I found this article interesting. It does not add much that isn't on this forum except that it does discuss the good touring feel of the non-SRT Xfire. After two years of owning both a roadster(6 speed) and a coupe (automatic) I found the discussion of the 2000 to 3000 rpm feel to be critical to the sweet spot for the Xfires I own.

Full Test: 2004 Chrysler Crossfire

 

Thanks for posting. Don't remember seeing that one before. Seemed a fair appraisal. Wonder if any reviewer ever liked the cup holder.

 

Interesting article, and one I never read before. Only road test of a 6 speed Crossfire that didn't pull high 14's in the 1/4 mile that I can remember.
I found his comment about Rt. 66 with Todd and Buss hitting the "Go pedal" of their 1960's V8 Vette and it responding with more low-RPM urgency than the Crossfire's 3.2 Liter V6 a little amusing.
I looked up a road test of a 1962 "Fuelie" Vett in Motor Trends August 1962 issue, and it did indeed pull a 0 to 60 one second faster than the Crossfire did, (using only 1st. gear). But even with 3.70 gears, it still took 14.9 sec. to do the 1/4 mile.
Sounds like a another case of "The older I get, the faster I was".

 

Good article. The acceleration numbers sound like their test car needed a throttle reset. I had a BMW Z4 2.5i that I traded in for my SRT6. That car was lucky to do 0-60 in 7.5 seconds. While its handling was good, its acceleration really disappointed me. It was typical as I was a BMWCAA member and knew lots of Z4 members that agreed that the 0-60 times were in the mid 7 seconds.

 

I was chatting with a friend that has a Mercedes with our motor and drive train and he has always understood it as a transmission reset, not throttle. He bought his C32 AMG in 2002 new and is a very active member of thier club.

Here is the link he provided - Reset Transmission on W202 - Mercedes Benz Guide and Repair Wiki

Just a fyi
Cheers,
Ty

 

Right at the beginning of the Benzguide.com article you mention they list the following

"Note
Article may only reset a throttle position sensor Currently Being Verified "

That is what has been posted on this forum many times under the title "throttle reset"

 

I can read too. I am just pointing out that they look at it as a tranny reset. Thats it.
Ty

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawk Monster

I found this article interesting. It does not add much that isn't on this forum except that it does discuss the good touring feel of the non-SRT Xfire. After two years of owning both a roadster(6 speed) and a coupe (automatic) I found the discussion of the 2000 to 3000 rpm feel to be critical to the sweet spot for the Xfires I own.

Full Test: 2004 Chrysler Crossfire

I hadn't seen this article before and found it an interesting read as well - thankee.
I can't speak for the quarter mile or even 0-60 times (as I've never actually timed that - all I know is it is normally fast enough to bring a smile to my face and that's good enough for me!) but I did agree with most of the comments regarding handling.

Living in a household with both my Crossfire and my boyfriend's Boxster (not an S), I especially enjoyed those comparisons. I do agree wholeheartedly that the Boxster FEELS more responsive due to the direct feedback from the wheel but since we've autocrossed both - the actual handling (regardless of driver emotional response) is on par. The boxster feels more in control and therefore generates a tad more confidence BUT lap times from the same driver are comparable. Again, that is autocross lap times not drag.

I've found that here at a mile plus altitude, I generally shift around 3500 rpms ('08 na roadster). She seems plenty torquey at low rpms to me - then again, I have this incredibly heavy foot, lol. My only difficulty with her was learning to handle the seemingly short shift time from first to second on take-off but that is due mainly to me driving wee lil four-bangers most my life and having to rev the crap outta them to get going. Actually had the same learning curve with the first Ducati come to think of it. More power equals different driving/riding methods.

Are there faster and better handling sports cars out there then my Crossfire? You betcha! Do I care? Not really. I bought her for the total package which includes her drop dead gorgeous looks. She makes me happy just like my lil PT Cruiser still makes me happy. Different cars for different reasons.

Would I still buy a Boxster S coupe as my next car? Probably, unless something else catches my spirit in the same price range. Would I give up the Crossfire to do it? Nope! I'm a collector not a trader.

 

This was the best response yet....good for you. My love for the XF came out of pure accident. I was always a Camaro/Vette guy my whole life, and my daily driver always some form of jeep. I bought the roadster for my wife, until I realized what I had. I was to replace a ZO6 I had let go when the 3 sons were in college, but after driving the roadster, the money I had spent to get her, I made a deal with her to forego the $50K I would spend on the Vette, and I would keep the roadster. After all, she can drive it once in awhile. The deal was made. She is now looking at a coupe to replace her lease car...we may own 3 here before long, as I am a collector, until my taste changes, but at my age, these will do just fine....and for the money I have invested, I am not afraid to drive them like I stoled them...

 

A good read and reasonbly fair appraisal. Thanks for posting.

Doc, you did steal them!

As to the low performance under 3,000 RPM's, I can't argue with the reviewer. However, I have never found a need to downshift going up a hill or even to pass on the interstate.

We hear about the low speed engine response but I have found that since installation of the Sprint Booster, I no longer suffer here. I believe if MB or Chysler had installed these units stock(or made appropriate hardware modifications to the throttle assy) that this comment would never have come up.

As to the cup holder, What @&$%**^($*&#%@^$ cup holder?

Sometime when I shift aggresively, there is an orange symbol on my speedo that tells me to back off a bit. Then there is this automatic device that slaps my elbow telling me to stop doing that. But where o' where does this car have a cup holder?

Every review seems to complain about the vague steering. A legitimate complaint given the car's intended market sector. But as BAT pointed out, no one has any issue getting the Crossie to go exactly where they point it. It may not "feel" like it, but it goes thru the twisties as well as any car of it's nature.

The seats fit tight. So personaly, while the steering wheel is vague, most feedback comes through my butt anyway. After many years of driving American cars, that's about the only way to know what all four paws are doing.

Again, thanks for posting the review.

roadster with a stick

 

Right on Franc, can't argue that, but to have 3 for under $50K, and when I win the 4th...well, that just borderline's on greedy right there....lol