I am currently a Pacifica owner (2004), and the car has just been giving me trouble, such as the Check Engine light, a thunk in the tranny, etc. This coming trip to the dealer will be the 2nd for the light, the 3rd for the front cupholder assembly, and the first for a loose power outlet. I might talk them into getting me into a Crossfire coupe or a new pac. I have a few questions:

How quiet is the car? After coming from an almost 5,000 lb. monster, will the noise be unbearable?

How does it ride? The pac has a modified E-class chassis, so its pretty nice, will the crossfire rattle my brains out?

How loud is the engine?

What does the average mileage (fuel) run?

 

The SLK Mercedes began life as a drop-top. When the propeller heads in engineering closed it up to create the coupe, the most rigid little car on the road resulted. Not even a sunroof to interrupt the structural integrity.

I've got the cloth top, and I have to gun it on purpose to hear the exhaust note.

As sports cars go, it's a cushy ride; like my old 450SL. If I had my choice, I'd stiffen it-I like a lot of road feel.

If you're over six foot and / or 200 lbs, it will feel a bit claustrophobic compared with that tuna boat you've been floating around in.

 

Well ButBlue,...You are making quite a change going from the Pacifica to a Crossfire and there is no clear answer to your questions.
I drove several Crossfires before purchasing mine, and went thru several to find the quietest, best fit, finish and ride.
I have a Limited Coupe with Autostick and the Continental All Season Performance tires. Absolutely no wind noise and a beautiful car. Runs GREAT with plenty of power.
This car is not my daily driver (I love my 300M too) and I've never taken it out in winter weather (Ohio). It's pure fun to drive and has a high level of "ego emissions".
There is no spare tire and no room for one either. I've also installed the Eibach Pro lowering springs and find the ride and handling to be improved over the stock springs.
Mileage averages around 22 MPG.You can't rest your arm on the door or hang it out the window either.
Ask your dealer to let you take one for a day to test drive and decide if this is the car for you.
Good luck with your decision! This is the best Forum.

 

That's pretty much what I was going to say, but on a grander dcale. BB04, the questions you ask (and so much more) can be answered by taking it for a good test drive. I think you'll be pleased. But remember, in terms of ride, roominess, it's a far cry from a Pacifica. They're two totally different types of vehicles.

I concur 100%.

 

Agreed!!

As to road noise ... this IS my daily driver and I love to listen to music on the "louder than acoustic" side and I find myself always turning the volume DOWN. The stereo is very good - AFTER the mods described on this forum.

Solid - yes it is much stiffer than anything I've driven before and I'm a former Sante Fe owner ... that vehicle is built on the Sonata platform. It took some getting use to.

It's NOT a muscle car but does have some guts to it, at least to me. The SRT has bigger kahonas, so it's closer to muscle class.

Go with the advice thus far .. test drive it .. make your own conclusions. I did, and bought it the same day. BTW, I also test drove a Z3 and a Saturn Sky, the Crossfire won.

adoni

 

Thanks. The Pac goes in on Tuesday morning, and I will see what they will say when i pick it up 3/4 days later, since it has the PCP. Thanks for the info.