Hi everyone, I am new to the site as of today. I am picking up my new crossfire on Friday. It is a graphite w/ cedar 6 speed. I am concerned about some of the posts I have read about first to second gear shifting as well as first gear popping out. Is this really a widespread problem, b/c if it is then I am going to buy a 5 speed instead, and I really don't want to do that. If anyone has any comments, please give me some insight.

 

Hi Stevo,

Welcome to the forum.

I don't think the 6 speed popping out of gear is / was widespread. I think there were 5 or 6 people on this forum that reported it.

As for me, I've never had any trouble with my 6 speed. You may want to check the last 6 digits of your VIN. It seems to me that it was the earlier numbers that were reporting the problem. Mine is in the 8XXX range.

Good luck with your new car! I hope you enjoy driving it as much as I do.

Dennis

 

Stevo... welcome!!!

Yes, it was a problem for a only a "few" of the early productions cars. Chrysler is well aware of it and there is a TSB out now that addresses the issue. I would not let the issue influence you not to buy the 6-speed.

BTW: there is no 5-speed, only 6-speed and the auto-stick.

Enjoy your new XFire!!! :wink: :wink: :wink:

 

What they said and more. I've got #409 and no popping out of gear issues. Match your gears, blip the throttle, don't wear out the synchros. I've driven a million other cars that had way worse transmissions than the CF / MB. I actually like it.

Enjoy the car, I do daily =)

 

I've had the reverse **** pop off twice and found the 1-2 shift a puzzle to gauge initially. I STILL would get the 6-speed again. DCX is sending my dealer a part for the flyaway problem, and the 1-2 notch just takes some getting used to. No problem with any gear popout. And I'd disagree with those writers who call the 320SLK's gates vague, I find it extremely easy to find the right gear. I even LIKE the slick ****, lets you maintain a constant hand/wrist angle and feather touch.

 

The one I test drove was fine and mechanical feeling. I had an M3 which could be impossible on getting it into third with full rev acceleration. They were all like this, as were many of the earlier 911s. G loads from cornering or acceleration caused enough movement to slightly change gear location. The C5 vette, with far more power, has no such problem but the shifter is very mechanical feeling. Everything is a compromise.