Hi all,

Well after owning a Smart Roadster for the last couple of years i have learnt that:

Car reviews dont always give you the full picture,
Joining a forum of ppl who own the same car as you is invaluable and can save you alot of money
Handling is more important than out and out power

So with all of that in mind I'm seriously considering buying a Crossfire. The prices seem amazing for such a car at the moment and not being one for buying normal, boring, average cars i think the Crossfire is what im looking for.

Ive been reading quite a few posts on here and have learnt alot already. Though i do have a couple questions that im hoping you guys can help with.

Firstly in the UK Most models i see are automatic. I wanted a manual as i heard the auto gearbox was really bad or is this another one of those 'stories'.

Having a convertible for the last two years you learn alot about leaks, lol especially with the smart roadster anyway. Does the crossfire roadster suffer from many leak probs in the bad weather?

tbh my heart is set on a coupe anyways i think, unless i got a cracking deal on a roadster. I'm after one in black or gunmetal grey ideally, thats under 50k miles and hopefully one owner.

My budget is quite limited unfortunately and i really need to keep under the 9 grand mark. You think i have a chance for this figure to find a good example?

Great to be here though and if i buy one ill definitely be here regularly.

Eddy

Racing is life, everything before and after is just waiting.

 

I think that there is a bias in the UK against autos - but I've not had any issues with mine (so far touch wood!!!)... look at pistonheads as there are frequently quite a few for sale on there.

price-wise it's a complete guessing game - mine cost me 1,300 less than the next best one I saw and then I've also seen one with 70k up being offered at 10k......

 

[quote=tfeb]Hi all,

Well after owning a Smart Roadster for the last couple of years i have learnt that:

Car reviews dont always give you the full picture,
Joining a forum of ppl who own the same car as you is invaluable and can save you alot of money
Handling is more important than out and out power

So with all of that in mind I'm seriously considering buying a Crossfire. The prices seem amazing for such a car at the moment and not being one for buying normal, boring, average cars i think the Crossfire is what im looking for.

Ive been reading quite a few posts on here and have learnt alot already. Though i do have a couple questions that im hoping you guys can help with.

Firstly in the UK Most models i see are automatic. I wanted a manual as i heard the auto gearbox was really bad or is this another one of those 'stories'.


The Tiptronic Mercedes Auto box is bulletproof - consiider that the SRT has 330hp (against 215hp std) and all those are fitted with the auto box. Also Chrysler gave the Auto a lifetime powertrain warranty. The manuals have a reputation of being notchy and eary models regularly jumped out of 1st gear. But once you get used to the manual Im sure its great. Like any car you get what you pay for - there are plenty in your price bracket, but dont expect much. Check out Autotrader, plenty of high mileage cheapies there. The Auto's tend to be more money as they were £1300 more at new. Good luck!

 

oh and be PATIENT!!!! It took me about 2 months to find the right one for me and even then that was a real stroke of luck...

FYI

53
18,400
Silver Blue
2 owners (I am the 3rd)
service book all stamped (no bills though )
2 spanner service needed doing
minor fine scratches (which will buff out , once I can afford it )
very good interior (seats/carpets/consol/headliner perfect, boot area has a few scrape marks but nothing that is out of place on a 6 year old car)
new rear tyres will be needed in the next 9/12 months
£7,200

hope that helps

 

You need to test an auto and a manual and draw your own conclusions. I initially wanted a manual and drove two of them. I concluded that it is tough to get a smooth getaway in first and that the first to second gear change is very jumpy. I guess some would call it snappy and, no doubt once you are familiar with the box, it is fine to drive. The auto (which we got) is great, super smooth, and it is (nearly) always in the right gear. As said by Waylander, you need to take your time and get the right car. We tested 7 or 8 of them and ended up driving a 498 mile round trip to south Wales (twice) for the one that we eventually got – and that was 3 months after we started looking. Decide on your colour, transmission etc and hold out until you find exactly what you are after, if you don’t you will regret it at some later point. Best of luck.

 

just a few cheapies...


SMA Carriage Company : CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 3.2 V6 2DR AUTO

Chrysler : CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 3.2 V6 2DR AUTO (54)

Chrysler : PRICE DROP CROSSFIRE WITH 14000 MILES

 

Hi Eddy,
I'm not sure what the reviews are on about with the auto, it is all Merc gear and well proven. I have the auto and it is super smooth, it adapts to your driving style, so bear that in mind when test driving as depends how it has been driven will affect how it drives when you test it.

I have the convertible ( my first ) and so far no problems, it is relatively quiet with a taut top. Mine is an '05 with 52k on the clock and kept outside with no cover used daily.

Good hunting !

 

I test drove an auto roasdster and a manual coupe. I ended up with the coupe because it was 6 grand cheaper (USD) and had much less mileage (14800 vs 46000 on the roadster). A no brainer! The clutch has a long throw and takes a little getting used to. I have the 2006 model and have never had it jump out of first...they had probably solved that problem by then. There is enough power to start in second which I usually do in town, and I can drive mine smooothly enough that if I blindfolded you, you wouldn't be able to tell which transmission it has. I would not say shifting is notchy, but it has a quirk or two. I notice that shifting is flawless when accelerating hard. When changing gears in a leisurely manner, I sometimes almost miss 6th, as the shifter is spring loaded to the 3rd to 4th gates, and if you aren't positive with your shifter it will hunt that middle position. It's a "touchie feely" thing that you get used to. You'll find that when the right car comes along, it won't matter which transmission it has!

 

You probably know that the auto has a "Winter" mode that starts in 2nd gear and my wife drives in W all the time, I have spoken to other owners that do that just to make it a little easier in town driving. The high torque of the engine makes starting in 2nd with either transmission no problem if that is wanted. I've been looking at prices and it seems the price differential between coupes and roadsters is getting greater in the UK but there is such a variation in prices people and garages expect it is almost like there is no standard and you can drop on a real bargain if patient.

 

When I was looking for mine I asked a Chrysler dealer which was the best box, the auto or manual. He said, if I was buying a Mercedes I would always go for the auto. I ended up with the auto box.

Good luck
Jon