Chrysler Crossfire - comments/thoughts?

[pint6x]

Car Giant are fantastic. No frills, but good experiences and prices there. I bought 2x Mercs with no probs and heard others too. Good pics to..look out for the enlarged image option (no I don't work for them!)

I've bought a couple of cars from them over the years - the only thing that pees me off about them is the pathetically short test drive you're allowed - you have to stay inside the industrial estate at the end of the road - never got the car further than second gear. Very silly.

 

[BTB 500]

If a deal could be done on an SRT-6

I had a quick look on the Chrysler UK website and couldn't see any mention of an SRT version??

 

[Gucci]

I've bought a couple of cars from them over the years - the only thing that pees me off about them is the pathetically short test drive you're allowed - you have to stay inside the industrial estate at the end of the road - never got the car further than second gear. Very silly.

Yes, fair point - but I test drove the model at other dealers and bought there...it turned out better than the other cars as luck would have it

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I had a quick look on the Chrysler UK website and couldn't see any mention of an SRT version??

Probably dropped now, as it would enjoy the same sort of sales success as the Landwind 4x4.

Try the approved used site, you may find one or two kicking around there.

 

[scotth_uk]

I'm a bit late to the party.....

I had the Crossfire for 12 months, and really didn't want to give it back. It went well, sounded good, looked great and was very comfortable. At today's prices, they are an absolute steal. I was never able to wrangle a drive of the SRT-6, so cannot comment on that model specifically.

Top Gear's review of the car was very poor. Not surprising though, given their opinions on US brands. Fifth Gear's review was more favorable, still less than stellar though, rating it as equivalent to the SLK320.

Competition for the car is generally considered to be RX8 and 350Z, both very nice cars in my opinion. Neither have depreciated like the Crossfire has, making it a difficult car to beat for the money.

Problems : seat heater failure (dealer fix), fan control module failure (dealer fix - on the spot), gearbox jumping out of gear (dealer fix - batch issue).

Hassles: got broken into (passenger window was smashed, surprisingly the local place had a replacement within a day), windscreen cracked (rock, again same day replacement).

Performance: 0-60 less than amazing, however it's torque was very handy in the higher gears (would cruise at 130-150mph without any issues). Behaved very well around the Nurburgring.

Fuel economy: If you are heavy footed, you'll pay for it. Wasn't too bad when driving lightly.

Audio system: Amazing sounds from the Infinity system. Wouldn't change a thing, but sadly doesn't play MP3s.

Storage space: Despite having a narrow opening, the boot/hatch was indeed large and able to take everything I needed without fuss.

Seats: Lovely heated, comfortable thick leather with good resistance to minor scuffs.

IMHO, it was a great car that generated a lot of interest. You get a few comments from the 'Jeremy said it's rubbish, so it must be' brigade, but that's to be expected. Drive one and see what you think.

Last point - they are a car with enormous grip levels, but once you lose traction, they don't handle like a 350z or RX-8. I managed to find myself in a pickle only once, before the rather effective ESP kicked in and saved me about 20k pounds. ;-)

 

[verytalldave]

http://www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/detail.asp?Id=346718

tempting

That is alot of car for Fiat Panda money.
However, after owning it for a couple of years, what would be the likely residuals? £5K?
A good test is to go into a Merc dealer and pretend to be interested in a new C Class. Tell them you want to trade in your your 04 reg Crossfire and see what you are offered.
You might be surprised.

 

[ewans]

Went to the local dealer and had a look, the interior quality is quite bad, very cheep looking IMO, the fake aluminium plastic centre console looks really nasty.

but... it is a *lot* of car for the money, and it has decent amount of boot space, nice enought engine and a good auto box

things that concern me are 1) depretiation and resell and 2) built on old technology

if i spend 20K i can get an 06/56 Crossfire or a 04/54 boxster (986).

Crossfire: more kit, newer, cheeper to service, possibly more reliable, poor resale, a bit "look at me"

Box: premium brand with better resale, real drivers car, less kit, less relaible, more expensive to fix etc.

On paper it should be the Crossfire...... but its no Porsche

So far i seem to be keeping cars for 6 months or so, but i want somthing i can hang onto for a couple of years.

Confused.

 

[verytalldave]

Your best bet is a 2.7 Boxster. Much better value than the S, yet still stonkingly fast enough. Most drivers dont use 50% of the available performance anyway, so its of little importance.
An "ordinary" cooking Boxster for me please.

 

[imadoofus]

Could you jam COMAND into the Crossfire?

 

[ewans]

Whatcars Depreciationomiter gives

Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Chrysler Crossfire Coupe 3.2 £24,995 £17,194 £15,440 £12,883 £10,634
Porsche Boxster Open 2.7 £32,640 £29,376 £24,153 £20,889 £17,952

Or Crossfire 42% of list in year 4, boxster 55% of list in year 4

 

[Merc-C180K]

I'm in a similar position. Although I'm looking at a 911 (996) instead of the boxster now as the residuals are far better...

Those X Fires are very very cheap... Hmmm

 

[Ade B]

If you're looking for a Porsche with low depreciation have you considered 911 993 - just about in your price range.

Brother has a C4S and mate has a C2 - fantastic cars, a definate classic.

www.911virgin.com

Ade

 

[Merc-C180K]

If you're looking for a Porsche with low depreciation have you considered 911 993 - just about in your price range.

Brother has a C4S and mate has a C2 - fantastic cars, a definate classic.

www.911virgin.com

Ade

Thanks for that. Looking for a 996 really but just perusing their price list

 

[imadoofus]

Whatcars Depreciationomiter gives

Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Chrysler Crossfire Coupe 3.2 £24,995 £17,194 £15,440 £12,883 £10,634
Porsche Boxster Open 2.7 £32,640 £29,376 £24,153 £20,889 £17,952

Or Crossfire 42% of list in year 4, boxster 55% of list in year 4

Yes, but with the Porsche you would lose £14,688, which is £327 more than the Chrysler

PJ

 

[ewans]

Yes, but with the Porsche you would lose £14,688, which is £327 more than the Chrysler

PJ

hmm...

Let say the scenario is i'm buying 2nd hand, say for about 3 years old, and i hold on to it for 2 years.

based on these numbers i loose (years 2 - 4):

Crossfire £4806
Porsche £6201

very interesting mr bond.

 

[imadoofus]

I was agreeing, but using the word 'but' might have made it sound like I wasn't.

 

[verytalldave]

But which will give the better driving experience?
Lets face it, neither the Xfire or the Boxster could be considered "economy" cars.
Which leaves you with what?
Forget residuals...........
What one will you extract the most enjoyment?
Only you can answer that.

 

[scotth_uk]

Erm - let me say one thing here. The Crossfire will NOT NOT NOT reward you with the same driving experience at the Boxster. Just so that we're clear.

 

[Swiss Toni]

an SLK in a dress

And a Beetle in a skirt is a.....

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

if i spend 20K i can get an 06/56 Crossfire or a 04/54 boxster (986).

£20k is more than enough for a brand new Crossfire - I just found a Coupe - brand new for £18,075 - in the first place I looked - superb value.