I am in the market for a new car and am considering either a Crossfire or Nissan 350Z. I figured the best people to ask about the Crossfire is the owners. I have test driven 2 of them and loved it. How reliable is the car, however. Lately, Mercedes has not been known for their reliability.

 

I'm a new owner myself, and can offer these thoughts. Granted, I have an SRT6 with the AMG built engine, but I think this applies to all of the Crossfires.

IMHO, the Mercedes drivetrain is mechanically rock solid. However, like many cars, Crossfires have some "glitches" that will probably need to be addressed....

• Intercooler pump failures (SRT6 only, replace with Johnson pump)
• Sticky Ignition Switch (all models, free fix instructions on forum)
• Faulty solder connections on relay circuit board (free fix instructions on forum)
• Leaky plug adapter on automatic transmissions (inexpensive to fix)
• Water leaks around fixed spoiler mount (SRT6 only)

I'm sure there are a few I may have missed, but these are the ones I've worked on personally. I am pretty mechanically inclined, but I have to say that the Crossfire is an easy vehicle to work on yourself. I was apprehensive about doing my own work before I bought mine, but most of the routine maintenance is very straightforward. The oil change was one of the easiest I've ever done. I have now replaced all of the fluids, and none of them were difficult to do.

Now, if you have all of your service work done at a dealership, be prepared to spend some money.

I hope this helps. I'm sure other more experienced members will chime in as well.

 

I have an '07 6 speed with @ 41,000 miles on it & an '08 automatic with < 5,000 miles. Bought them both new for a total of $40K. Only problems have been that the 07 was out of alignment from factory & one day at minus 5 degrees F I went over 100 mph & the fan kept running for a day or so till the system reset itself. >24 mpg on the stick & about
22.5 mpg with the automatic. Got the stick up to 131 mph in 5th once.....got chicken with old tires & never hit 6th gear..... LOVE EM BOTH!

 

I've not driven a 350 but I hear it's more of a true blue sports car; with the Crossfire being more of a grand tourer, more comfortable and "mercedes'ey". I can only comment on the Crossfire first hand and I've had no problems in the very short time I've had it. In the UK at least, 350's are a dime a dozen whereas Xfire's are rare... I'm not sure that's the case where you are. There's a great performance car magazine over here and they entered a race series for a set of articles; they chose the Nissan as their track car. It all depends what you're after really.

 

We've got an '07 with just over 7k on the odometer. Thus far, no issues have surfaced. This is our first venture into a 2-seater and the XFire is a blast to drive. I'd say that it's more of a touring sports car than an all-out performer, the SRT-6 being the exception. And any of the XFires are standouts when driven because they were never really big sellers for Daimler-Chrysler, which makes them somewhat rare compared to the 'cookie-cutter' variety out there (including the Nissan 350/370Z).

And if you're considering a roadster version, the XFire still is a sharp looking version with the top up. You'll never here anyone say that about a Nissan 350/370Z roadster! It's down right UUUUUUUUUUUUUUGLY! (IMO)

Besides, we like having something that hardly anyone else has. Hell, with the use of leasing, anyone can drive a Porsche, Vette, BMW Z4, etc. And you see these cars everywhere nowadays which substantiates my perspective.

 

Bought an '08 new in 9/09 $15k off MSRP. 8k on car and first service performed. This is the first new car I've ever owned with no warranty repairs whatsoever. Other than gas, $ into car to date = $120 for first service. Every system and piece still operate as new and nothing is loosening, slipping, or shimmying. Knocked on wood as I wrote this, but if this is an indication of what I have to look forward to, then I'm thanking the stars. Also the first car I've hard-shell hand waxed (three times) since my BOSS 302 Mustang in '75. Once its in your garage you will feel pride of ownership.

 

absolutely love my 2006 Ltd coupe. No issues at all, solid dependable daily driver. 21 K on the clock and not so much as a rattle that was out of the ordinary.

 

Bought my '05 limited coupe in August last year. I am not going to brag about the car, you know what will happen if I do. I will just tell you this, in all my 71 years of owning cars,(and there are way too many to list,) this Crossfire, with out a doubt is the best car I have ever owned. It had a little over 6,000 miles when I bought it, and now has around 8,500. I cant drive it too much in Michigan winters. I just replaced oem battery,(still working good,) but was nervous having 5 year old battery in car.
Point #2 to love the Crossfire, does the 350Z have a forum like us Crossfire owners have? That is like getting a shop manual on the car as large as the trunk area.

 

I originally bought a '06 Coupe and then traded it in for an '06 Roadster. The only issue that I have had (and very minor) is black tape-like material where the roadster top rests on the deck when the top is up. It was slightly faded. I had them replace it under warranty. Other than that, no issues. I've put on about 19,000 miles in less than two years on the roadster.

 

I have two of them -- 2005 and 2007. Enough said. Passed up on a pristine 2005 350Z with 5000 miles on it for my 2005. They are very different cars in my way of thinking. I felt like the Z was quicker at low RPM but the Xfire is a touring car. Funny but I prefer my automatic to my stick. Good luck in your decision.

 

I just picked up an '04 coupe last Thursday with 49k on it. I traded an Audi A6 for it. Sadly, I do not miss the Audi!

 

Well all I can say is that I have never heard a Crossfire owner who was so upset, or did not like the car, or thought it was a POS, and just could not stand it anymore and wanting to get rid of it. Most of us wish they had TWO of them and indeed a lot of members do own Two. Just my thought

 

Back in 2005 I was leaning towards the 350Z. Nissan had jerks for sales people and were very difficult to deal with. Went over to Chrysler and stumbled on the Crossfire. Was amazed at the similarities to Mercedes. I could tell just by looking at the interior. So similar it reminded me of the old SL sports cars from the 70's. Then started reading on the web and realised it was a Mercedes. I was hooked and wanted to know more. The Chrysler dealerships were easier to negotiate with at the time. I cut the deal and ended up with a less common car then the 350z. Very happy with the decision and never looked back.

Our cars do have some common bugs. For example, some AC problems with the switch (needs to be replaced), headliners fall down, heated seats brake and some have oil valve cover leaks. If you buy a used car those bugs may have already been worked out. But either way, they are small inexpensive things to fix. Once they are completed you will have a GREAT car. A car that will do more than 100+ MPH and feel like it wants to keep going faster. A car with a unique character and design that really stands out from the crowd.

Just read about some of the known bugs on this forum!

 

Hi,

I bought a 2004, in March of 2004. It's my dailey driver. I have 50K on it right now. I love my car.

 

I have 2 srt's...replaced the ic pump on 1 of them, none of the other problems have surfaced yet....I do have a very small valve cover leak, it will be an easy fix....hasn't been bad enough to fix yet....

 

I'm on my second x-fire, first one was an 04 stick, put 75K miles on it, no problems. Got my 08, auto, two years ago, it has 25K miles, again no problems. Even living in the car capital of the USA, California, you don't pass other x-fires on the road. Great car!!

 

Thanks everyone for your input. I agree with you Blackcrossfire07, the interior is much like a MB. That is one of the things I dont like about the 350Z, the interior is cheep looking. In test driving both cars now I have noticed that the Z is much faster off the line, but watch out when you hit 2nd gear with the Crossfire it seams it could take out 99% of the cars on the road. I'm not a young leadfoot driver anymore, but it is certainly nice to know you have the ability to be one.

I think you have really helped me make my decision. Perhaps I will soon be like all of you telling someone how much I love my Crossfire.

Thanks

 

Whichever you choose, best wishes.

 

i've owned many "sports" cars over the years and this car trumps them all. my graphite had some minor bugs that have been worked out (all warranty/tsb items) and the black one has never had any issues. i bought two just in case something happened to one of them. i'd never do that with a z.

 

After owning the '07 Coupe and going to a few meets, bought my wife an '05 Roadster. Love 'em both, did the minor "Position Sensor" repair on the '05 before it started to act up (it has 37K), and bought a 2nd one for the Coupe when she gets that many miles. After this lasts years winter (which was a little unusual for OK) we talked about a winter driver. Couldn't decided which to sell, kept them both and are in the process of getting a 3rd car. Now we can be able to haul stuff from Lowes.