Thinking of buying a 2005 crossfire with 79000 miles
my questions are do all crossfires get the sticky key problem and what does it cost to have fixed
also do all crossfire have the rear window issues falling out

 

The forum usually advises to do it (then you'll have no problems if done correctly). I've never seen a post after someone successfully does the sticky key fix, have a problem afterwards. Many many have done it DIY, a few had a level of difficulty usually associated with a procedural or communicative difference. Also, it may have already been done if it was owned by a prior forum member. Best to download the 'sticky key' fix (latest one) from the document collection and read it about 3 or so times. Those that had no issues doing it indicated it was super easy if following the tutorial carefully. Good luck in your XF find!


.

 

Many times ,if it has been done, the owner places a sticker inside the fuse door on the side if the driver side dash.

 

I have two roadsters, window fell out of one several years ago and I replaced the top. Other roadster is same year and I figured it’s window would also fall out so on one of the group buys a bought a replacement top for it. Been about three years now and the new top is still in the box and the window on the car is fine. Is that preventative maintenance?

 

Original owner of the roadster and bought the SRT6 in 2008, currently at 61k and 42k respectively. No problems with key. (Nor did I have any with 2007 that I sold two summers ago). My roadster window is solid but 1) I live in cooler MI, 2) the top is down all summer, and 3) the car is always garaged and usually covered as well. The rear window glue tends to give way when exposed to high, often humid heat in the south, SE, and (just heat) SW.

 

The only cars that DID NOT need the "sticky key" fix were some 2006 cars produced late in model year (not sure which VINs were included), and all 2007 & 2008 models.

 

In the reliability sector, we would call that an example of "maintenance planning or preparedness"!

 

This isn't just a Crossfire issue. Nearly all the European marques produced in & around the 2001 - 2010 period experienced rear window "drooping" on convertible tops. Since Europe overall has a somewhat cooler climate overall to CONUS, the "rear window droop" wasn't experienced as much as here in good ole southern USA climates! We had a 2006 VW New Beetle Convertible and it had the same issue. The upholstery shop I use says the glue for rear windows on European marque convertible tops wasn't upgraded until around 2010 models & after. You don't hear it being as big an issue nowadays on newer models as back then. My $0.02 - FWIW.

 

Don't be scared by the sticky key situation. It really is a fairly easy DIY fix or you could take it to a shop that works on European vehicles and they will most likely know what it is and give you a quote.
Also, the rear window problem seems quite common but shouldn't be a deal breaker. It can be fixed or you can just replace the top. It's really not crazy expensive. Most members here order from BAS (company in UK - 570 Euros plus shipping if I remember correctly). Then you'd have to have someone install the top. I bet there are members near you who would love to help for free or nearly free or you can take it to any convertible shop near you and pay for it. Then you'd have a brand new roof and a kick-*** convertible that is basically maintenance free besides routine maintenance. Plus, it's a unique car you don't see often, still turns heads, German engineering and most issues that can potentially come up can easily be fixed without spending a lot of money by yourself and if you really rather pay someone, any shop that is used to working on European vehicles (avoid Chrysler dealerships like the plague).

Edit: I did the Sticky Key Fix on my coupe just to be safe when I bought it at 40K miles. I have two friends who are original owners of 2004 and 2005 and never did the fix and are sitting at over 100,000 miles now with no problems...not sure if that is a common occurrence just what I saw with them.
I just bought a SRT6 with 25,000 miles and will do the fix soon as I don't think it has been done to my knowledge (no note on the fuse box or anywhere else) but had two previous owners so who knows maybe one already did it.