What do you guys think? Think DC will take a hint from poor SRT-6 sales and put a 6 speed in sometime in the future? Or do you think the car will remain an auto only?

I would love to buy one of these cars as a track/auto-x toy -- but the base X-fire just doesn't have the power - and the SRT, without a manual tranny, is at a disadvantage on the track.

Every major review of the SRT -- from major publications to the reviews on forums like this -- has chastised the car for the lack of a MT.. DC has to know that the enthusiast crowd wants one -- do they simply not want to sell more of these cars? I just don't get it.

 

....nope....

 

As nice as it would be, a manual gearbox just isn't as popular or in demand as one would think.

 

Really? I stopped into a dealer and inquireed about an srt 6 not too long ago. The dealership didn't have any (nor had they ever had any) and the salesman didn't even know what one was. He showed me some literature on it though-- in which DC listed cars that it was supposed to compete with in the marketplace -- Number one on that last was the BMW M3 ..

I just don't see how they think this car is going to compete with the M3 (which is available in manual or SMG only -- no auto) when they only offer it as a slushbox. .
Oh well.

 

Probably will go the way of the new Thunderbird as popular as they were with an Automatic only.

 

No 6-speed in the future for the srt-6, will never happen.

 

Well, I have to agree. I doubt they will introduce a ManTran. Unfortunate for those of us who want to seriously campaign the car.

 

HDDP -- how does the car handle with the suspension upgrades you've made? Do you compete in auto-x with it? Had it on a track?

 

It now handles like a sportscar, I'm still in the process of having custom sway bars made 30mm front 18mm rear. But once that is done, I'll be happy with the suspension set-up

Yes, I run the car on the track, I've posted some videos if you're interested. look at the racing forum.

Here Is the SCCA Classification for Solo2 however I'm not running much with this class since we have set-up the car for full road racing http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/Lists/2003/stockc.html

 

I think DC will never sell the SRT with 6-speed. The SRT 6 is build by AMG and an AMG engine has never had manuals. Also the XF is based of the SLK and that car comes never with bigger (AMG) engines and manuals. The XF is for DC is promotion car to lift up the image. You can see it because the tech. inside the car is 10 year old and all is made by Mercedes. Maybe next generations will have a manual trans. if the customers are looking for. Do you like the manual trans. on the XF? I drive a Mercedes e-class before I change to the XF and the car runs with a manual trans. and that was horrible. DC builds the worst manuals of all German automakers and that knows everybody here in Europe.

 

I don't see how a manual tranny would be any real advantage .

 

I like to hear that Steffen agrees that the manual transmission is a POS. That is going to be the next change when I get the rear diff. replaced.

Steffen, if you have a vendor that produces custom gearboxes for the Crossfire, please let me know.

 

HDDP I think you don't have any luck to find a vendor for a Gearbox. For Mercedes Cars and XF is one nobody build manual gearboxes expect AMG-RACING. Here in Europe nobody is interested in manuals for DC cars. DC stands for smooth cursing in luxury. We Germans build nice and quality fast cars if you want a race car and you want do much with your hands then you have to buy a BMW M or a Porsche not a DC. All other race cars like Ferrari or Lamborghini are too expansive for normal people like we all.

 

Dan: I'm surprised at your post. I really need to get you out at the track and have some quality time with you and your automatic tranny. Then you'll understand the difference.

 

I think manuals are for racing fans the right choice. I love to cruse smooth with my XF thru the city to turn heads and I love it if an pimped VW Golf is behind me and push me to a race. I love the faces if I use the kick down and blow him away. That is better then Sex and my heart is beating so fast if I hear the sound of my engine. I love the XF. It is the best car I have had.

 

I know what you mean, I love it, too

A 6-speed will never be available in the XF SRT-6. Even the new SLK55 AMG is available with auto only. So even if there will be a follower, it won't have a man. trans.

 

You are right. In the next time Mercedes don't build an AMG with a manual because nobody wants that really. Mercedes is for older guys and they don't like to shift self. For the younger guys and self shifter is an own market like Porsche and BMW M!

 

Not exactly. There are a lot of AMG owners who would like to drive a manual shifted AMG (see http://www.amg-owners-club.org ) but the average buyer of AMG cars is about 55 years. I agree on the BMW but Porsches average buyers are also in their mid fifties.