Ok, I know this is an 8 Forum and all, but I can't find any info on the Chrysler crossfire (ok some but not much) with the abundance of info on the 8 you would think chrysler would be more prudent to get people excited about a car they are releasing this summer???

Motortrend's story states it is set to compete with the Audi TT and Boxter. With an estimated price of $30K.

Makes you wonder if the boys at Chrysler forgot about the 350Z and Rx-8 with the price of the 8 below 30K they better have some super machine to warrant people even looking at their product at that price.

Personally I think they should be shooting to undercut even the 8 let alone the 350Z a more similar 2 seater styled car. It's not like they have a following or even the best track record for reliability.

What do you guys think?

Oh and if anyone has links to more info that would be great. I'm just curious about what others think.

I know what you mean... It was all the buzz at the car shows but has since all but dissappeared. On the reliability issue though, I think it's pretty well known that Mercedes had a big hand in designing and building this car. People need not worry about the quality of the build.

i really doubt that the Crossfire will compete with a Boxter. maybe with the proposed supercharged engine (over 250 HP). but now with the 215 HP version--Daimler's engine--it might have trouble with keeping up with a TT.
handling should be the same as the SLK, since it is the same chasis
the car is pretty nice regardless. love the art deco styling inside. too bad the front end from the concept did not make it.

santino

Man, I think the crossfire looks SWEET! I am still just a bit concerned about the "Chrysler" part.

the only reason i would even consider buying this car is because of MB's involvement. :D the chrysler.com/crossfire site has very limited (or useful) information. like santino, i liked the front of the concept car better. still, i want/need 4 doors... oh, wait! i think the rx-8 has them!

I just don't like cars that have a gimmick (i.e. the spoiler thing) and try to use JUST that gimmick to sell. I do like the interior, the exterior is a little too 1950's world fair'ish. And the spoiler looks like a flimsy piece of mechanics that is designed to sell the car, then break 5 weeks later. I'm sure the extra downforce provided by this thing would really help once you hit say about 130mph... man... that's useful!

Besides, the new 'Celine Dion' commercials with her driving it singing make me definately hate the fact that i own a D-M vehicle. I've had a bad taste in my mouth ever since I saw her sing God Bless America (poorly) at the superbowl. No offense to our great neighbors to the north, but it seems that you should at least have an american citizen botch it up, not a canadian...

Originally posted by santino
i really doubt that the Crossfire will compete with a Boxter. maybe with the proposed supercharged engine (over 250 HP). but now with the 215 HP version--Daimler's engine--it might have trouble with keeping up with a TT.

I was wondering, how will the RX-8 fare against the Boxster? Which is faster as far as acceleration goes?

i dunno how fast the Boxter is, but that Crossfire is (even at that price) out of the market... it's slower, smaller, and IMO looks like a visual substitute for the Heimlich Manoever... the RX-8 is gonna eat this thing for breakfast. there is absolutely nothing i like about that car: it brings nothing new, exciting, or innovative to the table... not to mention the SLK is hardly a serious driver's car (not enough power, too heavy, and it's soft like a Mercedes 'cause it is one)... i'm not saying i don't like it or there isn't a place for something like that, but the Crossfire is lining up to be a big flop IMO.

I think Car And Driver or MT had an article about how it went from conecpt car to production. Not a lot of useful info, but was cool how they showed what changed and what stayed the same. Most of it looks similar to the concept except the front end is fairly different.

Originally posted by jonalan
Man, I think the crossfire looks SWEET! I am still just a bit concerned about the "Chrysler" part.

From what I understand, the design is Chrysler, everything else is German.

... plus there is that 5 door 2+2 concept version that was shown at the Geneva Auto Show ...

http://autoweek.com/images_content/2003_02/airflite.jpg

http://www.autoweek.com/specials/2003_geneva/airflite/2Scan07cwc.jpg



autoweek
Here's the latest twist on Chrysler's new front-engine rear-drive LX platform, which is also found under the Dodge Magnum. This one is a five-door sport coupe, a hatchback, "a Crossfire for families," according to a spokesguy. While the Magnum has a big V8, the Airflite has a front- longitudinally mounted 3.5-liter V6 from the 300M driving the rear wheels. It is officially just a concept but the car on the stand is a driver and Chrysler says "it will be driven by journalists soon after its debut," so brace yourself. The looks? "It's a different idea of what cars can be," said coo Wolfgang Bernhard. "If you just do another Camry it doesn't work." Like it? Good for you, because along with the Super Eight, Magnum, Crossfire and more to come, this is what a lot of Chryslers will look like.

http://www.autoweek.com/specials/2003_geneva/airflite/IMG_0448.jpg

http://autoweek.com/specials/2003_geneva/

IMHO I'm not a fan at all!

:p

Originally posted by bwayout
(from autoweek)
this is what a lot of Chryslers will look like

IMHO I'm not a fan at all!

:p

holy christ, if that's true, i'll just have to assume that Daimler-Chrystler is over-sensitive-to-caring-for-people-who're-choking-to-death-at-lunch-in-a-restaurant-with-big-windows-and-a-good-view-of-the-street, or are blind, very very blind.

Originally posted by cueball1029
Most of it looks similar to the concept except the front end is fairly different. And that is where it went completely wrong. The concept's vertical lights were dead on. It now looks like something my dad would drive...and he is 70.

I wouldn't worry about the build quality, it's actually being built in Germany at an MB factory.

It's basically Chrysler's C230 coupe (I'm assuming it's built on the same platform, I mean, what else do they have?). And just like the C230, it should be a nice car, but not really enthusiast oriented.

And while the styling is way, way better than other American automakers, I have to agree with Puppy1, it does have a senior citizen look to it.

I agree about the headlights. The Verticals looked very very good. The horizontals make the front end look just everyday plain-jane. IMHO it lost a lot of its character immediately there.

As far as being a Mercedes, and thus maybe having a good quality/reliability record.....I seriously doubt it. Mercedes has been slipping ever since the M-Class showed up, and in the latest Consumer Reports not 1 MB was recommended due to poor reliability. I believe MB was second last in overall reliability.

Not too confidence inspiring. Check it out here....

I can't find it. Sorry.

If I remember correctly, Consumer Reports has also downgraded their raiting for the M class ... I think ...

Originally posted by m477
I wouldn't worry about the build quality, it's actually being built in Germany at an MB factory.


Why does everyone believe this myth of German quality? The reality is, on average, German vehicles are unreliable. Mercedes Benz vehicles over the last five years have been bottom dwellers in reliability rankings and Chrysler vehicles are mid pack. If you don't believe me check the easily obtainable statistics from Consumers Union and JD Power.

Oh, the Crossfire will not be built by MB. It uses MB components but is to be built by Karmann.

wakeech, do you have it in for the Crossfire in particular or Chrysler in general? Just curious :D

Seriously, though, I for one think the Crossfire looks sweet. But for a 2 seater car that isn't fast and isn't a convertible, I think their price is about $12K too high.

And I hate Celine Dion's voice.


On the other hand, if I ever need a big people-hauler, I very much like their new Sprinter full sized van. Funky in a good way.

wow........this is an old one

:crying:

Good riddance to a crappy car.

RIP, beloved CROSSSSSSFIRRRRRE!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/7412/crosscopy4yz.jpg

my brother and I test drove one a few months ago... still waiting to be impressed.

I liked the design of the CF up to the rear bumper. if they would have extended it out just a bit, yeah it would look like the Merc, but still a bit dif.

2c

Daimler-Chrysler...

What a joke!

Crossfire...

Your not off to a good start when you base your flagship car on an outdated Mercedes-Benz SLK platform that was never known for it's good handling.

Reminds of the Chrysler/Maserati TC

Daimler-Chrysler...

What a joke!

Crossfire...

Your not off to a good start when you base your flagship car on an outdated Mercedes-Benz SLK platform that was never known for it's good handling.

Reminds of the Chrysler/Maserati TC

that thing has opera windows! Gross!

Daimler-Chrysler...

What a joke!

Crossfire...

Your not off to a good start when you base your flagship car on an outdated Mercedes-Benz SLK platform that was never known for it's good handling.

Reminds of the Chrysler/Maserati TC

thats why they almost filed for bankruptcy in the 70s :spank:

One of the guys at work just bought a 2004 model. If you thought RX-8's had some resale value issues...

It's white 6-speed with about all the options except the blower. under 30,000 miles, ready for tires. Otherwise pretty clean. The owner had it listed in the newspaper for about 5 months and finally decided to take the best offer.

Selling price was $8800.

I drove one of the supercharged models long ago. It was potent but the car just didn't feel right. Too heavy for it's size. Needed serious shock tuning to be right. I was amazed - more like shocked that Mercedes would let one of their motors be used in a car like that.