I'm sitting here going through "Carlisle withdrawal" this morning. It was a long wait for the Nationals to get here and for me at least it was over way too soon. It was great to see all the Chrysler products new and old, pretty and not so pretty but the best part of the day was under the Chrysler tent in our section meeting all of you that were there and putting faces with screen names. I want to thank JD and Andrew for getting everybody there. I've always thought my Crossfire was special, there were over 2 dozen other Crossfires that gave me ideas and dreams for next year, you guys truly have some of the most unique and beautiful cars on the road. Riding up to Carlisle yesterday was a blast, even though I can't seem to drive fast enough, I don't think I saw another Crossfire except our four.
When I left the event yesterday and came back home I saw a ton of vettes, 350's, beamers but in a two hour drive in pretty heavy traffic the only Crossfire I saw was leaving Carlisle right outside the gate and it wasn't one that was in our group.
So last night I dropped my wife off at her meeting (my weekly commitment and we go to dinner afterwards) and I decided to put the seat back (volvo, sorry guys) and take a nap while she went to her meeting.
Just as I dozed off I heard a car door shut, familiar sounding car door. I opened my eyes and a well dressed, mid 30's couple got out of a red Crossfire and went in the building. My wife had told me there was someone 'with a car like yours'. Being the nosey person I am I wandered over to the car. It was filthy, front wheels caked with break dust only neglect could cause. It broke my heart to see that. I shook my head, went back to the car and closed my eyes. When Sharon came out she asked if I had spoken to them, she spotted the car right away. No I said I don't think they "get it" anyway. She looked at me funny and asked what do you mean...it's filthy, they don't know what they have, I don't know what I say to them? I have one too and maybe you should consider taking care of it?
To that she said "its just a car Pat". That kind of bothered me for the rest of the evening because I got a bit misty seeing the pink and white '56 Dodge yesterday in the same room as all the Chrysler prototype cars, the car I learned to drive in and got my driver's license in. It was probably 'just a car' to some but to me it had a lot of memories of 41 summers ago.
So last night, in the wee hours when I was trying to go to sleep it came to me. Yes its just a car but the two dozen + folks that showed up yesterday with their Crossfires, they made them something more than just a car, something in each of us makes them so special and unique.
I can't wait for next year. Thanks guys and girls it was great meeting all of you.

Pat

 

Thanks Pat, for sharing that story. I've been hit with the "It's just a car" comment on several occasions and there are never enough words to explain it to them. As we who "get it" know if it were just a car we'd all be driving beige minivans or similar appliances.

Your '56 Dodge is my '57 Chevy and although not a fan of chick flicks I don't mind sitting through Dirty Dancing to get a glimpse of a car nearly identical to the one I had.

 

I drove the same car for 20 years so I get the "its just a car" comment. Getting together with fellow car lovers is a wonderful experience, I wish I could have shared it with you all. But some people DONT get it, and they buy really expensive machines???

I think I will take the healey to the beach today.


Have a great day and love your cars ... they will love you back.

 

In 1969, I purchased my first car a 1967 Red Alfa Romeo Duetto just like the one in the movie The Graduate. Trust me, that was not "just a car." Since that time, I have owned maybe 12 cars and they were all "just cars." I have never been one to wash my cars frequently (that's why many were silver color) but I always kept the insides clean. Everyone who knows me knows that I washed my cars once in the Spring and once in the Fall whether they needed it or not. After all, isn't that what rain is for?

Well, since I purchased my Crossfire, I'm out with the hose, vacuum, leather conditioner, California Duster, etc. all the time. My family doesn't know what to make of it. I just cannot drive my Crossfire when it's dirty. I don't have a garage and I can't even let it sit on the street dirty. As a matter of fact, just typing this post has convinced me that I need to go out and wash it today.

The other thing that surprises me with my Crossfire is my willingness to let other people drive it. Not that they had any desire to drive any of my other cars but with this one I just love handing the keys to family and friends and saying "Here you go, take it for a drive, and I mean really DRIVE it." They can't believe it. Quite frankly, I do it just to see the smiles on their faces. Their own car may be "just a car" but once they drive a Crossfire, they know what a real car is supposed to feel like.

 

I haven't been able to make myself part with the keys as of yet, had it for a year now and nobody else has driven it. I just love driving it but they can get a thrill out of the passenger seat...maybe one day I will let someone else drive it but for now the keys seem to be embedded in my hand.

 

Even the dealership thinks it's just a car!

When XFIREX was a Blaze Red and an 04' Limited...I personally know where the rock chips are and there's only 4 small micro ones in the hood.

When I bought my " NEW " XFIREX Aero Blue SRT-6 with 400 miles in it, there's a few shallow scratches in the lift gate, door handle and rear wheel fender! Really a sign of neglect and recklessness! I can't believe these all happened while this car was just sitting in their lot for 2 years.

But for them...it's just a car anyway!

Mine will be a keeper...will never see rain again and will be with me for 15 more years until I hand the keys to my daughter.

 

i used to keep it garaged on bad days and drive my neon ... then i bought a jeep and drove that around and the crossfire again sat... one day i got tired of people asking why i am not driving it and i have been driving it every day for two months now with no breaks... its filthy right now and needs a wash, i will try to give it one tomorrow... it has rock chips on the front, two dings on the door, light curb rash on one wheel ... and i have never enjoyed it more than i do now.

the thing is, it is just a car, i make it unique, not the other way around ... so they really are right looking at a us all strange for babying it too much. i see it like this, when the paint is shot, the motor is crap, and the tires are done then it is time for the two tone silver/black paint job i want along with a ls1 or 2.4 turbo under the hood and some new fat rubber to sit on.

it is just a car guys, and just cause its driven does not mean the driver doesn't get it... it just means it gets driven and there are more important things to do in life than make sure the car is clean every day.

so here is my hat off to "just a car" but a very nice one at that...

 

Yeah, if you all saw mine tonight, you'd thing that I don't get it. I just got home from a semi-spontaneous road trip to FL (10 hours each way). Left Friday morning... just got home about an hour ago. Rained both ways. Construction. Dust. Clay. Bugs. A flying tire scrap. My car looks like a mess. But you know... it was a great trip! And the car was super fun. Had a blast cruising along at illegal rates of speed with other like minded drivers.

I'll hopefully get some time to give it a good bath tomorrow, but I may not. It's going to be a hectic day. And Tuesday is out of the question... got plans with my son that night. So it's possible it'll be a disaster for almost a week before it gets a good washing. Then again... after I chill for a few minutes, I may go out in the garage and wash it tonight. hmmm...

Anyway... there's different ways to show your car love. Sometimes... just letting it be a car and driving the heck out of it works, too.

 

Yes Pat you sum it up pretty well, to the majority of people on the road it is probably just transportation, but I know how I feel about my Crossfire and it is truly quite an experience to be around a group of people who feel the same way. It was a treat to see people who appreciate there "cars" as much as I do. It was a diverse group no doubt, but a thrill to see a group so passionate about them. It was a great event that Peggy and I enjoyed very much, and it is nice to put faces with screen names. Even just standing around bs ing after Friday's dinner was nice, I was back in high school for a while, especially when the cops had to "bust us up" and Andrew I am not even going to mention the scenic way back to the motel. Oops... I guess I just did.
A great memory indeed, wonder how many we will get next year?
Woodward here we come!

 

It may be just a car. But this past wknd I met 27 owners who think it is more than just a car. A special thank you to Andrew for the Friday nite outing and the fun we had. No one could plan a ride like that. A special Thank you to Redcross, Andrew and all others who had a part in setting up this meet. We met a lot of new people, people who love the Crossfire as we do. We had a very nice wknd with you people and God willing we will return next year.

Lorne

 

I got home last night at 11:30 p.m. This morning at 4:45 a. m. I was out in the garage cleaning off 900 miles of crud and grime. We are heading out on a 500 mile trip later today and I will wash it again when I get there and when I get home. These cars are and always will be special due to the great people of this forum. As said above a great big thanks to Andrew and J.D. for a memorable experience!! Sign me up for next year.

 

I wash my car close to every weekend or week and a half and wax at least once a month. Seeing my car dirty is one thing I hate, but not my biggest pet peeve. You know the moments when you pass someone in a nice sports coupe (especially an XFire) but other cars as well, and they don't even wave back or give you a glance... for them its either two things... they are elitist (in this case the driver often has a fine European brand car and doesn't realize the Xfire shares the same bloodline), or it is just a car. Or how about when you pull up next to someone in the parking lot with a nice sport deuce especially and them not even stopping to talk or taking any interest. For me I always am wanting to talk to others about my car and their car... because I am so passionate about the topic. On the other hand one of my favorite things is when someone is admiring the car in the parking lot or something and I can come up and talk to them about the XFire as well as their car(s) and tell them the positives and negatives (not many) of owning one of these fine machines.

 

I have to admit that my SRT6 has quite a bit of road rash on the front... but that's because I refuse to drive my older car (1990 Mustang GT) to save this one. I enjoy the ride WAY too much.

As to the 'getting it' part... boy do I! This car has the style, responsiveness, feel and luxury that should be in every sports car.

I was getting quite a bit of brake dust build up on the front rims (R4 racing compound will do that) and so I had it washed and hand waxed yesterday... Yes, I pay to have it done... I'm a lazy SOB...

 

MMZ I too have road rash... or curb rash if that's the same thing? On my right front rim. It bugs the heck out of me but there's not much I can do unless I want to buy a new rim. Its not there because I don't care but its their because I accidentally scraped a curb... twice. I cringe thinking about it. But to make up for it I do wax... myself by hand! And take care of the car like its my baby.

 

Message Deleted

 

Thanks AMGLover I will keep that in my mind when I get to fixing it, it's on my to do list. It might take me a while to build up the confidence to do that project without worry about screwing up my paint. Greatly appreciated.

 

I enjoyed reading about your experiences and thought how close we are in our likes, I recently purchased a new 2005 Black Crossfire, It was a deal I couldn't refuse. I have only owned one other black vehicle in my life and know how hard they are to keep clean, so this will be kept with a cover over it in my garage parked next to a 30,000 mile Purple, White and Black 1955 Dodge Royal Lancer, I kept in touch with an elderly couple who owned it and the widow sold it to me when her husband passed away. I think the Crossfire will be a keeper too.

 

Excellent posting.

I didn't buy this car to set it in the garage and look at it, I bought it to drive. Yeah, there's rock chips on the hood and parking lot door dings and it's filthy from making that 100 mile round trip to work every day. I still wash it every 10-14 days, but there's no keeping up when you drive it a lot every day.

What amazes me is the guys here who have had their xfire's for a couple of years but haven't even put 10k miles on them. I'd say they're the ones that don't get it.

 

Just to jump in with a couple of thoughts...

First, I usually wash my car once a week or so. I believe this work of art should not be displayed in a condition of noticeable neglect.

Lately, the wash schedule here has been erratic due to factors beyond my control... South Florida has been under severe drought conditions for a number of months now. I am only allowed to water the lawn and wash my car once a week, Washing is permitted only on Sunday evenings. While there was little rain in a long, long time, the past few weeks have been loaded with rain. Unfortunately, all that rain has been near the coast, and yet nearly none over the all-important Lake Okeechobee and central Florida which in turn, feeds the lake. So the water restrictions continue.

If it's raining on Sunday evening, or if I know rain is coming in the next day or two, it seems pointless to wash it unless it is really, really dirty. Such was the case 2 Sundays ago when I washed my car in the rain. I dried it in the garage, of course.

Despite the drought, car washes are still open all the time, but I prefer to do it at home unless absolutely necessary.

Second, I agree that those that only drive their Crossfires on weekends and special occasions are missing out on the real fun. This car is great to look at AND great to drive. One without the other is only half the pie.

As this is my only car, I drive my car every day. I can understand putting the car away during the winter for those that live in harsh climates. Having a beater back-up is not without merit. But if there's no snow or ice on the streets, I'd still be driving my Crossfire.

And I still have that same smile on my face as I drive around town that I first acquired on October 6th, 2005.

 

I purchased my '04 xf saphire silver blue metallic with 19,747 miles on June 26 this year. Less than two weeks later, I now have 20,875. I use it as a daily driver to work (50 miles round trip) but I find my self driving it all over. I own 4 other cars, but I find this car a blast to drive. I will mention that I do wash the car every 2 - 3 days and spray on a detailer after I hand dry it.