I was heading home from a meeting yesterday and passed by a Chrysler dealer between Baltimore and DC...having a few minutes on my hands, I decided to see if they had any XF's sitting on the lot. Indeed, a nice black SRT was there all alone. Well, having read the reviews and posts on this site, I figured "why not give it a go" and see what the difference was for myself.

WOW!

Fortunately this dealer is situated in a perfect spot with easy access to a very nice highway (lightly traveled in mid day) and a series of "country roads" which gave me the perfect opportunity to let it rip and then test the grip.

It was absolutely fantastic, not much traffic on the highway and got to see/feel the grunt this baby has...which is a lot! I ran it down about 4 miles of the open high way...just a beautiful stable run with hard acceleration and a quick exit off the ramp. Brakes fantastic, turning on to some nicely maintained back roads which had interesting rolling hills, sharp corners and no traffic, I got to push it hard (no where near the limits) within reason for public streets. I did a bit of a break test, assuring the sales guy that I would not be doing anything untoward to life or limb, and it was just beautiful.

I was just stunned...it was like this car was built just for me!

What an afternoon! I counting my pennies now and figuring out a good story I can tell my girl why I need this car!

 

pssst..... buy it, but it, but it...
hey, did you hear something?

 

LOL...yeah...i'm wrestling with it...been hard to concentrate after that ride.

 

about $29,900 in texas new.

 

Go For It!

 

I have an '04 auto crossfire. I test drove one a few months ago. Had a quiet side street by the Casino in Coconut Creek, Florida, and hammered it down the street. It sounded darn good while I was hammering it, but it felt like I was waking up a pissed off monster that didn't want to wake up. Like most autos, they may slur on downshifts. Maybe i did not hit it hard enough, who knows. It seems like a cool car that can surprise some of the faster cars out there. Now the thing that bothers me is that it is another automatic transmission car. Is it such a huge deal to deal with an auto, or look at another car that offers a manual. Decisions, decisions.

 

Hey Dan, they have it listed at 48K (DC is not the cheapest place to live). They have $5K off from Chrysler and the dealer was coming down 3K additionally...that's still $10K more than what you've indicated...obviously (since I've been lurking around this site forever) I won't be dealing with the local dealers here when I decide to get one...in the past I've run over to Delaware to buy cars, and looked in PA as well...much cheaper than DC area...too many rich cats here.

They had 3 limited ragtops all for around 35 - 36k...pretty pricey eh?

It would be well worth a the air travel and a couple days back to DC to get a significant savings like that...maybe I'll see y'all in Texas sometime soon! Ye ha!

Thanks for the post back...and for all your great posts.

 

I know exactly what you mean bud. But at this point I'm not really looking to push the envelope anymore, so the difference between the absolute crispness and control of a stick vs. auto is marginal concern to me (I'm getting old man!). I used the autostick for down shifts and it did what I needed it do, but as you said, it's not the same as a true manual.

In an regard, the car has a lot going for it. I'm six foot about 215 (cough) but get in and out with ease. The driving position is just perfect for me and I absolutely loved the car on the corners...its flat, little roll and confident.

About being cool however, when I entered the highway, I got in behind 4 cars, waited for a hole shot down the left lane and hammered it to go past them. One of the vehicles (Ford truck) tried to pull in behind and catch up...but he disappeared quickly in my mirrors...he waved as I was heading down the ramp...that was kinda cool.

 

$21k here in East Texas for 2004 Limited Crossfire. There's 4 left in the dealership inventory!

 

That's incredible...but they're 2004's? Wow they're almost ancient now...lol.

 

Hey take it easy on us '04s! I still like to push mine hard in the canyons here. I've driven the SRT6 and like the extra burst of power and may look for mine soon! I only wish they made Red or Alabaster SRT6s! I don't care for the wing or wheels! Ride is a little firmer too. I want a coupe but may change my mind. I haven't driven the SRT6 roadster...Texas and Alabama have great deals on new SRT6s also small east coast DC dealers I've seen with low prices! Don't pay more than 32k for a '05 SRT6 coupe new! Met a guy here who bought a SRT6 roadster for 37k with under 2k miles.

 

LOL...No offense intended my friend...LOL

 

WOW!!! '04 Crossfire for 21k new?!?! That's insane. SRT6 for $29,900?!?!

Baaah, I ALMOST regret buying the Limited XFire here in NJ. I still love the car, and it's worth every extra penny nonetheless.

Although those prices do make me think that I should have visited a site like this BEFORE i bought my car...

An SRT6 for $29.9k is a steal!

 

What was the dealership Sennaspirit? You are in my neck of the woods, just wondering. I paid 28k for my Ltd back in July at Courtesy in Rockville. Not really interested in the SRT, too rich for my pocketbook and it would only get me into trouble.

Pat

 

I gave about the same thing for my '04 coupe a year ago also but around the North Georgia the SRT '05 coupes are going for 32K. I did find some listed on ebay around the gulf area for 29K. I just don't think it's a good idea to buy anything within about 500 miles of New Orleans though!

 

We must be neighbors bud...I'm in Rockville. The dealer that I was talking about for the SRT test drive was up off Rt 32, 10 mile north of Olney. I bought my wife's Van there in the spring.

I just have never gone over to Courtesy, was a long time Maryland Motors customer, but just thought that prices are kind of crazy here in Rocktown to even bother to look at the dealers here.

How has Courtesy been treating you? Good buying from them?

 

PV, yeah it's killin me. Thing is, I don't need a car...I WANT a fun car to drive. So, I'm balancing the want vs. need thing. But as you said, an SRT at anywhere near 30K is fantastic. It's kinda good for us who appreciate this car that the general public seems not to take to it, we'll get some good deals. I just spent the morning on ebay and online sites to see what's what out there...prices are all over the place but there are SRT's to be had (as Dan noted above) for unreal prices...you may have to bid on them though.

 

Sennaspirit - Yes we are neighbors. I'm in Brookeville, just north of Olney. Courtesy has been ok by me. The service manager who used to be at Md Motors is a customer of mine and the kid that sold me the car was a friend of my kids. He no longer works there. I think I did ok all things considered. I spent a year trying to buy this car. I went to Fitzgerald, they were a joke, DAR in Silver Spring cut no slack either. I think it was a matter of timing. In July the employee discount had kicked in so that made the deal affordable for me.
I think the place you are talking about is by Antwerpen Toyota. I had mine out on 32 about two weeks ago on a Friday afternoon and it was a blast. The car really handles nice. Its very easy to do 85 in this car and not even realize you are going that fast. That's why I'd be dangerous in an SRT. Enjoy the snow, mines in the garage waiting for me to finish the Zaino polish. We should try and hook up in the spring.

Pat

 

Sennaspirit, If you shop EBAY, take your time, and be patient, you should be able to find an '05, Limited, 6 spd. coupe for around 22k. An '05 SRT-6 coupe, for 30k or just under, and an '05 SRT-6 roadster for around 35. These are brand new car prices, not used. I've seen some really great deals on these cars in the last year, and I can't stress enough how "easy" the EBAY transaction was.
The only thing is, you will probably get the best deals on these cars in the North Eastern States now, thanks to our inclement weather, and sports cars not only sitting dormant in our garages, but on dealers lots too. So they have even more incentive to discount them in the winter. Still, I've seen some of the same deals in Texas, Alabama, and Georgia also.
As Wayne pointed out, I too would be a little more cautious of the cars from down south, (thanks to all the flooding) but I guess that's what car fax is for. Good Luck!

 

+fireamx...thanks bud...i'm looking at ebay at this very moment, trying to see how a few of the auctions go on both the base and SRT's. Let my ebay education begin.

Thanks!