’re also in a way both Mercedes.

"2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered" (2fast2furiousfc3s)
06/22/2017 at 12:34, STARS: 0

Get a 5.0 Genesis

"Shift24" (the-nope)
06/22/2017 at 12:35, STARS: 1

Eh I have 2 90s GM cars so it would be a step up to 00s GM interior lol. But my one no no is dial pad buttons like in the Merc. I see it when I call someone, I don’t need to see that in my car. To me it’s the laziest thing ever in interiors.

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
06/22/2017 at 12:39, STARS: 0

N55 335i?

If you get the auto it is a better drivetrain than the MB, and you also can fin them in manual.

"Master Cylinder" (mastercylinder28)
06/22/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 1

I’d take the Benz, but to be perfectly honest I have a (mostly) irrational hatred of the 300, so it’s not really a useful opinion.

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/22/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 2

This is an awesome suggestion

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 12:52, STARS: 0

The turbo BMW motor scares me. Otherwise I would look for a 335i with a stick and heated seats. I’m no fan of the F30 so it would need to be a late model E9x.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 0

Thinking about it. I liked the V6 model I rented a lot, but I like the look of the 300 better.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 12:54, STARS: 0

Hell no. After the maintenance my parents have on their G37x I’m staying away from luxury Nissan engines. But that is a sweet deal.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 12:55, STARS: 1

New tails are drop dead sexy.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 12:55, STARS: 0

I’ll just keep looking for a low mileage E60 wagon with a stick. Those should be pretty easy to find >.>

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
06/22/2017 at 12:57, STARS: 0

That’s the spirit!

I’m actually going to visit a guy this week with a stick E60 550i but it’s a sedan of course.

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
06/22/2017 at 13:02, STARS: 0

Gotcha. Out of those two I’d take the 300 on engine sound alone.

With your conditions I would also be on the lookout for a 328i E90 with the M Sport pack and stick.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 13:03, STARS: 1

Stick 550i scares me too, mostly because the ones I see are all abused. That, and it seems after the E39 BMW forgot how to build a V8.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/22/2017 at 13:04, STARS: 0

Those I can find, and they’re less expensive, but my wife has been put off by the regular maintenance my car requires.

"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/22/2017 at 13:12, STARS: 0

The only thing I dislike about the interior is the steering wheel. The rest is completely fine, but just simple, which I like. Nice seats, lots of room, and im not sure if you have been in a modern C class but even if the interior looks good it certainly is not made of amazing plastics.

Worth it for the ls2 in my opinion, and would bridge the gap between the 300C and the C350

"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/22/2017 at 13:20, STARS: 0

Cannot go wrong with a lexus GS of any generation. The current gen gs350 F sport is a beast.

I am pretty much always ready to pull the trigger if the right 2nd gen gs430 comes up for sale. They go for great prices and sound incredible, although they are much softer than the new GS.

Fastest sedan in the world when it was launched, and has lower sound levels inside at 65mph than a rolls. Tied the same year corvettes slalom speed and braking. Lexus engineering is impressive when they try.

"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/22/2017 at 13:22, STARS: 0

Its pretty hard to kill a VQ without letting it run low on oil. Its pretty common though because they consume a decent amount.

"EL_ULY" (uly)
06/22/2017 at 13:25, STARS: 1

love the second gen with the 3UZ. Those were the cars I stated on when perfecting my wrenching skills. I also am just waiting for the right GS430 to pounce on immediately

"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/22/2017 at 13:28, STARS: 0

My first car was a 2nd gen gs300, and the 2jz was silky smooth but now I just need to own a v8 one. Ill take a gs400 as well because despite its lower output it has throttle cables instead of drive by wire which is huge to me.

My gs300 was running perfectly at 200k but I got rid of it for a Volvo. Those 2nd gen cars seem to never die. It makes it so easy to shop the used market because my mileage cutoff is so high. 140k gs400? Still a baby.

"EL_ULY" (uly)
06/22/2017 at 13:34, STARS: 1

LOL sooo true about that. When shopping used cars, Toyota/Lexus miles are in a different scale

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
06/22/2017 at 13:43, STARS: 1

Yeah the C is cheap, I don’t much like it, but I recall from when I looked at a new G8 GT that the inside was godawful. Shame, because I really like everything else about them.

"2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered" (2fast2furiousfc3s)
06/22/2017 at 14:40, STARS: 0

But the 300 is a Chrysler product

"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
06/22/2017 at 14:40, STARS: 0

2013 dodge ram 2500 cummins diesel 4x4 - $24000  4 door, and........... torque. power is a funtion of torque...... mid $20k

"notsomethingstructural" (notsomethingstructural)
06/22/2017 at 15:21, STARS: 1

“this would be more reliable, just as fast in a straight line, better on back roads, and have better mileage”

“or i could get the chrysler”

cmon man

"Justino6969" (justino6969)
06/22/2017 at 15:38, STARS: 0

I absolutely love the 300. Almost bought one. Chrysler reliability, but you’re also comparing it to a Benz, so that’s a tossup. Get the CarMax warranty on the 300 and go be a gangsta.

"ciscokidinsf" (ciscokidinsf)
06/22/2017 at 18:37, STARS: 0

You *still* have not sold the Bimmer??? It’s been 2 years now!

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
06/22/2017 at 21:56, STARS: 0

300 it is

"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
06/22/2017 at 23:27, STARS: 1

Where did you hear that? The only one that you could really say that about would be an 06 or early 07. That’s only because of the balance shaft issue. Otherwise, they’re fantastic.

"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
06/22/2017 at 23:32, STARS: 1

I rode in a current gen 300 for about an hour. Really not bad. Someone told me its chassis is based on a 220 S-class, so that’s cool, but handling will suck.

That particular C is great. Extremely reliable and low maintenance. And actually very easy to work on if you do need to.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/23/2017 at 08:39, STARS: 0

Yeah I would be a terrible salesman.

"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/23/2017 at 08:46, STARS: 0

This is good news.

"RT" (rt-p)
06/28/2017 at 11:05, STARS: 0

I’d take the new Mercedes over the old Mercedes because it can actually go round corners. Shame it has no V8 tho.