Mercedes built Chrysler Crossfire?

The crossfire is essentially a rebodied 1st Gen SLK..for better or for worse..

 

From Wikipedia (take w/ a grain of salt):

The Chrysler Crossfire is a rear-wheel drive, sports car marketed by Chrysler as both coupé and roadster and built for Chrysler by Karmann of Germany.

The Crossfire shares 89% of its components with other Mercedes models. The chassis is a combination of a modified C-class engine compartment, pre-2003 SLK platform, S-Class rear linkages and new stampings for the side rails and rear.

The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual with an optional 5-speed automatic. Base models, originally sold beginning in the 2004 model year, are equipped with a 3.2 L, 18-valve, SOHC V6 engine which produces 215 hp (160 kW) and 229 lb·ft (310 N·m) of torque


So technically, not built by either company but outsourced to a third party.

 

I always liked the look of those cars. I'd seen one here in LA that seemed to be a test mule, lowered about an inch, inch larger wheels front and rear, with an aggressive exhaust. It had the gear attached to the rear wheel with a wire running into the cabin. It looked really, really good. Really nice GT. I believe you can still buy the custom luggage for them.

I'd also be curious to know how reliable they are. I think prices on them are very soft. Could be a very nice buy.

 

My Mom bought a Crossfire last year with 10,000 miles on it.Hers is a blue convertible,automatic.She's put close to 10,000 miles on it and it's been trouble free.Very reliable.I don't like the seating position in it.It's more of a upright position and being 6'1 I find it cramped.I like the layback position of my 308 much better.If you do buy one I suggest looking into a SRT Crossfire.Better exhaust note,better handling,and a little more pep. My .02c

 

Oh,I forgot.All the badges under the hood and tags say "manufactured by Mercedes Benz"

 

I've owned two of them. The SRT6 is actually the 1st gen SLK 320 AMG. It's even got a place for the AMG plaque right on the supercharger. Very nice cars in and out. Looks very similar to the SLK on the inside with the exception of a satin silver finish instead of wood grain. I loved mine and plan to get another one very soon.

 

When they first came out their big ad claimed "Designed in Germany, Built in America" or something.

 

Jeremy Clarkson described the coupe from behind as looking "like a dog dropping its breakfast".

 

I'd say more like $15-20k depending on condition

 

Sounds like a base model... $12,000 max.

I have a 2005 SRT6 Coupe; bought it as a new leftover last summer with 19 miles. Like Ferraris, the prices are all over the place dependent upon location, miles, etc. especially between models (Base, Limited, SRT6, convertible). Up until last year there were thousands of them in long term storage and all of those were forced out by the Daimler Chrysler split. So they effectively flooded the market. Mine retailed at $46K but I picked it up, with a full factory warranty (March 2007 in-service date) for $25k.

Great and fun cars while under warranty but expect service, maintenance and parts problems in only a few years. Mine's been a daily driver and I now have 21k miles on it. No problems what so ever except a minor trans leak (service bulletin - replace drain plug). BTW, the 330 HP supercharged AMG motor is way too much fun and burns out rear tires by 15k miles.

All models REQUIRE premium fuel.

Crossfire Forum
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I had an SRT Crossfire Coupe for a summer, and that thing was a blast to drive. Very fast.

 

It's the Fiero of the new millenium, I can see a lot of these cars being converted to some sort a SLR or other kitcar.

 

Ahhh come on. That's just a bit harsh don't ya think? They are actually well built cars. If thay had a tendency of bursting into flames, that might be different.





Darrell.

 

here is a quote from leftlanenews.com

"Over a year ago, Chrysler paid Karmann — the company responsible for Crossfire production — to lower output of the ill-fated roadster/coupe. Production fell to around 12,500 in 2005, down from nearly 35,700 in 2004. The company sold 28,000 Crossfires in 2004 and just 9,900 in 2005. In 2006, Crossfire sales fell to just 8,216 units. Last year, it was reported that Crossfires spent an average of 302 days on the lot in 2005 before being sold. "

built 35,700 units 2004 and sold 28,000 that is bad news from the beginning. I was told that Chrysler in 2006 was leasing them to employees for roughly $100/month just to get them out of inventory.

 

Kind of like 360s, right?


On the other hand, Pontiac was actually able to sell Fieros (370,000 of them), unlike the DaimlerChryslerKarmann Crossfire!

I'd rather liken the crossfire to the Lancia Scorpion -- built by a respected "coachbuilder", using components taken from a pre-existing car, sales disaster . . .

. . . except the Scorpion was actually pretty to look at . . . and slow . . .

 

Often (and surprisingly), they are priced less than the Solstice, Sky and Miata of the same year but the Crossfire Convertible is 100s of times better.

Not quite as easy; the Fiero has a full frame under the plastic body panels which will allow you to drive it "nekid". Since the body doesn't provide structural integrity it's pretty easy a design another and then just bolt it on.

The Crossfire, on the other hand, is unit construction.

http://www.calgaryfieros.com/FIERObuild.htm
http://calexander.lonestarfieros.org/
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Out of curiosity I looked up the fuel mileage for the Crossfire. 15/22 or 15/23 for the SRT6 or manual base model. That is pretty miserrable city mileage if you ask me. Practically SUV or even big Euro sedan territory.

 

I'm baffled about that as well. Every owner I know and have read about gets close to 30 on the hwy. Of course that's only when you prohibit yourself from engaging the supercharger. But, for a small car it's a rather stout 3870 lbs.