When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
New Member IntroductionsWelcome new members !!
This is the place to post a new thread and introduce yourself and tell us a little about yourself and what model Crossfire you just bought or are looking to buy.
Threads created for anything other than introductions are subject to be moved to the appropriate section in the forum for the topic being posted.
Hey Guys, my name is Jared and I am in the market for a Crossfire.
We found an 04 Blaze Red Base model with 96k and a 6 speed a couple of hours from us.
The plan is to drive down to look/drive/purchase this next Sunday.
It is a one owner car and other than some normal wear and tear it looks as though it was cared for.
This will be my new DD and have been looking at the Crossfires for the last few years. I have a 67 mile round trip commute Mon-Fri.
I've got a couple of Miata's that will be going down the road soon, and a C4 Convertible Vette that will retain it's status as a fair weather/weekend driver.
The only reliability issues I have discovered about the Crossfire are the no start/CPS, sticky ignition cylinder, seat heaters...….. anything else you guys could add to this list will give me more things to ask about when we see the car.
I am a mechanic and do all of my own work, so servicing it won't be an issue.
Anyways, thanks for any advice you can offer...… and I'm excited to see the car in person in a few days!!
Yes Jared I had 2 keyswhen I bought my XF bought a cheap Chinese key case and dropped it and lost my 2nd key transponder. Treat your key like a treasure . The car is worthless without a working key . Plus I have the same car your looking at mine is a 2005 146,800 miles had a few problems but paid $1700 for mine , so just read this forum tons of info . Ive had my XF since Nov 2018 its a quirky car with its issues but is a fun car to drive , Mercedes and Chrysler killed the car with the electronic parts no one knows how to get around this security over kill problem made by Mercedes also the Skreem system is another monster if it fails your screwed if ya get the car cheap you can at least sell it for parts there is a guy on youtube who has install a Chevy ls v8 in his his name is driveway on youtube if your interested in watching him. Good luck
Jared there may be good news on the skreem a fella named Wolfstalker on this forum has had his car in garage for over a year waiting to have this fixed may have had his cars skreem fixed so maybe the skreem may be solved so one less worry hopefully
Hey Guys, my name is Jared and I am in the market for a Crossfire.
We found an 04 Blaze Red Base model with 96k and a 6 speed a couple of hours from us.
The plan is to drive down to look/drive/purchase this next Sunday.
It is a one owner car and other than some normal wear and tear it looks as though it was cared for.
This will be my new DD and have been looking at the Crossfires for the last few years. I have a 67 mile round trip commute Mon-Fri.
I've got a couple of Miata's that will be going down the road soon, and a C4 Convertible Vette that will retain it's status as a fair weather/weekend driver.
The only reliability issues I have discovered about the Crossfire are the no start/CPS, sticky ignition cylinder, seat heaters...….. anything else you guys could add to this list will give me more things to ask about when we see the car.
I am a mechanic and do all of my own work, so servicing it won't be an issue.
Anyways, thanks for any advice you can offer...… and I'm excited to see the car in person in a few days!!
Jared
Since you're looking at a 2004 Model, the car is essentially a Limited version. In 2004, the first model year of the XFire, there was only one version. All cars were coupes and essentially fully loaded like Limited versions in following model years. Good luck with your search..
Since you're looking at a 2004 Model, the car is essentially a Limited version. In 2004, the first model year of the XFire, there was only one version. All cars were coupes and essentially fully loaded like Limited versions in following model years. Good luck with your search..
I realized that yesterday during my research. Thank you.
I'm also happy to learn that it seems as though these cars have a bulletproof drivetrain. I can't find one single report that mentions head gaskets, timing chains, or any other major mechanical issues. Seems like these cars can be plagued with a few electrical gremlins.....
On another good note, the XF I am looking at has a great Carfax report with service records. The 40k, 60k, and 80k service was carried out by the dealer where the car was originally purchased. The 80k service states that the Crankshaft Position Sensor was replaced. It is a one owner car and as I stated before, looks as though it was cared for. I can only see 1 small door ding in the drivers rear 1/4, and the front wheels have a little bit of rash. Tires have lots of tread too.
We are heading down on Sunday. Hope to drive it home. After that I will look the car over for any maintenance that it due.... plugs, filters, fluids, brakes, etc.
We bought our Crossfire roadster in the spring and have done most of the "preventive maintenance" things that are recommended. Quick check list for questions/observations: Relay Control Module Resoldering, Drivers side Windshield wiper escutcheon usually missing since assembly along with nut cover, Door pulls on the inside part seam tend to peel the chrome off and cut fingers both sides, aftermarket covers are the answer, Sub woofers are often worn out, crank and camshaft position sensors, may have leaky valve covers, I have a roadster but understand the coupes tend to have the headliners drop. 2 keys for sure.
There are repetitive things that re-occur. The right people know what they are talking about on this forum, don't mess with the electrical....full stop. Fresh battery, don't jump or be jumped for any reason, beware the trickle charger. Always disconnect the negative terminal when you do ANYTHING electrical. As you get into it you will see it is build like a tank and most everything is accessible. I just did the 8 way power seat conversion for the passenger. One afternoon taking it apart both seats removed. Another afternoon marrying the parts and redoing wiring clips etc, clean and lube. An easy morning cleaning the cockpit area and re-assembling. No surprises, great upgrade. I also did the LED luggage compartment upgrade and the LED foot well upgrade. Did the sticky ignition key fix on a sunday afternoon while the football game was on. A little tricky but watch the videos and read the tutorial a few times. Keeping the car as OEM as possible as there is really nothing wrong with it. My wife usually drives it but I like to take it out and blow the carbon out of it every couple hours.
We bought our Crossfire roadster in the spring and have done most of the "preventive maintenance" things that are recommended. Quick check list for questions/observations: Relay Control Module Resoldering, Drivers side Windshield wiper escutcheon usually missing since assembly along with nut cover, Door pulls on the inside part seam tend to peel the chrome off and cut fingers both sides, aftermarket covers are the answer, Sub woofers are often worn out, crank and camshaft position sensors, may have leaky valve covers, I have a roadster but understand the coupes tend to have the headliners drop. 2 keys for sure.
There are repetitive things that re-occur. The right people know what they are talking about on this forum, don't mess with the electrical....full stop. Fresh battery, don't jump or be jumped for any reason, beware the trickle charger. Always disconnect the negative terminal when you do ANYTHING electrical. As you get into it you will see it is build like a tank and most everything is accessible. I just did the 8 way power seat conversion for the passenger. One afternoon taking it apart both seats removed. Another afternoon marrying the parts and redoing wiring clips etc, clean and lube. An easy morning cleaning the cockpit area and re-assembling. No surprises, great upgrade. I also did the LED luggage compartment upgrade and the LED foot well upgrade. Did the sticky ignition key fix on a sunday afternoon while the football game was on. A little tricky but watch the videos and read the tutorial a few times. Keeping the car as OEM as possible as there is really nothing wrong with it. My wife usually drives it but I like to take it out and blow the carbon out of it every couple hours.
I agree Johnny Versatale100% everything he says for sure. I did change out the gauge lights to multi color back lighting there is a video on youtube I think how you gently sand the green color off which makes the gauge face white . Now I can change the foot well lights to match the gauge cluster . Got this stuff off ebay. with the remote that comes with the lights
Don't forget to check for a broken cup holder. They are a pain to replace in a roadster. I put a Bin in as its more practical, but I sourced an A-1 cup holder and put it into stock so I can still be a purist for a future owner, but we will use the bin and kept the broken cup holder for "parts"?
Plans have changed..... still getting a XF...... just decided to increase my search parameters a few more miles to see what else would pop up.
Well... another 2004 Blaze Red 6 spd popped up an extra hour and a half away (5 1/2 total). Best of all it has 60,300 miles (36k less), has the all black interior (as opposed to the 2 tone gray in the other car), new Toyo tires, and it is only $500 more than the one I was originally looking at.
Went ahead and rearranged my financing, just waiting for the dealership to open so I can give them a call and make sure I take all applicable documentation with me.
The 36,000 fewer miles equals 2 years of my commute.
Well as Mike Tyson brilliantly said.... "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth".
The dealership with the 60k mile car I want is not open on Sundays...… which is something I have never experienced in my life!! Even the crappiest car lots out there are open on Sunday.
I did talk to a sales guy though and got the ball rolling with the financing. I had to go through their loan officers because even though I had a loan application that was approved, BECU uses wholesale value when determining what they are going to give for a loan..... which is stupid in my opinion as I am not a dealer and I am certainly not paying wholesale for the car..... kind of hard for a dealer to make any money selling all their cars wholesale to the general public. So I couldn't use the loan that I was already approved for.
I've pretty much decided against the first car I was looking at, even though I could walk in and drive it away as financing for that one was approved and ready to go with a different Credit Union. I figure it will be worth the wait to get a nicer car with lower mileage.
Next Saturday is looking like the day that we could possibly go pick up the car. I just hope the weather holds out, it's the other side of the state.... and they get a lot of snow in the winter.
Did you travel to a different state. States have different laws on car sales. Being closed on Saturday is strange. In Illinois car dealerships are closed on Sundays by law.
Did you travel to a different state. States have different laws on car sales. Being closed on Saturday is strange. In Illinois car dealerships are closed on Sundays by law.
The first XF I was looking at is in Oregon (I'm in WA), they are open on Sunday, the XF I am now interested in is here in WA, other side of the state, 228 miles away. Closed on Sunday.
That has to **** a lot of people off. I assumed car dealerships were like restaurants, open 365 days of the year. The only day my wife and I have off together is Sunday. She works days Tuesday - Saturday and I work nights Monday - Friday. I've never come across another car dealership in WA that's closed on Sundays.
Alright, got the call from the dealership today, made my down payment and will be going to pick up the 60k XF this Saturday!!
Only downside is that the car only has one key, the first one I was looking at only had one key as well.
Kind of fitting though, my wife and I both drive 03 Turbo Jettas, and each of our cars only have... you guessed it, one key. You can still get a new key made for the Jetta, really expensive though.
Well I got it home!! 350 mile drive and oh boy is my *** sore!! The side bolsters in the seat bottom..... let's just say they are obviously designed for a much narrower *** than mine.
The original plan was to drive out with my father in law and drive both vehicles back together... I did the math on gas and food and time..... I had him drive me to the airport instead. 45 minute flight compared to a 5+ hour drive, and the ticket was only $30 more than what I would have spent just in Gas for my 06 AWD Durango.
It drives a lot like my Corvette!! The steering is heavy, and those wide *** tires like to grab every groove in the road!! It has 60k on it but it feels like a new car. No bangs or rattles, everything is tight, no wind noise from the windows. Interior plastics, while in great shape, feel a little cheap. I wish the center console lid was padded, and the cupholder is of course... broken. Looks like all the pieces are there though.
I got my first compliment 50 miles into my drive home.... stopped at a rest area and a gentleman commented on my "nice buggy". He asked if it was new, and seemed confused when I told him it was 15 years old.... He had never heard of the XF before so I had to explain how it was the child of a failed marriage.
I'm wondering what, if anything can be done about the seat bottom bolsters.... I'm 5'10" and in the position I was comfortable, I had maybe an inch and a half between the button on my ballcap and the headliner. The seats should have been fluffier.
I really dig the way the exhaust sounds when you romp on it..... tuned.
Something else kind of cool, the front half of the hood, fenders, bumper, and headlights have clear bra on them. As do the side views, behind the entry door handles, and the flat spot below the license plate. Some of it is started to bubble, and I am contemplating removing all of it.
I'll have to get some pictures up of it tomorrow if the weather doesn't turn to crap overnight.
Jared KSEA Seattle Tacoma International In between the layes Descending Final approach Very flat in Eastern Wa Boring!!! Rock.... Dirt.... Rock.... Dirt....
New Member Here!!
Re: New Member Here!!
Re: New Member Here!!
