After reading all the posts on this forum I felt like I had not done all my homework when I purchased my 06’ Limited Crossfire so I searched for dealers within a 100 mile radius that had “New” or “Untitled” 2005 SRT-6 Crossfire’s and decided to go have a look.

The closest dealer to me had an SRT-6 that had already clocked 180 miles. I could tell from the shredded tires and filthy interior that car had been joy-ridden by about 30 potential customers. It was the only Crossfire they had on the lot and they were holding out like it was a gold nugget that was soon going to return to its glory day value. (Asking price was $36K + tax & license)

I drove a further and found a dealer that had three with less then 75 miles on the clock, and they were willing to deal on them.

What I found was totally faded headlights (I guess that can be fixed under warranty) and totally rust pitted brake rotors beyond specifications that I felt need to be replaced. If you took those rotors in to be turned I would say that an honest shop would say no. It wasn’t just surface rust but pits.

I was shocked at how bad the condition of the car was from sitting so long. The paint was pretty bad but with some clay-bar magic and good wax I felt could be revived and the interior had the sun beating down for over 2 years.

When I went for a test drive, the acceleration from 0-70 awesome WOW! (I was with a young salesman who was only to glad to “go-for-it”) but from 70 to 135 was not much better then my limited. I decided to “test” the brakes and was surprised that they were not noticeably better then mine (I have drilled and slotted rotors installed). The suspension was much more stable – but that was also to be expected.

In the end – even though the dealer was willing to “let go” at a reasonable price, in the end the upgrade from my 06’ was not worth the extra $$ in-my-opinion.

The additional $7K above my $24.8K limited was not worth the change. Perhaps if I was 15 years younger and had to own the fastest Crossfire my decision would be different.

With that said – If I had shopped for an SRT-6 prior to purchasing my Limited and bargained just has hard as I did, and with the extra cost per performance considered, I would probably be the proud owner of a SRT-6 for under $31K. Today I just wasn’t going to take a bath on my 06’.

BTW - used cars are out of the question for me.

BUT – if you are in the market for a “new” Crossfire – shop shop shop – New STR-6’s are sill out there and can be had at a reasonable price. I think the dealers are starting to cry uncle and move cars that have been on their lots for over 24 months. (At least the ones I saw had build dates of 12/04 and 2/05).

Crossfires are awesome cars, SRT-6’s, Limited or Base Coupes, Both Daimler and Chrysler messed this one up big time.

I did find it interesting that when I was at the dealers today – three “end-of-lease” Crossfires were returned.

I guess Memorial Day two years ago was a day at this dealer to lease a Crossfire.

 

If you ever go to the track you will see the difference in the price. The Limited and SRT6 are not even close in being the same! I owned a limited in the past and I loved the looks but it was way short on power!

 

I love my Crossfire for what it is. I willingly admit my Limited Xfire is not the speed demon it appears to be from outward appearance. My friends say "I bet that is fast!" I am 20 and I don't feel the need to have the SRT6's power although it would be nice! But for my budget the 215 hp engine in my car is sufficient. As XFire owners we don't need to be able to beat every 4x4 rally import or souped up rice rocket out there. Just look at the car. 'Nuff said.

 

Mrobinso,

I agree that it is an individual's choice as to which model suits you best. I am not a ricer nor street racer, however I do like to take the car to the track on occasion and having the extra "go" when merging on to a fast moving freeway or passing is very nice. I always wanted a powerful car but always had to compromise while bringing up a family. Now we have an empty nest and an SUV to haul other things, so my SRT6 only has to haul @$$. LOL

Brianbrave,

Your write-up is very articulate and detailed. From a personal side I have to disagree though. You did not indicate if your '06 was an auto or manual. That might account for the perception of the SRT6 not being as fast as you thought it would be. You did say it was faster 0-70 "...WOW...", but you don't think it is much faster from 70-135.

I have not yet hit 135 (did hit 130 on the California Speedway during a track day), but can say that cruising at 70-80 on the freeway and blipping the throttle to make a pass/lane change will shove you back in the seat and pull 90-100 VERY quickly. IMHO I don't think a non-SRT would come close.

No disrespect but you claimed that a used car was out of the question. You then talked about "...an SRT-6 that had already clocked 180 miles. I could tell from the shredded tires and filthy interior that car had been joy-ridden by about 30 potential customers. " I can understand your reluctance to buy such a car.

What I can't understand is how you take a new car with "...less than 75 miles on the clock..." that has been sitting on the lot for a couple years (with no oil change I am sure) and start testing 0-70 times and 70-135 performance.

You also said it had "...totally rust pitted brake rotors beyond specifications that I felt need to be replaced. If you took those rotors in to be turned I would say that an honest shop would say no. It wasn’t just surface rust but pits." yet you were unimpressed when you tested its brakes and thought they weren't much better than your '06 fitted with drilled and slotted rotors? Did you take your test drive at a race track?

You commented about the thrashed "joy-ridden" SRT at the first dealer, didn't you do much the same to the one you test drove?

 

I agree with you SRT SIX. If I had the money for the premium on the SRT6 and the gas I would definitely pay for the upgrade. However I like the power I get from 60 and up even without the turbo engine. It can move! Especially when you punch the accelerator and the spoiler comes up! I know I know though, the SRT6 has a fixed spoiler.

 

Whatever floats your boat...Having a stick makes the driving fun as well. With it, it makes you feel faster. My friend had a '05 GTO with 400HP and a six speed. When we took it out for the first time, he punched it and proceeded to shift through the gears. We both felt it was definitely quicker than my SRT6...then we went to the California speedway. Even with my "slow" automatic, I pulled away from him on the straights, embarrassed him in the turns and smoked him braking. BTW he got rid of the GTO...

 

Mrobinso,

You make a very valid point and I feel that I do owe forum an explanation.

The SRT-6 I test drove I did not romp on. While getting onto the freeway, the on ramp is long and up hill. I hit it right so I was the first car at the light. In SO CAL if you are not doing at least 70 MPH when merging on the freeway (or 5 MPH during peak hours) merging can be a bit tough so with that said I did not “joy-ride” the XF. Once on the freeway and with an open stretch road, I did indeed break the posted speed limit (with the salesman blessing) – so for that I do apologize.

I did not lock up the brakes or get crazy or no more test drive the car any different then I did the Limited Autostick I purchased. The general condition of the SRT-6’s sitting on their lot was just that; I can only comment one what I saw and how I saw it. I would put on EBC drilled/slotted rotors and Rotex Gold pads (all ready on order for my Limited) anyway. But another customer might not.

With all that said, I may still purchase a SRT-6. I have found one in the color I like, new and untitled and at a killer price. Just might pay cash and see what I can do to sell my 06’ Limited.

Like I said in my prior posts – I think the Crossfire is one heck of a car and I am a proud owner who never abuses his autos. I am just past middle age, have only owned four pickup trucks my entire life, (well the Ranchero I had when I was a teenager was not really a pickup) keeping great care of them and putting 100K’s of miles on them. I pamper them like I do my plane. My Crossfire is the first car I have ever owned and I really enjoy it. My previous post was probably some inner voice trying to talk me out of an SRT-6.

Enjoy yours and I’ll post pictures if I do indeed buy this SRT-6.

BB

 

Thanks for the follow up however... did you mean SRT SIX? He was the one questioning your judging skills I guess you could say. I dream of a SRT6 but for now I enjoy my 6-speed limited! Happy driving.

 

Speaking of SRT6s sitting around, check this one out:

On eBay "Lost in Storage Lot".

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cross...QQcmdZViewItem

Check that engine bay - Oh no, I just threw up.

 

I seriously don't know how an SRT6 could be "lost". How can someone just forget about a brand new car? Especially an XFire!?

 

Wow... look at the engine bay. Dirttty.

 

Believe it or not this happens all the time. Companies do lose track of their inventories, especially those that came off the assembly line for not passing staging inspections. In fact the company I work for is installing RFID solutions for many auto manufacturing including Toyota and MB to help them keep track of their cars all the way until they get on the trains or trucks.