How Bad is the Chrysler Crossfire, Really?

"Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars)
01/17/2014 at 20:10 • Filed to: None

I have the opportunity to buy one dirt cheap from a minor collision. It's an auto, but its also only 77k miles. Is it really as terrible of a car as Top Gear says?

My real main concern, along with driving dynamics, is sell-a-bility. NADA says the value is about 8000-9000, but would anyone actually buy it?

Also, keep in mind my other car option is a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT with a proper manual.

DISCUSSION (53)

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:12

It's a Mercedes. It's not terrible but it's not amazing either. It's just sorta meh, there are better cars to be had and there are worse. I would take the Legacy GT.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:15

An American car is at least twice as good as Top Gear says.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:16

SUBARU LEGACY GT!!! SUBARU LEGACY GT!!! GO GO AND GET IT NOW!!!

On another note, the Crossfire isn't as bad as Top Gear says it is. They are just horribly biased against anything not made in Europe.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:17

How much do you like your spine? If you like it a lot, get the subaru. It's (the crossfire) a rock hard ride and the thin stripe of rubber on those big wheels do nothing to help that.

Takuro Spirit > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:18

Other than the quirkiness of it (the Crossfire), I can't seem to find a reason NOT to get the Subie. Unless it's got a ton more miles, was totaled, or is a fuckton more expensive.

AM3R > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:18

They already are dirt cheap. Get a manual non collision car and it'll be pretty fun

Ari Schwartz: Dark Lord of the Snark > PanchoVilleneuve ST
01/17/2014 at 20:19

Hey now, they've said some nice things about some deserving American makes. Like the Fiesta, the 'Vette, and the Caddy CTS-V.

They're not fair or unbiased at all, but they aren't entirely cocks about it.

Jay Lauer > YSI-what can brown do for you
01/17/2014 at 20:21

Is that yours? Sounds like its straight-piped almost.

Just for the drivetrain and manual alone, I know I would like the Legacy more, but I wanted car people's opinions.

Jay Lauer > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
01/17/2014 at 20:21

I rather like my back...

Jay Lauer > Takuro Spirit
01/17/2014 at 20:23

$1000 more expensive. probably the same cost to fix back up, and 30k more miles.

I think the Subaru would even sell for more money.

Jay Lauer > AM3R
01/17/2014 at 20:23

I mean like 3500 dirt cheap.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:24

No, it is not my car. I own its RWD cousin(kind of, I own an FRS). And it is pretty much straight pipes from the turbo back. Still though, they sound awesome which makes it more fun to drive!

M54B30 > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:24

Are the crossfires bad? I'm sorry, are we not looking at the same car? The questions answers itself.

Not one single time have I ever seen a Crossfire and thought "that looks good."

even the SRT6 makes me want to bleach my eyes.

Birddog > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:25

Is it an SRT?
I didn't see much wrong with the standard one but wasn't impressed either.
The SRT version was a damn blast. But that was at Rt66 and only 2 passes.

Sn210 > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:25

One of the users on here has one and he loves it. Where's Milky?

Jay Lauer > YSI-what can brown do for you
01/17/2014 at 20:25

Nice!

I had a WRX that I straight-piped, just because it was cheap. Sounded it sooooo much better.

Jay Lauer > M54B30
01/17/2014 at 20:26

I mean, the looks aren't bad, it's just everything underneath.

Jay Lauer > Birddog
01/17/2014 at 20:26

It's a normal one with an automatic

Jay Lauer > Sn210
01/17/2014 at 20:27

I would like to hear his side.

Everyone hear seems to generally hate the Crossfire. But they're probably right about choosing a Legacy GT over a Crossfire

JCAlan > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:29

These are great cars. They were fun inexpensive cool cars when they were new. Now they're fun EXTREMELY inexpensive cool cars. They have plenty of power, and handle very well. For the money, I don't think you could buy a better sports coupe.

BrownMiataDieselWagon > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:29

It's an SLK with shittier materials. I drove one, wasn't impressed, but it wasn't bad either.

Conan > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:29

As an owner of a 2006 Limited I think Crossfires are not as bad as Top Gear says they are. I get comments everywhere on just how unusual and cool people think mine is. With that said I have a manual. I have driven the automatic and it really is quite lousy. I would look for a manual if at all possible. I have also driven the SRT and those transcend from not bad to actually cool. As a whole, There are a few mechanical/electrical issues but you can usually get a whole lot of help from the nice people on the Crossfire Forum. Not every mechanic will be willing to work on them so even though I'm not great at that sort of thing I have had to do some of my own wrenching/wiring.

Jay Lauer > JCAlan
01/17/2014 at 20:31

not even the 250hp Legacy GT?

YSI-what can brown do for you > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:32

I just got UEL headers for my car and they sound amazing as well! I love the rumble!

Birddog > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:32

Not a horrible car.
As others mentioned it's a Merc in Chrysler drag.
I'd be worried about the long term maintenance costs but Subies seem to have that issue too.

Jay Lauer > Conan
01/17/2014 at 20:32

How bad is working on one? Do parts come cheap or are they sourced overseas and expensive?

472CID > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:36

In general I wouldn't put too much stock in Top Gear evaluations. That being said this is basically a Mercedes SLK which means soso dynamics and possibly expensive repair/maintenance. They're not my thing but the wouldn't be a terrible buy at 7k.

AM3R > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:43

That might be worth it.... But there's no resale potential there.. They go sub $10k all day long

Sn210 > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:49

I like them. I'll get one as a toy someday. I'd probably go with the Legacy over it for a DD though...

JCAlan > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 20:53

4dr sleeper versus wild looking in-your-face 2 seater? They're really too different to even compare.

DollaMoneyAve > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 21:21

Wait, you're deciding between this and a manual Subaru wagon? And you're still deciding?

Textured Soy Protein > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 21:43

Are you 5'10" or taller and do you want room to move around inside your car?

Do you appreciate being able to see out of your car?

If the answer to one or both of these questions is yes then I would suggest looking elsewhere.

Casper > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 21:53

Honestly? I really dislike them. They are just a worse version of an SLK. I would just buy an SLK rather than the Chrysler repackaged version. There are a lot better cars for the money in most aspects.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 22:09

"Minor accident"

Conan > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 22:20

The good news is a lot of parts you can still get through Chrysler. You can get non OEM versions of some of the more Mercedes-ish stuff for cheaper than the Mercedes prices, because people still do seem to like their SLKs from that generation. . For example, crankshaft position sensors are available from Bosch for a lot cheaper than Mercedes or Chrysler and I was able to fix mine after a local mechanic botched the job the first time. HVAC fixes are expensive and really really annoying and you have to order the stuff from overseas/take apart your dash. I wasn't able to do that myself. I don't think I'll be able to resell my Crossfire especially well, as to your original question, but I quite enjoy it. ( There's a list of common issues/fixes here: http://www.crossfireforum.org/forum/tsbs-how… and a description of the crankshaft position sensor repair/sourcing here: http://www.crossfireforum.org/forum/crossfir… )

PlayerWAN > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 22:24

not worth it. I had the chance to pick up a clean one with 44k miles for $5k and I didn't do it. Go drive one, the interior looks good in pictures but it absolutely blows in person, and the car feels heavy and harsh, not very insulated either. The manual gearbox is garbage (rubbery shifter and horrible synchros) and the stock wheels are designed for runflats so the unsprung weight is too much. Also, the wheels are different sizes (width as well as height. 18" front, 19" rear) so aftermarket ones will cost you a kidney. Like others have said, just get the Subaru, and if you end up not liking it, I'll take it off your hands :D

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Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 22:28

Your legacy is a million times better. Your soul will whither and die in an automatic salvage Crossfire.

Mathias Rios > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 22:29

Basically SLK320 in Chrysler form. This car uses the same engine as my car and that has been super reliable for all of the 212K miles on it right now.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
01/17/2014 at 22:30

Yeah but its a softened, cheapened version of the first generation of arguably one of their worst cars for several years. Technically, yes, underneath there is some Mercedes. But that's not even a good thing, in this case.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > DollaMoneyAve
01/17/2014 at 22:30

I lol'd

CPT Speedbump > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 22:44

Get the LGT. Don't know why you'd even consider a automatic!!

awesomenessity > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 22:58

No one other than a car guy knows this car isn't up to snuff. You'll be ok with it, and get more looks with it. You'll be happy and safer with the Subaru

Jay Lauer > PlayerWAN
01/17/2014 at 23:27

Yeah, I've sat in one before, it's very plasticky.

Well, if I buy the Subaru, I'll let you know when I sell it. I just need to get rid of the E46 Bimmer too.

Jay Lauer > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
01/17/2014 at 23:28

I thought that was always an overstatement, until I bought an automatic E46. Driving is just soo much less fun with an automatic.

Jay Lauer > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
01/17/2014 at 23:29

Manual Subaru sedan.

But I have already owned a manual Subaru WRX wagon

JasonStern911 > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 23:41

While I cannot recommend you buying that one because of the accident history, I can't see myself owning one as I cannot get past the PT Cruiser inspired rear end:

Kinja'd!!!

At that point, why not make it a true shooting brake? Honestly, a lot of the negative criticism people post about that car (at least on oppo) would have been mitigated if they had...

Jay Lauer > JasonStern911
01/17/2014 at 23:44

I think some of the hate comes from it being a hatch that's nowhere near practical. The could've put on an actual hatchback with real trunk space, but they didn't.

Also, it just needs a hood, grill, and bumper. Clean title, but I'm already swayed towards the Subaru.

JasonStern911 > Jay Lauer
01/17/2014 at 23:57

The PT Cruiser comment might have been a bit off. It's more that I don't like Chrysler's styling during that era in general. The PT Cruiser just took the brunt as, well, look at it. It's an easy target.

You didn't mention that the one you were looking at is $3,500 in non-repaired form. Even if you didn't want to go the Subaru route, you would be much better off finding another Crossfire. It's not like they're that rare or valuable right now.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Jay Lauer
01/18/2014 at 02:28

It is with the wrong ones. And old automatics, especially the slower than glaciers in february 5 speed in the Crossfire, are not fun at all. Plus when you only have 215 hp to work with, and more weight than you think, well, things get boring quickly.

Stef Schrader > Jay Lauer
01/18/2014 at 06:38

I have a friend who digs these. They're basically the Chrysler version of the SLK of that era. Apparently they drive pretty well.

I can't stand the rear end look, though. Rest of the car = pretty cool.

I wouldn't get the automatic, though. Find a manual one or get the Legacy. (And mud the Legacy!)

Montalvo > Jay Lauer
01/19/2014 at 15:00

Go with the legacy GT. If you can get one in black and put black rims on it, it looks really slick.

Kinja'd!!!

NathanLoiselle > Jay Lauer
01/19/2014 at 15:50

Go for the Subie.

Hirsch > Jay Lauer
01/19/2014 at 17:27

These are truly horrible cars. You get in it thinking that the Mercedes pedigree makes it a poor mans SL.

But it just isn't. It's worse. They don't handle well, they aren't fast and the autotragic gearbox is stupid and slow.

Buy the Legacy GT, you'll be much better off.