Originally Posted by
SD Crossfire
It didn't help that Jeremy Clarkson made fun of the design on Top Gear, but in reality, the car was just a rebodied previous generation SLK320, the R170 Benz was current from 1996 - 2004. So for the Crossfire to come out as an all-new car, but actually based on a recently replaced SLK320 platform, suspension & drivetrain didn't help when compared to the competition at the time within it's price point.
Add to the fact that small coupes with 2-seats already had limited appeal meant that the car wasn't going to be a huge seller.
It's funny (well not really) just how much influence such individuals have. Taking Jeremy Clarkson as the example (plus the Top Gear series). The sheeple tend to take his advice plus opinions as gospel !
You see almost all videos on youtube featuring a Crossfire, guaranteed there will be one fool who has to quote that "famous" Jeremy Clarkson line, that's years old.
Add to that (in my country at least) there's alot of "badge snobbery" plus sheep mentality. The general public prefer to stick to their well known German / European / Japanese mass produced brands, such as VW. BMW. Audi, Mercedes, Honda, Vauxhall etc. Their "safe" option - not frequently breaking from the mould.
The Crossfire has MUCH more style, character... plus class. Plus doesn't look like another generic vehicle, that 95% of the rest of road users prefer to be seen in! Perhaps it's good (for us) the masses still have on their blinkers !