Originally Posted by MrPedalsworth
Why Chrysler should revisit the Crossfire and other biased Crossfire thoughts.
1. The strongest reason that Chrysler should reintroduce the Crossfire is the "Penstar" V6 engine. In the 4,000+lbs Challenger it makes 305hp!! That's 305 American HP! A great way to get some pride back from the Germans. The SRT-6 made 330hp. Chrysler/Fiat is in development of a single and twin turbo versions in the works. 370hp and 420hp respectively. These power plants would give the Crossfire the power it should have had from the beginning to go along with its good looks.
2. The Corvette. America's Sports car. It is, it always will be. And that's ok. Thunderbird tried to compete with it and failed. So why would you? The Viper kicks it's ***, but cost more. Viper is going to drop the Dodge badge. It's now going to be the SRT Viper. And there is talk of a Hemi Viper. That is a mistake in my mind. Why? Because you don't make your Halo car SLOWER! You make it faster! So how does Ma Mopar compete with the Corvette? You box it out. You have the Viper on the top end of the Vette. So, enter the Crossfire. You'd have to keep the new SRT-6/TT (twin turbo) at $50,000. Offer a SRT-6 at $40,000ish and a Base Crossfire at $30,000ish. I think they can do this with less Mercedes-Benz parts and putting in Chrysler Penstar Engines that come in everything from Jeeps to Mini-Vans. And Chrysler Transmissions. No Mercedes-Benz parts. This would box out the Vette price wise on the showroom floor.
3. What the Crossfire needs for the update. Minor body update. Not much, but I am biased. Hey, the 911 gets away with it, why not the Crossfire? The chassis is pretty amazing. They say it's stiffer then a 911. Maybe a little more room in the wheel wells for wider tires. So we are good there. And the Penstar engine has the power we all crave covered. I would like to see a 6speed transaxle, al a Vette, for weight distribution. They MUST get rid of the steer box and put in a rack and pinion! Oh, and keep it at 3,000lbs. I would like to see stripper models. No motored and heated seat. Light weight racing seats. Roll up windows. No electric rear spoiler. Basically an ACR Crossfire. With a Traction Control cut off switch that actually completely turns it off.
So there you go. Simple, easy way for the Crossfire to make a strong come back. Now if only more people would buy them this time?
You're missing one big thing though. Most people who own a Crossfire are ashamed of the Chrysler badging. Most are removing that badge and putting Mercedes badges in it's place. Plus it's the Mercedes parts in this car that make it such a great car.