The 2008 Chrysler 300 is a good car at a fair price, but it’s a bit of an acquired taste. For those after a luxury car, you might be happier with a Lexus. If you just want raw power, you might prefer a Mustang. The 2008 Chrysler 300 offers a luxurious interior with a powerful engine with typical listing prices starting in the $5,500 range.
Is the 2008 Chrysler 300 a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The 2008 Chrysler 300 is an acquired taste, but it excels in its own little niche.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – There are no major complaints in the comfort and cargo department. There are larger trunks out there, but you probably won’t notice the difference.
- Reliability 7/10 – Major mechanical issues are rare, but the car doesn’t hold up well to lax maintenance, so don’t skip the test drive.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2008 Chrysler 300 earned solid crash test scores on release, and the onboard safety tech is up to par for a 2008 sedan.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – The base model gets 18/26 miles to the gallon, city/highway, which isn’t bad. The high-performance SRT8 struggles to average 15 MPG combined.
- Value 8/10 – If you’re picking up what the Chrysler 300 is putting down, it’s priced to move, with entry level models typically listing at around $5,500.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2008 Chrysler 300?
Consumer Reports found the Chrysler 300 to be a bit bland, despite its stylish, bold appearance. They report that the Touring edition’s V6 engine was less powerful than its nearest competitors, but the ride was nice and smooth, and the cabin was adequately luxurious, if not especially so for its class.
Kelley Blue Book found the Chrysler 300 to be an acceptable mid-budget answer to more expensive family sedans. They didn’t like the bland interior design, and they note the lack of a manual transmission option in the minus column.
Edmunds liked the V8 engine, the stand-out visual design, the available all wheel drive, and the long list of standard luxury features. They weren’t so hot on the car’s underpowered V6 engine, and they note that the distinctive body design comes at the cost of visibility for shorter drivers.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Chrysler 300 Have?
The 2008 Chrysler 300 has generated 751 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Electrical issues make up the vast majority of this number with 521 complaints on file. Drivers report sudden loss of power and ignition switch failure despite a 2014 recall intended to correct the issue.
192 airbag complaints point to issues including airbag failure in the event of a collision. The airbags have been recalled for inflator ruptures twice, in 2015 and 2016, but complaints persist as late as November 2022.
58 engine complaints see drivers pulling over with overheating engines to find that the plastic radiator cooling fan has simply disintegrated. There have been no recalls for this issue as yet.
The 2008 Chrysler 300 has been recalled 4 times in total, which is on the lower end of the median for a sedan this old.
How Long Will the 2008 Chrysler 300 Last?
The 2008 Chrysler 300 is likely to last 200,000 or more with proper maintenance. But, drivers have reported the car giving up the ghost at 150,000 miles or lower. It all depends on how well the previous owner maintained the car, so don’t skip the inspection and the test drive.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $496, which isn’t bad for a luxury sedan released more than 15 years ago. The most expensive common repair, by far, would be new camshafts, starting at around $1,124.
I have had this vehicle for about a year now, purchased it at 178k miles and have not had to get anything repaired yet besides headlights.
Yes it is very reliable and I have not had any problems out of the ordinary with mine. I would drive it wherever I need to go.
The upper and lower arms gave me a little problem. They wear more than normal on this vehicle. I had to change the rotors twice, couldn't figure out why they were wearing so fast. I ended up changing most of the suspension parts just to make sure I had the problem fixed.
I have had the car so long that the small maintenance that I have to put into it is worth it. Main issue is getting the brakes done.
Yes it is reliable. No, it doesn't have a lot of problems. Only minor ones such as low tire pressure, a sensor that is always on. It is a very reliable vehicle overall.
Currently needing new brakes and possibly a tie rod, seems to go through tie rods according to the previous owner of the vehicle. The ac currently is not working
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2008 Chrysler 300 is pretty good for the model year. CD/MP3 players come standard, and you can upgrade that to a DVD player with a Boston Acoustics sound system.
Safety technology in the 2008 Chrysler 300 is good for the model year. Anti-lock brakes and traction control come standard.
Is the 2008 Chrysler 300 a Good Value?
The 2008 Chrysler 300 is a pretty good value. The entry-level model typically lists for around $5,570, which makes it one of the more affordable luxury-style sedans in this model year. The SRT8 model typically lists at around $12,167, which might be more than you care to spend on a 15+ year old car.
Low maintenance costs help to make the Chrysler 300 a practical choice, but it’s a choice that makes the most sense in the standard models than the high-end 300C performance models. If you’re going to be spending seven, eight, ten thousand dollars on a 2008 sedan, you have a lot of options available to you.
What are the Different Models of the 2008 Chrysler 300?
The 2008 Chrysler 300 is available in standard 300 and high-performance 300C models. There are three trim levels up for offer, from the base LX to the high-end Limited.
The entry-level LX offers:
- CD/MP3 player
- Premium cloth seating
- Manual air conditioning
- Remote keyless entry
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
The mid-range Touring adds:
- Fog lights
- Heated mirrors
- Leather seating
- Sirius satellite radio
- Leather wrapped steering wheel
With a top-of-the-line Limited you’re adding:
- Dual zone automatic air conditioning
- Heated front seats
- Steering wheel mounted audio controls
- DVD player
What Engines Come In the 2008 Chrysler 300?
- The LX model 300 comes packed with a 2.7L V6 engine delivering 178 horsepower and 190 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in rear wheel drive and averages 18/26 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- In the Touring and Limited edition models you’ll find a 3.5L V6 delivering 250 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in rear/all wheel drive and it averages 17/24 miles to the gallon.
- The 300 C Hemi packs a 5.7L V8 delivering 340 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in rear wheel drive, and it averages 15/23 miles to the gallon.
- 300 C SRT8 models come packed with a 6.1L V8 delivering 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at an average fuel economy of 13/18 miles to the gallon. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in rear wheel drive, and it can go zero to sixty in about 5 seconds.
What Colors Does the 2008 Chrysler 300 Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2008 Chrysler 300?
The 2008 Chrysler 300 is pretty comfortable, offering 56 inches of hip room and high ceilings for plenty of headspace. The suspension rides nice and smooth, and the interior trim quality is first class from front to back.
If there’s one comfort issue to speak of, some drivers may find themselves craning their neck for a clear look out the back window.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2008 Chrysler 300 Have?
The 2008 Chrysler 300 offers 17 cubic feet of trunk space. This is plenty of space for six or seven medium suitcases, but likely comes up a couple feet short of what you’d guess from the car’s hefty appearance.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2008 was the Chrysler 300’s fourth model year in its 1st Generation, running from 2005 to 2010.
2006: Chrysler introduced a diesel-powered V6 in 2006, a Mercedes-Benz-made 3.0L.
2007: SmartBeam headlights and adaptive cruise control were new for 2007.
2008: Optional backseat TVs and Chrysler MyGig entertainment storage were new for 2008.
2009: The 5.7L 300C model saw a performance upgrade for 2009 in the form of a new VVT system for improved horsepower and torque.
2010: Remote start was new for 2010.
How Does the 2008 Chrysler 300 Compare to the Competition?
As a unique combination of muscle/luxury car design and features, the Chrysler 300 operates in its own little corner of the sedan market. If you’re not interested in spending over ten thousand bucks on something like a Pontiac GTO, the closest competitors would be the Ford Taurus and Chevy Impala.
The Taurus and the 300 are comparable on price, at least a the entry level, but the Taurus is more likely to pass 250,000 miles on the original transmission. The Impala, on the other hand, had kind of a rough year in 2008, with lots of reported breakdowns and outdated interior features.
A Chrysler 300 is kind of an odd car. People who like it, love it. But if you don’t, you’ll find it clunky, cumbersome, oddly-designed, and a little too middle-of-the-road in its compromise of luxury and power.
Do Owners Recommend the 2008 Chrysler 300?
Yes, it drives very smooth and it's a nicely built vehicle. I rarely have issues with this vehicle. The shape and look of the car are lovely.
Yes, I love my car and will probably drive it as long as I can. It is great in summer and winter time.
The 2008 Chrysler 300 limited is a very nice vehicle. It has a very classic look and the interior is clean. The only problems I have had is changing suspension parts. Other than that, it runs and drives great.
Yes it is a good vehicle. Haven't had many issues with it since purchasing it. I would recommend this car to any first time car buyers.
Yes it is a good vehicle. It is reliable, good gas mileage, easy to drive, comfortable. I enjoy driving it, and I would drive another one.
I believe it is, it's a bit wide for a vehicle(for me) but relatively easy to drive and not a gas hog. maintenance is easy enough and simple to maintain as well