Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

Hey guys,

First, great forums; I'm a DeLorean owner (my 'fun car' for weekends), so I know the value of a great community for out-of-production vehicles.

I've been looking at getting a Crossfire for awhile, to be primarily used as a daily driver; I'm a highschool teacher, do not live far from work, and I don't have to sit in rush hour traffic, so my commute is always less than 30 minutes (barring random accidents) and short. This means that buying something that isn't amazing on gas and isn't the best at 'sitting in traffic' is not really a concern for me - fun and a touch of class is what I'm after, and the Crossfire has both.

I've run into a bit of a quandary, though.

First, I saw a 2005 Crossfire, black, 6-speed, full 150-point mechanical inspection (nothing wrong with it), no accidents, and only (get this) barely over 20,000 KM's (I'm Canadian, so yes, that's kilometers). It's practically mint.

Second, I saw a 2005 SRT-6 Crossfire. 117,000 KM's (again, Canadian, so that's kilometers), 5-speed auto (obviously), similarly 150-point inspected and with no real problems whatsoever. The only issue I saw is a little wear on the center console, inside - the rest of the interior (seats included) is absolutely immaculate.

As an important note, both cars cost about the same; there's a 700$ difference between the two (the Limited is more expensive than the SRT, likely due to the low mileage).

Now the 'guy' in me is screaming, 'get the SRT', but the cautious side of me is saying that buying the Limited one for basically the same price and with almost no mileage makes more sense - less mileage means more reliability, and I am looking for a DD.

Like I said, either will be a daily driver, though I'll enjoy them occasionally for fun as well. I likely won't keep either one for more than five to six years before selling it; I already own a DeLorean for my 'toy', and am just in the market for a nice daily driver until its age and/or mileage gets too high to justifiably maintain.

I heard that the SRT's are built 'better' than the 'regular' Crossfire's, but can't substantiate that. Though it is 'down the road', I imagine an SRT, due to its rarity, will also have a better re-sale value, even with more kilometers on the clock. The SRT, naturally, will also be more fun to drive - I really don't care about the gas mileage difference. That said, 20,000 kilometers on a legitimately 'mint' Limited Crossfire is hard to pass up...

Anyway, going in circles! To be short: Get the ultra low-mileage 5-speed (black) Limited 2005, or the 'average for a daily driver of its age' SRT? Is it more or less a 'toss up', or is one version legitimately 'better' than the other (beyond the obvious performance gap).

Many thanks - any opinions are welcome.

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

Just based on what you've said, I'd say the Normally Asiprirated is a no brainer. Lower mileage, a little cheaper to maintain, better as a daily driver and you can mod it for more performance if you really want to but they are quick enough, handle well enough and ride quality for everyday use will be appreciated over the long hall as well. As far as the SRT being better built, I'd say due to the power and torque some of the components are upgraded to handle it but the NA is built equally as well for it's specs and you don't have to deal with the supercharger maintenance issues. I've seen NAs with over 200K miles on them so if you have a low mileage NA you should get many years of great service from it. Mine is an 04 with only 22,000mile on it and it's been a great car. Good luck with your choice.

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

I have to agree with 180...what are you paying? If you can buy an SRT for $12K, then I vote SRT...If it is in the 15-16 range, then I wouldn't buy either....:cool:

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

I went for the mint low mileage NA. Among other considerations, I didn't think an extra 100 horse power was really needed to get to work.

Insurance and fuel costs should be less as well.

Don't forget, the SRT, from all I've read, rides very hard compared to the SRT.

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

A very good point made here. The SRT suspension is more rigid and isn't the best ride. More for performance. But, again, the price is very important as well...

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

I'd vote for the low mileage NA with manual transmission. For everyday driving, the power is adequate and I think that a manual transmission is generally more enjoyable than an automatic. I did consider a 32,000 mile SRT-6 roadster when I was shopping a year ago, but settled on a 5000 mile Limited roadster for a lot less money. I haven't regretted my decision.

Go for the low milage NA. you can still get 165 mph from her, no super high cost supercharger failures to worry about and the manual transmission is more fun and more controllable.
Dont rush the transmission between 1st & 2nd..... its not a fast box, but good for 200,000+ miles.... as is the engine as often proven by Mercedes where they cam from...

Use the Mobil 1 lubricants as recomende + regular oil n filter changes....
And you will have the ultimate toy that wont stop pleasing you :-)

Regards
Grant B

QUOTE=CharlieO;677736]I'd vote for the low mileage NA with manual transmission. For everyday driving, the power is adequate and I think that a manual transmission is generally more enjoyable than an automatic. I did consider a 32,000 mile SRT-6 roadster when I was shopping a year ago, but settled on a 5000 mile Limited roadster for a lot less money. I haven't regretted my decision.[/QUOTE]

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

You don't need first. When I had the N/A Coupe I almost always started off in second (occasionally third when I was being senile and forgot which gear I selected at the stop). Second gets you from a standing start to 35 without even breathing hard.

You won't spend more on regular maintenance with the SRT6. Any used car is a pig in a poke.

I can agree that..... we cannot agree on anything here it seems.....
My XF is Black..... and i will agree with the log book before anyone disagrees ..... and says its a dark grey or smokey looking or it has too many gears which means..... i should remove the 1st one, and start off in reverse...
Or its a two door, or a 3 door if you climb in via the hatch....
Its got 4 wheels, but 2 are different - maybe this means its a 2 x 2 !
Agreeing it has two seats is a challenge as it has iso-fix points for a kiddy seat - or for half a person.... meaning its got 1.5 seats.... one for me and one for a fully grown dwarf maybe ???
Or maybe its not a car at all..... its a Sports Coupe... according to the reg-docs, so not agreeing there at all either.
I agree im male, but been accused of a GAY posting here.... so im maybe not male or female or some thing between the two ?
And one of my eyes is both the same.....maybe.....

However i do have two left feet according to my girlfriend....who looks very female to me, but some one may also disagree there some how im sure because her boobs may not be huge enough to qualify her as a female, which may mean im a gay again...

So, i think its fair to say, however logical any suggestions are, however complintary you can be, however helpful your intent, or anything else for that matter..... someone can tear the butt out of the suggestion and dissagree.... because they can
:-)

Have a great day all..... in confused agreement to the something of nothing.
GB

QUOTE=Mopar or No Car;677748]You don't need first. When I had the N/A Coupe I almost always started off in second (occasionally third when I was being senile and forgot which gear I selected at the stop). Second gets you from a standing start to 35 without even breathing hard.

You won't spend more on regular maintenance with the SRT6. Any used car is a pig in a poke.[/QUOTE]

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

Hey guys,

Thanks for the feedback.

As to prices, both cars are around 17,000$ CDN. I realize that for most you (i.e. you fine fellows in America) that this sounds like a lot, but cars like this are more rare and harder to come by up here; we generally have more European sports coupes (my general preference) and fewer American cars... plus, with only 35 million people in the whole country, we just don't have as may cars, period, to choose from. This means that the used car market is pricier than it is for you guys.

Now I've done the import-from-the-states bit before (for my DeLorean), and it's just too much hassle. Between the cost to fly down to the car, if it's far away, to drive it back or to ship it back, to then pay duty at the border as well as sales tax to my Province... no. I'll do it for a super-rare sports car, but not for a daily driver. By the time all is said and done, it would be almost the same price as buying local, anyway, and is easily twice the hassle, not to mention highly time-consuming. If I was looking to buy a 'perfect' Crossfire to keep as a weekend toy for decades to come, I might consider it, but that isn't what I'm looking for. I'm looking for a well-maintained one to use as a daily driver, and only for about five or so years until its age/mileage becomes enough of a motivation for me to sell it; I already have my thirty year-old DeLorean, I don't want a second hobby car!

As a general question, provided the car was well maintained, would an SRT-6 at 117,000 KM (that's about 72,000 miles) be a little risky to consider for a daily driver? It has passed a 150 point inspection with flying colours. That said, I'm sure car with only 8,000 miles (the Limited 6-speed) is even more reliable. I'd also be curious as to re-sale value 'down the road' - i.e. would the SRT retain more value, even at higher mileage, just because it's an SRT.

Many thanks for your help guys, it is sincerely appreciated.

P.S. As a general piece of info, I'm out west in Vancouver, Canada, and as to gas mileage, neither car is that stellar at it, so MPG isn't really a concern of mine.

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

72,000 is not outrageous mileage for these cars. If it is as clean as you say it is, it has likely been well maintained and should continue to be very reliable for the duration
you stated you intend to own it. Though as has been stated, buying any used car is a crap shoot. Likewise, the Limited with 8k miles sounds great, but sitting for long durations can be very detrimental to a vehicle as well. Was the Limited used often for very short trips, or did it sit unused for a couple of years? That could make a difference.
Not to further muddy the waters... :)
As far as resale goes, the SRT will likely hold more inherent value regardless of mileage, however, assume you put 50,000 miles on the car before you sell it, the Limited will still only have 58,000 miles. Still relatively low mileage, and it should also have good equity in it.

All things considered, I would buy the Limited myself. I love mine.

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

Thanks for the advice; it is indeed a bit of a toss-up. Both cars are on different major dealer lots and have gone through a provincial safety inspetion; basically a 150-point test of every major (and some minor) components. That said, 70,000 miles versus only 8000... well, the 8000 sounds lovely. I do know some of the risks that come with a car that 'sits'; my DeLorean needed to have all of the fuel lines replaced shortly before I bought it because the previous sole owner had let the car sit for six years without being touched. That said, I have a bit more faith that a car that is only seven years old likely just saw 'light' use, rather than being packed up for years on end. My guess is that it was someone's weekend toy, and only in fair weather.

I could provide links to each of the two cars (would have to dig them up again), but suffice to say that they're both very clean - the only real difference is the mileage, and for a daily driver, I may swing in the direction of the Limited purely because so few miles will likely mean less wear/tear on the critical parts.

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

I bought my 2005 Limited roadster in January, 2011 with just 5149 miles on the odometer. It now has 16,000 miles on it, and has suffered no ill effects from infrequent use. The seller had changed the oil yearly, and the car had a relatively new battery when I got it. The bonus that I got was the transferrable 7year/70,000 mile drivetrain warranty, which expires in September. I haven't needed it. I haven't spent a dime on this car in a year and a half, except for an oil change and windshield wiper blades.

On the other hand, in 2008 I bought a 2002 Sebring Limited convertible with just 8100 miles on it. This car had been neglected and abused by a "little old lady," and the Chrysler dealer had no record of it ever being in for any kind of service. I simply changed all of the fluids and belts, charged the AC, bought new tires to replace the rotted originals, and drove it for 20,000 miles. I did have several expensive repairs in the two years that I owned it, and they were things that probably would have happened and been covered under the warranty if the original owner had been driving it enough. Still, I put 20,000 miles on the car in two years and sold it for $50 more than I paid for it. While the experience was not as positive as the Crossfire, it wasn't too bad. Either way, I will continue to buy used cars with extremely low miles.

My guess is that your Crossfire experience will not turn out like my Sebring experience.

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

I'd say test drive them both and compare the ride and power of each. My guess (if the supercharger intercooler pump is working) is that you will lean towards the the SRT. I just picked up (or should I say "stole") my 86,000 mile, 2005 SRT in April of this year for $9,900 US. It is in stellar shape for it's age and mileage. Since it was over 80K miles, I had a transmission flush for $500 and the car has performed beyond my expectations. Having never owned or driven a Crossfire before, I test drove an NA at a dealers lot and was truly impressed, but they wanted more than I had in my budget for a "fun car". When I found the SRT with the supercharger, I gave it a go - and new then that I was not going to buy an NA. When that car lays you back in the seat, you feel like you are in a jet fighter with full afterburners kicked in (or at least what I would THINK a jet fighter would feel like). From what I have researched on the forums, these cars (even starting out at 117,000KM) will last long after you're finished with them IF you take care of them, so see which you like best and go for it - you won't be disappointed.

Good luck!!

RL67037

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

SRT: Used 2005 Chrysler CROSSFIRE SRT6 for Sale in Calgary - Price | Sunridge Mazda

Limited: http://inventory.brooksmotorproducts...e-id167682.htm

There's the SRT-6 and the Limited. Both have had 150-point inspections that they passed; apparently the SRT needed a few sensors replaced (o2, I think), but otherwise it looks in great shape. The Limited has needed nothing.

Any opinions? There's 15-photo or so for each car, as as well as a write-up. I know the price(s) may be high by American standards, but that's a fairly good price for one of these in Canada, especially as one carries a warranty (admittedly a short one) and has been fully mechanically inspected, and as the other is similarly inspected in addition to being very low mileage.

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

Both are good looking cars and look like they have been well taken care of. Although both cars are listed as having "tilt steering", Crossfires don't have that - they have a "telescoping" steering column. Not a big deal, but something you should know. Also, on the black one, there is a picture of the center console. In that picture, you can see the engine is running (look at the tachometer) but there is a warning light (other than the seat belt light) illuminated. That warning light, I believe, is a "light out" indicator - meaning one of your exterior lights is out or malfunctioning. Mine came on one time and I could not find a light out anywhere. It turned out to be one of the lights that illuminate the license plate, so be sure to check them all.

You keep saying that these cars have had a "150 point inspection". Have you asked what was inspected on these cars to make up the 150 points? Can you think of 150 different things to check on a car? I only ask this because dealerships use tag lines like this to somehow prove that they are going that extra mile. They might be checking 150 different things, but it may be that 4 of the check points are the air pressure in each tire, rather than making 1 check point of the air pressure in ALL tires. Ask for the list from the dealer and see what they checked. If it has ANYTHING to do with checking the transmission fluid level or quality, the dealer probably DID NOT do that. These cars don't have a transmission dipstick (unless they have been modified) so there is no way to check that without special tools and most dealerships don't have that equipment. Also, the equipment list on the black one says it has floor mats, yet the picture shows cardboard. If there are floor mats available, be sure they put them in - if they don't actually have floor mats, make them pony up and put in some factory mats at their expense - they are not cheap. Just a few things to keep in mind when negotiating - might save you a couple of bucks.

From the pictures, I don't think you can go wrong with either - it comes down to personal choice. By the way - the SRT is my car's twin :D

Enjoy your new ride!

RL67037

Re: Buyer's quandary: higher-mileage SRT or super-low 'normal'
 

Heya,

Thanks for the reply!

150-points does sound arbitrary, but I'm pretty car-savvy (I just de a re-fresh on my DeLorean's engine from the block on up, personally), and I've also seen these reports before - they check every light, switch, device, mechanical part, and have a 'test drive' section.

As to the tilt/telescoping bit, it's probably just the basic 'modifiable steering column' check box for the dealerships which refers to either, but thank you for highlighting the difference for me.

Thanks also for the tips on the transmission and the floor mats! This is indeed a tough choice.