Alright, I was going to buy a seemingly clean crossfire srt6, once I got the report from the mechanic, I started rethinking. I was told that the hood support bar needs replacing, the oil sensor needs replacing, the fuel filter and drive belts need replacing, and the battery needs replacing soon as it is running at 45%. On top of that, the brakes and rotors need to be replaced in 2 months or so. Car has a clean carfax, no accidents.
Once I got a quote from Chrysler, I was shocked. $544 for the oil sensor. $428 for the hood support, $268 for the fuel filter, $198 for the drive belt, $145 for the battery, $125 for the oil change, and $1,038 for the brakes and rotors. I am seriously rethinking buying this car if the maintenance is that much. I mean, I knew it would be expensive, but not that much. Does this car sound like its in good shape? 73k miles on it.
Please help with this!
Thanks in advance!

 

Yes it can cost a lot to work on our cars.
If you can do the work yourself you can save a bundle providing you shop around for the parts.

 

Do these cars usually need something repaired every few months? Or like once or twice a year does it go to the shop?

 

Doing routine oil changes and maintenance checks you can go for years with no problems... brakes and tires do wear out just like other cars... sensors do fail eventually... if you do a little reading here you will find that there are a few items that are known to fail and easy to fix....

You can but a new fan belt for around $70 and a new hood strut for about the same... both are very simple to replace yourself...the other parts you can do yourself also and save LOTS of $$$... depends on your mechanical abilities.....

The Crossfire is a very reliable and fun car to own.... try it, you'll like it!!

 

Most of those costs are labor charges. Do it yourself and save or skip this car and find one with less miles and generally less wear and tear.

 

First of all those prices are inflated because they are from a dealership. You should post up here your experience level with working on cars and a list of past cars you have owned and how you have dealt with repairs and maintenance on those vehicles, and then we will be pretty easily able to tell you whether the Crossfire is right for you.

 

Sounds like you just might have found a barganning chip courtesy of your mechanical inspection and the "moral" standards of the seller. Of course some people will sell you a "fine automobile" and hope it makes it off the block after you buy it.. LOL.

 

MikeR - that is exactly what I was thinking, but wasn't prepared for that high prices. I know I could replace the hood support and fuel filters, and I also figured the parts would be around those prices, just shocked at the labor costs they will apparently charge. "Crossfires are very reliable." thats all I have heard from people, so when the dealer said they're very problematic and they cringe when they see one come in, I was baffled.

onehundred80 - I have some friends who are good with cars and I am going to find out if they would be able to help me without emptying my wallet.

mrobinso - I myself do not have major experience working with cars. I can pretty much change oil, replace lights, brake pads, and small electircal re wiring for stereos, amps, etc...
I have taken my cars to shops to do brakes and deal with engine codes and dashboard lights. So I am still a novice... Although I do have friends who say they can do brakes and rotors, battery changes, flushing fluids, which brings me to my next point. Can the crossfires rotors be rotated? Anything I should know if the braking system is different than other average cars? thanks!

Mrmiata - I am hoping that these replacements are just normal things from wear and tear, and once they get replaced, the car will go problem free for a good amount of time. *fingers crossed*
At this point, its coming down to if I want to take the gamble on this car, and hope I dont take a huge loss.

I never did mention, the car is for sale for 12,500. Which is why I would rather not pass this up. Lol

 

I think everyone acknowledges dealers are pricey. Find a good indie who works on German cars. The only datapoint I have for you is the rotors/brakes I put on my SRT6 three years ago when I bought it. Centric rotors were $377, Disc Italia pads were $220, and my indie shop charged $156 to install; total $753. I don't think that is any worse than a domestic car if you used premium parts.

As far as reliability, the roadster has 37k and the only work is the fan recall and I replaced the front pads because of dust. The SRT6 has 17k and had the intercooler issue and shortly afterwards popped out a plenum sensor, which my indie found and replaced (I thought I had blown the supercharger, so the $136 to find and replace the sensor was a bargain). The original owner replaced the battery on the SRT6, but I'm still oem with the roadster.