Greetings,

I'm a yank so some of my observations may need conversion from SAE/metric numbers...

Your friends are simply dead wrong about the handling of the Crossfire. Look at the physics involved i.e. wide track, short wheelbase, low center of gravity, good weight distribution and very generously sized wheel-tire combinations makes for outstanding cornering. The brakes are also very good for a street car. The Crossfire is a SLK Mercedes with a hot-rod style chopped top showcar inspired body and big/little tire combo. The mechanicals are not anything exotic but quite well engineered to typical Teutonic standards.

Drawbacks ? Tight headroom, limited visibility and linited seat adjustment travel. This is a SMALL CAR with only a about a 95 inch wheelbase. Given the big wheels and tires the ride gets pretty choppy on bad roads. Steering is recirculating ball not rack and pinion so the feel is a bit numb by sports car standards. Automatic versions are slow feeling and the manual box has a pretty notchy feeling shifter. Its a "drive by wire " car and gas pedal response is pretty slow. The "SprintBooster" device is easily installed and cures that problem. The odd sized tires are not cheap and variety is somewhat limited. Also there is no spare...

Performance parts are slow in comming but this does seem to be improving.
It's not a muscle car or a super sports car but it is a very nicely balanced package which is well loved by it's owners but generally misunderstood or damned by the automotive press.

There are no really awful mechanical issues to beware of. The seat heating elements are a problem for a lot of people but most other things are pretty trivial. My base model six-speed coupe runs the 1/4 mile at 15.2 @ 96 MPH.
My launch times are really bad so I'd say a 14.7 E.T. is possible given the right conditions. Top speed is well over 150 MPH. I drive mine pretty hard so fuel economy is not the best; typical is 23-26 miles per gallon in mixed enthusiastic driving.

The car is a delight to look at from any angle. Unlike most cars it is mostly the work of one man, Eric Stoddard. If you like it, buy it ! Not everyone will dig it but it is a car which provokes opinions and starts conversations from passers-by. If you are shy and don't want to be noticed then it NOT the best choice !

Cheers,

Cincinnati Slim