There's nothing American about the crossfire. It uses german parts and from what was said during a review of the crossfire by Tiff Nidel (sp) on 5th Gear, was designed by a british fellow. Indeed, my window sticker also says that there are no american/canadian parts on the car. So to think that this car is a true chrysler is delusional. IMO, showing the car at Chrysler-specific shows is not correct. There is nothing Chrysler about the car, except the badge. But I bet the badge itself wasn't even produced in the US. Neither the design nor the mechanicals are American. They are simply sold and serviced at Chrysler dealers. Pretty much like the VW Routan which is a Chrysler minivan--I don't think that vehicle should be at VW/Audi shows. The routan would be more appropriate at a Mopar event since it mostly uses Chrysler engineering and assembly.

On the other side of the coin, I don't really understand why people plaster mercedes stickers all over their cars. Part of what makes the car so unique is its orphan status. That in itself makes it cool. I think advertising the Mercedes roots is a bit obnoxious. Kind of like you are trying to justify that the vehicle isn't "just" a chrysler. The car didn't come with Mercedes badges, so why put them on? I think by putting the mercedes stickers on the car it really betrays the very unique history and circumstances of the car.

It will be interesting to see what happens this summer when I take the crossfire to an all-german car show. Those who aren't aware of the history will likely be very confused! To me, that's part of the fun of having a chrysler-badged mercedes. I wrote the organizer of the show to ask ahead of time if the car is welcome at the show. He told me it was ok, but that he didn't know the crossfire was actually german.

 

I could not agree with you more, especially about putting the mercedes emblems and badges all over it

This is why with mine I went the no badging route, the only badge that is left on my car ANYWHERE is the front one with a crossfire emblem in it, keeps people guessing about our orphan LOL. Although, I do support the mercedes engine cover, because the only people who will be under the bonnet are people in the know...

 

Well Wall-E...sorry Walc...

When I first saw the Crossfire it was a Black SRT-6 model...and I loved the design. I had to past it everyday going to gym. I could not afford one then and shortly purchased a Subaru but knew that I would trade in one for something. I just happen to go on Carmax and put the Chrylser brand on and a list showed the cars and low and behold the Crossfire. My memory of that beauty came back. Just as I was about to get intouch with dealer about a Alabaster Coupe... I saw the Srt-6 and the stats...and my brown hole puckered up a bit!!+

I never knew there was an AMG the Chrysler until reading up more prior to purchase....so my point for me anyways it that I loved the car as a Chrysler but just so happen I get a hand built AMG motor in it too!!! What more can you ask for.

 

Very, very well said. Couldn't agree more.

 

LOL-

I've never heard the expression "my brown hole puckered up a bit".

I was drinking a soda while reading this and spit up quite a bit on my keyboard...lol



That'll be $25.00 please.....

 

I feel the same way. Last year I saw a Crossfire with Mercedes star hood ornament. Neverthess, I said "Good looking Crossfire" He responded ''IT'S A MERCEDES'' !!!!!!!!!! I smiled and said, '' I see''. To each there own, but I know a posser when ''I see'' one. lol

 

I am taking a very similar approach to the car myself. Since my car is black, like yours, it just looks so much nicer with no badging! The design of the car should stand on its own. When it comes down to it, who cares if it has chrysler or mercedes badges on it---they both clutter up a very clean design!

I'm hoping to get the chrome chrysler wings painted or rechromed in black. I need to obtain another set of badges though. The car looks really nice without the "crossfire" badge on the back and tinted tail lights. I have to say though, I felt kind of bad as I was taking off the "crossfire" letters. But it's all good now. Now the car is even more mysterious than before. Hopefully once the wings are darkened the car will be almost unidentifiable by the average person.

 

who really cares.....its a damn chrysler till the day it dies, you can argue the fact till everyone is red in the face. the title for the car will say CHRYSLER....If you put a chevy small block in a model T would you call it a chevy? If a VW has a AUDI engine would you call it an AUDI no so....this is never going to end, So why do i bother! I say its a chrysler..... It a shame...but its the Truth! sorry!

 

I have a feeling this thread is about to take off....


That one in March certainly did..



I was in Albany this past weekend, I'm getting older but I still love that place!!

 

do you own a red one....i think you drove down the street i live on....jersey plates looked good!

 

Nah- I have a Aero Blue SRT Coupe-


I saw that red one too I think. I believe it had NY Yankee frames.

 

I know it’s a Chrysler, but mine says something along the lines of Daimler Benz - Made in Germany inside the door. So it’s a Benz in disguise.

Mine is called Marlene - after a certain German actress who took on an American guise. Whatever you are personally driving in your mind, the Crossfire manages to give you American styling (and admit it - it’s a bit OTT) with German engineering. How in the world this went wrong beggars belief. They should have sold like hot cakes.

There is a small portion of my personal car time line which belongs to the Daimler Benz partnership - the PT Cruiser, Crossfire and 300C are a spark of joy in what has become a sea of wedge shaped hatchbacks. I’m glad I own a part of that history.

 

This argument will never end. It's trying to bring peace to the middle east.......

 

My SRT6 is:
Built by Mercedes Benz.
Powered by AMG.
Assembled by Karmann.
Sold by Chrysler.
Owned by Fiat/USA/LLC.
Paid for by Knight
Driven by CICCI

 

Michael Knight??

 

LMFAO that is what I was wondering, do you call her Knight Industries Two Thousand?

 

Except of course for the little matter of the crossfire not having a single piece of chrysler design in it. It's basically like fiat selling their 500 through chrysler dealers (supposedly happening within 18 mos). Just because it's sold at a certain dealer, does that define it's identity? I think not. Technically, the crossfire should be wearing a mercedes star at the front and back. Then again, if it did, I probably would not have been able to purchase mine as cheaply as I did.

The vw and audi example was poor. A better example would probably be the VW T-reg and Porsche Cayanne. As well all know, the Cayanne really is just a VW T-reg, especially in V6 guise. Though the design of the SUV could be considered the result of an amicable partnership. The crossfire could almost be considered a gift from Mercedes since Chrysler had little say in how that car turned out from my understanding.

 

It’s a Mercedes which was tuned and tweaked by Karmann.

I used to tell myself that my Skodas were really cheap Audis. Which they were. Much like the Crossfire, Skodas are usually an older variant of the current Audi or VW. The platform gets passed down the family as newer ones appear at the top.

Be glad that Mercedes gave Karmann and Chrysler an SLK to play with. I am.

 

Karmann just assembled the cars, which makes our cars "coachbuilt"--a rather rare thing these days! I doubt it has the same meaning now as it did years ago, however.

 

This keeps them guessing! I love the car regardless. Chrysler -OK...built by Mercedes? Even better!

Just cant do cookie cutter