Test drove a "new" srt-6 today
After reading all the posts on this forum I felt like I had not done all my homework when I purchased my 06’ Limited Crossfire so I searched for dealers within a 100 mile radius that had “New” or “Untitled” 2005 SRT-6 Crossfire’s and decided to go have a look.
The closest dealer to me had an SRT-6 that had already clocked 180 miles. I could tell from the shredded tires and filthy interior that car had been joy-ridden by about 30 potential customers. It was the only Crossfire they had on the lot and they were holding out like it was a gold nugget that was soon going to return to its glory day value. (Asking price was $36K + tax & license)
I drove a further and found a dealer that had three with less then 75 miles on the clock, and they were willing to deal on them.
What I found was totally faded headlights (I guess that can be fixed under warranty) and totally rust pitted brake rotors beyond specifications that I felt need to be replaced. If you took those rotors in to be turned I would say that an honest shop would say no. It wasn’t just surface rust but pits.
I was shocked at how bad the condition of the car was from sitting so long. The paint was pretty bad but with some clay-bar magic and good wax I felt could be revived and the interior had the sun beating down for over 2 years.
When I went for a test drive, the acceleration from 0-70 awesome WOW! (I was with a young salesman who was only to glad to “go-for-it”) but from 70 to 135 was not much better then my limited. I decided to “test” the brakes and was surprised that they were not noticeably better then mine (I have drilled and slotted rotors installed). The suspension was much more stable – but that was also to be expected.
In the end – even though the dealer was willing to “let go” at a reasonable price, in the end the upgrade from my 06’ was not worth the extra $$ in-my-opinion.
The additional $7K above my $24.8K limited was not worth the change. Perhaps if I was 15 years younger and had to own the fastest Crossfire my decision would be different.
With that said – If I had shopped for an SRT-6 prior to purchasing my Limited and bargained just has hard as I did, and with the extra cost per performance considered, I would probably be the proud owner of a SRT-6 for under $31K. Today I just wasn’t going to take a bath on my 06’.
BTW - used cars are out of the question for me.
BUT – if you are in the market for a “new” Crossfire – shop shop shop – New STR-6’s are sill out there and can be had at a reasonable price. I think the dealers are starting to cry uncle and move cars that have been on their lots for over 24 months. (At least the ones I saw had build dates of 12/04 and 2/05).
Crossfires are awesome cars, SRT-6’s, Limited or Base Coupes, Both Daimler and Chrysler messed this one up big time.
I did find it interesting that when I was at the dealers today – three “end-of-lease” Crossfires were returned.
I guess Memorial Day two years ago was a day at this dealer to lease a Crossfire.