I don't operate the top any more than I have to because I'm afraid of something breaking. These things really do a song and dance. Are they reliable? And is it ok to run the car at a high speed without wrecking something?

 

I've been raising and lowering mine every time I take it out without a problem. I don't think they are known to be troublesome.

 

If you don't operate the top more than you have to, why would you worry about it ? Do you want to operate the top "more than you want to".

I think just the opposite, in that you need to operate the top to keep all of the motors and solinoids and switches from freezing up from lack of use. I think the tops have been reliable but personally I would rather have the top operate like the Miata. One handed from the drivers seat.

The only thing you wreck at high speed would be your wallet (speeding ticket) these cars were made to run on the autobahn.

 

Jeez, Chuck mine "works one handed from the drivers' seat"!

How does YOURS work???

Just kidding!

I have heard of dry cable assemblies for the little "wings" on the sides that fold down in operation. Or don't; that's the problem. And some of the glass de-laminates from the cloth.
But not too darned often.

 

I operate mine daily. No problem. This top was designed and made by Karmann. There's a reason high end cars have Karmann make them.

 

Thank you all for your input on the top. When I hear that top go off up to now, I've had that same apprehension. There are a fair amount of forces being released to stretch and attach the various sequences. But this thread makes me more confident. The Mercedes engineering in my batmobile has to be a good thing...

 

Batmobile? Popeye?? Have you ever watched any classic tv shows?

 

This thread has been reassuring. I am about to sign a 3 year extended warranty so life is good. I've talked to a number of Audi owners absolutely howling over their repair expenses. I mean, their ready to jump off a bridge because of their car. I'm hoping the XF is in a more reasonable catagory.

 

Make sure the extended warranty isn't from Chrysler. Mine is and I wonder if Chrysler will still be around to honor it. Mine is bumper to bumper until April 2014. There are other independent companies you can go to for extended warranties. Don't count on the Crossfire being cheaper to maintain than the Audi, after all it is a Mercedes. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined, you can do some of your own maintenance such as oil and oil filter changes by using the search feature in the forum. They have even included pictures to guide you.

Good Luck

 

I don't operate the top any more than I have to either, just on general principles that extra wear and tear is undesirable. But I plan to keep the car forever. I bought the Chrysler extended warranty specifically because of the complexity of the top. In retrospect, it has been a waste of money (although I prefer NOT to have problems). Because of that I decided not to go for the extended warranty on the SRT6.

I regularly run the car 80+ and have had it to 130-140 a couple times. It's rock solid, not even red-lined. The only fear is a speeding ticket and a weekend in jail for doubling the speed limit. I followed some bear-bait back from Detroit one night at 90-110 for an hour and it cruised effortlessly.

 

This is basically the same top mechanics that my 97 Audi cabriolet had, both made by Karman. I had my Audi for 7 years and NEVER had a problem with the top, never had it serviced and it never leaked! So with the Crossfire I have no hesitation in using it, if it isn't raining the top is going down.

 

I calculate that I've hit the button 3,120 times, zero issues.

 

You guy's brought up that concern in another thread so I made sure to get an aftermarket warranty though I really can't picture Chrysler closing (they finally got rid of the Neon, right?)

 

Why have a convertible if you're not going to put the top down?

So long as you don't operate it with the car in motion, regular usage is not going to hurt or wear out the mechanism. Use it or not, the fabric will eventually wear, and the gaskets will dry up and shrink. Neither will break the bank to change once a decade.

 

I also have the Chrysler warranty and wonder how long it will be of value. I hope it is in affect for 80K miles.

 

I did have a problem with the top (below the rear window) coming out of the rear track at the bottom of the top. The cloth fastner started on one side and slowly worked its way out of the track until it looked like it may come all the way out. I was going to take it to the dealer and have it fixed, but I partially opened the top which relieved the pressure on the cloth and I slipped the holder into the rear track and closed the top. Worked like a champ and no problems after my fix.

I have no idea what the correct terminology is for the various compnents that comprise the top are, but I am just conveying the idea. No technical accuracy intended.

 

Any quick fixes that we the owners can do instead of taking it to the dealer is always appreciated. Thanks Woodland. Maybe a picture or two will help us understand what you did so that we can do the same if we have the same problem.