Hey all,

I'm a prospective Crossfire buyer, looking at a 2004 manual (non srt6). I've been doing a lot of research on the car. It seems to me that people who own one are happy with the styling and quality of the exterior and interior and the handling, but some have a problem with the performance. Suppose I put on a dual cold-air intake system, modded ECU and or a performance chip, and a new "high-performance" exhaust, and this thing I've been hearing about a sprint booster? What's that by the way? What kind of 0-60 time and 1/4 mile could you estimate I'd get from that. Now I understand the crossfire is not a car someone buys purely for the performance, it's a car that is more of a styling tour de force. Just hoping that the folks with crossfires are friendly then those on the audi and nissan forums. Would appreciate any help. Also does anyone make aftermarket performance headers for the xf? Thanks.

Wulf

 

You can expect a mid to low 14 sec 1/4 mile with those mods, I would assume.

You have to remember that this car doesn't shine at 1/4 mile speeds - it shines from 60+.

My mustang (lightly modded high 13s ec car, 1991) would spank my old XF Limited in a 1/4 mile, but shortly after a 1/4 mile (up around 105 mph) my XF would blow by it without trouble. Gearing had a lot to do with it...but also notable is the fact that the XFire is so smooth at speed. The mustang, although the ride was fairly smooth, seems like the engine/driveline want to shake themselves apart compared to the XFire.

I believe someone makes headers that will fit - Supersprint maybe?
I know someone is making their own (basslover) and has already run a 14.5 in the 1/4 with a stock 6spd.

The sprint booster is nothing more than a device that 'shortens' your pedal travel (electronically). Basically, the car feels more responsive because you can push the pedal lightly and get more throttle. These cars feel like they have some throttle lag due to the drive-by-wire.

My suggestion - go drive one! Most people who do, buy one!

SQ

 

The two best things that you can do are as follows:

1 - As shawnQ recommended, go test drive one. Try finding a new one that is still at a Chrysler dealership. They should be more than happy to let you have one for a good long time as they are desperate to sell their 2006 leftovers. I had one for an entire afternoon this past August.

2 - Browse this forum. I doubt that you will find better information anywhere else.

Good Luck with your decision.

 

You aren't going to make huge improvements in the 1/4 mile time of the Crossfire without spending a fair amount of money. I recently spent some track time with my Crossfire and it was just walking away from cars that would kill it in a straight line. Buy the car and enjoy it for what it is: a very capable, quick, extremely solid, great handling and rather rare GT car.

 

This is the friendliest bunch on the internet. Maybe that's because we know what kind of a winner we really have.

 

There's been a few people here who have fabbed headers, or had them done for them. None of them looked to be real horsepower adders in my eyes though, they may improve sound, but I can't see them shaving much off the quarter mile times.

Probably the best mod you have listed is the ECU programming...there's a few options there, and everyone has their opinion on who does the best job.

The sprintbooster is a device you plug in-line with the throttle sensor (at the pedal) that fools the body controller into thinking you are giving it much more gas than you really are, i.e. if you give it 1/4 throttle then the computer thinks you're giving it 1/2 throttle. There's a lot of people who find merits with this piece of equipment...I think the best place for this is on a automatic transmission vehicle. I have a stick, so I've never tried it.

By all means drive a Crossfire...Like has been posted above...most people who drive one end up buying one!

 

Wow thanks for all the advice, can't wait to test drive one. Thanks everyone!

Wulf

 

If you are looking for a 'red light dragster' then you are going to be extremely disappointed. But if you want a 'high speed -autobahn type- cruiser' then you are looking in the right direction. It will go fast all day long...but it isn't going to leave many in it's wake up to 80-90. You have to appreciate it for what it is.

 

I think buying it with an expectation it will be a stoplight screamer will probably leave you disappointed, no matter what mods you manage to do to it. For what it's worth, the Crossfire is one of the very few cars I've ever driven where the fun/experience itself made me not worry about the 1/4 stuff. I build some pretty wild cars from time to time, and I'm rarely in a car where the performance doesn't disappoint me. The Crossfire is the exception in that I just don't worry about that - I just enjoy the drive with the wife by my side. Great fun!

Mike

 

I realize my 6-speed isn't a "dragster", but most cars on the highway can't run a 14 sec. 1/4 mile either.
Sure there are a lot that can, but when you think about it, how often do you actually have the chance to line up with one?
Most stop light Grand Prix's are over in 1st. or 2nd. gear anyways, (don't ask me how I know this) and in that scenario the 6-speed isn't a slouch.
But as Danimal pointed out Wulf, if you really want a dragster, the '04 will disappoint you. You'd be better off saving up for an SRT6.
Winter's coming, and the prices should be dropping soon, at least in the North East. Watch EBAY, that's how I found my car.
Good hunting!

 

Well, I was looking for something with looks and above average performance and I think that the crossfire is exactly that. With those few minor mods making the car do 14's in the 1/4 and 5's for 0-60 isn't bad at all, in fact I think that's great. My friend has an 06 mustang with a lot of money dropped in it and it only does the 1/4 in 15.25 at the very best, and my other friend has an STI that does the 1/4 in the mid 13's. One of my cars is a 1967 Buick Riviera does the 1/4 in 15-16, not bad for a 4,000+ lb car but still a bit too slow for me, anything faster especially 2 seconds would be a welcome improvement. You guys are a lot more help than any other modern car forum I've been on, thanks.

wulf

 

Well Thanky.

Good luck with whatever you decide... hope to see you around.

 

Before buying mine I test drove other cars in the same price range and everything seemed cheap after driving the Crossfire. The car I traded in was a Mercedes, so I quickly recognized what the car really was. You won't find a better built car in this price range. I thought the car seemed fast enough at first, but you will quickly get used the power and probably want more. For me this means a V8 from a CL500. I am trying to make my car more of a great grand tourer. My plan after I get the V8 running is to upgrade the V8 with the HPS Supercharger. This will get me close to 500 hp which should allow the car to play with vettes. I have had some really nice cars but the Crossfire is my all time favorite.

 

Well today as I was driving by the dealership, I stopped and quickly snuck into a crossfire they had there, and I have to say that I really like the interior, my dad had a S600 and the controls on the center console were very similar, they materials were solid, I like the dash lights green but I think red or blue like a VW would be cool too. I also got the feeling of a chop top when I sunk into the seat, which rocks. When I got out I took a look around the car and it grows on me more and more I see it. Could anyone tell me how reliable a vehicle the crossfire is, and what are typical maintenance costs? Thanks.

Wulf

 

Maintenance costs are high, but so is the reliability...

Example good tires can easily run almost $1,000...
Example Dealer Oil change is like a $100+, but you can do it for cheaper...

And besides you don't have a poorly made intercooler pump that us AMG owners have to worry about... other than that there has not been much recorded engine problems... and other small problems will not distract you from the experience or will be taken care of by the dealer...

 

I wouldn't worry too much about maintenance costs. There are ways around most of the cost issues with a little common sense and reading this forum.