Just as an update to this thread.. test drove the car last weekend. Wow - what a blast! Not that I didn't expect it but the power different is amazing.

That being said, I certainly didn't feel nearly as in touch with the road without my 6 speed manual gearbox. Driving the SRT felt a bit numb compared to my 6-speed, but that is to be expected I guess. I also felt as if the automatic downshifting that occurs when you either A) smash the pedal or B) down shift via the autobox -- seemed a tad slow. It wasn't an immediate pick me up. It was as if the computer took a half-second to read your intentions and react. Normal for these cars?

However, I would give up the manual for the intense power upgrade in this case.

Anyways... there were enough things wrong with the car that, for the price they were asking given the miles, there was no way anyone but a sucker would buy it for that price. Wear to the point of leather tear on the drive side seat bolster, both headlights had the haze problem. They also had done about $1000 worth of work to it (to be tacked on to the $15,995 sticker) that included oil change with 5w-40 oil - I told him they should have used 0w-40, they put new Summer tires on the rears and left the old contis on the front. I couldn't understand this... and did nothing to incentivize me to buy the car.

I said look, this car could be on your lot for a few months with no luck, or you may get some fish who comes in here - knows absolutely nothing about Crossfires, falls in love with it, and buys it for the sticker price. I offered $13,500, which the salesman politely declined. I told him give me a call if you can't move this and you are trying to get rid of it.

I am currently talking to another forum member who is interested in selling their SRT in May or June and we plan to talk in mid-April to hopefully work out an agreement. I am definitely excited to make this upgrade happen if it works out!

 

if you dont mind a bodystyle change and still want the power look at the slk32's made from 2002 to 2004. you get both a hardtop and a vert with that massive power!! prices range from 16,000 to 22,00 for a pristine version

 

Well, after much thought and deliberation, I have decided to upgrade even farther than I originally thought. I have come to the forum, as I have many times in the past, for advice. I have my eyes set on a C55 AMG with 30K miles on the clock, clean as a whistle, for $24,750. The dealer would only come down $250 on it because of the low miles and the rarity.

If any of you have read my prior posts in this thread, you will know my situation - graduated in Dec.09 - been working 5 months at a defense contractor - ready to upgrade and try to salvage what little value my Crossfire has left in it.

The dealer is willing to give me $6800 on the Crossfire - SSB, 75K miles. I have been trying to sell my car on cars.com for $8800 for the past month and have not gotten one single e-mail. Not even one!

I would be taking out a car loan for 60 months and $18K from Pentagon Federal Credit Union with a 3.99% rate for a total of $331/month which covers both the car and insurance premiums with USAA for six months.

I love the AMG look and the C55 has been my dream car since it came out, previously my dream car was the C32. But what I really like is the space the c-class provides as the Crossfire is beginning to feel a bit cramped (it is my daily driver), as well as the familiarity of the C55 engine bay and parts to the Crossfire's engine bay - since I know my way around there very well.

I have no credit (just applied for a credit card) so my father is willing to cosign on my loan. Given that I am about to move out, my dad and I have discussed the possibility of it being difficult for me to rent a place (I am going to be living with two other young working professionals - also my buddies) if I have a car loan. If I can verify my income to a possible landlord, I was thinking maybe my not having credit yet would be minimized?

The car payment fits in easily with my budget, and so would a rent payment. I love the car and am ready to make the leap, but I would love some input on
A) the trade-in value of the Crossfire (abysmal obviously)
B) the choice on a C55
C) the price on the C55
D) is this unusual to be taking a car payment and rent payment (probably around $700-$800/mo.)?

I am a car nut (obviously - I am on this forum), and have done all the maintenance on the Crossfire myself (brakes, oil changes, lights, filters), and would do the same with the Benz.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

iirc that is an n/a motor. its gonna cost you more money for less power gains when it comes to modding.

still not a bad choice, just something to consider...dont expect a pulley and intake to net you 50whp like it does on the s/c engines.

 

+1

Also, do you have a garage to put this ~$80K car??

I know a lot of rental situations do not have the luxury of a garage. If you XF is still running well, $6800 is peanuts for it. I would drive it until you are more secure (possibly buy a place, but definitely have a garage). The XF will retain its value, especially over the next year or so and under the 100K mile mark, while these benz' are going to do nothing but come down in price.

Just the opinion from someone a few years out of college and recent first time homebuyer. I had to build the 2.5 car garage, but I finally have one

 

I am not going to be modding the car as I prefer to leave my vehicles stock. That being said, I most likely won't have garage parking but some of the condos I have looked at do have garage parking. The car was only $60K new!

 

Fair enough, well I know I do not like to park my $10K car outside under any circumstances, so I would not like to park a car I just spent $25K for out in the elements all year. My opinion, but stupid to put a pristine car out in the snow and salt, especially at your age. You have plenty of time for sick cars, get your other finances and living arrangements in order first