Ok I am new to the site and sorry if these questions have been asked/covered elsewhere, but I'm just going to ask anyway. I am very strongly considering buying a Crossfire. The vision in the rear did not seem terrible too me, but I haven't really used it on day to day basis. Does the vision out of the rear and the side mirrors really bother any of you? I've read many reviews where some persons say that it is just a blind guess and a prayer to back up without hitting anything. Do you all find backing up really difficult? How are blind spots for you when driving on the interstate and so on from the sides? Also, since I am going to buy used, what are the major differences between the 04' and the 05'? I've found some 05's for just as cheap and in some cases cheaper than some of the 04's. Also, how is maintenance with these things? I read that after the car has been driven for awhile the windows become a little loose and air flows through them, even when closed, pretty noisy and they allow moisture in on rainy days. Is this true? anyways, if you guys can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it. Cheers!

 

I'm a new XF owner and have had it about 3 weeks.

The rear visibility issue does bother me, but not too much... I'm happily keeping the car.

The rear view does suck, imoho. Like one of the ladies here, I paid $2 for a set of plastic 'blind spot' mirrors. They do not look bad at all. However, they are small and I can't see any detail through them. Things look VERY far away through them. But, they are worth having. I'm going to keep shopping for small, but better 'blind spot' mirrors.

When the rear spoiler on non SRT models comes up, your visibility is limited again.

The biggest problem I have with the rear of my car is having to learn to rejudge distance where it is and how close others are from me. I often think people are right on my butt, when they are actually 1/2 car or so away.

Backing up is not hard. Bottom line, if your not sure, don't go or go REALLY slow.

When you get your XF, I suggest you backup to another car and adjust your mirrors and judge your distances. Pull up to a parked car where it is in your blind spot... figure out where it is!

I'll let some of he experts continue with your other questions.

 

I personally have no issues with visibility, when the top is down. No really, while I'll agree that visibility is not the greatest I've seen on a car, it's not bad at all.

 

I am one of the ladies that got the adjustable mirrors that were affixed to my side view mirrors and I have zero concerns with blind spots - with top up or down! Even with the spoiler being deployed, visibility is enough to know there are cars behind you.

And with any new car, you need time to adjust to learning the symmetrics of the car from the longer front end to the shorter rear end, however once you adjust to its size, its just not an issue.

Overall, I love the car and even with some of the issues I had in the past, I would not swap her out for my life... but the one constant theme you will get from current owners?? Make sure you find the right dealer with the right mechanic that knows your car or else "they" will make you rethink owning your car.

Good luck and well, you will fall in love and never look back!!

 

Gunnerz, I own a 04' Coupe and I don't feel the visibility is really that much of a problem. Just get your mirrors adjusted properly, and learn to use them and you shouldn't have much of a problem. Since you're shopping for a used one, you might even come across one with the sensors in the rear bumper that warn you of obstacles when backing up.
04's and 05's are nearly identical, 05's have a matt silver finish vs the shiny silver finish on the 04's console and dash. Plus the 04's have an automatic day/night mirror.
If you're getting an automatic, go for the best deal you can find weather it's an 04' or 05'. But if you want a 6 spd. try to find an 05 because most of the people who complain about their manual trannys have 04's. But by now, most of the 04's that had problems with their transmissions have had them fixed under warranty so it probably isn't that much of an issue any longer.
As for the windows leaking air after they loosen up a bit, I would have to say it's more like poor alignment directly from the factory. I have over 20k miles on my car, and the windows are as water tight as they ever were.
Maintenance? Mostly the high cost of oil changes. The book says 8.5 qts. of Mobil 1 at over $5 a qt. with a filter right around $20. If you can do it yourself, you can save alot over what the dealer charges, and it's very easy to do.
Tires can be a little expensive but no more so than what you would pay for any other high performance sports car.
All in all, for what you're getting, at the incredibly low prices they are selling for now, there really isn't any other car out there that even comes close.
My advice is watch EBAY, prices are usually lower in the winter months up North, but you might do just as well from a local dealer.
Just take your time, and the right one will come along. Good Luck.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone! I appreciate the advice! Is it possible to but those sensor things that show how close you are to something when you are backing up? Is that an addition to the car that can be easily made? Additionally, I know that they have those systems you can add to your car to start them up with the key. Keyless starter or something like that. Have any of you added those to your car, or do you have any experience with them?

 

Sharon,
Where did you buy the mirrors from? Thanks.

 

Hi, I have an 2004 coupe autostick with 41,000 miles. My windows are still tight, And the car runs great. Backing up is a bit of a pain but not really a big deal. You can buy the backup sensors aftermarket. Check ebay, I've seen them there. (I don't have them myself). As for the remote start, I think it can be done but you will have to find an installer who really knows what there doing. The oil change looks costly at first but it's only done every 5 to 7 thousand miles and if you do it yourself (very easy, search forum) you can save money and be sure it's done right. All in all the Crossfire is a great car. I love driving mine, Heck I get a big grin just stepping into the garage and looking at it.

 

AutoZone - less then $4 for 2 and well worth it!!! But the best part, it does not cheapen the look of the car what-so-ever. And I got the type that swivel so you can really adjust to lose those blind zones.

 

I have an '04 coupe and the only people to complain about there being a blind spot are the passengers. They always say, "man you must have some crazy blind spots" or "how can you see out of this thing". If you drive properly and look before you zoom out of a parking spot or change lanes then you'll be fine.

At first it is tough but as Sharonaln67 said it just takes a little time to get used to it, but in a day or so it'll be second nature.

 

If you got the little round ones with the black frame that swivel and fit nicely in the upper corner of your rear view mirrors, then those are the ones I bought too.

Only thing I don't like about them is that reflections in the mirror look VERY far away.

 

Hi Sharonaln67, I don't quite understand these mirrors. When you say swivel, do you adhere them to your outside mirrors, and then use the remote inside to get them adjusted? And where do you position them on your outside mirrors? Also do these tiny mirrors have a tape on the back for mounting them?

Thanks!

 

Sent you a PM to give you all the answers.
Sharon

 

Maintenance can be difficult because not a lot of mechanics at dealerships are trained to fix Crossfires. I have an '04 and took it to the dealership a couple years ago for a problem and they had to call Germany for help! Needless to say, the car still doesn't work right more than 2 years later! I love the car, I just wish someone could fix it!

 

Pep Boys is selling a wireless rear camera (mounts on the license plate frame) with a 2" color monitor The camera has a wide angle lens (110 degrees). Price is $129.99 less a $30 rebate for a net of $99.99.

http://www.roadmasterusa.com/backupcamera_vr3.php