Chrysler Crossfire

[bpsorrel]

Anybody have one of these? Any views on it?

I've been offered one at a great price by a Chrysler client of mine and it drove very well! It's previous SLK 320 underneath, so the mechanics are good. It sound s a lot meatier though, but I'm told that's because of the different exhaust.

Just pondering..

 

[A210AMG]

I like the look of them,

Had a friend with one, as you same many SLK parts, the trim looks cheap though #painted# silver. Theres was a convertible and boot was very small. No real issues though.

They are cheap so check the prices anyway. Oh theres was a manual......wouldn't bother with that go for the Auto

 

[6pot]

Interesting looking car the crossfire, im not sure what its like to drive but i do know some of the parts are NLA, front bumpers for example. so as long as you never crash it you,ll be fine!

 

[wemorgan]

To me buying a Crossfire is a bit like buying a Saab. You know you're not buying the best in class, but you're possibly buying the best value.

Is it the coupe / convertible? Manual or Auto?

 

[gaz_l]

The SRT-6 is a potent bit of kit (engine from the SLK32, albeit detuned a little to 330 brake), but the interior of the Crossfire is a bit too cheap and and american for my tastes.

However, it's a lot of car for the money..

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[flango]

Anybody have one of these? Any views on it?

I've been offered one at a great price by a Chrysler client of mine and it drove very well! It's previous SLK 320 underneath, so the mechanics are good. It sound s a lot meatier though, but I'm told that's because of the different exhaust.

Just pondering..

I looked at these when I was looking for a weekend car and ended up with the CLK. Great car but depends on what engine it has in, convertible is like the Saab convertible flexes under hard acceleration, but coupe is good not best in class but quite a performer, a bit tail happy in the handling department, electrics can be problematic as can the auto box control module. If it has a good history and comes at a good price I would be tempted. But it is not a car I would want as my daily driver its just not flexible enough

 

[Stratman]

The interior is classic American; unbelievably cheap and nasty plastics.

 

[timk]

The Coupe version looks like a dog taking a dump. Clarkson's words, but you can see what he means. That said, I was parked up in central Birmingham last night and heard one gunned off the lights - sounded surprisingly beefy so must have been the 3.2. Lots of car for the money, not my cup of tea though.

 

[Charles Morgan]

No.

Buy a CLS. You know you want it.

 

[moonloops]

Worth every penny...


..of 10p

 

[st4]

Barry, get the CLS or the 129. The old 170 SLK was never a great car in the 1st place. I'm sure if you held out another year or so a 171 SLK would be in you're reach.

 

[PJayUK]

Friend had one for a while drove ok but I felt a bit silly driving it .. Not sure why... But remember that the USA is the land that style forgot!

 

[bpsorrel]

Wow! Thanks for the replies!! I was only mildly curious 'cos the price was very good and from a trusted client. It's a coupe and certainly does shift! But I agree, the cheap painted plastic interior is a serious let down!

I thnk the CLK is a better car by far, but my wife has always liked these Crossfires (says something about them I guess!) and there is something apealing about it...

Have to say, the searching for the right toy sure is fun! Only the other day I was tempted by a '99 Mustang GT! Wow, was that car fast and the noise of the V8 was gorgeous - and all for £4K!!! The fun continues..

 

[PJayUK]

Dare I suggest that you might be able to find a nice V6 Alfa Spider like this one?

2001 Alfa Romeo Spider Convertible GTV V6 3.0 24v on eBay (end time 22-Apr-10 00:22:29 BST)

Had one of these and we absolutely loved it. Contrary to common opinions it was reliable in 3 years of ownership the only thing that went wrong was a master cylinder. Cracking car dynamically to drive and the V6 sounds lovely...

 

[bpsorrel]

Ah! Alfas!! I've had so many of those over the years!! From a 33 Green Cloverleaf in '84 through various Alfasuds, Guiliettas, 75s, 155s...the list goes on! Suffice to say I was a real Alfisiti for many years! But, I think I've scratched the Alfa itch now ....although a Brera would be nice...

Mind you, that yellow Spyder is VERY nice....

 

[LBJ CLK]

BP

Re the Crossfire, I was tempted by them too! I love the shape and despite the negative reviews by Top Gear, Fifth Gear and various others (many still available on Youtube) I wasn't overly bothered by the 'cheap' appearance of the interior trim etc, as I was totally seduced by the fact that you can pick up a mint condition 2006 (ish) example, with ultra low mileage (eg around 30k) for about £6000! I liked the fact that they have a lot of MB components under the (cool) body, but in the end I found a really nice (W208) CLK 320 which ticked all the boxes. I never got around to test driving a Crossfire, but if you do - be sure to check out the ride quality / suspension feel on a range of surfaces, as this was my main concern and featured in all of the negative reviews. The 'cheap' feel the interior trim is 'subjective and relative' but the large wheels / harsh ride is likely to be a real issue! I guess I would have gone for a 3.2 coupe automatic.
By the way, I did notice that a lot of vendors were selling them after short term ownership, all having a pre-prepared 'reason for sale' to justify the 4-8 months ownership which also put me off. We are all different of course, but I tend to change cars every 5 years or so.

Anyway, good luck with it. I think they are 'seriously cool'!

Luke.

 

[neilrr]

It's a Chrysler, it's sh1te.