BENTLEY versus CHRYSLER:
SPLURGE (above): The Bentley Continental Flying Spur, from £117,500
SAVE (below): Chrysler’s 300C, from £26,995
LOWDOWN: The Bentley simply oozes class and luxury. Eleven cows have to die just to provide the sumptuous leather interior that cossets its lucky occupants. But it costs a substantial six-figure sum to put on the road. Running costs are going to be sky-high and everywhere you go you’ll worry about some little toerag scratching it.
The big, bruising Chrysler from the US very nearly matches the Bentley for road presence, however, and all for little more than the price of a family-sized repmobile. Underneath its hulking body the 300C’s mechanics are from Mercedes-Benz and it drives better than you might imagine.
Almost unbelievably for a Chrysler, it holds its value better than a BMW 5 Series. And new SRT-Design models come with a mesh grille which makes them look even more like the Bentley…
SAVING: £90,500 LOOKALIKE RATING: 9/10
VERDICT: The 300C is surely the king of the lookalikes and Chrysler has just boosted the quality of its interior too. An outstanding buy if you want an “impact” car. And you’ll be able to buy a HOUSE with the money you save.
5 Comments
Peter what are you on about, it looks nothing like the Volvo, its more like a Toyota Corolla T Sport.
I think the only thing the 300C has in common with the Bentley is rarity. In my view the 300C (or Dodge Magnum - same car) looks nothing like a Bentley. As for holding its resale value better than a 5-Series, that probably says more about the 5-Series and the step backward from the previous model - M5 excepted.
I think the 300c has all the qualities of the bentley continental, except giving you the ability to say,ooh i spent £100,000 on my car. Wait, thats a good thing.
Looking through all the photos and details, I can honestly say if I had the money I would buy the dearer car everytime. Chrysler is not a Bentley is it and never will be. I only drive a humble Vauxhall Astra, but aspire to a Lexus, or Mercedes. All 3 are value for money reliable cars, but you pays your money you takes your choice.
It goes without saying we would probably all go for the premium vehicles, as much for prestige than anything else.
However, with the 300C Chrysler is onto a winner. Its a bold design and definitely distinctive. Looks a LOT more expensive than it is. I saw one being run as a taxi at Munich airport and all the drivers were very interested in it and looking on in envy - this is the country where every taxi is a Merc.
Great to see a manufacturer trying something new and superb value for money with great resids - a good buy if you are in the market for one of these cars.
Cheers,
Mark