I'm thinking of buying a Chrysler Crossfire..........

[eclectic]

I wouldn't be seen dead in a modern Merc, an old man's car if ever there was one, but love the looks of the Crossfire, which is virtually the same thing.

Does anyone here own one?

Please share any experiences, good or bad. At circa £6,000 for a low mileage example they look to be a lot of fun for the money.

Are the roadsters waterproof? Is the coupe' a better car?

[garcon]

I'd go to bed and hope the feeling passes.

Bullet proof Merc engine, clown car build. Coupe definitely preferable, roadster has more wobble than Vanessa Feltz in a cake factory.

[terence]

American Skoda?

[JimW]

Oh dear.

Jim

[eclectic]

Originally Posted by terence bower

American Skoda?

And I thought this was a series of forums for informed debate?

The Crossfire was built by Karmann in Germany for Chrysler on the Mercedes SLK platform.

To quote from a friend of mine who used to own an agency for them on another forum............

"if you can find a Crossfire SRT 6 (street racing technology ) it a cracking hand built car based on an MB 320 SLK in AMG spec.

They were sold in very limited numbers in both coupe and roadster specification.

0 to 60 was around 5 secs from memory with approx 340 bhp on tap with proper brakes and suspension.

They are very good value because no one realises that they are a very understated Super Car.

We had a SRT 6 demo black roadster at the time it was stunning.

They did not sell initally becuse as with the SRT 8s both 300C and Grand Cherokee they were not marketed as such.

It must have full service history and have been on full synthetic oil prefer Mobil 1.

Cheap crap oil is not for these cars."

I was rather hoping there were others who had driven these cars who might comment on longer term ownership.

[garcon]

To be honest you're probably better off searching the wider interweb for that kind of info. The SRT6 was a rare car indeed - only ever seen one. I remember reading fairly favourable reports, but it's important to note you're talking about a different beast to the standard Crossfire models. I stand by my comments on those.

I also think it's hideously ugly, but a car's looks are a very subjective thing.

[Tim Falce]

If you really want one then go for it, why listen to a bunch of car snobs on here. I once wanted a PT Cruiser, bloody glad I didn't get one as I now think they are one of the worst looking cars on the road.
One thing to bear in mind is that they are a Chrysler, parts are not cheap, you can't get pattern parts for them and they are a PITA and expensive to work on. To me they are a bit like a Boxter or an Audi TT, a hairdressers or girls car but that's just my opinion.

[eclectic]

OK let's widen this thread, I'm looking for a good fun car, budget £4-8K, Mazda MX5, no thanks, but what else appeals?

MR2? OK so long as I don't take it to France "Emm er deux"..........

[Tim Falce]

Is this an every day car or weekends and fundays? Best fun car I've ever had is the MGB, for your price range you'd get a good one.

[eclectic]

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

Is this an every day car or weekends and fundays? Best fun car I've ever had is the MGB, for your price range you'd get a good one.

A Costello V8?

[JimW]

Originally Posted by eclectic

And I thought this was a series of forums for informed debate? . . .

And that's your first mistake.

No offence intended.

Jim

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by eclectic

A Costello V8?

Don't get me wrong, V8s are great. However if your after just fun driving, emphasis on driving, then arguably the most fun on the road are the 4 cylinders.
There is a similar argument for the MX5 dismissed above.

[eclectic]

Originally Posted by JimW

And that's your first mistake.

No offence intended.

Jim

http://tentenths.com/forum/images/smilies/rofl1.gif


None taken!

[Steven Humphrey]

Why have you ruled out an MX5? I've got one, a MK2 1.8s, and it is so much fun to drive. It's perfectly balanced, quite forgiving, relatively cheap to run, reliable and handles like a kart. Mine cost £2600 (W reg with 60K) so 6K would get you a lot of car.

[GORDON STREETER]

I swapped a few bits n pieces that were surplus to requirements the other day for an MX5 ,
I was going to sell it on but found it had no rust and plenty of room for my frame and fun to drive.
The only downfall is no power steering (just like an MGB)

[garcon]

So you've ruled out Mercs and MX5s on basically car snob grounds, but we're the snobs?

Why not an MX5? For that budget it really is your best choice for a proper driver's car.

If you can find one, how about a 200SX?

[garcon]

Or a Subaru Impreza?

[BertMk2]

205 gti, Escort Mk1, Escort Mk2,Mk1 Golf Gti - classic 'fun' cars. Or if they're a bit old - Honda S2000.

[JHamilton]

OMG I just read this. DO NOT BUY A CROSSFIRE. If you want a similar experience with better build quality, find yourself a nice Lada Riva.

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by eclectic

And I thought this was a series of forums for informed debate?

The Crossfire was built by Karmann in Germany for Chrysler on the Mercedes SLK platform.

To quote from a friend of mine who used to own an agency for them on another forum............

"if you can find a Crossfire SRT 6 (street racing technology ) it a cracking hand built car based on an MB 320 SLK in AMG spec.

They were sold in very limited numbers in both coupe and roadster specification.

0 to 60 was around 5 secs from memory with approx 340 bhp on tap with proper brakes and suspension.

They are very good value because no one realises that they are a very understated Super Car.

We had a SRT 6 demo black roadster at the time it was stunning.

They did not sell initally becuse as with the SRT 8s both 300C and Grand Cherokee they were not marketed as such.

It must have full service history and have been on full synthetic oil prefer Mobil 1.

Cheap crap oil is not for these cars."

I was rather hoping there were others who had driven these cars who might comment on longer term ownership.

The Crossfire is poorly built, has a terrible ride, and the most vague steering I have experienced with the exception of a PT Cruiser. I've never been in a car as cramped as that thing except maybe for an Elise. The SRT6 was a bit faster in a strait line but was only available in an automatic... what's the fun in that. However, if you like silver painted plastic, this is the car for you.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by eclectic

A Costello V8?

That'd be nice, I know where there is one but Mr Costello won't sell it.....yet.
If you are not bothered about lightening performance then an 1800 is fine, good fuel economy easy to work on and cheap to run and insure. I bought one for my wife in Feb this year and although it's been about the ****tiest weather I can ever remember this year it has been absolutely fantastic driving it on sunny days. We've even started driving out in it just for the fun of a drive out, something we haven't done for years.
It doesn't have to be an MGB, that's just an example, but they are still a cheap classic car especially when you consider what you get for your money.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

The Crossfire is poorly built, has a terrible ride, and the most vague steering I have experienced with the exception of a PT Cruiser.

You could have compacted that into "It's American"

[Clive Brown]

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

But Mr Costello won't sell it.....yet.

**** me- is Ken still with us? However old must he be now? A great character!

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

You could have compacted that into "It's American"

Actually it's worse... An American complaining about vague steering. To you that would be the equivalent of driving from the passenger seat.

[GORDON STREETER]

[IMG][/IMG]
Well for £400 what a steal ! I think I'll keep it for a while as they aren't worth a fortune but terrific to drive