Chrysler sold 706 Crossfires during the month of August with 1,592 total YTD. I'm not happy for Chrysler with these small numbers (not sure they'll hit 9,000 this year) but it's nice to know we won't see too many on the road for awhile.

 

Yeah, I've got mixed emotions about those numbers.

I've only got my local area, the DC/Baltimore corridor to go by, but I don't see anything Chrysler is doing in this area to market the car. You'd think they'd see this area, especially DC/Northern Virginia (given average income), as a market for these cars. Most people I talk to have never even heard of it.

An aside, for the first time since I've owned it, it was virtually invisible at a traffic light the other day. Was sitting there, and a jet black Ferrari 360 Modena pulled up next to me, a stunning twenty-something young woman driving. Heck, even I stared...

 

Indeed these numbers are lower than I thought but I haven't seen any TV or newspaper ads either. One would think they would be more aggressive in theor marketing

 

Definately not good from a "do we continue to make this car" standpoint with such low sales figures. However, I think a lot was due to dealer greed early on, and that if DCX puts advertising dollars into it, those numbers will increase. Yes, it's great not having many out there, but DCX does not keep cars around that do not sell... If it had more HP they would be selling like hotcakes (but personally I'm happy with the HP).

Only time will tell :?

 

Well, I suppose I am of mixed emotions on this as well. I don't want to see myself coming and going but I would like to see the Crossfire survive.

To date I've seen only 2 others on the road but based on the Connecticut folks that listed in the survey, I'm sure I'll be running into some more soon.

I couldn't find one around here when I wanted one and I wound up buying mine from Kansas, on EBay.

Ray SSB (Ct plate due shortly "X Fire")

 

It is kind of strange that the sales figures are so slow. We only have 600 cars allocated for the UK and last I heard they had pre orders for 550 of them. You would think in the states the sales would be huge.

I wonder if it is the pure fact that its 215HP. I might be wrong but in the states there is a huge selection of cars with more than 215HP isn.t there?.

In the Uk there are not a great number around above 215HP. Hey you only have to look at MG Rover. Not exactly heart stopping on the power front!

I wonder what the effect would be on sales if they simply upgraded the ECU as per the Renntech upgrade to 225HP??

 

I'm glad they are so low. I hope they stop making them next year. It will make our cars worth a ton of money one day. Since the parts are used in so many other Mercedes, they will always be readily avaliable.

 

I think alot of dealers scared off buyers with the 2,3,5,10grand over sticker prices.There's a small dealer near me that is just asking 2 grand over sticker and the 2 xfires have been sitting there for 2 months!!!I got tired of waiting for my xfire at the dealer I work for so I bought out of state for under msrp.My dealer finally got my red xfire in and now have 3 on the showroom floor.They were asking 3 grand over sticker.I dont know if they still are.Were one of the largest chrysler dealers in the country and are supposed to get 15 xfires.We got 7 so far,4 sold.

 

The dealer here in Ft Myers said he was getting 22 cars and has had 14 delivered todate, all are gone and he is getting 6g's over sticker go figure.The dealer were I bought mine got 4 and all sold in under a month of delivery, saw one the other day going to Everglade City and he flying no to catch him in my service truck.As for HP 215 is all I need to get me into trouble

 

If you really read the complaints from folks...both the actual road tests and rank and file who really know nothing more about the car than what they read...the drawbacks boil down to...

1) Power. If DC has massaged the hp to 250, that would've had a psychological impact on potential buyers. Now, they see the dif between the 280 of the 350Z and the 215 of the Xfire, the price, and figure the Xfire comes up short. But the car is right in there with the TT. Forget that the Xfire is plenty quick for the average driver...which is most of us. Lotus is likely to put the Toyota GTS engine in the Federalized Elise, tweaked to about 200 hp, which in an 1800 lb car is good for a mid 4 to 60. DC could've tweaked the engine, or just gone with the Kompressor SLK package for a few bucks more. I would've put out a couple grand more for a Kompressor.

2) Numb steering. In real life, though, the steering is very good for what folks will really use it for: Straightening out exit ramps, doing the back road twisties, and track day. No good for autocross or slalom, but that's not what this car (OR the Z/G35 either) is all about. Wanna autocross? Get a Caterham or even a Miata.

3) Plastic interior. I like it. I do. BUT it wouldn't take much, I think, to replace the silver plastic console pieces with aluminum. I'd like to see someone come out with aftermarket woodgrain replacement pieces for the interior.

4) Price. People are comparing the car with the 350Z and RX8, and it looks like $6K more for less power. But the Xfire ONLY comes up lacking against those cars in power. It's equal/superior in every other aspect. BUT if you option either car out to the Xfire's specs, you will pay as much or MORE for those cars.

The dealers doing the price gouging are paying the price with unmoved cars. That's idiotic.

Chrysler needs to play up the positives of the car:

GOOD performance. Not class leading, but good. It compares favorably to the TT and RX8. The 350Z/G35 is truly a quick car. Ok.
STICKS LIKE GLUE to the road. I'm used to mid-engined cars, so I'm getting used to this. VERY different handling characteristics. But this car is really stuck down, and I'm just starting to get to know it.
Looks. Speaks for itself.
Heritage. The drivetrain is not a new platform. Maybe a little long in the tooth, but it's tried and true. I cringe at the thought of the 350Z engine being a Renault engine.
Standard features vs options. Traction control, ABS, BAS, air bags all around, heated seats/mirrors, the list goes on. The $28K 350Z and RX8 simply don't compare...

Great warranty. I've had very good dealer experience. Is this car best in class? Depends on the class you want it to be in. It's a good car right now. I'll see how many 'first year production' problems I have before I make up my mind, but this is a good car and worth its MSRP.

IF the sales numbers stay low, and IF it looks like the plug might get pulled in a year or so....I'm gonna buy a second one to put away and shrink wrap...

Hell, people are paying good money for DeLoreans, and those cars were crap in their day (a Volvo engine hanging off the back?), and are truly engineering garbage now!

 

I bought a SSB auto crossfire and boy do I love it. I'm not more than an average driver but in this car before I know it I doing 85 on some pretty twisty California roads through the mountains to work everyday. This car almosts drives itself... I even love the "blind" spots.. makes me pay more attention, especially looking for the highway patrol over my shoulder at 90 miles an hour.... love leaving those BMW's and suped up Honda's out of my rearview.... Wish I could buy another.

 

DCX doesn't need to apologize for any aspect of this car (maybe some of the dealers do given their unrealistic pricing practices). I have owned 10 Corvettes and currently own five of them, including a 2002 panel top coupe. More than any other car I have driven, this car reminds me of the Corvette in its balance and handling characteristis. It's performance falls slightly short of the Corvette, but who cares? I bought the Crossfire for what it is, not for what it might be. Further, the Crossfire design has an appeal that surmounts nearly every other car on the road today. Those Chrysler designers know more about beautiful automobile design that all of the rest of them rolled together. I have never had so many people comment ehthusiastically about its appearance and ask questions about the car. And with Mercedes engineering underneath I have great expectations that this car will last longer than I will. My guess is that it will catch the wave of buyers when DCX starts an advertising campaign and when the economy picks up. Now, if they will only produce the voluptuous Atlantic Coupe Chrysler introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in about 1996. Another fabulous Chrysler design, which never achieved production! Harleygeorge

 

HARLEYGEORGE:

I could not have said it better myself! You are so right about buying the car for what it is TODAY not what it could be.

BTW, do you have a Harley? I have a Harley RKC--it's in my pic gallery.

Welcome to the forum.

 

I can't speak for HARLEYGEORGE, but I've got a '96 FXDS-Conv outside. I'll have to snap a pic with the Crossfire (when I get it...) to put in my gallery. :twisted:

Cheers,

Greg

 

Yes Texex91 (and FXDS) I own a 2003 silver and black Road King Classic plus a 1987 Electra Glide and a 1935 VLR with side package delivery van (under restoration). I also own one-half of between 300 and 400 Harleys each year since I have been a oartner in a Harley dealership for the past 20 years.

 

HARLEY:

Yep, being part owner would explain the # of bikes! I'm jealous, but happy with my one RKC 100th blk/silver. I need to take a picture of my license frame (Harley Davison in silver).

Enjoy the Crossfire and post pics when you can.

 

I agree about the lack of advertisements. The US loves that flash appeal. Sales would pick up if they used the TV. Although, I don't want to see one on every corner. True, I tell people what I want and they say, "Crossfire" what? It is sad. I am seeing a lot more G35 coupes now. These cars are suppose to be made to order. Dealers are asking for 1K to 2K deposits. However, I see more commercials about it than I do of the Crossfire. If the car was made to order instead of made in limited number, I think sales would not matter as much. Can't lose what you haven't spent to make. It seem DCX is uses magazines to sell the car vs. TV. Pick up a well-known magazine. You will see a lot of ads about the Crossfire. Go figure.

We also can't forget this is a sluggish economy. Not many people can go and buy a second car, or trade in one upside down. Many of us have been refinancing our homes too to save money. Reality sets in when you hit that car lot. Things have picked up, but not for the majority.

 

i have to agree with kusheen, my wife has a ssb/a crossfire and i find the car responsive and well handling. I think chrysler put out just what they wanted, a touring car that is responsive and handles well. The 215 hp is all i need and like any other car if i want more i can take this one to florida to rentech and have them push it to 407 hp. but where am i going to use it. my bother has a z and my wifes car lags behind it about 1/2 car length. i don't think that is too bad. crossfire has the looks both interior and exterior. it would be impossible to please everyone. in the end its all about what you like and what makes you happy. the crossfire does just that for my wife and myself. pure joy to drive. if i want fast i'll drive my vette. the crossfire kills it in curves though. chrysler could have put about any engine they wanted it, i think they went for a good balance and proven reliability. there are many cars made today that i like but as for the crossfire i have only on comment. WELL DONE!!

 

Amen and hallelujah for DaimlerChrysler and thwe Crossfire! Harleygeorge

 

I think BlazeRed is right. I also see this car being a classic in the future and even better if they stop making them.

I'm also in the MD/DC/VA area and so far I've only seen 2 Crossfires on the road.