Hi folks. I just joined your forum today with hopes of learning more about the Crossfire. I am looking for a vehicle as a weekend toy and sometime commuter. I have a truck, a jeep, a hot rod, and a Harley, but need something for dinner dates and just plain fun! I've been considering the following cars in no special order: 350Z, 911, NSX, Crossfire, and my favorite, Lotus Esprit. I'm trying to stay around 20k, which means the exotics would obviously be much older cars.

While cruising thru Ebay, I was amazed to find how inexpensive to buy these Crossfires are! There are currently two 2006 6 spd coupes from different dealers for a buy it now of less than 19k! These are new vehicles with less than 20 miles on them. What gives? Why so cheap? I love the looks of this car, but know nothing else about them. What is the difference in HP between the base xfire and the SRT6? If I were to purchase a base car are there many aftermarket products available to increase HP and handling? Was 2006 the last year made? I still have to research more before purchasing and would appreciate any input you guys (and gals) could give. Thanks!

 

Take a test drive in one.. After that test drive; let us know which color you got and if you went srt/roadster/coupe because then that will be all there is left to discern.

 

srt has 330 hp, limited and base models have 215...don't bother with the base models, ugly cloth interior, the sound system sucks, and theirs no of the little luxury items. the 6 speeds are way more fun...out of the cars listed i would go with the 350 or the crossfire, i choose the crossfire, because i see way too many z's and i like the styling on the xf a bit more.

just my .02 cents.

 

As jp2005 stated Base and Limited XFires have 215 HP and the SRT6 has 330 HP Supercharged and the Limited's have a better trim package. As far as price goes poor marketing by DChrysler, they totally missed the boat on this one. Many of us purchased our cars when they were first introduced and paid top $$$ ($34,000 - $41,000). As far as production goes, I believe that 2007 will more than likely be the end of production for the Base and Limited models and 2006 for the SRT6's. If you have alittle extra disposable cash laying around I would go for the SRT6 a 2005 can be had very cheaply. The original sticker for the SRT6 Roadster was $51,000, you can find a slightly used one for around and under $30k. Whichever way you go you will not regret it, these cars are extremely underrated by many (you are getting a MB SLK in Chrysler clothing). Performance mods are few and expensive at this point, but many here are getting creative.

 

Great question. I've liked the xfire since I first saw the concept car and have been interested in purchasing one recently. It's either this or a 350z. I like they styling, uniqueness and the slightly bigger and more usable cargo space on the xfire. Better for a long weekend road trip.

It's obvious the xfire hasn't held it's value and I'm curious why too. I know they were overpriced new (got squished in a tough category), but even that doesn't explain the cheap price on an extremely low mileage cars. I'm concerned that if I buy one for 19k it will be worth 10k in a few years.

The srt-6 has about 100 hp (!) and a stiffer suspension. Still, as much as I liked it, I can't see paying as much extra for one as they want. I think for the price they should have done more cosmetically to spice it up besides suede seat covers, a few srt-6 emblems, and an ugly wing. I am noticing the prices cracking here too. People are calling me back on ones I test drove asking me to just pay what they owe to take it...

 

I'm not going to lie man, when I first saw mine it was almost an impulse buy. It looks better than about any other car out there, it gets alot of attention because you rarely ever see them (at least around here) and it's alot of fun to throw into turns and through traffic. I haven't thought twice about my decision to purchase it. I have an '04 Coupe which is essentially a Limited, they only made one model in '04 and it had all the interior and exterior options, the subs, the heated seats, heated mirrors, dual climate controls, fog lights, and an auto dimming mirror that wasn't on any of the following years. I got it w/ 30k miles for 16k out the door. That wasn't what they wanted for it, that took some negotiating. I love this car, I've never owned a car that I looked forward to driving so much every day.


...oh, and it corners real good.

 

Best looking best VALUE sportscar out there...period !

Seriously, a Mercedes SLK engine /chassis in a limited production Karman body based directly on a SHOWCAR...there is really nothing else like these cars. DCX just totally screwed up the marketing-pricing on these. Now with the threatened M-B sale of Chrysler, DCX is dumping these beauties for what is probably less then COST! There are mods for these cars through Mercedes channels so they are pricy compared to hopping up a Mustang.
And it is true that some Chrysler dealers are really clueless about service on these cars. Do some research beforehand and find a dealer that has CrossFire trained/experienced techs on staff. Once out of warranty, you might be better off with a M-Benz service tech/tuner. With the low cost of purchase you will be seeing a lot more people buying/modding/running these X-fires. It will always be an exclusive semi-exotic car.

I predict a sort of "cult-car" future for these Crossfires. Give it two or three years before folks start blowing-up the 3.2 v6s and American V8 swaps start turning up!

HEMI CrossFire anyone ?

Buy one, NOTHING stock corners a well !

NOTHING else looks as cool either I.M.H.O.

If raw power is your trip, buy a low mileage SRT6; I'm perfectly happy with the base model six-speed I just bought. It is the LIGHTEST possible variant.
I don't mind the cloth seats, lack of cupholders or how the radio sounds. It's pure form/function with no frills. H*ll, I'd take crank-up windows if they still made 'em. A famous racecar driver/designer once said,
"Low mass is it's own reward".

 

Thanks for all your input folks! Sounds like you're all pretty happy with your Crossfires. (though Im not so sure about the NOTHING stock corners as well statement ). Funny, I never see these around but last night going home from work a white one (no clue what year) was going the same way as I for about 10 miles. I must admit, it sure did look great (and different) going down the hwy! I've got two Chrysler dealers near me, I'm gonna see if I can test drive one this weekend.

 

I missed out on a chance to get a fully loaded G35 coupe. (3 yrs old w/thirty-something thousand miles on it). I then decided to test drive the Crossfire which I had fallen in love with but didn't think the performance would measure up to the G35. I was right, it didn't, but 9/10ths was more than I'd ever need, plus the G's looks just didn't do it for me. (AND I got the Crossfire w/four thousand miles on it, three years newer for three thousand less than the G)!

 

You could find a really nice 911 for 20K, they are always well maintained and sometimes the original owners get a little crazy and invest into some serious Hp upgrades. Test drive them all and then make your decision. Oh and don't forget to test drive a Corvette. Alot of dealers have been sitting on them and have a difficult time to sell vettes much like the crossfires.

 

I agree, but, I've already owned 13 Corvettes (and I highly doubt dealers are having a difficult time moving the C-6's and certainly not for anywhere near 20K!) and 2 Porsches including a 911. I was hoping to get something different. Both in looks and different from what I have already owned. I'm going to test drive some Crossfires this weekend if the dealers here have any, and draw a conclusion at that time. Quite frankly, I'm more than a little concerned about them stopping production. I don't keep a vehicle long enough to consider the collector value. I'm afraid that next year (or next month!) when I get bored with it, I won't be able to give it away. I guess after my test drive I'll know better what to do. Who knows, maybe Monday I'll be a new Xfire owner!

 

Zeek,

With all the cars you have had, you owe it to yourself to drive an SRT6. Imagine being able to buy a very low mileage Mercedes SLK 32 AMG (that's what it is...with a concept car body) for around $25K. I too have owned a lot of cars that wound up boring me...but the SRT6 is just grins and giggles...definitely a keeper!

 

I bought my new 2006 base model for $18,700 at my local dealer in March 2007. I love it. People who trash the base model just don't get it. Why would anyone pay an extra $5,000 for:
1. electric drivers seat (manual seat adjusts fore and aft , up and down and seat angle).
2. electric butt warmers (how gross is that).
3. leather versus cloth seats (who likes to be cold on winter (maybe why they need electric butt warmers) and hot in summer on leather.
4. Who drives these cars for the radios? Although the Limited radio sound a little better IT STILL WILL NOT PLAY MP3s, and thus has to be replaced anyway.
5. Base model exhaust tips are brushed stainless in lieu of polished stainless (oh wow).
6. The big plastic engine cover is black on the base and painted silver on the limited (oh wow).
7. The base has a usable and reliable pouch in the console where the Limited has a clunky, easily broken, undersized cupholder (whew).
8. All mechanicals are identical.
9. Take the $5,000 savings and use it to pay for insurance, tires and maintenance for the next five years.
p.s. - My base, 6 speed, got 24 mpg in mixed driving on first 2 tanks. I changed to regular 87 octane for second tank, got identical mileage with no pinging.

 

I'm totally with you on the value/performance thing in favor of the base model. For five grand you could...

(a) buy another set of rims and "track-day" R-compound tires for auto-X or other summertime fun.

(b) take out the stock seats and buy a pair of Sparco or Recaro or some other high-tech "racer" seats to hold your butt in place puling those .9 plus "G" corners.

(c) have a shop fabricate a cool stainless true dual exhaust system that will sound like the car looks.

Shop smart and you could do all three !

Cheers,

Slim

 

Base / Limited / SRT6 it all depends on what is important to you. No right or wrong choice.

 

well i, for one, was glad to pay the extra $ for heated leather seat, 250w infinity amp, and home link system. if your looking to turn your xf into more
of a ricer instead of a mercedes, you should go for the base. but i like the added luxury of the ltd. roadster. but to each their own!

 

If your worried about reselling the crossfire, then don't buy it. Not many people have an interest in them. They are hard to sell unless you give them away. Except for SRT6 and converts with automatics. They will be easier to sell.

If you get a coupe with the 6 speed Limited, you'll pay about $18k, but the resale is like $15k, since the second owner will not have any warrantee, the value sucks *** on the private party, while the dealer will not pay more than $14-15K with under 20,000 miles.

 

The warrenty is not transferable??? That's odd...

 

"if your looking to turn your xf into more of a ricer instead of a mercedes, you should go for the base."

I'm a SCCA member and auto-x participant. I don't really pay any attention to the "ricer" thing since I actually get out onto the track that makes me a "Racer". The less weight I have to haul around the lower my times are.

Slim

 

Welcome to crossfire!