Hello,

I am about to turn 21 and am very interested in getting a mid-mileage crossfire (60-80k miles) for a daily driver. I’m privileged enough to have little bills to pay so naturally I’m looking to get some with this car. I do have a couple thousand to put away for maintenance and repair and will be able to easily handle basic costs such as oil changes on time and tire rotations / replacements every year or so. I’d be getting a coupe model with an auto transmission. I can handle $1000-1500 annually on maintenance to give you an idea of my budget. Furthermore I am going to be buying this car outright, I will not be leasing or taking a loan for it.

Is a crossfire a feasible daily driver that I could also use on long (8-16 hr) drives occasionally?

What major costs should I expect to pay for when I first get the car? The big one I’ve read about so far would be to fix the sticky ignition problem, but don’t know how much exactly that would run.

Where do you recommend looking for crossfires? Currently I'm using facebook market place, cars,com and craigslist.

Lastly what would a good price be for a mid mileage crossfire, and assuming it’s not been abused how long do you all reckon it’ll last to?

I apologize if these questions are answered elsewhere but I used the search bar and didn’t find many results for daily driving.

Thanks for your time,
W

Update: Ha, as soon as I post this I get a bunch of recommended threads about daily driving these. Any input is still much appreciated though.

 

Sticky Ignition Key Fix for all Crossfires 2004 thru 2006 - CrossfireForum - The Chrysler Crossfire and SRT6 Resource

They will easily go 200K plus miles

 

Most repairs you can do yourself.

Index of Crossfire problems and repairs - CrossfireForum - The Chrysler Crossfire and SRT6 Resource

Prices very however a good one would be 6K to 8K

 

thats good to hear, thanks for your input!

 

Im not too familiar with cars but I tinker on computers so I figure with a bit of time and frustration I can fix the basic stuff myself. I also appreciate the ball park of a good price.

 

My stepfather daily drove the 2005 roadster I have now. He never had any real problems with it. The part that scares me with it is the skreem and the key sticking. The key is fixable. The skreem stuff no clue.

 

Is a crossfire a feasible daily driver that I could also use on long (8-16 hr) drives occasionally?
Yes, ours is a daily driver. Long trips with the spare RCM, crank shaft and cam shaft sensors, and the couple of tools it takes to change them (or at least have them on hand for a shop to change them if you need a tow to a shop).

What major costs should I expect to pay for when I first get the car? The big one I’ve read about so far would be to fix the sticky ignition problem, but don’t know how much exactly that would run.
I don't know any shops that perform the sticky key fix as most everyone seems to do it themselves but I'm sure someone can do it. If it doesn't have maintenance records, you'll want to change oil first then as $ allows engine coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid and rear differential lube in that order. You'll also want to change the engine and cabin air filters but those are cheap and easy. Make sure whatever you buy has 2 working keys!

Where do you recommend looking for crossfires? Currently I'm using facebook market place, cars,com and craigslist.
Add AutoTrader to the list and be willing to travel quite a way unless you get lucky and find one close by to get a nice one.

Lastly what would a good price be for a mid mileage crossfire, and assuming it’s not been abused how long do you all reckon it’ll last to?
For an automatic coupe in the mileage range your looking at I'd say $10k - $12k. The engine is good for 200k+ miles if maintained but these are now older cars and problems will show up elsewhere. I'd personally start with a search for the 2004 first model year that came LOADED with everything that later expanded to the Base, LTD, SRT and convertible models and work you're way up through model years. Don't get too hung up on Low Mileage and Later Models as these cars are good for many, many miles. If I were you, I'd look for great condition, no signs of wear and tear, no modifications, maintenance records and maybe get something with 90K to 120K on the clock for <$10K. I'll take a well maintained car that hasn't been abused and has maintenance records with 120K on the clock any day over one that has been abused, neglected, modified with no records and 60-70K on the clock.

I personally think if you aren't mechanically inclined, haven't worked on cars before, don't have a good set of tools to work on them, the cost of maintaining this car taken to an independent European shop is going to cost you quite a bit over time. Just my thoughts.

 

I got 242k out of my modded srt6 before the motor went. I think a base should easily go 300k. I dd my srt6.

 

I bought a garage queen SE and had a year of stuff to fix (AM-FM head, alternator, steering stabilizer, leaking breather covers, weak battery took out seat belt module, etc.) Love my car but it was a lot of work.

Back in 2010, I bought a Graphite Roadster that was the guy's daily driver. That car made it 2200 miles home without a hitch. Ignition locked up a month after I got it home, but other than that, I never had a problem with it. Daily drivers can be way more reliable and less trouble than garage queens.

 

Dear CrossfireCandidate...........sounds like you are looking for my car !

2004, Automatic, 52K, 4th owner, Last time it saw snow was on car carrier from Port of Entry.to Philadelphia dealership. Everything Works and it’s Spotless.

In my 4 years, I have replaced all fluids. Crankshaft and Camshaft Position Sensors (both originals saved as spares), Thermostat, RCM updated by the Arizona Guy, 2 keys. Haven’t done the sticky key fix yet, but have the video.

Comes with 4 years and 4,000 miles of good times and no headaches, and with sockets to fit all the screws and bolts. $8,900.

Looming health concerns (me, not the car).

I think you will love the color.

 

I have 60k miles on my roadster (MT6) and it has gone MI-FL and MI-CT/NY several times. Only maintenance has been changing oil annually and one set of tires (they can be expensive; $1000-1200). If you pick one up, I agree with changing all fluids and filters which may set you back $400-500 DIY and then good for years. My SRT6 has 42k miles and same low maintenance.

 

Well I'd definitely be interested in that. The first thing I'd want to do is do RCM and sensor replacements anyways.

 

Why, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you want to keep a spare in case you need , it makes more sense.

 

In truth, I think prolly the worst thing one can do with the Crossfire is park it as a museum piece.

I have two. One is often used as a daily diver and has little if any real issues. The other is parked all the time and whenever we want to use it, problems arise.
Usually electrical

I must interject one little issue I have with complaints about the Crossfire. The Sticky key thingy.

If you don't use the steering wheel as a handhold to get in and out of the car, it won't happen.
Knowing this, some 20 years after the car was introduced, is of little use but I knew this right off after my young grandson spent half an hour in the driveway, hands on the wheel, pretending to vigorously drive the car.
Reality must be part of your decision.to drive the Crossy on a daily basis. Headlights are rare and expensive. So are taillights, bumpers, fenders and grills.. A minor accident can mean a declaration of total loss by your insurance Company. Total!

 

I mean the sensors appear relatively cheap and it would be for the peace of mind and something to do on the downtime one weekend.

 

Definitely keeping my eyes open for slighly higher mileage cars with a good car record. I also know that starting out with little mechanical knowledge I'll have to budget in more money for repairs, at least until I have the knowledge to do easier fixes myself. Luckily I will have my dad to tackle issues with and he has a decent array of tools to help.

 

I'd certainly add JoeO's crossfire as a possibility while you are looking as that is a good price for a spotless 2004 with no issues and 52K on the clock! If you look an Autotrader and XF's and see what people and dealers are selling and what they are asking for them I'm convinced many are looking for a total fool who would pay those prices. Maybe they'll find one but I tend to doubt it and it will probably be a 1st time XF buyer who love the look of the car for the price compared to other used cars but they don't know what it takes to keep these old cars in good condition. If JoeO's RCM has been repaired there's no reason to change it out but do keep a new spare in the car in case something happens. There is also no need to change out the crank and cam sensors until one fails in my opinion... Just keep a spare of each on hand... I mean, how many times do people replace a working OEM part and the replacement fails right away?

My prior post on this thread kind of poo-pooed you buying one of these but if your dad has tools and you don't mind wrenching on it and gaining skill I'd say get one! These days there are piles of Youtube videos and forums like this where people can learn how to work on cars and do some pretty difficult work without too much fear. If you get one and you perform the Sticky Key fix yourself you'll gain a great deal of confidence and as other issues may present you won't be spooked to attack them yourself. I was lucky when I was your age as I had old beaters from the 70's and 80's that were EASY to work on. They aren't that easy anymore BUT a 2004 XF is easier than most new cars and unless one spends a fortune most new cars all look the same and like crap in my opinion... Every increasing MPG requirements mean every design is subjected the wind tunnel so today's autos all pretty much look the same.

I'll tell you one thing... I'd take a XF any day over one of the new cars that cost way more $ with their common turbocharged 1.5L engines and variable speed transmissions. Those turbos and VSTs will need replaced before the engine and transmission in a XF even if you bought it with 100k on the clock needs replaced in my opinion and those are COSTLY repairs/replacements. I was looking at a new Honda Accord about 2 years ago and I had negotiated an absolutely great price but after I read about the untested nature of the turbo'd 1.5 and that VST, I passed. I just have no interest in dealing with that crap down the road because when I buy a car I maintain it and drive it into the grave. Unless you unload these new cars on someone else before those major expenses hit you're gonna get stuck with them at some point and it's not fun to be shelling out $1000's of dollars on an older car with 100K on the clock.

 

precision ecu did my skreem module for 395 and i didnt need the skreem module anymore they put it all into the computer so you can just cut keys for your car. very easy to fix now.

 

It’s been my experience that the majority of problems........(And by that I mean things that go bump in the night)......can be solved by coming to this site and:
1. describing what the events or conditions were that led up to the problem
2. remembering unrelated events that may have been a contributing factor

....and usually within a day or, the back and forth chit chat and ridicule from these experienced folk will give you a to do list that will save you money and/or time. Even if you can’t turn a wrench you will be able to go to a garage and look them in the eye and describe the solution..... and scare them with your troubleshooting skills. Don’t go in like an unmarried school marm for they will ravish your pockets.

quite a number of their solutions will be following their directions and simply doing some fairly uncomplicated stuff........the exceptions to the untrained are multimeters, reading
schematics, and learning what screem means.

when you were younger learning clefs, metronomes, and taking piano Lessons ....these guys were under a car in the driveway.

 

Let's put it this way... For what CrossfireCandidate would pay a shop to fix the Sticky Key issue that has no knowledge of the problem he'd get sold a bill of goods that would go on an on starting with a replacement of the tumbler that won't fix it and then a replacement of the entire ignition and after that I bet $1500-$2000 would have been spent between parts and labor AND HE'D STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM in the new ignition that will present again in time. Heck, $1500-$2000 will buy one heck of a set of tools that can work on about anything so even if one doesn't own a screwdriver, it would be better to watch a Sticky Key fix video, spend $1,500 - $2,000 on an entire set of nice tools and use just a couple of them to fix the sticky key issue! Ya got that problem fixed with absolutely no parts purchased and ya have a killer set of tools for the same price that will last a lifetime!

I think I have a great set of tools I've put together over the years but I got to say I can't hold a candle to pro mechanics. I am in awe of their tools but they wrench for a living and when when speed is key there's always a new tool that can do something on this or that a little faster and easier. I have time so I don't need all that and can get by but wow do pro mechanics have some fantastic sets of tools that can address any issue in short order... That's why the Snap-On trucks keep rolling into dealers and repair shops... There's always a new and better tool to do a job faster and easier.