Crossfire 1 Year OPPO Review

"Milky" (jordanmielke) 01/10/2014 at 10:10 • Filed to: Review, Chrysler, Crossfire

6

36

The love it or hate it child of the now separated Daimler-Chrysler couple.

( Full Disclosure: I wanted to drive a Crossfire so bad I spent too much money on one while still in college when I should of bought another beater.)

I think everyone is familiar with the Crossfire story by this point. But incase not a quick refresher starts by saying this is the first product of the Daimler-Chrysler merger. Using the first generation Mercedes SLK chassis, engines and interior with its own styling. The name refers to the character line that goes from a negative to a positive along the body side.

Exterior: 1/10 - 10/10

Two scores because this reflects the controversial side of the Crossfire. Yes Jeremy Clarkson said it looks like a dog taking a shit.

The way I see it Eric Stoddard made a sketch and Chrysler produced it, as a design student that sounds like the dream. In a world of boring cars that all look the same I love the way this thing looks. So its a 10 for me, if you don't like it, please keep your boring life to yourself.

Interior/Toys: 6/10

Well its a decade old sports car aka no toys in here & it is pretty plastic-y. But Mercedes did do a good job originally of making the leather on the seats, steering wheel and doors nice. All the ergonomics are good and I think the dials have a nice classic look to them too. My only real gripe is the cup holder, it pops out the center counsel and kind of grasps the drink. Ohh and it has an automatic spoiler, I don't know about you but I don't see that all too often.

Acceleration: 6/10

Its engine is the standard MB all aluminum 3.2L V6 that Mercedes pretty much put in everything. 215hp - 229lbtq is in a word adequate. When you're just driving around town the low end torque never leaves you wanting more and it makes a nice noise past 3k rpms. Really when you want to go, it goes, it is limited to 155mph after all. But I do realize there are faster cars out there.

Braking: 7/10

Car stops great every time. Never had them fade, either in a Belle Isle lapping session or when I'm pushing hard on a half hour plus coastal drive. Granted the only thing I can compare them too are the brakes on my old SC400, but they've never had me asking for more.

Ride: 5/10

One of the things Chrysler did change on the car was the suspension tuning, and they made it stiffer than its SLK brother. That combined with low profile tires means there isn't much give in the ride. In all honesty I don't mind it at all, but the last time I was on date I did say something along the lines of - 'sorry, I promise its fun on a twisty road!'

Really if Detroit didn't have such shit roads this probably wouldn't be an issue.

Handling: 8/10

This is where I think the Crossfire shines. Chrysler bragged the chassis was stiffer than a 911's, gave it stiff suspension, and stuck wide low pro tires on it (that are staggered too!). All that plus its relatively light weight (3060lbs) means its great in the corners. There is no perceivable body roll and it pulls 1.0g on a skidpad.

All the reviews of this car complain about no feel back through the wheel, you know what? I've never driven a Cayman!! This is where I took off the 2 points because a Miata does steer better and I'll be fair. Although I will say it is super accurate and there is no slack in the steering center.

Gearbox: 5/10

Yes its a automatic, please hold your - 'OMGWHYWOULDEVER?!' til the end. First I needed a car quick, second this car was a deal and third I've never owned a manual personally so I didn't put too much weight on the one aspect of buying a car.

Now it does actually act like a nice AT and once you get on it a few times it stays in a low gear. The revs stay up around 3k and all is well. Plus better mileage than the manual & its the same transmission they put in the SLR.

Reliability: 9/10

One year in and I've had one thing break, the ashtray spring. That was a quick fix, pull the spring, and now its manual. The ashtray plus now the passenger window seal is starting to leak at highway speeds means it doesn't get a perfect score. But really this is the cheapest year by far that I've ever had in car maintenance ….. and its a decade old car.

Whats all that talk about this being from Merc's horrible years?

Audio: 8/10

The stock exhaust sounds rather good for a V6 …. its just not loud enough IMO. As for the radio, James May said "it could with stand a direct hit from Bjork". Even I, someone who likes bass, has it on -6. Highs are excellent too from the infinity system.

I just took off 2 points because the car is from that crappy middle ground where it doesn't have a tape deck or aux input, so its impossible to hook up a iPod. Though you could say that is a negative of the times, not the car itself.

Value: 9/10

Blatantly put I think a Crossfire is the classiest way to spend 10k, in fact I didn't even spend that much. Plus after checking and seeing that prices for these are in the exact same spot as last year, Im sure I could sell mine for what I got it for. When you combine that with how little I put into this car this year I don't know how you could say its not a good value. Ohh and the mileage is 19/25, not too shabby.

The Verdict:

Me - 75/100

Haters - 66/100

Stay classy Oppo

CalzoneGolem > Milky 01/10/2014 at 10:15

3

I've always loved how these look and sound.

I might be a bit of a Mopar fanboi though.

MooseKnuckles > Milky 01/10/2014 at 10:17

0

Nice review, I've always thought they looked good, better than the SLK it is based on.
I think if it were me, and the intent was to buy an 'american' little sports coupe from that era, I'd be on a mad-man hunt for a hardtop Solstice GXP with StageII, and when I've given up on finding that unicorn I'd settle for a Sky Redline drop top (also getting StageII).

Sn210 > Milky 01/10/2014 at 10:17

0

Nice write up! I too enjoy the Crossfire because it's so unique. Sure there were better cars available when it was new, but that was then. It stands out, has some cool features, and can be had for cheap. If I didn't need a sedan, I would have picked one up years ago.

Milky > CalzoneGolem 01/10/2014 at 10:21

1

Well that makes two of us, on both accounts.

Bullitt417 > Milky 01/10/2014 at 10:22

0

Very nice write-up. I have a friend who used to have a Crossfire in college. He sold it after he had his license suspended but to this day has nothing but compliments on the car.

I liked your honesty in the write up and can see the value proposition now. If that is the car you really, want ten grand is not much to spend at all. Like the Ford Thunderbird though, priced new, that value was not there.

On a side note I can sympathize with the no tape-deck, no aux plug as I have the same issue in my Dads '02 Thunderbird (also bought used). All in all nice work!

Milky > MooseKnuckles 01/10/2014 at 10:26

1

Yea, this thing has to be the dullest looking sports car IMO.

But its worth noting for the money I spent you aren't getting the turbo versions of those cars. I would of for sure loved a turbo one, but the 170hp base motor felt slow to me.

Milky > Sn210 01/10/2014 at 10:28

0

Oh yea, I'll even admit 35k new was too much money. But like you said that was then and this is now.

Thanks for the kind words!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Milky 01/10/2014 at 10:30

0

I'm sure they are nice to drive, but my co-worker at my first co-op had one......it did not like the potholes and bumps of MI roads. I couldn't live with that harsh of a ride in that "normal" of a car since it was easily daily driveable. Plenty of space inside and the seats weren't bad. Supportive yet comfortable.....Until you hit a chunk of asphalt and two 19 year old males simultaneously make *HRRRRGNK* noises like fat, middle aged men in a corvette.

Plus I am one of the haters so I think it looks like the bastardized love child of a first gen barracuda and a ham. You need to snag some SRT-6 add-ons. And a supercharger.

SwissTony > Milky 01/10/2014 at 10:37

0

Good write up, and I am glad to see that you can laugh about your own car.

As much as I would love to applaud your vehicle, I truly think they are absolutely terrible. Then again, I don't even particularly like the SLK from that era (albeit a much more accomplished car), or the Audi TT.

Nonetheless, I know that after driving any car for a while, you grow attached, and see the beauty in it. Sometimes righteously so, sometimes more as a Stockholm syndrome. Which one is this? I cannot decide.

Milky > Bullitt417 01/10/2014 at 10:39

0

Everybody is using their iPods and here we are burning CD's like its 2007 up in this bitch.

But thanks! One of the reasons I decided to actually spend money on a car was because I was sick of having to fix my car/first jeep/ or second jeep every 6 months or so. I'm very happy the reliability has been as good as it is.

CalzoneGolem > Milky 01/10/2014 at 10:40

0

If it makes you feel any better my mom thought they were pretty sexxy when they first came out. She wanted one pretty hard. Some how she ended up in a Monte Carlo instead.

Milky > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/10/2014 at 10:43

0

I feel I gave a unbiased review, hence the 5 in that in area. Really though I'm used to it and its not even daily driven, I only use it when I want to go out or need groceries.

Also superchargers and the like are monies and I have ONE semester left …… it can wait.

Milky > CalzoneGolem 01/10/2014 at 10:46

0

That is disappointing …. Im sorry. But believe me, I don't need to feel any better about it. I think its sexy and I get compliments on it.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Milky 01/10/2014 at 10:49

0

I think being a bit softer suspension would've helped. He bought his "new" as it was one of the cars sold in the 2007 model year that was actually an 05 or 06 or something like that. Apparently got many thousands off of MSRP. Can't remember how much but it was much cheaper than even cars like the monte carlo and V6 mustang

Milky > SwissTony 01/10/2014 at 10:55

0

Hence the 2 scores at the end.

But there is a product design firm that has a slogan along the lines of - "don't be all things to all people, be something to someone". I love that & the more you don't like the car, I do. Plus I gotten my fair share of compliments on it …. so uhhh…. haters gonna hate.

CalzoneGolem > Milky 01/10/2014 at 10:57

0

It was specifically designed to make you not feel better.

Also I got to drive the Monte a fair bit and would've much rather driven a Crossfire.

Milky > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/10/2014 at 11:02

0

Chrysler did NOT have the image to pull that 35k price tag, I don't know if anyone would argue that. But hey, the dealers loss, then some blokes loss on depreciation means they are good deals now! At least IMO.

JR1 > Milky 01/10/2014 at 11:06

1

Always had a soft spot for the car (probably because my grandpa owned one when I was a little boy) but I do prefer the roadster. I like the lines more and it becomes a fun summer open top grand tourer… at least in my mind.

That spoiler though made quite an impression on an eight year old that basically though only magic could make metal pop out of the butt of a car. Very very cool in 2004

Milky > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/10/2014 at 11:09

0

Yea Chrysler's image could not pull off that 35k price, I don't know who would argue that. The way I see it though the dealers loss, plus some blokes loss on depreciation means they're good deals now.

But really the way I see the ride is, the SC was a GT and kind of soft. This is a sports car, so its stiffer. Simple but effective frame of mind.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Milky 01/10/2014 at 11:20

0

well he still drives his in the summer and paid it off while in college. I want to say he paid about 23 or so for it from some dealer in texas. At 23k, I like the car. At 35k, I'd hang my head in shame every time it was in sight. The SRT-6 isn't much better either. What, 50k MSRP? For a chrysler? I think this even pre-dated the 300C so yeah no one was willing to pay that much for a chrysler then. I think I still have the CD they gae out at the NAIAS when they launched this car. It has some ads for the car, a bunch of pictures and short movie clips of the car in action, and I shit you not - a music video for a celine dion song that randomly has glamour shots of a crossfire for some reason.

Meatcoma > Milky 01/10/2014 at 12:05

0

This gif reminds me of the time someone had drawn a hotdog going into her mouth and when she turns it goes out and into the other lady's mouth. FYI - DO NOT GIS(at work) 'hot dog going into mouth gif'

Milky > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/10/2014 at 13:16

0

lol yupp, Such bad advertising ….. I don't bring it up ever for a reason.

Milky > Meatcoma 01/10/2014 at 13:18

0

Ha, well I couldn't find it …. but I did find Olivia Munn, so theres that.

Milky > JR1 01/10/2014 at 13:22

0

I test drove one just like that! (crappy instagram shot)

I've never had a convertible and I did want one. But unfortunately all the convertibles around me had low miles, and therefore a high price.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Milky 01/10/2014 at 14:20

1

I think that's going to be an adult nightmare of mine - celine dion driving a chrysler crossfire in monochrome, all night, to get to me.

JR1 > Milky 01/10/2014 at 14:30

1

That's unfortunate, but I'm glad I'm not the only one on here who likes the crossfire!!

RotaryLover > Milky 01/15/2014 at 16:04

0

Dammit Milky...I'm re-lusting on a white limited model right now for 10000$. Really damn you!

Milky > RotaryLover 01/15/2014 at 17:37

0

Do it ….

RotaryLover > Milky 01/15/2014 at 17:48

0

If it was convertible it would had been bought already hahahaha. Now I gotta see if it better to get a manual or automatic.

Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS > Milky 01/21/2014 at 08:16

1

I hate how the coupe looks, but the convertible looks great.

Dream Theater of the Absurd > Milky 01/21/2014 at 21:41

0

I do NOT like Chrysler products as a rule. Now that I have that out of the way, I do like the Crossfire.

As far as its looks go, the coupe looks a bit funky to me. But I love the look of the convertible.

Milky > Dream Theater of the Absurd 01/21/2014 at 23:31

0

Well I should state that everything on/in this car is Mercedes except for the sheet metal. So if you like the looks of a convertible don't be afraid of chrysler parts, because there isn't many.

Chance.Canson > Milky 01/23/2014 at 09:34

0

When I was shopping for a car 4 years ago I test drove one of these. I didn't like driving it at all. I found the steering to be numb, the brakes didn't give much in the way of feedback and I couldn't find a comfortable driving position. I ended up getting a GTI, so I think my priorities were a little out of whack with what I was driving. All of that being said I still think they are pretty cool cars. There is one I see around town that is black on black with black wheels and it is really sharp looking.

Milky > Chance.Canson 01/23/2014 at 20:42

0

Well every GTI is pretty damn good so no harm done. But I have to rebuttal because, well … I have to.

The steering isn't great but its super accurate, that I like and I never even thought about thinking about the brakes negatively. Also near the limits is where I thoroughly enjoy driving it.

Last but not least, I like to slide waayyy too much t0 get anything FWD.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Cebu > Milky 01/27/2014 at 19:38

0

Honestly, I don't agree with you on the "classy" part. The Crossfire, when properly optioned (as is yours), can look quite good, but recently there's been a deluge of 50 year old aunts driving terribly optioned Crossfires- both the roadster and the coupe. I mean, red with white roof? On the coupe version, no less? With the Chesire sidestrakes? And the 19in alloys? I mean who does that?

Milky > Cebu 01/27/2014 at 20:40

0

Yon confuse me because they all get sidestrakes (they are painted body color on the 05+ base model) and 19-inchers in the back. Also who two-tones a coupe?!

And I havne't seen any older people driving them around me, so no harm done ….. I'll continue to feel classy driving it.