Is there a better value than this coupe? Doesn't look like.

[CM2020]

Is this the best value in a coupe of this kind?

More than just 4 pots. Enough power for day to day fun driving. RWD. A manual available if you prefer. Coupe sports car with exotic style. More road presence than any hot hatch and even some other sports car. But yet it is very affordable.To me it seems the best bargain right now.

I'm talking about the Chrysler Crossfire. Yes I know about the juvenile jokes started by the juvenile petrol head chief and repeated by his juvenile sheep. Something about a dog doing its business. But is any man out there insecure enough to care about childish dissing? I always preferred Tiff anyways. Not as much of a show man. But a professional race driver at least and knows way more about cars. So childish jokes wouldn't stop me from buying one.

Style is subjective yes. But I think the Crossfire looks great. For sure exotic. Way better looking than hot hatches. But yet costs much less than most of them. Yes even the used older ones.

I know somebody who has one and they are reliable too. I mean it's a Mercedes under. So Mercedes mechanics, exotic beautiful style, RWD, sports car coupe style, cheaper than hatches and other ordinary cars.

I would rather drive that than any of the hot hatches. If you get the SRT6 you also get more power than most 2020 hot hatches. But you are driving a RWD coupe sports car. And you have the choice of a Mercedes V6 or an AMG V6!

Has more road presence than the other obvious choices like MX5, 350z, TT, BMW coupes and cousin SLK.

So from where I'm standing the Crossfire is the best value for the money right now. Or is there anything else that offers RWD, exotic coupe sports car style, larger than 4 pot, as much power and even a manual for the same price or less?

[CM2020]

Heartworm said:

Some of the parts for these can be extremely hard to get a hold of can they not, that’s enough to put me off.

Parts are 80% Mercedes. So maybe you mean body parts? Because even trim is basically all SLK. Seats and all, everything fits. For body parts I see so many being broken for parts. So maybe new body parts are difficult. But for a car that age most buy used body parts I would guess?

[CM2020]

Quickmoose said:

It may well tick the value for money box.... and if that’s your priority...
if I were buying a coupe with sporting aspirations I’d want ALOT more style.... and better materials.
Proportions aside, it’s just a lot of bland imo.

I think there is no point discussing style. But a lot more style like in what? TT? I think the Crossfire is more stylish and more different. So like what in that price range? Of course a Lambo will have more style but not comparable. I read complains about materials. But the seats are exactly the same as the SLK for example. Never hear people complaining about the SLK. But again, consider the price they are selling now. And bland? The car style is controversial. Something controversial can't really be bland. One things is for sure. In traffic it gets more looks and compliments than my girlfriend's TT ever got. So saying it is bland or blend can't be right.

[CM2020]

Deep Thought said:

+1

If someone is going for a coupe they typically want something more than just VFM.

Sorry but what's VFM?

Have you driven a Crossfire? It's fun to drive. The SRT6 in special is a lot of fun.

[CM2020]

craigjm said:

It’s an interesting styling exercise but I think there were better coupes around at the time. Even the Hyundai coupe (03 on model) would be preferable to a Crossfire in my opinion

Preferable how? Style like I said is pointless to talk. I much prefer the Crossfire there though. But the Hyunday is FWD and the definition of boring. Even a Golf or Fiesta is more fun. So I don't understand why you are on about. Preferable how?

[CM2020]

HTP99 said:

Don't they rust?

My friend's has no rust. But then again what cars that old have no rust? But it is definitely not as bad as MX5s.

[CM2020]

Funny thing is, I asked if there is a better bargain or value for Money. But the thread is going in a totally different direction and is already becoming a bashing fest bashing the Crossfire.

[CM2020]

cerb4.5lee said:

Most reviews I've seen say that they don't drive that well. As an affordable cruiser I can really see the appeal...but I don't think that they will be the most engaging steer.

I know. But have you driven on? I was also like that thought. Crappy little cars etc like most people seem to repeat. Probably because of Clarkson. Until my friend surprised me with one. First it looked much better up close. Then it was actually fun to drive. Much more fun than the FWD TT of my girlfriend. Heck even more fun than the fake quattro TTs too. RWD and not hard to play. Realy suprised me. I don't know. Maybe the reviers were comparing it to Ferrari. LOL. The SRT6 though is a little rocket.

[CM2020]

craigjm said:

You can’t not discuss style though because that’s the whole idea of a sports coupe.

Well you can discuss. But it's pointless because one person's ugly is another's beauty and vice versa. I much prefer the style of the Crossfire than TT for example. Maybe because I see like 100 TTs every week and never a Crossfire. But TT, BMWs coupes a dime a dozen, A5 coupe all of it. The Crossfire looks like an exotic next to them. Most people probably think it's an expensive car.

Edited by CM2020 on Sunday 23 February 19:46

[CM2020]

Deep Thought said:

Value For Money.

Its "ok" to drive, nothing fantastic. Not particularly good looking either.

The SRT6 may be special but its by no means cheap.

Ok. Value for money yes.

This is the thing. I think it's more than ok to drive. Ok if comparing to expensive RWD sports cars then yes. But comparing to FWD common cars? Then the Crossfire is a very nice and fun drive. Since most cars are common FWD cars it makes the Crossfire special in a river of common cars. But it cost the same or less than a common car. Very good looking and looks exotic. And compare it to cheap RWD cars like Genesis coupe and the Crossfire feel very special. But I think a Genesis is still more expensive?

Yes SRT6 is quite a bit more. But then again AMG V6 330 hp!

[CM2020]

craigjm said:

Have you driven one? Recirculating ball steering means that it drives nothing like a sports car. Cheaply painted dashboard hardly looks exotic or premium. Don’t get me wrong as a styling exercise it’s interesting but even from 10ft away it looks cheap

Yes I drove a few now actually. Like I said my friend has one and now knows some Crossfire owners. So I got to drive a SRT6 too. I say again, I think it drives fine. The base one. It's not a wild sports car. But did Chrysler or Mercedes try to pass them as such? It's a fun RWD coupe. Enough power, nice and different style and now very affordable too. SRT6 is up there with some sports cars.

The exterior doesn't look cheap at all. Not cheaper than any Mercedes. Problem is the interior. But basically only the dash which looks cheap. Seats are same as Mercedes. Door cards might be as well. I think the problem is the silver paint on center console. But my friend's has an aftermarket burshed aluminium look and looks much better. But it's only the dash. You can improve that. But the exterior? Looks like an expensive exotic. Everybody asks if it's expensive or what it is.

[CM2020]

Deep Thought said:

In fairness, a very presentable Crossfire seems to be able to be got for around £3K, and thats cracking value as you say.

But for a bit more - around the £5K ish mark i'd have a Boxster or a 350Z or an SLK350 or a TT 3.2 V6. I dont think the SLK350 is necessarily any better to drive than the Chrysler but its better looking - more reconciled IMHO.

See none of these look better for me.

SLK for sure don't drive better. Not the ones from the same time. 350z feels bloated in comparison. Much heavier car and not much more power than base Crossfire. Less power than SRT6. SRT6 feels like a rocket near 350z. TT is just boring all around. My girfriend has one.

[CM2020]

Quickmoose said:

Exactly.
The OP may well get compliments and is clearly a fan....
You can’t start a thread and then expect everyone to just nod and agree, that’s why I put “in my opinion” at the end.

My experience of them, has been bland in terms of build quality (dash mainly),
Nothing out of the (comparative) ordinary in terms of handling and performance, (all good there)
Which leaves vfm: great.
Style and design: (imo) nasty.

The original TT was ‘ordinary’ now... was a true groundbreaker in it’s day.
RX8 was NOT vfm/reliability wise has much more going for it in terms of performance and design...

You put your preferences in order of importance and the car for you shows itself...

As I said, for me, vfm rarely gets a look in for a car I want to admire and enjoy.

Fair enough. Already discussed that dash looks cheap. But can be improved.

But to be fair the thread was never to discuss the Crossfire merits. I asked if there was any better value for the money for a RWD coupe sports car out there.

About your comment of nasty style, what do you drive? What is your idea of nice looking? You like common cars which blend in and everyone has?

[CM2020]

Justin Case said:

Alfa GT? The Busso engined ones are obviously dearer than a Crossfire, but taking into account looks, that engine and even practicality then it probably comes out top in terms of vfm (IMO of course)

But the Alfa is a FWD common car. Not a RWD sports car. I also don't think it's better value. The 4 cylinders I think are cheaper. But FWD 4 pot common car. The V6 is still a FWD common car. If you go this way there are dozens of better deals. If considering FWD common cars. I asked about a better value for a RWD coupe sports car with same or more power and even manual gear etc. All of them cost more unless I forgot something.

[CM2020]

10126 Torino said:

It does NOT look "exotic".

People ask what it is as they sold about 7 of them before dropping it.

I absolutely LOOKS exotic. Not only because it's rare but also because it looks like nothing else on the road.

[CM2020]

Quickmoose said:

....and as I said
If vfm is a priority then yeah, a Crossfire may well be right up there.
My point was, vfm wouldn’t be a highlight fo such a car.....
What I drive isn’t really the point is it? The thread is about the merits of the Crossfire....
(But it’s an S2000)

It is relevant because then I understand your taste for cars. S2000 is a great drive. But I never liked the look. A bit like a square clown shoe. But S2000 is all out sports car. Crossfire isn't. Different types of car to compare.

Yes my point was asking if there is a better deal for that type of car.

You totally lost me with your comment VFM wouldn’t be a highlight fo such a car.

[CM2020]

Wacky Racer said:

I've always liked the Crossfire.

Something different and you can pick them up for peanuts.

Yes indeed. It's almost crazy if you look at the value.

[CM2020]

Deep Thought said:

You keep going back to that but how many people buy a RWD sports car coupe with VFM as the highest priority?

I'd rather drive a RWD coupe i actually want rather than one thats the best VFM.

What if the one you want and the one with the best VFM is the one and the same? Why can't VFM play a role?

Besides like it or not it was the question of the thread. I was just asking if there is a better VFM for a RWD coupe sports car. Because for all it offers I think there is not. After actually driving them I say they are actually under priced in my opinion. Since you can't find another which offers all that.

Also, even if not looking for something like this, because of the great VFM, you could now consider it. Which you wouldn't if it was expensive. So VFM can play a legit role. Don't know why people are acting like it is a sin to consider VFM.

If the Crossfire was total crap, I would see your point. But IT IS NOT! I actually perfer how it drives and feels over some of the darlings out there. Like the TT. I have the feeling most people bashing it never drove a Crossfire and are only going by Internet hersay. Owners love them.

[CM2020]

Oh wow. So much elitism here. Sure if you can afford a Lambo good for you. I asked if there is any other similar cars with a lower price. I already know the general opinion of the Crossfire. So I never asked anybody theirs.

[CM2020]

Deep Thought said:

Oh i think i could forgive this being FWD.







https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

I know it. I used to have a GTV which I think has an even nicer interior. One of the reasons I sold it is that every time I drove it I couldn't stop wishing it was RWD. At least when driving a Golf I'm not wishing it was RWD. It's fine how it is.