Hello everyone. Just came across this featured article on Autoblog: A decade later, here are 4 cars we miss and 5 we're happy are gone [UPDATE] - Autoblog

Looks like they still can't stop talking negatively about the Crossfire. That's okay with me. It still gives me a grin every time I drive it.

 

Same folks who wish the Scion xA was still around

I don't care what anyone says, I love my Crossfire! I hate when people say it's old and dated technology. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the R170 platform in my opinion and as everyone knows, those Mercedes engines now and then are like tanks - built to last!
I bought the car because I'm a fan of European technology but loved the design which in my opinion is absolutely timeless and it's beautiful shape can keep up with any car in it's segment today! When people complain about the performance of the Crossfire I am a little surprised as well, as I believe the stock car is plenty aggressive and if needed there still is the SRT6. I mean, everyone knows what kind of car we are talking about - when we bought them I'm sure we didn't really expect to keep up with a Porsche 911 Carrera! However, I love my car just as much!

 

Nothing really of any substance in this complaint. Dated recirculating ball steering - big deal. "If we want one of these, we might as well buy a used SLK". So, there's nothing wrong with the SLK? Then there's nothing wrong with the Crossfire.

 

And the Mazda RX-8. With 159 lb-ft of torque. At 5500 RPM.

 

While the RX-8 may have been a great driving car the rotary engine was apparently a weak point. My sons girlfriend was looking at an RX-8 and took it to a MAZDA shop and not only did he tell her not to buy the one she was looking at but not to buy any of them. He said he would not let his daughter drive one because the engine is problematic past 60,000 miles.

 

+1 - That was a STUPID criticism of the Crossfire that they presented. It did not make any sense.

 

60,000? I had one where the engine had to be replaced at 15,000 miles and AGAIN at 25,000. The problem is they would lose compression and they weren't built to be worked on so they would have to replace the whole engine. The car was designed very well, but a crap engine. They should have dropped a turbo six or even four in it.

 

It's proof some car review writers don't know what they are talking about. Here is a Road and Track article from 2001 saying how good the SLK320 is especially the steering (recirculating ball).

Sibling Rivalry - Mercedes Benz SLK320 vs. SL500 - Road & Track

 

Yea, I read all of the old Road and Track, Motor Trend etc. articles on the Crossfire and they were all slanted against the Crossfire...stupid statements like " if you are going to drive the SRT6, better bring a fanny pillow along". Opinions are like ***holes, everyone has one! Personally, I love my Srt6 convert. With only 928 built, it is nice to see it appreciating in value, albeit slowly.

 

Hey, don't hate on Rotary's!!!!! lol

My 175,000 mile '86 Rx7 was still going strong until the wiring decided to F up everything lol. I'm probably one of the few still looking forward to the 16X 1.6L twin rotor they've been in the works with for a while.

As far as the review of the crossfire? Pointless to even care.

 

No hate on the rotary's here, to be honest I know very little about them, thus I can't have an educated opinion. I was kinda surprised when the guy at the Mazda shop told my son's girlfriend not to buy one.

I get the feeling with the Crossfire a lot of the people who write reviews to this day have never driven one. They read the "Cliff Notes" which explains why they all sound the same. Mercedes hand me downs, dated steering blah, blah blah.

I have no respect for people who make their living reviewing the end product of other peoples hard work. If they are so smart and know what is good or bad why are they not doing it. Music, movies, cars or food it doesn't matter.

 

The Rx8 was a huge fail to a lot of people. At the same time it brought a lot of tech to fight issues. They just didn't put in their best to make it.

Agreed! A lot of people look at a spec sheet and think they know the whole story.

 

We all know how the automotive press works, if it's three years old it's "long in the tooth", "showings it's age" or "dated technology". Their perception seems to be that the newest thing on the block is always better that the last newest thing on the block. For me the Crossfire is a fine automobile that is aging gracefully and I am very happy to have the opportunity to own one.

 

Ageing gracefully my butt. It's STILL better looking than 95% of the 'new technology' cars.
Since it's kinda rare in my neck of the woods, I still get asked "What new model is that ? - Where can I get one ?"

 

That's why I got one ala... Still looks newish, blows anything in the price range out of the water, and fairly rare. I've already stopped caring what anyone else thinks, and if I listened to blogs I'd either be driving something you see everywhere or in the poor house!

 

I just got a crowd of people coming out of a Golden Corral asking me what kind of car this was. They thought it was a brand new car and when I told them it was a 2008 they were shocked. They loved the 'fast lines' and the look of the car. When I extended the spoiler, that generated another bunch of comments and likes. I just love it!

 

I have seen this for years, Ford/Chevy/Chrysler re-badged other brands for years, yet the NON-american one was great, the american re-badged one was crap. Consumer Reports was one of the worst, when doing ratings. But when it comes to styling it pretty hard to care what anybody else thinks. Music, people, style, we all don't like the same thing and assuming you know what somebody else likes is pretty foolish. Looking at cars from every brand looking exactly the same, the crossfire is simply better looking. Put a honda a toyota in the dark and look at the side silhouette, they are all the same, cookie cutter cars.

 

Well, so you all know, I subscribe to a lot of the car mags, or rags, lol. I have challenged a few to come by and take my two out for another look. With the right mods, and a few tweaks here and there, they are a different car than they tested. With the new suspension parts being offered, I am considering updating the roadster with the ground control kit. But, a few of the mags re-visit older platforms for another look, and I am hoping to get one to bite. They may still not like it, but what the hell..it's worth a try...

 

Good for you, I hope they do bite. I'm sick to death of the outdated steering statements, while rack and pinion has improved feedback and feel for the driver, it would take a seasoned racer to notice a big difference, many very good handling cars had recirculating ball steering. I've never heard anyone knock the original AC Cobra, it's regarded in the highest by most journalists but, the truth is, our modded SRT6's are quicker than the 427 Cobras. Also, as we know it is timeless in it's look, it still amazes people when I tell them it is a 2005 model.

 

Reviews of the steering feel need to be taken in context. The steering gearbox of the SLK/Crossfire may not have had the feel of the rack and pinions of some of its contemporaries such ad the Z3 and Boxster, but the steering feel is leagues ahead of many modern cars with electric power steering. I test drove a new Z4 and could not believe how numb the steering was.