I noticed a small amount of transmission fluid on the floor of my garage and scheduled an appointment with my local Chrysler Dealer. These folks have serviced my vehicles in the past with excellent results.

I get over there and usually I enjoy watching the mechanic work from the safety of the doorway. This mechanic said 'I will not work on your vehicle while with you watching. Don't worry I won't hurt your car.'

Well, this really struck me as rude and paranoid. I wonder if this guy has previously screwed up a car in front of a customer.

Second, the dealer had the seals on hand to make the repair (warranty work) but didn't have the transmission fluid and had to have one of the 'runners' go get it from another dealership about 10 miles away.

Third, the mechanic also told me 'You couldn't give me one of these. They are pretty, but I like my Chevys.'

Now I'm thinking if this is the only qualified mechanic at this dealership for the Crossfire, I will NOT be returning.

All in all, they did get me out of there in a timely manner and were happy to help. I just think that I will request a different mechanic/technician next time or I'll tell them I'll take it somewhere else.

Last little tidbit: I've had comments from more than one person that Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler reliability ratings are terrible. Well, I did some research and you know what. Some of the models from both companies came up in the most unreliable column. LINK (Mercedes-Benz E, S, CLK and SL class and Chrysler 300 with a V8. Funny, LOTS of GM/Chevy models) BUT! Not the SLK and not the Crossfire. Neither have had any recalls issued (MB 1998 - 2004 or any of the Crossfires). I also found that the 2004 - 2006 Crossfire had a better overall value rating than the 1998-2004 SLK. (1998 - 2004 SLK is closest to our platform I believe).

Now I can laugh in people's faces when they tell me that Mercedes-Benz or Chryslers are unreliable. DO YOUR RESEARCH.

Okay, just had to vent... have a great weekend!

 

Mercedes is famous for being a bit slow when it comes to recalls, I think it's the German personality disorder we have... Hey, if it's German built, then there can't be anything wrong with it ! Oi...

But they are very reliable, just take a look at all those old Diesel Benzs, some of them have upwards of 300,000 miles on them!
As for a Chevys, I don't see why anyone would still buy one, they are inherent to falling apart and having weak spots. Just take a look at the New Silverado 4X4's, they all have weak transfer cases and wimpy axles. Hell the trail rated Jeeps even have Dana 44 solid axles in them, so what's up with these new Chevys, they all suck! GM is doomed to extinction if they keep up business this way. look how long it took them to put a 7 year warrantee on a vehicle, pathetic.

I'm still wondering why Chrysler hasn't put out a recall on all 2004 crossfires with 6 speed transmission? what's the deal there?

 

If it EVER kicked out of gear on me with a manual transmission and I hadn't hit the gearshift, I would have taken it in immediately.

Manual gear boxes should never 'jump' out of gear. EVER.

I would bet that Chrysler/Mercedes didn't have any way to really track which ones had what transmission as they may have had several lots of them and only one batch had the problem.

Hope you get that sorted out.

 

Yea man I know how you feel I had to pass three dealers before I found one that would let me observe as my car is "worked on", they say it is for safety purposes, but i think thats a bunch of BS. I would never let a stranger touch the insides of my car without my presence.

The only problem i have seen with the car is the lights getting foggy and the skipping of the audio everything else seams pretty well done and should last a decently long time.

 

My lights got Foggy, too, the dealer said I needed to replace them, but a car wash charged me $30 and put some chemical on that cleared them like crystal.

 

I would like to know what the chemical is, anyone know? I found a method that's quick and does a pretty good job. I used an air random orbital polisher with Harbor Freight foam hook and loop pads. 1st the cutting pad with Meguiars Ultimate Compound then the polishing pad and Ultimate polish.

 

I tried to have the "Fog" Buffed out but that didn't work. The car wash guy who got rid of the fog (and also buffed and waxed my car so she looks like new) showed me the stuff he used to clean the lamps, but I didn't pay enough attention, sorry! I had the fog problem for a few Years and am so happy to have it gone finally. Good luck finding someone to take care of you.

 

Well why not do us all a big favor and get back by there and get the name of that stuff!

 

I purchased Meguiar's Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit and it worked a treat. I DID remove the headlight assemblies to do it as I wanted to really buff them out in controlled lighting conditions and out of the sun.

 

you can also sand down the main headlamp housing and shoot a few thin layers of automotive clear coat. They look as good as new if you do it correctly and then all you do is treat them like paint. Warning you must let the clear coat fully cure before using the headlights or you will have halo marks

 

Correct me if I'm wrong.. Enamel based only isn't it with the plastic..?

 

I don't know paint. I had a local guy in town do the job. His company services all the local car dealers to touch up new and used vehicles for the major brands.