2003 Chrysler 300M

Amenities include leather upholstery and heated 8-way power front seats with driver's side memory.

While some high-powered sedans stumble when you ask for mixed cornering and braking or cornering and accelerating, the 300M takes that challenge in stride. There's not a hint of torque steer or tail wag when you place extreme demands on the chassis. At the limit of adhesion, the H-speed-rated front Michelins slide wide but only after providing ample warning. For most situations, the traction-control lamp serves as a polite reminder that the laws of physics are inviolable.


Amenities include leather upholstery and heated 8-way power front seats with driver's side memory. The three leather color choices are Sandstone, Taupe and Dark Slate Gray. New exterior colors for 2003 are Deep Lava Red, Brilliant Black Crystal and Deep Graphite.


The comfort side of this car's personality is equally in synch. Damper struts at each corner are well located and calibrated for supple leg action over broken pavement and expansion joints. The steering quickly and accurately tells you what's going on at the road without needling your fingertips with incessant kicks and jabs.


Two must-have features contained within an optional luxury group are a real-wood steering wheel and an overhead vehicle information center. In addition to trip and gas mileage info, this handy window on the 300M's soul reports four-corner tire-pressure information in real time. Newly available for 2003 is Sirius Satellite Radio, offering customers 100 channels. Furthermore, the former 4-disc in-dash CD changer is replaced with a 6-disc model.


Real-seat accommodations rival a stretched limousine. Unless you count the Jolly Green Giant within your circle of friends, the leg and elbowroom is sure to draw oohs and aahs. For Saturday errands to Home Depot, the rear seatbacks split and fold to fulfill your fondest building-material and plumbing-supply fantasies. At 17.0 cubic feet, the trunk is large enough to pack a college freshman off to school with room to spare.