I found a 2005 Sapphire blue with 53,000mi only two owners for $8500 and just drove it from Albany NY to Old Saybrook, CT about a 2.5hr drive with no issues. I do like the 6 speed gearbox except for the 1 to 2 shifts seems bit tuff. Is this common?
I only started looking at these about a month ago and they seem to be priced very inexpensively for what you get? Am I missing something?
I'll post pictures this weekend.
I did take the car thru a car wash on the way back and I am now missing an "S" on the back of the car. Anyone have one to sell?
Love the car
Martin

 

That's a pretty good price for that car these days and, if maintained, you can easily put another 150K on the clock. You also have the 6-speed manual going for ya that can add to the enjoyment. Mine is an inherited 2004 automatic and that's fine with me because I lost control of this car and somehow it turned into my wife's daily driver (probably because she and lots of other people can't drive a standard anymore).

If the car didn't come with maintenance records and it being a 17 year old car the first things you are gonna want to do is change the coolant and the brake fluid as ya don't want the engine and the brake system rotting from the inside out. Go under the rear of the car and pop out the inner-most plug in each of the rear trunk wells with a screwdriver and see how much water pours out if that hasn't been done. And of course, do the "sticky key fix" if that hasn't been done because it's only a matter of time before that problem presents and at 53K on your clock I bet it will present sooner than later. Replace the engine and cabin air filters if they haven't been replaced and ya should be good to go.

The Mercedes engine in these cars is a top quality engine that can run a long, long time and you can put the pedal to the metal over and over again for years without worries. It's the maintenance that spooks people about these cars as Mercedes dealers won't touch it and Chrysler dealers haven't a clue how to deal with them. That leaves you with a finding an independent European shop that works on these old cars and preferably one that works on a lot of vintage Mercedes.

Lost an "S" on the back? Yeah, ya really don't want to run cars this old and rare that have stuck-on emblems/lettering or whatever through car washes. That little plastic letter will cost ya about $30 on ebay. Break a side mirror in a car wash and and it's gonna get really expensive. I think the look of the lettering is really cool but some like a really clean look (myself included) without all that branding so you can always work the the remaining 8 letters off with some dental floss and sell them individually for a total of about $240. Up to you. I still have all my original letters but as a daily driver, if one vanishes I'll probably take them all off and sell them as we're gonna drive this car daily into its grave and enjoy it and the nice clean look of a cool car without all that branding appeals to me.

I mean, who was the IDIOT who thought it was cool to put "FUEL" on the gas cap of the Dodge Challenger? As if someone is so stupid they may pour windshield wiper fluid in there? That's just way, way too much. I'd never ever buy a car that put "FUEL" on the gas cap or "OPEN HERE" on the friggin' door!

 

Sapphire Silver Blue; the prettiest version of the Crossfire and with a 6 spd?? The best version in both the coupe and ragtop. I have a ragtop with the salmon interior.

Congratulations!!
This car isa redheaded step child of Mercedes Daimler and Chrysler. They divorced and abandoned this puppy. So, it was cast to the fates of the winds and the car gods.
Fortunately, it is ALL Mercedes.
Although they won't admit it.

For issues which you will most certainly have in the future, this Crossfire Group is the best place to be.
Welcome to the group but be warned, it is sickness.

Glad you are here.

BTW My son used to live in Dayville up by Hartford. CT is a beautiful place to own a touring sports car. Enjoy

 

Mine is a 6 speed manual and I have a little problem from 1st to 2nd, I 've changed the the tranny oil, bled the clutch slave, flushed and replaced the clutch/ brake fluid which is shared for the clutch and brakes . I have not noticed a great improvement . even replaced the shift **** . More below

Just take your time shifting and try to feel it into 2nd.
Letter S Ebay $25 free shipping https://www.ebay.com/itm/25514407398...0AAOSwPmxhSQvU

 

The letters are on Ebay.

 

hello, congrats on the new ride and welcome to the forum.

for the hard shifting, i would start with fresh fluid, this stuff
https://www.needswings.com/manual-transmission-fluid

 

boys: are you going to tell him about changing oil(s) ?
isnt it the 1st thing to do when buying used?

 

As you have been advised, change transmission fluid (I use Mobile 1 5W20 but there are probably better fluids to use) and bleed brakes/clutch.
The only other things you can do:
1) Get over it, it does not shift like a Ford Ranger!
2) Get some MILES on it, my Graphite, at 116,000 miles, was way smoother - my SE has 62,000 and yea, it's a bit clunky from 1 to 2.

I have never, in 12 years over three Roadsters, taken a Crossfire thru any car wash OTHER than a hand wash rinse-off.
Two buckets, two mitts, car shampoo and detail spray with a LOT of hand towels is the way to go. I don't care HOW filthy the car gets on a trip - I never violate this rule!

(Letters are easy to find, many members will send them to you free, as many have "debadged".)

 

is anybody going to tell him to change the engine's oil?
and the differential?

 

The first to second shift is hard. And normal.
Many people ignore first. Not me.

I use first 'cause, just like the 160 MPH on the speedometer, I paid for six gears, so I use all six.

 

The car was sitting for a year or so until I purchased it. The 1 to 2 is now pretty good after a few hundred miles and the rest of the car is fantastic. I will be changing all of the fluids in the next few weeks, thanks for all of the advice. Ill post pics soon

 

Original owner and the 1-2 was always glitchy. About 10 years ago the clutch cable slipped loose and the shop that repaired it also adjusted so it shifts much better. Still, it prefers you are precise rather than sloppy when shifting. I also do the 1-2 shift but tend to go 4-6 at the higher end. PS - I hope you took the Taconic Parkway down to CT. It is a great drive in a sports car. PPS - I only go through touchless car washes and usually hand wash at home as my cars are summer drivers only.

Basic maintenance to ensure everything is fresh, clean, and correct:
- oil and filter change
- transmission fluid
- differential fluid
- brake fluid (Mercedes recommends every three years; but I think that is too frequent unless the pedal is squishy)
- coolant
- air filters (there are two)
- cabin filter
- fuel filter
- I have never changed power steering fluid, but some fanatics do
- run a can of Seafoam through the gas tank