Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2015 Chrysler 200C AWD; Day 1

[Autos_Editor]

James jumps from the Sonata into Chrysler's competitor in the mid-size sedan segment and is greeted by a disjointed interior and a case of sticker shock, but a pleasing  V6 engine.
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[JohnM]

This seems to be the pattern of the domestics.  Set a very high list price and then offer discounts and a dazzling array of add-ons and perks to overwhelm the prospective buyer.  Just short of "  ...  and we'll double your order for free, all you do is pay for shipping and handling ...".    The Japanese on the other hand, just sell cars and not deals.  Mostly.

Certainly GM does this in spades and maybe Ford to a much less degree.  The worst examples are pickup trucks.  Anyone who pays close to list for one of these is either crazy or works as a pipeline welder in Alberta.

Cheers,
John M.

[fixer]

$40g?    I dunno...but at least it looks sexy in pics.  There's one in town (more base model) and from some angles it just looks fat.  But not anywhere near as ugly as the old one.

I thought it looked very sleek, definitely not fat.

[SeaBlueS4]

As tested, it's $4k more than the Sonata. Not a massive difference all things considered at ~ 10%.
And for that you get AWD (typically at least $2k if it can be added standalone), 9 speed auto vs 6 speed and V6 (with I think more power) vs a turbo I-4. Also has LED lights (don't think the Sonata does) and 19" wheels, so you can knock another $1 - $2k and get them closer in spec and price.

I would also guess that the discount is larger on the 200C - although maybe not, being such a new model.

All in all, pretty competitive I think, price wise at least.

[redman]

See the car live at a local dealer. Really like the view from the back (and joke here). Did not investigate the interior. Roof line would also be an issue for me. Dislike the chopped roof trend, giving up function for styling.

[hemusbull]

Being Chrysler/Fiat child there must be a warning light for too much technology combined with not inflated asking price...

[Noto]

As tested, it's $4k more than the Sonata. Not a massive difference all things considered at ~ 10%.
And for that you get AWD (typically at least $2k if it can be added standalone), 9 speed auto vs 6 speed and V6 (with I think more power) vs a turbo I-4. Also has LED lights (don't think the Sonata does) and 19" wheels, so you can knock another $1 - $2k and get them closer in spec and price.

I would also guess that the discount is larger on the 200C - although maybe not, being such a new model.

All in all, pretty competitive I think, price wise at least.

Yeah, it may be pricey, but guys, look at the breakdown:

Pricing: 2015 Chysler 200C AWD
Base price: $32,495
Options: SafetyTec Group — $1,995; Sun/Sound — $1,495; Premium — $995; Premium Lighting — $895; Uconnect — $550; 19-inch wheel package — $595
A/C tax: $100
Destination: $1.695
Price as tested: $40,815

that's the cheapest destination charge, EVER! 

I would drop the $600 for the 19" wheels, which are just going to keep costing you more and more with the ownership of the car (winters, replacement OEMs, etc).

I would also probably drop the $2k in 'safetytec'.

With that being said, I'd need probably $6-7k in discounts on the table before I'd take this over a Subaru Legacy 3.6R (closest competitor?).

I think this serves to show that the Sonata is good on paper, but really lacks the attention to detail.  I give kudos to Chryfi for excellent execution on this 200, even though there are some 'disjointed' wrinkles left to iron out.

I'm assuming, James, that you're referring to the fact that the upper central stack doesn't align with the lower portion...?  ...and from the pictures, the space between the door panel and the upper dashboard on the passenger side?

IMO, that is the nicest-looking steering wheel I've ever seen in a Chryfi product.  I kinda love it, actually.

[Jaeger]

$40k.  Yowza.  And peeps were ragging on the price of the Sonata!    If I could find $40k for this thing, I'm sure I could find a few extra grand for a Genesis - which is at a whole different level.

Anyway, looking forward to James' thoughts on the car, and how it compares to the Hyundai apart from price.  This is another car that I think look better in person than in pics.  Interior does not appeal.

[whaddaiknow]

$40k.  Yowza.  And peeps were ragging on the price of the Sonata!    If I could find $40k for this thing, I'm sure I could find a few extra grand for a Genesis - which is at a whole different level.

Anyway, looking forward to James' thoughts on the car, and how it compares to the Hyundai apart from price.  This is another car that I think look better in person than in pics.  Interior does not appeal.

I think, with incentives, this car will sell well. It looks good inside and out, has a very potent V6 and AWD. For people without any preconceptions against ChryFiat, this is a winning formula with little competition.

[Fobroader]

$40K, awd, all the toys, 300hp, good looks.....hmmm...Chry. Co. should do well.

[Snowman]

All the ingredients are there.....but....

[Fobroader]

All the ingredients are there.....but....

Thats where Im at....on paper it sounds like a great idea and they should do well.....but Chrysler.....

[Noto]

$40k.  Yowza.  And peeps were ragging on the price of the Sonata! 

...with that being said, the Ford Fusion originally topped out at > $40k, and now can be had for what, $36k after all fees added.  I suspect this is new car pricing and will drop within a year or two.

[mixmanmash]

All the ingredients are there.....but....

Thats where Im at....on paper it sounds like a great idea and they should do well.....but Chrysler.....

Exactly my thoughts.

I saw one finally driving on the road.  I only saw the back, but it definitely looked good.  Better in person than pictures.

[OliverD]

$40k.  Yowza.  And peeps were ragging on the price of the Sonata! 

...with that being said, the Ford Fusion originally topped out at > $40k, and now can be had for what, $36k after all fees added.  I suspect this is new car pricing and will drop within a year or two.

You can still option a Fusion to $40k+ MSRP.

[tooscoops]

yeah, you are all correct... chrysler dropped their drawers already... new model, but did a 3000 incentive on any purchase (cash or finance).

so this one, as tested, without any discount (just incentive) sits at 37815, compared to the 36594 for last weeks car. nice value proposition i'd say... less than a g note more for the added features everyone above me mentioned plus awd?... sounds pretty tempting.

even though i sell them, i can definitely understand some true car peoples hesitation... but a solid car it would seem. personally, i haven't driven the awd so interested to hear the review and whether it's worth the added cost. (especially for what i stock!)

[Noto]

The 9-speed tranny remains my concern in any and every car for which it is installed.  Acura TLX included.

[SaskSpecV]

Hey TooScoops, how would this loaded 200C AWD compare to a 300 AWD (pentastar and 8-speed, not hemi).

Is there a significant difference in exterior or interior size?  Interior quality?  Do they drive significantly differently?

I'd think the pricing is probably pretty similar too?

[Fobroader]

The 9-speed tranny remains my concern in any and every car for which it is installed.  Acura TLX included.

Yup.....that sounds like a nightmare once out of warranty.

[Northernridge]

Why would a 9 speed be anymore likely to break (in real life) than a 4, 5 or 6 speed? Before you answer, remember that my car has twice the parts it needs.