Hi all:

I'm another new guy but I don't have a XF yet. Looking to buy within the next month. I'm a designer / developer of web sites and I've been awe struck by the Xf design since I saw the first one pass my old and beloved mazda mx-6 on Rt. 66 back in 04. I've been reading everything I can find on the net about the car and and have found a lot of contradictory information. So, I'm here looking for any recommendations, warnings, etc. before purchasing. I've found a 05 Blue sapphire Limited automatic (my wife can't drive a stick and won't learn) for $17,250 with 28k miles on it. I'm in Northern Virginia where the summers are hot and humid, the winters are usually fairly wet and cold with 4 to 8 slippery winter events a season. One question is-- are there all weather tires for the XF. I also don't have a garage so it would be out in the weather all year. I've heard that the car is very expensive to repair and most mechanics do not know it very well. Anyway, I really love the look of this car and any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Welcome. Yes, there are all season tires for xfires. One is the Goodyear F1 A/S.

These cars are very reliable but require a mechanic that knows Mercedes cars to work on them. They are all MB SLK under the body.

 

Arrgh! I’m going to show what some would deem an “anti American” bias - but you really can’t have a car like a Crossfire in anything other than a manual (or “stick”). I know automatics are very popular in the USA (I know not why - I’ll save the answer for another thread), but there are cars where the craft of driving is paramount in getting the most out of it. A Crossfire is a manual only car IMHO.

Des James - I’m a web designer too (amongst other things), and I know what you mean about the styling of the car. I’m dreadfully snobbish about cars and their looks, and Chrysler has been responsible for some of the most stylish cars on the roads over here (and, I have to say guilty of some crimes too - but I digress).

The price and milage sounds pretty good - buy a breathable car cover for it to protect it from the sun and the ravages of other elements. My last car faded badly - I’m in the UK with a fairly changeable climate. The cover should protect paint and badges from weathering damage.

Good luck in your searches. I’m off to post another question.

 

Your Crystal Slate kinda looks like my '07 Machine Grey, MG kinda has a crystal-pearl like effect to it.

 

Hello,

Just passed my one year anniversary with my "new" 2005 6-speed coupe - purchased with 61 miles. My initial opinion - great car. My opinion after one year of driving - Outstanding car. In fact probably my favorite car ever - it is close a tie with my 1986 BMW 635 for pure fun to drive and good looking too. It puts a smile on my face everytime I drive it.

 

I know premium gas is recommended but I've heard many newer (computer controlled cars don't really need premium fuel or more correctly can compensate for lower octane. Anyone ever try using regular or medium octane fuel in the XF?

 

I live in Alberta where we get over 4 months of slippery conditions. There are a number of good winter tires for the XF. I have the blissak tires and they are great. I have had my 05 for over a year now and have driven it from Alberta to Texas and back in weather from 110 to -25. In the last year I have logged over 24,000 miles and have only done the usually maitenence. The XF is one of the most underated cars in my opinion. They are a great value for the price. Best of luck

 

If you search this site there is vast information on regular vs premium, tires, driving conditions, etc. Enjoy the site it is a great place to learn all you can about, I hope your next purchase. Good Luck.

 

Of chorse there is all season tires that are inexpensive. A good rated tire is the Kumho Ecsta SPT's Available from me at $711 after taxes. Your biggest cost issue is the oil changes. my shop cost of supplies is $72 It requires 8.5qts of mobile1 0w40 Synthetic European Blend. So yeah... 9 quarts. oil filter is $11.88 my cost. I aligned my car on our rack in about 15 minutes. Only problem I seem to run into alot is the rear camber. Easily adjusted in about 5 minutes per side. Front never seems to get out of whack. If u put after market wheels on, watch out for wheels that wont allow you to use the factory TPMS sensors. I have had mine for about 14 months with no problems. As far as AllData shows (online mechanical database) there arent many things on this car that a normal mechanic can't tackle. Brakes, Plugs, Wires, the usual maintenence is about the same in labor rates. all though the spark pugs suck beacuse there is 12... (2 per cylinder) can be costly but easy to get to. Plug wires can be a bit costly as well. other than that.. its about like owning a mercedes with chrysler stickers on it. People just get scared because of that Mercedes name and assume it is $1000 to do a brake job or whatever. but its not the case. This car is a prize to own.

 

Thanks for the details and thanks to everyone else who has responded so far. It's really helpful.

 

Geez, how many web developers do we have here? (yours truly included)

I work from home and constantly find excuses to go for a drive. When the wife has suggested somewhere for dinner, I've responded with "Can't we go somewhere farther away?"

 

Welcome to the BEST Crossfire Forum Des James. The Crossfire is a GREAT car as long as you only need two seats and a small cargo area. The used Crossfires have some pretty low prices on them so you may have money left over to build a garage. Of coarse you may want to install a few mods too....

 

$17,250 is waaay too much to be spending for an '05 Limited coupe with 28K miles. I paid $250 more for my car 4 months ago with 3,000 more miles. Offer $15,000 or walk away!

 

American make, english design, german technology, the crossfire is (for the money) superb. You are getting high quality bullet proof engineering with a lovely engine that makes a lovely sound, a 3.2 litre v6 taken from mercedes SLK.

If you are looking to buy a crossfire, id suggest buying a coupe, dont get me wrong convertables are lovely, but theres something about the hard top bad boys rear end that completely defines it.. like JLO...

and for your kinda money you can pick up a nice 06 with under 15k miles.. ive gone for the 04 though, limited so i got a lovely sound system and auto-dimming rear view mirror etc >_< gl with whatever you buy!

ps. grey, silver and black hold their prices better!

*** Nez's top tips when buying a car ***
1. get out of the car and listen to the ticking over when stationary, listen out for skips and spits or innconsistent revs.. bad
2. dont be afraid to put your foot down.. on the test drive you should listen out for that power, make sure it sounds healthy, u dont want any rumbling or rattling, just contsistent roar.
3. inspect the paint work.. ensure you have a nice finish to the paint, u dont want a car with dents, scratches and rust spots, you can check up on dents which are hard to be seen in poor light by going to the back of the car looking down the side with one eye, checking for any blemishes.
4. if you are buying a manual check your clutch.. put the car in 5th gear, pull the handbrake up, and let your foot off the clutch until it engages, if your cars clutch is good then the back of the car will pull down, if its bad then it wont really move,
5. check your tyres.. make sure you have sufficient tread, you dont wanna buy the car and then drive out and spend $250 on new rubber
6. exhaust and cat.. make sure your exhaust and catalyct convertor are all good, theres really only one simple check for this other than going under the car .. rev it a couple of times while someone has a piece of cardboard over the exhaust, if it spits or you hear a hissing sound then there could a break in the welding or a hole in the exhaust/cat system, (remember that normal exhausts corrode with water) dont rev it too much with the cardboard over it though, twice is enough. Also listen out for rattling under the car, this indicates that the filters in the cat have shattered.
7. generally make sure the car runs well, doesnt sound out of the ordinary and all the gadgets and gizmos are in working order.

good luck!

/N3z

 

Hell I got my SRT6 for less just a few weeks ago! Granted 30K miles but it is an SRT6.

Saw a 2004 Limited Coupe for sell locally for $17.500 with 24K on it. I think I made out.