Hello all you crazy Crossfire-infatuated people.

My name is Doug and I have been stricken with the illness and have decided that the only therapy for me is to give in to the desires and purchase one of these wonderful cars. But I don't want to do so without going into it with my eyes wide open. I'm an ex Porsche 914 maniac (I'm much better now, though, thanks) and know after owning my fair share of them that every car (new, old or middle aged) has it's idiosyncrasies.

SO, I'll start with the obvious question. Has anyone here on the forumn, or elsewhere, put together a buyer's guide for the Crossfire? I've looked around but couldn't find one.

Second, a friend of mine who owns a 2005 SRT said that I should make sure to get a 2005 (or earlier) because they have the Mercedes engine, and the later versions do not. Is this true? is there really that much difference?

I'm very lucky that I have about 8-10 months to look for a good deal as the lease on my current car isn't up till May 2010. I can take my time, look around, find exactly the right car and then live happily ever after!

Oh... I'll probably be looking for a Roadster Limited, so if that changes any of the answers ......

Thanks

Doug Gault
Dallas Texas

 

Doug,

ALL crossfires come with the Mercedes engines. As of taking your time, I would not count on it. Living here in Dallas there are many, many more crossfires around than in other areas and it seems that you be able to get them very easy.

NOW is the time to buy! I honestly believe that this wonderful car will be hard to find next year and probably (hopefully) more expensive.

As for a buyers guide... once you drive it... you will love it!

Just my 2 cents

 

EERIC,

Having been in the Porsche 914 ownership club for a long time, I'm used to prices going up and down depending on certain factors, but I kind of knew what those were for the 914.

I'd be interested to know the reasoning behind your thinking that Crossfires in Texas will become more expensive and less available over the next year or so. What driving factors will make that happen.

Anyway what I meant by having a graciously long time to buy is that I am not desperate to get a car RIGHT NOW because I need it for a daily driver. Though If the right car comes up, I would very likely be able to ****** it up without hesitation.

And as for a buyers guide, I was looking more for things to watch out for when buying one. Do they suffer from specific problems that I should keep my eye out for? Are there issues that appear in some model years and not others?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Reading back through this forum will illustrate some of the common problems. Getting a maintenance record from the previous owner is invaluable. I think the most common complaint is seat heaters failing; and for roadsters (down South) the rear window leaking or coming loose. Otherwise these are well-made cars based on the late 90s SLK320 engine. Almost no change from model year to model year. Tire replacement is not cheap because there are two sizes.

 

Thanks GoldWing,

That's the kind of information I was looking for. After having read a number of the back posts, I saw the rear windows problems pop up a lot, but haven't seen or heard anything about the seat heater problems. Both good to know

Apart from the rear window issues, does the convertible top have any problems with the motors, opening and closing, leaking around the side windows, etc?

Doug

 

Check for rust on the lower part of the doors (inside) where the weather strip is.

 

Excellent. I'll add this to the list.

KEEP EM COMING!


BTW, I'm not averse to putting together a list of things that people mention as "Areas to check". If it helps others get the best car possible I'm all for it.

 

It also depends on whether or not you're looking at purchasing the SRT version of the Roadster.
Both cars feature the Mercedes M112 E32 engines, the SRT ups the ante with the AMG version of the E32 (E32AMG). All Crossfires manufactured have the same engines throughout the build years. The SRT was built only in '05 with just a few carrying a '06 manufacture date; 2016 Coupes, 958 (?, help me out here SRT Roadster owners) Roadsters so the SRT's are in a pretty exclusive club. The prices for the SRT's probably won't stay cheap for much longer.
If you're coming from Porsches the cost to maintain the Crossfire, regardless of what version, won't be too shocking: 8.5 qts. of synthetic oil, tires aren't cheap (as mentioned above), premium petrol only not to mention the cost of Mercedes parts (forget that these are Chryslers; darn near everything you're going to end up fixing or replacing is Benz) so it certainly isn't an inexpensive ride.
BUT, it's worth every penny !
You should tell your SRT-owning friend to join this forum: he'd learn a lot!
Since I don't own a Roadster (yet!) I can't comment on specific issues with the car but suffice it to say that I haven't spent a dime on repairs to either of my cars besides the normal TBA stuff. The SRT is pushing 57K, the Coupe is at 62K (I think, it's my wifes & I haven't peeked at the odometer lately). Besides replacing some bulbs & some warranty CD player issues they've been flawless!
I hope you find the "right" car & welcome to the best Crossfire forum around!!!

 

It is amazing how little most people, and some owners,know about these fine automobiles. I guess this is why the poor initial sales. The reason prices will most likely increase is bacause of the limited production and the fact most owners fall in love with them and do not want to let them go. A lot of prior owners buy again because of withdrawals. Of course I couls be wrong but because of the wide range of ages of the owners (16-76) these vehicles will probable maintain a following far into the future. I know I plan on keeping mine for a long, long time. Spare parts (Mercedese related) should be readily available because of them not being used exclusivly on the Crossfire. Body and trim parts might be another story.