Problem is, 300 is RWD. Can you get a "C" in all wheel drive? If so, it is a contender, albeit with a nasty nasty ride. The Avalons are darn quick, no kidding . 6.8 0-60 I believe . And well equipped , and cheaper . Problem is, they are about as exciting as vanilla pudding.
Think I'd have to ask: In what way? Having just come out of a 300C I'd have to say the Chrysler has a most definite advantage in power up to around 45 mph. Right there, though, is where the DTS (Performance) sweet spot begins, as I discovered this morning. I always felt the Hemi lost some of its poop once you got above 60, but my perception is the N* just gets going at that point. The RWD is nice, though I never quite got use to the light feeling front end (almost skittish with the original Conti tires). And then there is that really tough ride. Handling benefit? Maybe. But I found more rebound over large bumps with the 300C than I get with the DTS's magnetic ride. Interior egonomics are on par. Interior styling difference is a matter of taste. I happened to like it. And I got use to the tupperware door panels. One of the surprising advantages of the Hemi is the gas mileage. So far (under 1000 miles) I'm averaging in the 18.5 mpg range with the DTS. I got 20 mpg easily with the Chrysler....and under 75 mph on the highway, around 28 mpg. Don't think I'd make it that high with the DTS.
Won't comment on the Avalon except to say it just don't look right to me, though the current model is a vast styling improvement over the last one.
Had virtually no problems with the 300C. I just got tired of the beating you'd take on the potholed roads around here. And I've always wanted a Caddy.....
On the highway, at speeds under 75, (if yours is like mine) you will probably get around 24. Maybe a hair better. I think the 300C with the Hemi, had active fuel management. I kinda wish the Cadillac had that. It would probably help the mileage.
I typically run 80/85 and get around 21/22. Usually.
At around 90 that drops to about 20. But that is the price I must pay for being in a hurry. Darn it.
But, after all, I am riding in a very comfortable, 2 1/2 ton Cadillac with a V8. I shouldn't expect mileage like a compact cracker box with a 4 cylinder.
Think I'd have to ask:
Right there, though, is where the DTS (Performance) sweet spot begins, as I discovered this morning. I always felt the Hemi lost some of its poop once you got above 60, but my perception is the N* just gets going at that point.
TulsaVic,
Sometime when you have a clear spot over on the freeway, and you are going down the service road, fixing to get up on the freeway... slow down to about 40MPH and then suddenly "NAIL IT."
If you are on slick asphalt, be prepared for a little torque steer.
It will downshift all the way back to first gear... and will GO. It will shift to second a little before 60, and still be pulling almost as hard as it did in first. It will shift to third at 80 MPH... and will surprise you at how hard it is still pulling.
This is even better if you are behind some little car (in a big hurry) with the big muffler sticking out the back, making a lot of noise but not really going anywhere.
If you time it just right, you can go around them just as you enter the actual freeway, and the look on their face... as Grandpa passes them in a CADILLAC, of all things, is priceless.
Texas Jim
edit..
I am not advocating anyone breaking the speed limit or driving dangerously.
Obey all traffic laws... drive prudently... be safe... ignore all the above.
It is all hypothetical anyway. I would never fo that. It is all in my head.
TulsaVic: The RWD is a deal killer here in MI. They only plow, to save money, when the snow is 6" or over. At 5", you are on your own. While I might be able to deal with it for the right trade offs, I would not want my wife to try - espceially with such a powerful car. The 300C ride is down right punishing, as you stated.
As far as the Avalon goes, I will never buy a new non-American car (this should also cause some flurry in the never ending debate about what is actually "American"). My definiton, which is the right definiton , is American means the Big Three (and a handful of limited production supercars such as Saleen). On paper, the Avalon is a fricken bargain though. It is available with every option the DTS has, including ACC, cooled seats, power rear window shade, etc, for under 40K for a loaded to the gills Avalon Limited. Again though, that is all on paper. In real life, it is B-O-R-I-N-G and will not get noticed by anyone and will not inspire any affection or driving excitement. And, when pulling in for service, you will waiting behind Yaris' and Corollas. My Caddy dealer is an exclusive Cadillac/Hummer dealer, so my service is truly stellar and first class. Again, let the debate and forum revival begin!
I just helped someone buy an 08 Avalon Limited, so I am pretty up to speed on this. They live in TN and could not be swayed to an American car no matter how hard I tried.
If Lincoln comes out with a new AWD full sizer that has the new 425 HP 2009 Navigator engine, that would be some competition. The new Navigator is going to steal some Lade sales for sure. Before, its outdated anemic powertrain kept it completely off the radar for me. Until Lincoln does that, the DTS is king.
I reckon you are right about the Avalon being way too boring to buy.
When I bought my current DTS, I did a LITTLE research on other cars. I read some about the Avalon, but never did get around to actually LOOKING at one. Reckon it was so boring, I didn't even go LOOK, nuch less buy.
I did look at the Impala SS... but could not find one FULLY LOADED in a color I would accept. Most of them were black on black, in Texas in the summer... that is not a real good color combination.
Also looked at the Lucerne with the NorthStar. Didn't like the way it drove. No road feedback from the steering wheel.
RWD is a killer here in Tulsa too. We only get 15" of snow a season but make up for that with ice. The 300C traction control would cut the throttle back to about idle and I'd sit there with my foot to the floor going no where, which I suppose is better than doing donuts in the middle of the road....
I too have the pro-American mentality. The Avalon is just an unpleasant looking car IMO. Saw a striking, new, BMW 645CI convertible yesterday. Lovely car. But have absolutely no desire to own one. Cadillac has always been the target (though must admit if Ford would ever come out with a decent Thunderbird again, or Buick a Riviera, I'd consider them).
As for Mr. Speedo Texas Jim's comments, all I can say is "exactly". The N* seems to keep pullin' and pullin' and pullin'. Had a bit of an overshoot this morning, starting out about 35 mph slower than traffic on an on-ramp (we have wonderful expressways here where the on-ramp crosses the off-ramp traffic so you just can't get up to speed on the ramp without running the risk of slamming into someone exiting), trying to merge, stomped it, then suddenly I'm doing 70 and just about in somebody's trunk. And though it has nothing to do with power, love the deep exhaust growl of the Caddy (which the Chrysler, oddly enough, lacked).
Having driven both, I can't see going back to the Chrysler. I bought it strictly for the Hemi. So now, been there; done that. I was ready for power AND comfort. Every day I look forward to getting behind the wheel of the DTS. I find as I approach the car, my pace slows down as I give it a good visual once over, trying to hold back a smile, thinking: She's mine.....
I reckon you are right about the Avalon being way too boring to buy.
When I bought my current DTS, I did a LITTLE research on other cars. I read some about the Avalon, but never did get around to actually LOOKING at one. Reckon it was so boring, I didn't even go LOOK, nuch less buy.
I did look at the Impala SS... but could not find one FULLY LOADED in a color I would accept. Most of them were black on black, in Texas in the summer... that is not a real good color combination.
Also looked at the Lucerne with the NorthStar. Didn't like the way it drove. No road feedback from the steering wheel.
My dealer is an exclusive Cadillac dealer also.
Texas Jim
The SS is really in a different category in my mind - more of an STS size. I could be wrong. Nonetheless, the Impala SS is a fine looking car with some of THE BEST OEM rims out there. I love the Chevy in white with the standard (non chrome) SS rims. It looks as menacing as white can IMO. As mentioned earlier, I really don't know what will replace the wife's 01 SLS. But, the SS is a contender. Problem is, I really want to stay with Caddy because of my dealership's service department and the loaner car policy. Seems trivial, but it is not to me. I have been spoiled. So, DTS, SS, STS, & CTS are all in the running. If I had to make a quick and dirty decison as fast as possible, it would likely be a CPO 06+ DTS Performance or a CPO 05+ STS. She only puts on about 4K miles a year so lease makes no sense, nor does new.
Every day I look forward to getting behind the wheel of the DTS. I find as I approach the car, my pace slows down as I give it a good visual once over, trying to hold back a smile, thinking: She's mine.....
It's a wonderful thing. I feel exactly the same way about my Escalade. While my 06 AWD V8 SRX was great too, it just did not evoke the same feelings for me. Hence, the early departure from my stable.
But that is the price I must pay for being in a hurry. Darn it. 
I shouldn't expect mileage like a compact cracker box with a 4 cylinder. 
Reckon it was so boring, I didn't even go LOOK, nuch less buy. 
