I think there are many items in the Xfire that make it worth its price. What caused it to be a poor seller from Chrysler. Just asking for some good opinions.

 

Ron, did you buy one when they were a ~$45,000 car or have you purchased within the last year or two??? Just curious

 

I am sure there are many factors that did not sell the Crossfire . . . first off I don't think Mopar figured out who they were marketing the car to - what demographic ??? Second, was that demographic willing to pay the $$$$$ for a sports car from Chrysler ? Choices are out there for a better handling, sportier, etc . . . car for the money (at the time the cars were new) . . .

How many Crossfire owners here in the forum paid full tilt for their cars ? I got my 2004 when it was almost THREE years old, but still brand new on the dealers lot ! I believe there is a line that Daimler crossed when they thought they could sell the Pacifica for $50k (up here in Canada) . . . the public opinion was that there was NO WAY they were going to pay that amount of $$$$ for a Chrysler, no matter how good it was. Perhaps there was a bit of that thinking with the Crossfire ????

Don't get me wrong, I love the styling of the Crossfire, but it is the old SLK platform. Talk about Daimler making $$$$ from and aging platform that they were going to change anyways ?!?!? . . . I think the Crossfire was more of an exercise in trying to show how Chrysler was moving forward. I have always thought it was a great combination of MB & Mopar . . . or the LX platform cars (300C, Magnum, Charger, and now Challenger). The LX combined the great north american horsepower Hemi with the german 5speed automatic tranny and independant rear suspension ! Perhaps Daimler was moving in the right direction, but the market conditions would not allow them to profit enough . . .

Whatever the reasons, it has all come down to do you like the car ? If you do, great, enjoy your car and the fact you have a none too common piece of automotive history !

Just my two cents worth . . .

Cheers

Mark

 

I personally think they are fantastic value for money in the second hand market. Take mine for example, I paid £9750 ($15600) for a 2005 model with 25000 miles on the clock. Apart from a little kerb rash on the wheels, its in perfect condition.

There aren't many used cars on the market here in the UK that are as highly spec'd as the Crossfire for the money they fetch.

I have been asked a few times why I choose a Crossfire (Formly drove a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution) and the look of shock on their face when I reel off the spec and the price I paid for it.

And to top it off, its a fantastic fun little car to drive that is different to your run of the mill average 2 seater coupe's such as the BMW Z4 and the Audi TT which dominate the market here in the UK.

 

IMO, the best sports car for the Buck.

 

I just bought mine, we do really like it. It has about 6000 miles on the 2008 limited roadster I bought. It was sitting on an Infinity car lot because the XFire gave the person who bought it the fever to trade in on a Porch!

 

I fell in love with the 2004 coupe but was unwilling to buy a first year production vehicle. When they came out with the roadster, I looked at Z4s and considered S2000 and Miata, but hands down loved the looks of the XF. Compared to the Z4, it was a bargain. Do I wish I paid less -- sure -- but it's only been driven by me and it was spec'd exactly as I wanted it. But that did not stop me from buying two more, used, at fantastic savings. And if I came across a 2005 SRT6 roadster in graphite gray, who knows what I would do....

 

I paid 25K for mine brand new in 2005. It was a base coupe. I priced around and got the dealers to compete with each other. It was a good deal at that time.

I wanted a 350Z but Nissan would not negotiate the price. I was looking at the new Mustang and they wouldn't negotiate (because it was the first year of the new model). Why would I pay 27-32K for a hunk of junk Mustang (no offense). I then stumbled on the Crossfire and was amazed by the story behind it (the story of Chrysler and MB) and the quality of the car.... I was instantly sold.

 

When I went for a ride in a Roadster (and two Coupes) I was sold. Such a fun car.

But I don't live in the $40,000 sports car world. THEN it was explained to me that these cars had not held their value. So, less than two weeks later.........

I bought my Roadster with 13,000 miles on it for less than half the sticker price. It is the most advanced, fun, optioned, exciting car I have ever had. It also gets attention and compliments like nothing I have ever driven.

The Mercedes/Karmin pedigree make for interesting conversation. THREE times I have been told, "I would never buy a sports car Chrysler made". It is fun to explain to them that the Crossfire is a "Chrysler", but was not built by them.

I guess there you have the reason they did not sell: The Chrysler name + a $35K and above price.

 

Another issue was advertising. Very few people even knew about it. Very few people know about it today. It was one of the best kept secrets in automotive history. LUCKY FOR US !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

my wife wanted a convertable...I wanted another vette, but Z06 doesn't come in a convertable, so I told her we would get her a convertable, and the next yr, I would buy another vette. So, the search was on for a convertable XF...then those magic letters appeared on the scene...SRT...well, I said, she needs to own an SRT6 convertable...which we did find. Paid a little more than I wanted to for it 25K. Picked it up in November, she wouldn't drive it home, it was spitting snow. So, I jumped in and off to the interstate. Within the first 20 miles of playing with this car, I thought, maybe I don't need to save up for that Z06 after all...it was nimble, quick, and fun to drive. I had read the bad press being built on an old MB platform...well that old platform wasn't that bad...so 25K vs 63K for a used Z06. So, it isn't her car, the black Mazda 6 is, and this little baby is my new vette....er....XF....lol

 

I have been looking to find some history on the Xfire build. Anything you feel worth sharing? Ron

 

If you are selling your Crossfire, it aint worth much.

If you are driving your Crossfire, it's worth every penny.

Even if you paid list.

What is a 2002 SLK worth?

Now tell me the difference.



roadster with a stick

 

Paid $41K in 2004 for my 2005 Roadster Limited and was worth every penny, and I should have never traded her in. we should have kept her and just purchase the XLR and added it to the stable.

 

KEEP reading in the Forum...and watch how many Porch drivers have changed heart and now drive a Crossfire...and swear never to go back to a PORCH.

You bought a great ride. You can't beet TOP DOWN at 100+ miles per hour (unless you come up on a police office doing their job). BUT seriously ...read some of the other topic areas and you'll see there's a good many former Porch drivers ...that now own a crossfire.

 

I joined this forum in 2004 when I first saw the Crossfire. Too impractical (and expensive) at the time. Now my girls are grown and out on their own, so time to renew an old acquaintance.
A couple of weeks ago I bought one off ebay. Flew from NY to Florida and then drove it home.
Is it worth the money? I am retired and have owned over 70 cars, from Alfas to Z's, and I can honestly say that I believe the Crossfire is the greatest automotive bargain of all time.
You are driving a dream car/a show car/an "exotic"/a future classic for the price of an economy car.
We are very fortunate people.

Mike

 

We paid a little under list for our roadster and we've loved every minute of owning it!

 

I'm retired also Mike maybe you can tell me how you get out of the XFire without looking like a moron. I usually roll and tuck! Help me! Please! Ron

 

I got my Xfire for 14,500, and I love it. Thank God that people are dumb enough to believe what the lame a## car magazines say about our cars. We all got lucky, Those idiots think we should all drive Camerys, what a boring pile of junk.

 

I don't know exactly why they were not popular and did not sell. I purchased my 2006 in 2008, brand new and never titled for almost 1/2 price - the dealer flew me to them and I drove it home - bought it off EBay - best purchase I made for a vehicle and it's just a toy for me which is exactly what I wanted. I love it. I will be glad when the payments end and I get to enjoy it for the many years to come but I don't mind paying for it at all!