Originally Posted by JHM2K

"Ashamed" is a strong word.

Mercedes gifted Chrysler with an easy platform to build on. It's no shocker that Mercedes is a lofty brand with a lot of respect in the market. So naturally, telling someone it's based heavily on a Mercedes pays the car quite a compliment. It's like saying you have sole custody of a child birthed by Scarlett Johansson. It's a heritage that I'm quite proud of. It certainly gives the Crossfire many strengths (reliability, sound build-structure, great suspension). It also provides a great deal of weaknesses (reliability, archaic steering, expensive parts, tricky repairs, no aftermarket).

Chrysler was once upon a time a VERY sought-after US-brand. The last decade hasn't helped that image.

I've covered the center portion of the front and rear Chrysler wings with the label I designed and Andrew produced. The wing -- which is unmistakably Chrysler -- remains. Even Steve agrees it's a great look... it hearkens back to the car's heritage while NOT posing as an AMG. My chief purpose in covering the center emblem was the removal of the "gold" from the exterior of the car. Gold badges haven't been cool since foreigners adorned their beige Lexus sedans with gold lettering. It looks tacky IMO. The newest Chrysler emblem is gorgeous and I would love to find a way to put that on my car.

Chrysler and Karmann took a hairdresser's car and turned it into a car that would set your hair on fire with the thrilling drive it offers. They made the R170 chassis corner better and look better. The styling (all Chrysler) is the very thing that causes people to waltz right past the SLK at a car show. It simply looks less dated, less feminine than the R170 (some would even argue the non-AMG R171).

When the hood is popped -- Mercedes (in my case, AMG) gets all the credit. Chrysler did absolutely nothing to the components under the hood other than hide the AMG logos as best as they could, which they did a ****-poor job.

In 2005, Chrysler's motor would have been a grave injustice given the availability of overstocked Benz mills. In 2012, the decision would be a bit harder, as Chrysler is coming out swinging with its newer motors.

I absolutely love the fact that my car is a mutt. It keeps people guessing, and I don't have to pay MORE (Mercedes tax) to drive an older car with poorer handling.