If my memory is correct, taking apart the center console panels starts with the radio. Get a couple keys from walmart or something real cheap. Stick them in and the radio slides right out. It may reveal a couple screws that will removed the front silver panel. I forget the procedure because it has been a while.... but I know taking that radio out is the first step and has to be done.

I have a feeling it is not the lighter unit itself. The wire may have come apart which is very easy to do it a dealership took apart the center console. He probably never used it or noticed it wasn't working. The dealership did something like that to me once.

The first thing I would do is look for a fuse. If that is not the problem then move on to the heavier labor.

Don't think you bought a bad car. Crossfires are great cars but they have a few common bugs (like headliner, sticky ignition, headlight may fog up and one day the AC may start acting wierd...etc). The car you bought has less than 10K miles so the original owner probably never noticed the problems or had a chance to work the car in so it would develop the problems. So don't think you bought a lemon. We all went through this

The Crossfire is a great car. It just requires a little TLC. More so than any other car in my opinion. But once you work your way through all these little issues you will enjoy it even more. Just know we have all been there in your shoes and we all survived. Just hang in there.