OK, I am brand new to this forum. I have not yet purchased a toy car and am considering a few options including the boxter, 3 series convertible, and just recently a crossfire. I guess I should tell you that I have traditionally been a german luxury car enthusiast but this little ride has caught my attention from a value standpoint and I also like the interior (although I kind of hate the back). So for those of you who have gone through the same thing, why did you end up with the crossfire? Also, how has maintenance been from a frequency and cost standpoint)?

 

i had a Roadster.

it was great looking from the exterior.

haven't seen a better looking roadster.

but the lack of power hurt and i got rid of it for a E90 330i.

 

Luxury1,

I can tell you that this is the first "sports car" I have ever owned (many will argue the definition of sports car). Many on the site and in print will tell you of lack of power, inability to beat the Corvette, 350Z, and many others off the line in a light to light competition. I myself, do not care about that. I have had my (our) crossfire since July of 03' and have and still do find it fun, quick, and motivating to drive. I have had 15 MPG tanks and also 30+ MPG tanks. I drove this from NJ to Indiana and back for about 1,400 miles and found it to be comfortable and relaxing. I drove 13 hours one way and 13 hours back the same and had no fatigue. If you like attention, styling and something most have never had, it is the car for you. I plan to keep this car for many, many years to come.

 

Stated very well! But most would not understand. All depends on what you are looking for I would guess.

 

what you are describing is a Grand Tourer.

a "sports car" is one with good power, strong transmission and two doors.

 

so you would probably say, the miata isn't a sports car. people have no clue...

 

Epyon,

I have been a member of this sight for sometime now and I am still puzzled why you, more often than not, weight in with negative comments. I know your definition of sports car and I bracketed my wording for that reason. I hope that find the joy and purpose of your life because believe me, it is too short. I knew I will get blasted and targeted by you but... it's worth it to try and understand you.

 

I had a car with good power, strong transmission and two doors. It could probably blow the doors off my Crossfire for the first 100 MPH... But the difference between driving my 99' Mustang GT Convertible and my Crossfire Roadster is day and night. I feel much more "sport" driving the Chrysler than I ever did in the 'stang...

No regrets here...

 

I'm going to leave the sports vs Grand touring to the others to debate. There are a few folks that are autocrossing the car quite successfully in their regions. Others prefer to use it as a Grand Touring daily driver. Some have modified it for the track. Most of us realized it is not a vehicle for unbracketed drag racing at the strip. From a maintenance stand point, it is a pretty solid car (all the Mercedes in it). Regular oil changes with Mobil 0W/40 with a new filter are the top priority. In reality, you can do these yourself and save a lot over what the dealerships charge. There are several systems that allow you to suck the oil out of the car through the dipstick without getting underneath it. The filter is easy to get. The oil is easy to find. Good luck with your decision!

 

Could you tell me more about the dipstick method please...that sounds much better then going to the dealer...frankly didn't know you could do that? And also what filter do you use? Is Mobil 0W 40 the best? Would like some info...thanks alot.

 

Boy, are people strong with their opinions. You wouldn't think a thread like this would invoke a fight.

I've had my '05 xfire roadster for almost two months now, and I'm still excited to drive it every day. I've needed no maintenance so far. Before I bought the xfire, I was shopping for a convertible in the range of $30k. My two favorites were a used C5 or SLK320. I was also considering the 350Z, xfire, and Boxster. I would have loved to consider a C6 or SLK350, but the prices were way out of range for me.

FYI, the xfire is essentially an SLK320 with new skin inside and out. It's built in the same factory in Germany. Being an admirer of the SLK320, when I learned this and configured a car that exceeded my expectations at $40k, I was coming close to my ballpark price, and would essentially get a new SLK320. The employee price discount brought it down to $35k, and fortunately I was able to talk my wife into trading in my '04 G35 coupe for one.

So, with the xfire you get the German engineering at a huge discount. You have to interface with the crappy Chrysler dealership, though. It looks like the xfire will be discontinued in the next couple of years. That might make the car a collector's item. It might make it a bastard child. All I know is it's a great car.

My opinion on two-door, four-seat vehicles, after owning two mustangs and the G35, is that if you need the four seats you might as well get four doors. It's such a pain to try to make any use of the rear seats in a G35. That applies to the 3-series convertible as well, although you do get the drop-top. It's a common argument that 4-seat vehicles have lower insurance, but my insurance is slightly cheaper for the xfire than it was for the G35.

The biggest argument against the xfire that I've heard is it's slower than the cars that are considered to be its competition. The G35 is one of them, and I can tell you that I have WAY more fun driving my 6-speed xfire than I ever dreamed of in my auto G35. Speed is totally relative, though. To me personally, more power is a factor, but it wasn't the highest priority. Any car can go fast eventually. It's how you get to speed that's interesting to me.

Quality, comfort, and style ranked highest for me. These, combined with price, are why I ended up with the xfire, and I am VERY happy. I love the two-tone vanilla interior. I've owned C5s and a Cobra replica, so I have some familiarity with power beyond the xfire, and it gets you down the road plenty fast in my book.

 

Kmag50,

I use the system of sucking the oil out of the crankcase using the fill port and just replacing the filter. I have found it very easy (as easy as it can be finding a place to dump the used oil). It is easy to do and works well. I can tell you that early on with this site, there were several threads on the issue. I can get the info for you if you wish to pursue that avenue. Do a search or let me know and I'll try to get the site and part numbers for you to order. It was my understanding that Mercedes changes the oil that way. I don't know that for sure, just what I read.

 

I bought mine because I love the looks of the car. Performance is OK (better if chipped), ride is very comfortable, reliability excellent, economy pretty good, boot/trunk size not bad. Lack of after-sales enhancements a downer. In the UK the XF is relatively exclusive, but this means the depreciation is high. Everyone seems to think the car looks fantastic, but few actually buy one. [The new SLK, Boxster, TT, RX8, 350Z are good competition - DC should have released the XF in the UK at around the £22k mark not £26/27k.

My only regret in moving to Oz in October will be having to sell my XF.

Each to his own at the end of the day. There are lots of great cars on the market at the moment - have fun in choosing the one for you...

 

To LUXURY1...Personally I've owned 29 sports & or GT cars over the years. Actually, I've never been without a 2 seater in my possession since I got my drivers license at 16. But I've never had the pleasure of owning a Porsche or a Bimmer. From what I've read, the cars that you are looking at are distinctively different machines from the XF. Each with its own merits, and its own drawbacks. You really can't go wrong with any one you pick. I can tell you this much, in the 6 mos. and 6K miles that I've had my 04' XF, 6 speed, I have never once regretted buying it. And when compared to the nearly 100 other cars I've owned in the last 37 yrs. the XF ranks as the nicest ones I can remember. (and I remember them all).
Truthfully, I haven't driven my 96' Viper GTS or my 91' Miata since my XF purchase. (I don't know if that says more about me or the Crossfire.) I've only had my 69' AMX out twice.

To KMAG50...As for changing oil, it really isn't that hard to drain the oil from underneath. Just 4 bolts hold the cover that hides the underside of the engine. I use a small $20 floor jack I purchased at AutoZone to lift it. I also bought the oil filter socket there. (Don't forget jack stands). The filter is almost a delight to change, especially when compared to any other filters. (just make sure you get all the O-rings in the right position.) I did have to go to a MB dealer to get a factory filter (only kind I use) because the closest Chrysler dealer to my house told me he didn't have any in stock, and never did! (another story) Anyway, Mobil 1 from Wal-Mart, and factory filter comes to around $50.00. If you still want to try the dip stick changing method, try a boating supply store, or a boating supply catalog to find it.
To answer the oil question, I've used nothing but Synthetic for the last 26 years. "I highly recommend it". Especially if you like to keep your cars for a very long time like I do. Since Chrysler recommends Mobil 1 that's what I use in my XF and Viper. But personally, I think you can't go wrong with any popular synthetic. Just make sure it's the correct viscosity recommended.

To PUNKIN...Very eloquent, very eloquent indeed!

 

Punkin and fireamx...thanks for the replies...more info would be great Punkin thanks for doing that or even go the other route like fire said...love the car and want to keep her nice.

 

In a word - "value". For the price you can pay to buy a Crossfire, It is hard to get anything else of comparable value. The great looks of the car are thrown in for free.

 

Kmag50,

I ordered the "TOPSIDER OIL CHANGER" from www.skilimited.com. The stock number was AA-OC. It cost me $44.99 + shipping of $10.99. It seems to work well but the container only about 1.5 gallons so you have to empty halfway thru. It says not to get the engine to hot so you don't melt the tube as it goes into the oil pan. That being said, if you don't get it warm enough, it sucks up the tube rather slowly so you have to find that 3 bears "just right". Hope this helps you.

 

Thank you very much punkin for the info. I will look into it. Not too hot and not too cold...got it...haha. Must be kinda picky huh? Again, thanks.

 

If you can find a better car, then buy it!

 

if the ride is more fly, then you must buy