I totally agree with what's been said so far on CR reviews.

I've found that anything that requires the understanding of physics, chemistry, electronics or anything remotely more than pushing a button and having it work, I would rely on CR only as far as I can throw it without rolling it up first (which does require a knowledge of physics) .

So washers... yes, Cars, home electronics... no.

 

I can't even use a Tank bag because my tank is actually a plastic composite material.. I do have a tail bag, but can't seem to find my back seat, so I can't use that either.. My backpack is all I can use (for my commutes to work)..
I Think I'm gonna have to get an SRT-6 when I get a Crossfire... Do you all think I'll get over the fact that it's automatic? Is the Trans that good?

 

One must consider that during initial buying considerations you cannot test every car you think you might like or like to own. Unless you have nothing but time.

CR is biased to foreign cars and do look at vehicles in a purely "toaster" type of way. Once you understand this you are easily able to compare sports cars to sports cars. I used CR for a big part of my "mid-life, 40 year-old, hair on fire" shopping and look where I ended up. So to some extent "Thanks CR"!

I would read their major beefs and go see for myself. They were spot on for the Solstice, (poor seating position, can't reach mirror or seat controls etc.)glad I didn't do that. The predicted reliability for the XFire was rated better that average and you guys confirmed that. They also said it was a crappy ride and was too noisy in the cockpit. When I went to see for myself, it was just fine for me.

Sorry to be so windy, but from a 40 year old without money to waist on a mid-life mistake CR helped me spot the polished turd in their bucket of all domestic sports turds.

 

Well I (we) have two Tauruses (also). Both 2001s. The one with the flex fuel engine (SES) had four trouble issues in 94K(!) miles: 1. Ignition coil pack (Cost:$70), 2. Bad flex fuel sensor ($30); 3. One O2 sensor ($40) and one dirty MAF sensor ($4 - for a can of cleaner). This engine still doesn't use any oil. The other Taurus (SEL) at 65K miles - Duratec engine: one warped rotor; an EGR pressure sensor ($35 but under warranty); and a burned-up AC clutch ($600 - OK that was painful - a month ago). Oh, one more thing: both needed new batteries this summer. That's it, I'm not including regular maintenance items such as brakes. I hope the Xfire will do half as good as these two, and my daughter abused the hell out of the 94Kmi one for 3 years, that was her first car, it has dents small and larger of course, but it runs, and runs well, and everything works. I know people with MBs with a whole lot more troubles in much fewer miles. The real difference is maintenance. Peple with expensive cars usually have both the money, the time and the inclination to do the required maintenance on time. People with less means (and cost) skip things. Of course, the end result is predictable. There are other non-obvious factors too, but I won't go into those.

 

My tank is plastic also. Wait, my tank is the frame, and my air box cover is the tank...

Go for the SRT6! I've owned many cars and still own a few. The SRT6 is the first and only automatic I've ever had. I don't miss shifting that much at all. Actually, I'm getting spoiled. Easy and relaxed when cruising, but when I want to get on it, the shift mode is very enjoyable! It really is the perfect compromise for a real manual trans. The SRT6 makes the reg. Xfire feel like a completely different car. It is an animal! I came from a 2005 G35 coupe and I have a custom 1965 Chevelle with nearly 400 ponies, and nearly scare myself with the SRT6 every time I floor it!!

 

Yeah, I went from an 06 G35 Coupe 6MT to a Subaru Imprezza.. .. which is automatic ..
My wife convinced me it's better to get that in Automatic, because it's just for back and forth to work and she can use it for work when she gets a job.. now I find myself going nearly insane when I hit the accelerator and have to wait for the car to decide to actually think about whether or not it wants to make a decision to continue in the same gear or not, and then realize that it'll make an attempt in the same gear then readdress the issue before finally committing to an actual downshift.. ..
by then I've already let go of the gas because it's too late to really change lanes and the car downshifts while my foot is off the accelerator making the car just that much less enjoyable.. ARG!..
But.. that's the difference between a true automatic and a manumatic deal I suppose, and a Subaru Automatic Vs. an AMG .. right?
Was your G a lemon too?

 

It had issues, read my earlier post below for a good laugh:


"Dude, that is hilarious! I got rid of (sold it back to dealer) a 10k mile loaded G35 Coupe 6MT that I had special ordered from Infiniti mainly because My car had the oil consumption issue. I was already having the oil consumption tests conducted on my car, and the dealer told me Nissan was aware of the problem and was working on a fix. They told me the car was perfectly fine, and to just keep an eye on the car. I decided that was B.S. and I didn't want to go through the whole process of tests, engine swaps, etc. etc. One of the main reasons I wanted a G35 after months of research was the fact that it had one of the highest rated V6s in the world supposedly. What a bunch of crap! A $40,000 new car shouldn't suck oil like that and I shouldn't have to have the engine replaced."

 

Yeah, I had 2 cups of oil left after the first 3000 miles. .. Lawyer handled them..

 

I'm not sure I agree with that. They've blasted plenty of imports, and they'll certainly recommend domestic cars if they measure up. Unfortunately, all too often, they don't.