Good evening, all,

Looks like we will be joining the roadster gang in the next few days. I do have an initial question: Did these cars ever come with a plastic rear window/backlight? The 2005 car I'm considering has one, and that's not what I was expecting...Thanks for any guidance!

 

WELCOME TO THE GANG!!!

I drive a coupe.....it's back window is glass.......but i guess that" no surprise

Let us know what you get

 

NO ! OEM is glass, however there have been some issues with it falling out - there's 2 stickies on the forum for that, one for repairing the separating window, the other on the recall top replacement.

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...em-solved.html

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...tsb-yahoo.html

 

Thats right all with Glass. Have 2 roadsters no problems with Glass backs at all. Go up and down quite regulaly in this weather till about another month...then down most of the time.

KJ

 

Most of the rear glass problems seem to be reported from the deep hot states, FL and AZ. I have zero problem with my soft top,,which spends most of the summer down with the car covered in the garage. Just my little way of saving unnecessary wear and tear on the mechanism. A lot of times I don't put it up when I wash the car. I just plug the hole in the back deck and rinse carefully.

 

Ok...I found a car we like, but here is the deal:

After it was inspected by a company called AutoExam in Houston, the mentioned that there was some leaking oil from the oil pan (poorly installed, possibly) and from the valve cover gaskets. I didn't see any fresh oil in the diffuser/plastic underbody when he took it off, so I'm taking that with a grain of salt. Are these vehicles problematic in terms of oil leakage, like an old Triumph?

Also, the top doesn't go down. Is that a constant issue? Is it something simple? When you unlatch it, and push it up as far as it will go, then press the button, you hear a beep.

Is reliability an issue? I don't see any mention of these cars being more difficult to own than anything else...I mean, after all, it is an M-B underneath....

 

1. the valve cover oil leak : yes very common, but easily remedied ( lots of threads on that )
2. the top not going down :
do you hear the pump trying to run ? if not, then most likely the stupid little switch that the trunk divider actuates.
If you DO hear the pump running, then you have $$$$$$$ problems.

( when I bought mine, the dealer didn't know about the little trunk sensor switch, I got an EXTRA $2000 off his price when I informed him what a top replacement costs. - I also got another $500 off due to the valve cover oil leak )

 

Ok, as long as that's easily remedied, not going to concern myself with that.

I don't hear the pump running...I figured that it might be a switch. Is there a way to get the top down manually? Where is that switch you're referring to.

I did get $1,000 off when I mentioned those items...the car was originally priced at $10,850...got it down to $9,995...

 

So, engine reliability is NOT an issue, right?

 

With regular maintenance, the engines will last a quarter million. The divider in the trunk has to be properly positioned or the top will NOT go down. Do not force it. The are a couple slots and the rods on the divider have to be positioned all the way in When you release the windshield catch it will open up on its own about 6 inches and the rest of the way requires the motor. Do not force it.

 

No problem, I read the first failed engine post today as I recall. Things can go wrong but so can all cars engines.

 

Looks like I am going to pull the trigger on this one, then...don't know if I would EVER run into a car in this condition for the price again...and it's one of the wife's dream cars... I may post a pre-purchase shot, and the results of the inspection...

 

Any idea what a spare key costs? Maybe one that includes the remote?

 

Yes, there is a manual procedure, two tools are required :
1. a thin 10mm open end wrench ( or if you are lucky, the 'special' tool that should be somewhere in the car )
2. a 5mm hex wrench.

Use the hex wrench to release the rear top catch, accessable just inside the open trunk at the top.
Fold the window up, and while holding it with one hand, use the thin 10mm to release the tonneau catch which is located in the center at the front of the cover thru the tiny slit.
Now use your other hand to lift the tonneau cover all the way up, then release the rear window section. Now go to the front and fold the top down into the well. Now close the cover and once again secure it with the 10mm wrench. PIECE OF CAKE !!!!!

Just reverse the process to raise the top.
NOTE : THE TOP IS HEAVY - DON'T LET IT GET AWAY WHILE LOWERING / RAISING IT !

( If you have a friend that is an NFL linebacker, enlist his help and there will be no problem )

 

Where are you located ?
Always helps if you update ur profile so people know.

 

Profile updated...and I live in Santa Fe, Texas...about a 1/2 hour south of Houston...looks like we might be picking up our car tomorrow....

 

Welcome! The oil leaking from the oil pan issue is not typical with Crossfires. Some do have valve cover oil leak issues which are easy to repair.

As for the beeping sound when trying to put down the top, make sure the rear cargo divider is unfolded and in place. There are sensors on both sides of it and if they are not both in place correctly, it will beep and not let you put the top down.

 

I don't buy the leaking pan thing...the inspector took off the diffuser/plastic pan and there wasn't any fresh oil on it...kinda taking that with a grain of salt. I do plan on giving the engine an good cleaning once we have the car in our possession and it's not raining!

 

We have the car! Wife drove it home..."It has more power than I thought it would have..." I had to laugh! Finish signing all of the paperwork on Tuesday. I'll post some photos later...

 

Congrats on getting the car, I hope you love it as much as I love mine. Check out this thread to see if your car qualifies to get a new top.
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...tsb-yahoo.html