The Crossfire, Thunderbird, SS-R and the Cadillac XLR and the Prowler (not mentioned in the article) are all future classics for all the reasons that some what doomed them in the marketplace. In reality none of them were ever meant to be big sellers, they were image cars. Because of that they were all built on existing platforms which meant that none consisted of the latest state of the art technology. IMO they were all over priced which didn't help them in the market. The wife really liked the T-Bird but she told me to get something I really liked and wanted and that was the Crossfire. Considering the contentious relationship between MB and Chrysler during the merger Crossfire seems like a perfect name. Incidentally I went to a local cruise last night and in addition to my Crossfire there was a Thunderbird, SS-R and a XLR. No Honda's, No Toyota's, I'm just sayin.

 

Very true. What I found objectionable was the tone of the review that made it sound like the Crossfire failed in the market due to design and performance shortcomings. Very misleading, especially to non-enthusiasts. But then the car's failure in the market is what allowed me to get my '04 white coupe in showroom condition (and only 15,000 miles!) for $12,500.

 

I don't think the author was trying to say that the Crossfire is a bad car, just that releasing it to the market when it was released at the price it was released at was a bad idea for Chrysler. It's a lazy "20/20 hindsight" article - I don't think anyone can argue that the Crossfire didn't flop in the market since the proof is in the numbers.

 

It was definitely poorly marketed, but if you look at the production numbers over it production run it out sold the Prowler, SS-R, Thunderbird, Solstice, Sky and the XLR. It out sold the Audi TT in '03, '04 and '05 and the MX-5 in 2003 and 2004 world wide. If I am not mistaken it out sold it's sister SLK for a number of years. I think part of the problem is that the roadster market is a very narrow market and the early 2000's the roadster market was a crowded one and most manufacturers were overly optimistic on their sales outlooks. The fact that sales fell off after the first couple years is a normal occurrence which is why most models are refreshed around the third year. Plus the fact that by that time most of the people who "must have" one have already gotten one.

 

I had both at a large car show with my sons last Saturday. There were some really nice cars there. My sons asked if I thought my cars would win anything and I said NO. Too many old restored classics and muscle cars there. They gave prizes out for the over all pick and the presidents pick (sponsor). Then all the participates voted for their pick of the top 30. Long story short, both cars finished in the top 30 picks. And this was a very diverse show. I was amazed. Go XF's...

 

For the low price these cars are selling for now, they have to be the best bargain ever. I may look for an srt-6 to go with our na coupe.

 

While I agree the reviews are not wrong, I don't care. The reviews are NOT perfectly accurate either. They leave out extenuating circumstances (ie. cost) This is a great car and I could not be happier! It drives well and looks great. I only wish everyone on the forum could be as happy as I am with my Crossfire!

 

both cars finished in the top 30 picks.

Congrats, participant choice shows car be difficult because of the mindset that the more money you spend and more chrome you have the better the car. I have been showing my cars since 1981 and the shows that I think I have a chance more often than not I come home empty handed. The ones I think I have no chance are the ones I do the best at, go figure. Way to represent the XF.

 

Not only are these cars the most fun and enjoyable I've ever owned, they were truly a great bang for the buck. Because these cars aren't "me too" styling, they've managed to stay fresh. This great forum is just icing on the cake and has made my ownership experience that much better. I've read reviews that praise the Crossfire and the naysayers seem to be in the minority. I keep both of mine happy and well-sorted. They are staying in my garage for a long time to come.

 

NWCC went to the Lynden Raspberry festival car show yesterday. We had 9 cars representing including 2 SRT verts and We had a great showing. With over 200 cars there, and thousands of people viewing the interest in Our cars was outstanding! I spent the day Teaching people about Our great cars and enjoying all the compliments from the viewing public.

A beautiful 1932 Packard 12 won best in show But Our crossfires definitely belong with the rest of the great cars that were present!

Oh Yeah, Not a Honda or Toyota in sight.

 

Most will agree that the Xfire gets much more appreciation NOW than it did in its debut. Due to the rarity (not many sold) you don't see them tooling around much, hence they garner attention. Every time I gas up people ask me what "year" it is, thinking it's much newer than it really is. I say "Ya, the car got no love when it came out". But you slap some coilovers on it, lower and adjust the compression/dampening, get a Eurocharge tune, and it will certainly keep up and in many cases pass up cars 10 years newer. Funny thing is the "polarizing" styling that most people didn't like back in '04/'05, now seems to be much better viewed in 2013. Maybe it was a car made before "its time".....