So I was awoken last wednesday morning at 5am to my Crossfire's alarm sounding outside my window. Sleepily I rolled over and silenced it from my key fob. I started again a minute later... so thinking someone might be tampering with the car, I stumbled across the room and looked down at my Crossfire in the parking lot below and tried to silence the alarm with my keyfob again. Then I noticed the car's lights were flashing from UNDER WATER. Water was already starting to lap up at the hood of the car. Naturally I became hysterical, noticing that water was starting to gush in my condo downstairs too. I was able to wake my partner, grab my puppy, and wade out of my condo just in time before the flood waters got really bad. All of my neighbors in my building were just starting to come out of their townhomes at the same time. They all said the same thing... that my Crossfire's alarm woke them, and they were so grateful for that! By the time the remnants of Tropical Storm Fay had passed us in Charlotte, my Crossfire ended up being submerged in almost 6 feet of water. When the flood waters were down the next day, we had about a half dozen news crews outside our condo complex. My Crossfire was the subject of several news segments. When they came and drug my poor little Crossfire up on a flatbed truck the next day, she still had water gushing out of her... it just stabbed me in the heart to see her being drug away. She was a beautiful Limited blaze red coupe with charcoal interior, and auto trans. I think a couple of my friends have pics... I couldn't bear to take any, I just loved my little car.

So besides posting my sob story, I wanted to get y'all's opinions on some things. At first I didn't think I'd get another Crossfire, just because interior room on them is so tight, and I'm big (6'3" and weigh 210). But after I started looking around, all I want still is another Crossfire. I can't decide between an auto or 6-speed this time around though. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I see gas mileage is supposed to be much better on the auto cars, but is that everyone's real world experience? For reliability reasons, does anyone recommend an auto over a 6-speed? Other than the lack of auto dimming rear mirror, are there any real differences in build quality/reliability between the 2004 and 2005 Limited Crossfires? I've found a 2004 Sapphire Silver auto Crossfire with the groovy cedar interior I really like with 34k miles at my local Carmax. They also have a Charcoal/Charcoal 2005 6-speed Crossfire with 16k miles for only $1500 more. I can't decide which one I want! Anyone have any opinions? Primarily I want the car I can use the most reliably, and get the best gas mileage out of.

 

Wow, that's quite a story. I'm glad that you and everyone else got out ok. As far as auto vs manual, I have driven both and currently have an auto. I am impressed by the auto, but I think the manual gets better responsiveness IMHO. As far as gas mileage is concerned, I get about the same gas mileage. It all depends on how heavy my foot is.

 

You did not disclose what the prices were on the used cars you are looking at. We found a new 2008 Crossfire exactly like you indicate you want for $22, 290 plus tax, delivery fee and extended warranties. This car had been at the dealer since December 2007 with no "takers" and they decided to cut it loose. The day I bought it they discounted the car $14,000 dollars! I broke all speed records in getting there so I could take advantage of it. They had misplaced the second key so ordered another $200 key, then found the lost one under the drivers seat a day later. They gave us the spare key with no charge so the cost of the car was actually $200 less since I was going to order the key to have a spare.

Ours has the 6 speed manual but had I been given a choice I would have taken the 5 speed auto. The gears are "close together" and you find yourself rowing the car around town with the gearshift lever.

I'm certain you will find a dealer somewhere nearby that would be eager to make you a similar deal. Our Big 3 are hurting!! I only hope that Chrysler can survive. The last press I saw said that the Company was up for sale and a Russian Mafia-like business man was considering buying it. Ours has the lifetime drivetrain warranty included but it is only good if Chrysler survives.

Good luck in your hunt!

Jim

 

Don't by a manual shift for milage. It won't be any worse or better than an auto on gas. Your foot will determine that.

By an Auto for the convenience if you drive a lot of city, or a manual for the pleasure of controlling your car in a way no automatic can.

Buy a manual because that is the way a sports car should be or

buy an auto 'cause that's great also.

It's a Crossfire. It's a sports car. Being practical is not part of the equation.

Just go for the grin and enjoy.

roadster with a stick

 

Wow, sorry about the car


I personally would recommend the manual trans just because it (to me) is more fun to drive. Auto's seem so boring and old-manish in my opinion. (although being as tall as you are, I'd test drive one first, as it can get cramped engaging/disengaging the clutch, because of the lack of legroom...i'm 6'1)

 

What a tragic yet great story. Glad all of you made it out OK. Terribly sorry about the Crossfire though!

Anyway, I've driven the auto and 6 speed Crossfire and I just could never get into the auto. Driving the stick gives you a connection with a car that no auto in the world will ever give you. You are the master and it is the slave, doing every single little thing you tell it to.

Why not head to a dealership and give a manual one a test run and see what you think? I would also investigate new models. They're selling so cheap!

If you really enjoy the auto, maybe even look at the STR6?

Best of luck!

 

Sorry to hear about your loss, that was some story.
I vote for the 6 spd. also.
I seldom get less than 25 mpg combined driving, and between 28 and 30 mpg highway. I can't ask anymore than that from a high performance "sports car".
We have the cedar/slate interior and love it. As a matter of fact, that was the one thing we insisted on (besides the 6 spd.) before we bought it.
Have you thought about a roadster? They have a little more head room. I'm 6' 2" and I wouldn't want to be much taller in a coupe.

 

I've found one pic so far where you can barely see the Crossfire in the background. I'm going to see if I can attach it here. This was taken from inside my condo when the sheetrock and wood floors had already been ripped out.

I'd love a new and/or roadster Crossfire, but I think I'm going to be priced out of those. My budget is going to be under $17k since I didn't have gap insurance on my current Crossfire, and I know I'm going to take a financial hit of $3-$5k. The two Crossfire's I've found at Carmax are $14,998 for the '04 Silver/Cedar auto with 34k miles, and $16,500 for the '05 Graphite/Graphite 6-speed with 16k miles. Steve White Dodge/Jeep in Hickory, NC has several new silver '07 Crossfires with cedar interiors for $22,900... but I doubt I could get one of those for under $17k. I guess I can try tho!

 

So sorry about your car, and I'm glad you're safe from the flood. We are still recovering from our floods over in Illinois.

Anyway, call Silver Fox and buy his SRT6. For that matter, buy an SRT6. You'll be happy you did.

Jane

 

I know how you feel - I drove a car into flood water - it was dark, country lane and I didn’t know it was flooded until it was too late!

My thoughts on transmission are well documented elsewhere. Go for the manual. Like Franc says, it’s a sports car, and you throw away practicalities when you bought it. That said, the manual will give you a better connection to the car and the drive - and that’s something I really, really like about driving.

 

Sorry for your loss, auto or manual just get one before you start getting the shakes.

 

My Dad actually went out and bought an SRT-6 after he drove my '04 Limited for the first time. He has turned out to be as big a Crossfire buff as I am. I wouldn't mind having an SRT-6, but it seems they've gone the way of the Dodo in the Carolinas. There is only 1 for sale, and it's out of my price range. There aren't even any in the Carmax national database right now either. I'm not certain I'd really want to live with an SRT-6 as my only car either... they ride terribly, and I'm not too crazy about the suede interior, wheels, and big spoiler. Plus when my Dad cranked his up this past weekend the supercharger seemed to be whining really loudly... and he's only got 28,000 miles on the car. Forced induction makes me nervous for reliability reasons. There is no denying the advantages of the warp speed acceleration though!

 

Wonderful but tragic story ! Life's were probably saved because of your smart lil vehicle sounding it's warning !

I drive an Auto-Stick that I'm pretty happy with. Driven lots of manuel sticks over my lifetime, much prefer the auto. If I wanna do the racey car thing, I just give the ole stick a couple of slaps to the left !!!

Just my Dos Centavos

 

Damn dude, my condlences on the car. Glad you were all ok though. At least she gave her life for a great cause.

 

To bad on the car. At least she helped save everyone from more damage. I like the auto and second the upgrade to SRT status.

 

As much as that sucks, it could have been alot worse. Glad to hear everyone is ok, and that insurance is covering it. As far as stick vs auto, stick is alot more fun. Its not the greatest gear box, but I couldn't imagine driving the auto. As a side note, I'm a little suprised how many people over 6' have crossfires. I'm 6'3 and I fit better in my crossfire than I do in my mom's new CTS (alot better). I'd also like to add that I bought another crossfire after mine was wrecked, because there really isn't anything better for the money!

 

Yeah, I test drove a 6-speed Crossfire a couple of years ago and was really underwhelmed by the shifter feel. Seemed a bit numb... and the throws were deceptively long. I kept finding myself putting the car in the wrong gear too... maybe it's just because I'm used to 5-speed manuals? Too many choices of gear slots? hehe I'm thinking once I got used to the gearbox, that I'd really like having the 6 speed much more. I live in inner city Charlotte, but have a Vespa to do my city driving. So the Crossfire will mainly be for my out of town trips .

At 6'3" I'm on the taller end of most folks. I fit in the drivers side ok, but I feel pretty cramped in the passenger side of my Crossfire for some reason. It seems like there's less legroom because of a pushed back firewall or something? Once I'm inside the Crossfire I'm ok, but getting in and out of the thing never got any easier at my height. I think mainly because my height is mainly in my torso and not my legs. I had to put my ear against my shoulder to be able to bare get in the car... and Lord was it tough to get in it if someone parked too close because of my height. Oh well, none of these things will prevent me from getting another Crossfire. Like you said, you just can't beat what you get for the money with them. Once I started looking at Mustang convertibles in such in the same price range, I just cringed my nose at their cheap materials and build quality... and came scurrying back to the Crossfire side of the fence!

 

Haha I started on the mustang side of the fence, saw the price of crossfires and never looked back. Honestly, I've found that it helps to shift every gear a little harder than usual, because I would miss 2nd & 3rd gear alot if I didnt. The weird part about the shifter is that you have to lift up to get it in reverse. That makes it feel a little sloppy during "spirited" driving. It definately takes getting used to, but I like to learn new things

 

I shift 18 gears for a living...thats why I like my auto/stick...then again, maybe it that whine, accelleration, tires burning, feeling I like...I still vote SRT....seriously, that car may have saved your life, now that is really special...I would look for her sister and buy another one...