Why Did the Chrysler 300 SRT8 Get Discontinued?
The Chrysler 300 SRT8 took the sleepy, casual presence of the 300 sedan and added a big, snarling Mopar V8. The result? It was a sleeper sedan with lots of horsepower and even more character. So, why did Chrysler put the posh monster out to pasture? Also, is a used model like a 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT8 worth consideration compared to its sibling, the Dodge Charger?
When did Chrysler discontinue the 300 SRT8?
The last Chrysler 300 SRT8s rolled off the line for the 2014 model year. At that point, the LD-platform sleeper sedan had graduated from the 6.1L mill to the tire-roasting 470-horsepower 6.4L Apache V8.
Believe it or not, Chrysler produced a 2015 model, but not for the North American market. Instead, the posh V8 sleeper car and its upgraded ZF transmission headed to over 16 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
As a result of the 300 SRT8’s trip to the chopping block, the only way to get your big-motor Mopar sedan fix was to opt for the Dodge Charger. The Charger, which also rode on the LD platform after 2011, offered an SRT8 with the 6.4L mill for the 2012 model year. Moreover, the Charger has continued to pack the 6.4L V8 in the R/T Scat Pack trims since 2015.
Why did Chrysler discontinue the 300 SRT8?
Chrysler discontinued its power-mad SRT sedan due to lackluster North American sales, model redundancy with the Dodge Charger, and a five-year plan to change the brands. As a result, the largest mill fans could get in the 300 between 2014 and 2022 was the optional 363-horsepower 5.7L Hemi V8.
Unfortunately, the only time after 2014 that a factory Chrysler 300 packed anything more muscular than the 5.7L V8 was the latest 300C, a swan-song sleeper sedan. Chrysler’s parent company, Stellantis, announced it would discontinue the 300 and Dodge Charger sedans after the 2023 model year, but not before the marque celebrated with the 300C special edition.
Moreover, the 300C marked the return of the 6.4L V8, albeit with 485 horsepower instead of 470. Still, the special edition is limited to just 2,000 copies for the American market and 200 in Canada, per Car and Driver.
How much is the Chrysler 300 SRT8?
Depending on the generation and model year, a used Chrysler 300 SRT8 with average mileage could cost well under $10,000. For instance, Kelley Blue Book says the 2005 model has a fair purchase price of around $7,836. Of course, later models demand a higher amount.
The last U.S. model, the 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT8, has a fair value of about $25,837. Still, with 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque on tap, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better sleeper sedan.
What do you think of the now-discontinued SRT model? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
