Just a tad condescending, but OK. I offered an opinion not a flame. Try not to be so sensitive about opinions that disagree with yours.

Newer is better (sometimes). New is also more expensive (usually). If you are lucky, you get what you pay for.

The initial year thing seems a reasonable concern the first year or so. After that, there is history to judge from. That history will prove or disprove the "first year" concern. This month marks 5 years of driving pleasure for me and the scooter. The "first year" thing proved to be no problem.

So for the guy that started this thread I would still say "depends on what you got to spend". New goes for around 20K. Used can go under 10K. If you got 15K then you got a lot of good options. You got 8K you can still be in.

 

if two identical cars (model, mileage, condition) of different years are the same price it normally makes sense to buy the newer car since it might have an indicated higher resale value, at least in the near term. however, the earlier 2004 crossfires came with the best powertrain warranty with respect to buying and selling. buy a used 04 Crossfire built before 10/01/03 and the powertrain warranty transfers automatically, with no restrictions on subsequent ownership, and at no cost! (with a few exceptions such as commercial vehicles). buy a used 04 or 05 Crossfire built after 10/01/03 and you have to pay $150 to transfer the powertrain warranty if you are the 2nd owner. no coverage for subsequent owners which means that if you later sell the Crossfire, even it has low mileage, you have no powertrain warranty to use as a selling point. In the used car market, 06 and later Crossfires have no powertrain coverage at all. So, if I were to sell my #7,xxx Crossfire with 17K miles and 27 months left on the powertrain warranty, it would actually be a better buy (reduced risk, peace of mind to buyer) than quite a few late 04 through 08 models. how's that for an argument?

 

[quote=Uncle_Al]Just a tad condescending, but OK. I offered an opinion not a flame. Try not to be so sensitive about opinions that disagree with yours.
quote]

Unfortunately, this is where email has so many things lost in translation. To be honest my comment was far less condescending in my opinion than your origninal "So 04s are older than 08's. Duh! What else scares you?" but either way that really wasnt my intent, Just hope we can about each having their own opinion. A few probably got a little upset from my 04 comment and so that all can understand that was hardly my intent.

Either way no harm no foul and I think that this forum and its drivers can safely say that everyone here (except for maybe a few) love their xfires! and you and I are both in that group!

Happy driving!

 

There are no known performance differences from 2004 thru 2008. Nothing changed except minor cosmetic stuff like the electrochromic mirror disappeared after 2004 and the 2007 has a dead pedal. Same engine, same trannies, same suspension.

Go for the best deal you can. Winter is a great time to buy converts but a coupe would probably be safer for racing -- and they are cheaper.

See the threads about intercooler problems with the SRT6s. That seems to be the only common gremlin.

 

You are not the first here to think that I flamed them. I forget who but someone here used "Sarcasm, just another service I offer" in their signature. I should as well. We cool.

 

When it comes to buying 1st. year models, I sure wish I could have purchased a brand new 1963 "Split Window" StingRay. But I was only 11 when they came out, and my "credit" wasn't the greatest.
That being said, I'm guessing the 04's probably did have the most TSB's of any year produced.
But with 40k on mine, it's been nearly trouble free. Chrysler replaced my 4 year old battery, and fixed the rear hatch's vacuum "lock" line under warranty.
I'm with Nate, if I can't buy new, I try to buy the newest car with the lowest mileage, for the money I have to spend.

 

I love my 05 Limited I just I coulda got white.

 

I bought an '04 alabaster with around 5k miles on it for 13k... Great deal considering the warranty transferred. Just look around.

 

Here is some simple advice. After you read all of the above, I think, as an owner for 10 months, that it comes down to this.

If you want to keep this car for a very long time, buy as new as you can afford. Get every option you desire and exactly the colr, model, everything as close to what you want. Then, forget about the rapid depreciation and high repair costs and enjoy the car.

If you just want a deal so you can enjoy the thing and not worry about the declining value (cause they are dirt cheap on the used market) by an '04 and enjoy it.

Keep in mind, they are essentially the same car for the entire five years of production. None were built after September of '07. Therefore an '08 is already a year old today. An '07 with a high VIN# is possibly only a month or so older.

Once you drive off the lot, a used '08 or '07 is essentially valued by it's miles. Not it's age.

Do the MATH:

Either vehicle will cost you as much to own for a year. The older one can be disposed of easily if you don't like it. If you get half of it back in a year, that will cost you equal or less than the depreciation on the new one.
Two years from now, the math will likely be the same.

It is unlikely that these cars will go much below $7K to $ 10K for several years. This despite the meteoric fall lately. The intrinsic value is just too great. They are, after all, exceptional cars.

Therefore, the cost of the older one, despite repairs and costs of consumable (tires, brakes etc), is comparable. And the cost between old and new will be somewhat level.

So the question then is where do you want to be with the car in a year? Or two?

roadster with a stick

 

They were made untill Dec. 17th 2007.

 

That makes a difference how?

 

Sorry pal. I was rude. I appreciate the correction. thanks


franc

 

Rob M is the only one to mention the powertrain warranty. I bought a 2004 coupe over a 2005 coupe last year - saved a grand and got powertrain warranty through 2011. More for less. That's what it's all about! There are plenty of super low mileage cars out there. Mine had only 8000 kms on it, so it's as good as new.

 

When you think about it how many would find a problem buying a used Benz with say 35k on the clock?

nuff said.


roadster with a stick

 

I bought a "Certified" Crossfire with warranty until 2015. Some of those may still be out there.