First of all, thanks to everyone for their honesty and info on the Xfires. I'm looking into getting a new car after totaling my last one ('99 Saturn SL2), and all of the comments on this site have helped bolster my interest in an Xfire.

Secondly, I read a lot of posts about "meets" and the like, does anyone have any info about driving the Xfire in Germany. I'm currently stationed in Mannheim and after heading to the "Big Sand Box" for the next year, I'm going to be here in Germany for 2 more years, hopefully driving an Xfire.

Again, thanks for the comments and keep 'em coming.

God bless

 

What information you need to have?
The only difference to driving the XF in the staates should be that you will be able legally driving top speed 250kph.

 

I say GO-FOR-IT!!!
Don't wait, just do it.
You won't be sorry.

or All of the Above!

 

Just bought my 05 Blaze Red Roadster for shipment to Heidelberg. It should be a great car for those weekend trips to France (Metz)...By the way, have you checked out the accessories at Chrysler DE for the Crossfire...they list a few that aren't available in the US. Always nice to "personalize" your car.
Just curious as to how you were purchasing it...in talking to the Auto Exchange in HD and AAFES Car Sales, both stated that you can't get a US spec'd car through AAFES nor one through AE...only German spec'd though AE. That's fine except that you can't ship it back to CONUS. By the way, the US warranty is invalid in Europe BUT Chrysler did provide me a way to file claims back in the states for what would be warranty related repairs. FYI

StatueMan

PS: Going to Patton to work.

 

I visit France around 4 times per year in the Pas De Calais area and next May I should be going to Hamburg.

Will drop you a note to see if we can arrange a meet in France or the Autobahn.

If you fancy a drive over to England, we can make you most welcome.

 

English Bob- Might be rather nice to possibly plan a spring tour...I tend to travel in the Metz, Nancy, Marre area but might be up for a tour to parts farther south and west.
Haven't made it to the Pas De Calais area, so...
What part of England?

StatueMan

 

I will be re-enlisting while I'm in Afghanistan and going to be traveling to the states after I get back before I move to another part of Germany. I plan to pick it up in the states and ship it to Europe, or, if I can get a hold of the right people, I plan on picking it up at the Karmann factory. It's only about 240 miles north of here and all of the US spec vehicles come from there anyway.

 

Signaldog- I wish Chrysler had a military/diplomatic program like SAAB, but...alas, not.
Finding a shipping company from the midwest to Bemerhafen or Mannheim has been a challenge. Prices range from about $675 from port to port, $1400 from door to GE port, or $1800 from door to Mannheim. The cheapest is TRANS GLOBAL (TransCar) but they're the gov shipper...so far they've damaged 100% of the cars they've moved for me during 3 overseas PCS moves ...not good. Rinkens Int is who I think I'll go with...not the cheapest but reasonable. If you can pick it up at Karmann, all the better...you save $ and any potential damage.

StatueMan

 

...and that's what you can do with a pickup in Germany ;-)

 

Gee, My son had a similar picture in his camera, and I got mad at him. Here the speed limit is 65. I'm sure he would LOVE to drive over there! His spedometer only goes to 100. He was driving in a 65. and I still pay for his insurance.

 

Sgt. Foster,
Thank you for your service in the US Army. We appreciate your sacrifice. Best wishes and prayers for a safe future.

 

Ditto! Hope the time goes by fast.
Just be careful when you get back to Europe when you're driving on that autobahn!

 

Having spent 5 tours in Germany (17+ years) I think the solution is to take delivery of your XF in the USA and have it shipped to FRG for you. If your paygrade is sufficient Uncle Sam will ship your XF to and from FRG for $0!!!!
Wish I had a XF when I was there last (1985)...................................
but I had to settle with my 1974 BMW 3.0CSI Coupe.
Check that route and also ask another AAFES salesman, unless lots have changed, I never heard of not being able to order Stateside spec cars. And ALSO order the export exhaust system where ever you buy. That is if they still don't have unleaded gas there. I know I may be way out of date but when the dealer in VA (before I left) asked what will it take to close the deal today.................
I said I wanted Police Speedometer with 125MPH (only 85MPH on the performance 1981 Dodge Mirada), Export Exhaust from exhaust manifolds back and an export fuel filler neck and I want it all installed. It blew their minds but they did it!!! I also had to get EPA approval to remove the exhaust with cat. All it took was a copy of my orders that showed I was being stationed in a country that did not have unleaded gas.
And when I returned I had a brand new (original) exhaust system in storage.

 

Uncle Sam will ship one car via orders...I have a 2005 Magnum RT (Inferno Red) going that route. That leaves me shipping my Crossfire (Blaze Red) at my expense.AAFES sells US-made vehicles...hence the Crossfire isn't offered. I talked directly to AAFES, so...unless they are off a bit, that should be the bottom line. No matter, the $$$ isn't an issue...it's getting it there in one piece. Batting a 1000 on damage over three OCONUS moves...if the Cards had batted a 1000 they'd be up two games! (I'm a Cardinals fan, so...). I ordered my last vehicle there (an 02 SAAB 9-3 convertible) and shipped it to the states...should of kept it. But I truly like the Crossfire so it's worth all the angst.
Unleaded isn't an issue either.
I'll just be happy to get settled in, hit my old haunts in France, and cruise a bit when the weather picks up in the Spring.
(PS: You do know the wall fell, right... )

StatueMan

 

Yes, I'm not completely out of touch...............just partially!!!!!

 

Just had to take the shot. Germany has changed a lot I'd imagine since the 80s. I was in the Pacific then...Korea was a sleepy 3rd World country...not now. Time catches up with everything and everyone.

 

Isn't that the truth. I talked to keijoh about his XF in Korea and he said there were super highways and..............................
Man, when I was there in 1969 and 1970 there were bicycles and Chemchi(sp) busses to contend with. NOTHING that would go over 30MPH...............................

 

Last time I was in Korea someone "keyed" all four corners of my fairly new Pontiac. Shouldda brought a Kia Pony. Was there 3 years...too crowded. But great food. You haven't lived until you've eaten roasted dog (Kaegoggi), raw beef liver w/sesame oil, and sea slugs. Man, that's livin!
I doubt that I'd take a new car there now...as risky as driving around Fallujah on a Christmas parade float!

 

POVs in KOREA???????? You lucky rascal.............................
When I was there Civilian Clothes had JUST been authorized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Lucky is relative. My first car there was a Ford Grenada (overseas version)...with quick release driver's door wired shut with a coat hanger...a $50 car. My second was an 84 Hyundai Stellar...the a/c (added on) produced ice that melted onto passenger's shoes and a rack and pinion (or something) steering that did a dance over each and every expansion joint.
But they beat bicycles which I road in Feb (Brrrrr!) when the powers that be forbid off-post driving (we were killing too many Koreans that were on our side)...
But you walked...man, nothing like walking past a binjjo ditch after an all night drunk in order to get back to the barracks.
Lucky? Actually I just got to go past it faster than you, that's all. But I did go past it in civvies.
Having a Crossfire there?...I'd be a nervous wreck after a week.