Old Mar 3, 2010 | 11:17 AM
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Franc Rauscher
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: St Louis MO
Default Re: Dangerously close to taking the leap from Limited to SRT-6 - opinions needed

Originally Posted by mrobinso
Hello All -

I have been a member since May of 2007, when I purchased my used Limited SSB Coupe w/manual transmission and with 49,500 miles on it for $15,000 - a steal at the time believe it or not! Oh how times have changed.

Back then I had just finished my freshman year of college, and as a gift my parents paid for half of the car, and I used my highschool summer earnings to pay for the other half. I realize that I am blessed by the way so don't take me for a chump!

I had just started an internship that summer and the car was my baby back then. It is still my baby now but it has a few more rock chips in the paint than I care to admit and a very light dent on the rear right quarter panel from a hit and run. The ODO also currently sits at 72,120 miles as of this morning.

Over the years since then, I have enjoyed this forum and learned a good deal about our cars. I will admit I haven't posted as much recently, but I am still on here at least once a day checking up on things.

Moving forward... that internship has turned into a full time job now, and with a nice salary coming in, my desire to have the power of the AMG built SRT-6 engine has exponentially increased.

This weekend I am going to look at this one in Silver Spring, MD if it is still available, and take a test drive:

2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6, $15,995 - Cars.com

Aero Blue SRT-6 with 44,000 miles, the dealer is asking $15,999

I have spoken with the salesman and the car seems to be in good shape. Knowing that my car will most likely trade-in at an abysmal $5K or $6k, I am bracing for the worse.

I am very much on the fence about this decision, as I had originally planned to wait another two or three years and spring for something bigger... something along the lines of a Mercedes C55 or C63 (if I could afford it).

However, an opportunity has presented itself. My sister, now a freshman in college needs a car, and my parents may offer me the KBB value of the car (around $6,000) which I would use as a down payment on the SRT-6. This would be opposed to trading in my Limited Coupe to the dealership.

Sorry for the nostalgic rambling but I'll get to the point (finally )...

Assuming the test drive goes well this Saturday, I would like to start my asking price at $14,000 and work from there. Does this seem like a reasonable point? Higher or lower?

Secondly, my reasonable side says, "just enjoy your Limited for a few more years and then upgrade to something else", while the youthful/spirited side says, "you are young and can afford it now (barring some catastrophic job loss)! Plus these SRTs are a steal right now!"

Your words or encouragement or reason are appreciated regarding the above!

Third of all, and yes I have looked through the forums already for tips on recurring problems with the SRT-6... any glaring things to look for this Saturday when I go to check out the car?

And lastly, selling the car to the sister as opposed to trading it in? Any thoughts on pros or cons? (Side Note: The sister really wants a Crossfire thankfully for me!)

As usual, I appreciate any feedback I get here. This forum rocks!
Cars are very much like women. For what it costs to keep one, it had better excite you every time you have to make the payments or fix something you did wrong.

If you can manage it, go for the SRT. You will always want one. And it will nag you if you don't.

That said, $16K for one with 44,000 on the clock is high. Unless it is perfect. If your parents give you cash for yours (a good plan as it will make them happy and your sister happy) then the dealer doesn't have to worry about re-selling it.

Put's you in a better position to negotiate. Add to that the fact that dealers don't want these cars on the lot and you should be able to bargain hard.

An Aero Blue coupe in Dallas Fort Worth was on Ebay for $11,900 NO RESERVE. It had that milage and got no bids. A more recent gray one went begging at $13,000.

Show them those deals if you want. I'll PM you the links later today.

I would start at $14K. Tell them to call you when they are ready to deal. Hold firm cause there are plenty of them out there right now.

If your budget will allow it, I say go. You couldn't be in a better position and in a few years, these super deals on SRT's will be gone.


roadster with a stick
 

Last edited by Franc Rauscher; Mar 3, 2010 at 12:39 PM.
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