Originally Posted by ZORRO
I made an appointment to have the fuel filter replaced at the dealer closest to me, only to be told that the filter would cost twice what they had quoted me when making the appointment. They insisted that whoever gave me that price to do the job was unaware that the filter was in the fuel tank. (it's in the rear wheel well) even after I showed them in the manual I always carry with me to the dealer. They would not honor the price, and oh by the way the computer was wrong and the part (fuel filter) was on backorder. I started going to a different dealer, they seemed pretty good and they pointed out that one of the service guys was restoring a Crossfire, I thought, ok this will work. Soon after I started noticing that small parts had started to disappear from my Crossfire every time I took it to the dealer, things like the shield over the battery and the little plugs over the holes in the wiper arms. Now I sit and think how much fun I could have stripping the car down to the body and replacing every thing with parts from something like a Mustang. Big job, but talk about a stealth Cobra. I swear if nothing else, if the day comes I can no longer drive my Crossfire, I will keep it just to look at.
Yup, dealers are really screwy with this car. Though I will say that the parts department at Frank Videon Chrysler offered me both the Chrysler and Mercedes parts number for the clock spring, so there might be dealer who do know their business. Chrysler and Mercedes should have offered a way fro crossfire owners to take their cars to Mercedes for service, IMO. I know it may not have been practical from several perspectives, but I think the ownership experience would have been much smoother. If my crossfire saga didn't go on for so long, I probably still would own the car and would be looking at both Mercedes dealers and indy places to take it. But I totally agree with you--If I could have my crossfire as a piece of art and not as transportation, I'd still own it. It's one of the best looking modern-day cars around. Driving that car around must have been similar to what it was like to drive a true exotic. THough I will say that most ca folks never paid any attention to the crossfire. In fact, most seemed to be more excited when I told them I had a VW Corrado. I really surprises me how few people really know and appreciate what a crossfire is--outside of it's good looks.
[/quote] I have driven a couple new mustangs and that is what I would pick as a replacement also. Great car, much better built than my 2001 Cobra(I called it
rattle snake)and how they got that live axle rear end to handle the way it does in the new ones, is amazing! I saw a silver one like yours the other day that had white Cobra stripes really looked great, Good luck and enjoy. [/quote]Thanks for the compliment. The mustang certainly isn't nearly as exotic looking and the ride is much better, but the mustang has its own merits. If I had my way, I'd take my crossfire, take out the mercedes V6, put in the coyote V8, put in the brembos from the mustang and keep the crossfire transmission, but use the mustang shifter. I'd keep the crossfire IRS, but add in limited slip but add in the adjustable electric steering from the mustang.
Maybe one day if I hit it rich, I might just do it because I could.