Some may have seen the night pictures of the 08 crossfire in a previous thread. But in any event here are a couple of the night shots.




Then I took some photos of both of my cars together--interestingly both cars have a speed sensitive rear spoiler and both were built in the same factory, though the corrado has a "karmann" badge located inside.

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Here are a couple more:



A comparison between the stock rear XF tire vs stock corrado tire (not what the car is pictured with; 205/50/15)

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Nice.

I used to have the same T-Bird.

One reason I'll never buy another Ford!

 

There's probably a reason why it leaves the garage literally once a year to get inspected! Aside from gas prices.

 

i think that corrado has more in common with the crossfire than the AMX does.

 

You'd be surprised how many corrado owners refute your statement to the death. I think if VW were to recreate the corrado SLC (the version with the 6 cyl motor), and do it correctly, it would be much more like the crossfire than the TT (which many believe is the true spiritual successor to the corrado). There is good reason as to why I always like the crossfire-from when they first hit the showrooms and I went to sit in one as a poor graduate student until today, actually owning one and only slightly less poor and no longer in school!

I used to literally drool over the corrado as a broke high school student--not helping matters was the VW dealer across the street from my highschool. I wonder what would have happened if the crossfire was around when I was in high school.

 

Very cool cars, but unfortunately, I do have to air my very pointed opinions on it:

The Corrado is a cool car, but I don't like it for the following reasons:

1. It's front wheel drive.

2. With the 2.8L VR6, it understeers, torque-steers, and feels deathly scary when braking into turns.

3. It requires about 250 lbs of sandbags in the trunk to feel somewhat neutral handling.

My opinion: If VW ever brought the Corrado back, it would HAVE to be AWD and without the Haldex nonsense - it should have more drive to the rear wheels than the front. It would have to be a real STI/EVO fighter.

 

Nothing wrong with opinions, we all have them. If we all liked the same stuff, the world would be boring, right? And to be honest, I welcome ALL constructive criticism, which you well did. That's more than I can say happens when I post about the crossfire on the VW forums. To many of those guys if the car isn't praised as highly as an M3 or miata, the car is generally garbage. Oh, some folks will be missing out on some fantastic cars--like the crossfire!

To address some of your points.

1) This is something that you either care about or you don't. Many people complain about this and there really isn't anything that can be done about that. The car was designed to compete with the sport compacts of the day, such as the second generation probe GT and some other interesting euro-only cars (such as the Opel Calibra). It does pretty well for what it is. Acceleration-wise, the stock VR6 corrado is similarly as quick as the non-SRT crossfire. Handling of course, stock for stock, is a completely different story. fwd VR6=massive body roll!

2) I think this statement is completely based on what you're used to and HOW you drive. I've taken the car in various states of tune to Summit Point, Pocono, and recently, some autocrosses. If driven like a RWD car, the vehicle is awful. No doubt. But like any fwd car, you can't drive it like a rwd car. I've only had the car bite me in the rear once when it came to braking in a turn. As in--I broke during the turn. Technically, all braking should be done prior to turn in, unless you are going for the trail-braking effect. Of course, also like any fwd car, you can tune it to have pretty much any characteristics you want. But yes, stock, the car does have a tendancy to understeer and will snap into oversteer if you are hard on the brakes in a turn. It's something you learn to control however. I suppose I have had somewhat of the unique opportunity to own the car when it was bone stock with 30k miles to it's currently well modded state with 72k miles. It's amazing what a limited slip and well sorted suspension can do to the handling of these cars! I think the only thing that can't really be changed is how hard these cars are on the front brakes! I've removed about 80 or so pounds from the front of the car, and it helps, but it could always use a bit more weight reduction. I will say though, that in my limited time with the crossfire, it's much more willing to "dance" than the corrado, even when there wth some basic suspension mods.

3) Again, if you're running a stock suspension, then yeah, you are probably correct. If you are going to do it right, you'll have and LSD, a big sway in the back, properly sprung/damped coilovers, and corner balancing. I find the car MUCH more tail happy when I want it, compared to before when I was only able to make the rear come around during very deliberate weight transfer. Compared with stock and with the H&R sport springs I used to run, the current setup is vastly more precise and able to hold a line. I wish the car came from the factory like this!

 

I couldn't even drive my mustang to get it inspected, its off the road now.

 

I totally agree with you here. I think the one thing that makes VWs so popular is that there is a really huge aftermarket for them, a big tuning community, etc. All the weaknesses that I'm talking about are definitely for the stock car that I experienced, I'm sure that everything could be tuned out.

Come to think of it, almost every VW enthusiast I know is an aftermarket junkie

Of course, I want to be clear, it is a very COOL car. At the time it was probably considered one of the sportiest of the FWD sports cars when it was released. There was nothing that looked like it at all, come it think of it, it was an awkward time for almost every other automobile out there.

I just have my personal biases after having owned both a 1981 VW Rabbit and an A3 Jetta VR6 GLX III from 1995 to 2006. I used to like VW's a lot, but my personal experiences with their reliability and fundamental cost-cutting limitations (ancient rear suspensions for example) soured my opinion of the brand, probably for good. It's only in the last 8 years that the Japanese manufacturers have started putting out some incredible cars (S2000, GT-R, STI, Evo 8+), the Americans too (C6 Corvette Z06). Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche have been putting out world-beaters since the 90's. Unfortunately, VAG for the last 15 years have been cost-cutting to the bone, and so they have been stuck with trying to shoe-horn bigger and bigger engines into what are essentially economy car platforms.

The Audi R8 is a big leap forward, in my opinion. If VAG could trickle some of that passion down into the VW line, I think there's a hope in making the "Corrado of tomorrow" into a serious machine.

 

Agreed!

Yes and no! Of the 6 or so VWs I've owned, the only car I felt was worthy of performance mods was the corrado. But I think you're right overall, especially with the modern VAG turbo motors--the 1.8t, 2.0t and the previous S4 motor, 2.7tt. It's so stupidly easy to get more power out of those motors.

I appreciate the compliment and I like to think if you're on a car forum, you're pretty much a car enthusiast at heart. Though I know that isn't always the case, unfortunately.

VW is a really odd company and I agree with your comments about the suspension. Luckily, the current VWs actually have a real rear independent suspension! It really does wonders for how the car handles along with the general comfort. I think everyone has stepped up their game in recent years, which is a good thing. It's unfortunate to me that the only people who haven't kept pace to the same level is Ford and Chrysler. Ford was on a bit of a roll for a while with the Ford GT and some very cool SVT cars. But they let the Focus go to hell, IMO. Why can't we have a Focus ST, like in Europe? It would be a continuation of the Focus SVT, which itself was quite a neat car! ANd Chrysler.....those guys just can't quite seem to get it together. Aside from the awesome Viper and the 300, what else is there? The new truck seems like a great leap forward for the brand, but will it be enough? Will the great engineering of the truck be enough to help the company in these rough financial times? IMO, the sebring and Caliber are pretty poor. I'd rather have a Neon SRT4 (the ACR version is fantastic!) than the caliber version. To be honest, the crossfire was the best car chrysler has sold. It's not the fastest, but it's built the best, has the best styling, and has the best streetable performance. I hope chrysler some some cool stuff in the works. They've been riding the coat tails of the 300 long enough! GM seems to be the only domestic making significant strides forward. I'm not much of a sedan guy, especially american sedans, but both the Malibu and CTS are excellent cars! Sorry about the tangent....

The problem with VAG cars quite frankly is one thing and one thing only: price. I love the current GTI. It's a dynamic masterpiece in my opinion when it comes to economy performance. It's a better all-rounder IMO, than a mazdaspeed 3, even if it doesn't have the same numbers. Having said that, paying almost 29k for a loaded GTI is absolutely foolish! The R32 is also a very nice vehicle, but at 35k for the version with navigation, they can keep the R32 in europe. It's not even available in the US with a stick---which is the other problem with VAG cars, though mostly VW--available options/features for the US market. The TT has really improved from what I've read and is poised to truely be a cheaper alternative to the R8. However, cheaper is relative. There is rumored to be a 265hp TT-S coming to the US for 2009. That sounds like a recipe for great fun, considering the 200hp version already competes quite favorably to the likes of the 350z/rx-8/boxster--at least from what I've read. But at an estimated price of ~50k, I'm not sure I'd be into it, at all. I'd rather have a Porsche cayman at that price. Or maybe a g37 coupe sport with the manual. VW and Audi have some wonderful products but I fear they will price themselves out of the market.

Now if Audi was smart, they would import the TT- TDI, which is a diesel powered TT. In these economic times, if the fuel economy is that fantastic, I could see some people splurging a bit for fuel economy in a performance chassis. Audi has already proven the performance of a diesel with their R8 racecar in the ALMS series. Odd they use a diesel in an American racing series, but don't bring their production diesel performance car to the states as well. Like everything else this company does, they will be late to the economic performance party in the US.

 

Ooooohhh, you don't want to stir things up with the VW enthusiasts. Having been one long before anything called VW Vortex hit sometning called the internet. I have owned 12 VW's in my lifetime and loved to modify them all. Dating from a modded 56 oval window to the last a 2003 2.0 turbo Passat with 5spd eibachs and APR 93 octane tune. One was a 93 SLC Corrado with neuspeed and bilsteins. A black one with black leather. . . a great car. Before I bought my Crossfire I actually looked for an SLC low mileage stock survivor. The Crossfire just by being rear wheel drive is quite different from any VW. You are very luck to own both! Although . . . if I owned both of your cars with title in hand I would sell them to buy a low mileage well maintained 20 year old 911. . . No offense intended
Oh yeah, love the pic's!!!

 

I can't argue with anything you said! And clearly you speak from experience! I'm glad that I'm not the only person who enjoys VWs around here, even if other brands are a better fit at a particular point in time---cue the crossfire! It's funny, I guess it;'s because I've been on vortex so long or maybe that I still own the corrado, but I posted pics of the crossfire and the corrado together in the corrado forum on vortex, expecting a complete meltdown (it happened last year when another ex corrado, now ex crossfire owner suggested similarities between the two cars) and it actually turned out to be rather benign.

What's funny is that there seem to be a lot of closet crossfire fans out there. I guess it takes a special breed to person to actually own one? Or is it the other way around?

I agree with your statement about the 911, but I wouldn't want to deal with the maintenance. I breifly considered a used boxster instead of crossfire, but that midengine placement and porsche badge=$$$$$$ At least more than I can justify. The Z4 coupe and crossfire, IMO, are the only two realistic sports cars on the market. Neither require special maintanence or have an unsual and pricey layout. As a daily, there has to be some level of practicality!

 

Maintenance costs are what keeps me away from an old 911 . . . LUST is what keeps me looking . I would use an old 911 as a toy just as I use my Crossfire. What scared me off was the thought of the rare date night my wife and I get WOC (with out children) would be totally ruined when after dinner and a movie the car doesn't start. I don't fear that with my Crossfire do to the fact it's new and has a 3 year 36 bumper to bumper and Lifetime Powertrain Warranty. The Crossfire turns heads and my wife loves to drive it, she say's it reminds her of the fun she had when driving her former 2000 1.8t GLS Golf. . . before kids. Oh crap, I realized I said my 03 Passat was a 2.0t . . . VW enthusiasts will shoot me on sight, it was a 1.8t as well. I guess I have been away to long. Thanks for this thread . . . it's like viagra for an old V Dub enthusiast. Fact is, if I didn't have a demo and could not keep my Crossfire as a toy (can't put three kids in a Crossfire legally. . . but you can in a 911) I would be all over another VW. Make it a 4dr GTi. . . . . Anyone have the # for APR.
As for types of Crossfire enthusiasts. I find there is a wide mix on this forum. I really enjoy corresponding with hard core car enthusiasts who like to modify there cars. These are great value sports cars, that take to mods really well. Your not going to find (unfortunately) the list of tuners and suppliers of hi perf parts that you will for VW, Porsche, BMW, and Audi. But you should find enough to keep you hooked. Besides, you will see all of the above (except Porsche) in any parking lot you pull into. Unlikely you will see two Crossfires in any other parking lot outside a Chrysler dealers. There is something to be said for individuality and exclusivity. Besides . . . I work at a Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealer.

 

Luckily I don't quite have to worry about any of that! However, I think as I get older the allure of a Porsche is simply a fantasy. I find it ludicrous that a company like porsche makes you pay a premium to buy their cars and then you have to constantly pay a premium to get it serviced. And if you're a ferrari guy, it's even worse. I don't mind paying the initial "penalty" for purchasing a special car, but I just can't get past the ridiculous service schedule many of these cars. With the price you pay, you would think the company would engineer a vehicle that's a bit more durable. While I hope to never own something like a Camry, I really repsect the engineering that went into making the car so damn trouble free and durable! I was looking at an e46 M3 briefly and was VERY turned off by the fact that the cars may require a valve adjustment by 60k miles! Are you freaking kidding me? If you bought the car new, you would spend what, ~50k+ on it? And then you need valve adjustments? While many owners think they are driving a race car,they aren't. The M3 is a high performance street car. That's why I like the crossfire and similar cars. They offer a great performance experience, but don't have silly (IMO) service requirements.


Hmmm, I didn't even catch that. Though I'm not much of a 1.8t fan, so I think I just glossed over your previous statement! The most attention I've gotten in the XF are a bunch of older folks staring at the car as I drive by. I think the XF is the perfect affordable cougar mobile! I guess I own 2 "attention *****" vehicles now. It will be interesting to see the type of people who actually talk to me about the XF vs corrado. I always thought it was awesome when I'd see people over the age of 60 driving absolutely pristine corrado's. I'm hoping that's me when I get to that age. It's only happened twice, though they are every bit as enthusiastic about their cars as someone half their age!


The GTI is indeed a great car and something that I think you would really enjoy. It's a car that really has wonderful road manners for a fwd car. And the ride doesn't beat you up like many sport compacts. If you're interested here's a link to the other thread that has both my corrado and the crossfire in it: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4070968

It seems like everyone's a bit more relaxed over here, which is refreshing change. Maybe it has to do with the age of the owners? Either way, this is a nice place to hang out. It's good to see that others are exploiting the sporting design of the crossfire. I suppose it's for the best, but I'm a little surprised that no one has hooked up a turbo or s/c to the base motor. IMO, the only thing wrong with the SRT6 is the automatic. It would be nice to turn the base engine with the 6-speed into a mini-SRT6. I get the impression the TVT has the ECU code, so it's only a matter of someone having the time and money to have these guys develop decent software. I'm rather curious as to how well these motors take to boost and how strong they are. Is the aluminum block a weak point in these cars when it comes to making boost on the stock motor? Do you need to run cylinder liners like many of the honda guys who run turbo's?

 

Yeah like a transverse mounted engine, front wheel drive, and a back seat.
Very astute observation Voyager.
Since you've never owned an AMX, and actually never driven or ever road in one, it's really quite obvious what you base your opinions on.
Remember, ignorance is the root of prejudice.
J-fire made a very good point in the trunk latch thread, I too look forward to meeting you at some future GTG.

 

All Euro, I never really fully understood the bias against FWD. I've owned many front wheel drive cars over the years and I've never noticed them being that ill handling. Of course some were better than others, and I don't autoX them either. But I enjoy a really curvy road as much as the next guy.
Sure, I think rear wheel drive is better, but I think I remember seeing video from HDDP of him chasing a VW Golf around the "streets of Willow" in his Crossfire. They weren't getting away from him, but he wasn't passing them either.