Crossfire Sales: June - 364 units, Year to Date - 1,526 units.

 

THIS CAR IS DEAD... BUY ONE WHILE YOU CAN, BECAUSE I DOUBT YOU'LL SEE A 2007 MODEL...

 

I have to agree with HDDP on this one. The chances of an '07 model are slim to none. On the bright side, this will help to maintain the exclusivity of the car. Who knows, in 15 years this may be a car that actually appreciates in value, especially the SRT.

Kevin

Crossfire008.jpg

 

Ah but lets not forget the gorgeous Roadster, too...

 

Check this out, no 07's?

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...024/LATESTNEWS

 

Didn't I read somewhere that the Karmann factory is contracted until 2008 to manufacture the crossfire, or is that just the Roadster???

 

Boris,

All Crossfires are manufactured at the Karmann factory, coupe and roadster alike. I don't believe that there is going to be an '07 offering and that Chrysler will cut it's losses. Chrysler will still have to pay Karmann a portion of the original contract even if they do not manufacture any cars.

Kevin

 

The crossfire will be sold in Europe only next year, beyond that, without some combination of redesign (not terribly likely) or revision of marketing, I don't see much future for our little gems. The bad news? Parts, maintenance, costs of ownership, etc. The good news, you have a fairly unique vehicle that will continue to draw attention, and over time will either be one of those automotive rarities that is sought out by some folks.

I personally don't care much about that. I know that there wasn't anything out there that held my interest as much as this car. I bought it to keep it, it's not a daily driver, and never will be, I'll drive it when I want to.

 

I wonder why the automotive press has not jumped all over the story that the Crossfire is all but dead? Everyone seems to be very quite on this issue. Remember the Edsel, they were all over that.

 

someone on here had posted a link, speaking about the redesigned '09 crossfire, drawing many quos from the firepower... so i wouldn't be so quick to jump to conclusions.

 

Especially that Consumer Report recommends the crossfire now for it's reliability.

 

Hopefully, we'll see some sort of "evolution" of the XF. I think it's a great concept, now they just need to apply the right marketing thought without screwing up a unique vehicle.

Just for fun, how to improve marketability w/o losing character?

1. put equal size wheels tires on stock XF's...and put some sort of spare/donut in the vehicle (for the daily drivers). Biggest mistake I think they made.

2. $33K target: Limited version.

3. 25 more HP on Limited version.

If they did that, I'll bet ya that sales would be significantly better. How to do that? Not in the auto manufacturing biz, but I'm sure they could figure a way.

 

How about steering wheel radio controls, in dash cd changer, fully auto digital climate control, auto darkening rear mirror, variable intermittent wipers and auto on headlights. Then keep the price where it is, it'll be worth it! Ok maybe 50 more hp on the base models.

 

I'm with ws6vert on this one. More features to complete the solid mechanical design. I've learned to get along without these convenience items, but why should we have to? I'd even appreciate memory seats that auto adjust for ease on exit, then return to driving position when the ignition is turned on. Lastly, how about a single push top up/down in the Roadster. Just my wishes on this Independence Day.

 

"...steering wheel radio controls, in dash cd changer, fully auto digital climate control, auto darkening rear mirror, variable intermittent wipers and auto on headlights..."

We could all add to the list... compass, Sirius, e.g. That's not the problem (actually, since I'm not a shareholder, I don't have a problem at all).

A two-seater convertible ain't a microwave oven.

You NEED a microwave oven, and you choose one based on price and features.

NO ONE "NEEDS" a sports car. Total discretionary purchase. If it doesn't grab you, you might not even buy a CAR with that money at all; boats, guitars, vacations , home remodels all compete for that dough.

I learned a fact of life during my years as a manufacturer and distributor of discretionary products, and it's instructive in understanding the (let's face facts) flop of the Crossfire.

"Sometimes, you set out the food, but nobody wants to eat it."

Happens. And all the auto darkening rearview mirrors in the world won't change it.

 

I don't know about you, but my rear view mirror IS auto darkening.

 

~ only found on 2004 crossfires.

all 05's have the old school manual flip.

 

Only '04 models have an auto-dimming rear view mirror... '05s don't.

 

The early bird gets the auto dimming mirror.

Chrome factory wheels went on today. Like a different car.

Pics coming.

 

For what its worth here's My £0.02.

The Crossfire has been out in the UK I think 3 years now, apart from seeing it in the dealers, one of which happens to be a couple of miles from me, I haven't seen one single coupe on the road.

We bought a roadster 2 weeks ago this was after seeing our first ever roadster on a Sunday, by the following Tuesday I had ordered a car, Sue my wife was bowled over by it (its her car by the way).

What I'm getting at, is that if people don't know they are out there, they can't buy them.

I class myself as a bit of a car buff and generally know what's going on out there, but I didn't know about the roadster.

We are continually bombarded in the UK with car adverts on TV, usually Ford, Saab, Audi, Renault, mercs etc; have I seen even one advert for the roadster or coupe ...NO.


Our (and I say it tongue in cheek) premier motor journalist, Jeremy Clarkson, reviewed the Crossfire a couple of years ago (I've just seen the re run of the tv program this week) and he didn't have ONE good word for the car, but what does he drive A merc SL. The best of it is he raves about the Mazda RX8 and we've just traded one for the Roadster, the roadster is a far better car.

I think Mercedes has some kind of strangle hold on the Crossfire and they are scared silly it will take sales from the SLK. which of course it would if people knew about it, therefore there is little or no marketing budget for the car...I may be wrong...discuss.