Well, I just finished paying off my car and I'm looking to trade it in as soon as the lien release is in hand. I am looking at either a Crossfire Limited or a SRT-6. I have found both and I just have a few questions.

What is the upkeep on these cars? Any minor/major common issues?

I've never owned a supercharged car, is there any special maintenance required for the SRT?

Insurance wise, am I paying for a Chrysler or a Benz?

Stupid question: Limited or SRT? I have found both, but I don't want to buy a car with a lot of maintenance required.

Thanks for any answers you can provide. As I've lurked, I've noticed that you have a very respectful community of auto enthusiasts. Hard to come by these days.

- Tom

 

well short answer, no super charger, less maintenance...you will be paying insurance on a Chrysler...insurance companies don't have a clue what's under the hood, just the manufacturer...and $$$$$ wise, the limited's are a great buy...good luck and quit lurking and join us....lol

 

Tom, Either one would be a joy to own. I would say the SRT has a bit more to be concerned about, but if you can do any of the work yourself, I would go for the SRT.

Currently I have an '04, which is the same as a Limited and love it. I do not regret having it at all. But if something were to happen, my next one would be an SRT if my insurance company would allow me to afford it.

To compare vehicles for insurance costs, get the VIN numbers from both cars that would be of interest to you. Have your insurance agent run the numbers for you on each one. Easy to do really.

Good luck, James

 

Thanks. That's what makes the decision so tough. I found an Alabaster White with 18k miles for $19K and an Aero Blue SRT with 16k miles for $20k. What to do?!?!

I love the white much more than the blue, but performance wise I'm sure it's night and day.

I don't plan on doing any heavy modding (maybe just intake and exhaust at most). I just can't decide.

 

NO BRAINER for me at this point..... get the blue one and paint it white....

 

Thanks James. What kinds of issues are a concern for the SRT? I can do "basic" maintenance but am by no means a mechanic. I've always avoided force-fed cars because they seem to require more regular maintenance.

 

prices on both those cars are high....I bought an aero blue with 20k on the odometer for $15.5....I have seen limited go in the 10-12k range...do some more shopping...unless you are looking at roadsters...in that case, the prices are close...I am pricing a graphite gray srt coupe that just went up for sale locally, not for me....just giving out the info once I have it...I am done buying crossfires...going to build another Jeep next...good luck

 

Can't comment on prices as I'm in the UK. but I do have an N/A (Limited) roadster and an SRT roadster. Both are SSB, which is well known on the forum to be the fastest colour!

Insurance is about £80 a year more for the SRT ( £320 vs £400) and fuel on the SRT is about 20-25% less than the N/A.

Having said that, the performance of the SRT far outweighs the additional expenditure. If your budget runs to SRT go for it, but you will not be disappointeded with either! The exclusivity of driving a Crossfire anywhere in the world is second to none and they all perform respectably!

Plus, you also have a forum with a wealth of information that is second to none - absolutely no need to worry about dealer networks! I've been fortunate not to have been tainted with the small niggles that seem to affect some cars but I know from reading the posts here that I would be able to find an answer if I needed it! These guys know more than the techs anyway!

Regards, Andy.

 

When I went from a 04 to SRT in April my insurance premium with State Farm went from $352 to $354 every six months----TWO whole dollars. Now, I have not had a wreck or ticket in 24 years so that helps, as well as, being 47 years old. Doc is right that insurance companies lost these in the shuffle---they have no idea---especially on the SRT.

Doc is right again on the prices---HIGH. Get more details----auto or stick, coupe or roadster, etc. Let us know and will can help. I bought a 917 mile SRT couple, paint-work free car for $19,655 and that was TOP dollar/ FULL retail. I just sold the 04---perfect car with 60-65% tires and well care for with 58,200 miles for $9950.

As for repair and maintenance, you do not need to be a mechanic to most of the "known problem" repairs---most maintenance can also be done. BEFORE to go to ANY mechanic or attempt yourself---check here. You will save money---that is a guarantee.

 

the alabaster white is by far the best color in my opinion for the crossfire. based off what you have said i think you will be more than happy with a coupe or roadster model. the srt-6 is fast but there is always more maintenance with a supercharged or turbo ed car. as far as insurance it is not bad at all. i'm 20 years old and have an 04 coupe and i pay 119.00 a month with a 500 deductible with a clean record. i looked at an 04 mustang gt and got quoted 140.00 a month. if you are older this car will cost next to nothing to insure. plus this car gets so many looks you won't be disappointing yourself anytime soon. hope you get your car and look forward to seeing more of you on the forums. good luck!

 

i wholeheartedly DISAGREE with all these posts saying that the maintenece is more with the s/c car than the n/a. i have a slk32 s/c 3.2 litre that is 3 yrs older than any xfire here and i run the snot out of it. with the exception of the rear diff which was self inflicted due to high hp and drag radials , i have had virtually no problems with my car. the i/c pump was replaced for a large sum of 149$ and i do all my work myself.
n/a or s/c change the fluids reg. keep on top of the little stuff and research the car thoroughly before buying. you wont find a better engine than the 3.2 m/b powerplant

 

well maybe in your case it hasn't cost you much. all of us are just saying in general it usually costs you more to have a supercharged car than a naturally aspirated car. supercharger goes out then thats a 8,000 dollar fix. if he said he was looking for power and performance then i would recommend him the srt-6

 

look on this forum and the m/b forums. how many s/c have been destroyed? virtually none. the issue with turbo'd or s/c engines are the ones that have the add on parts. these engines were designed to be built and run with the s/c. low compression from the factory with designed engine parts just for a s/c engine. again maybe a few in the decades that m/b has been building engines but the same can be said for the n/a. the 3.2 engine is a staple for m/b for a very long time.
look at all the modding going on here racing in every form and fashion. very little internal engine failures. sure some external parts but easily replaced and repaired
the ecu is designed to protect the s/c in these engines.

 

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. To me, the prices didn't seem that unreasonable but I never had any experience with these cars. After hearing what you guys have to say, I would say they are charging a little on the high side for a car that has not been produced in 2 years.

As far as insurance goes, I am 30 years old with a clean driving record so it sound like insurance is not an issue here.

Even for the amount they are charging, I don't think it's enough to deter me from buying a Crossfire. It's everything I want; rwd, two-seater, sexy, and you hardly see any on the road. It's the perfect weekend car, which is what I will be using it as.

I'll definitely be more active on here after I settle on which one I want.

 

32, I completely agree with you! Aside from insrance and fuel both of mine are equal. Bothe get the same oil and maintenance. I've looked at quite a few threads on here and haven't heard of a charger failing! A couple of I/C pumps, which is a cheap repair and well worth the investment!

There was even a guy on here recently with an SRT with 170k on the clock. These cars are built to last!!

Regards, Andy.

 

GREAT Tom, but do not overpay. There are many of these for sale. One member has a paint-work free 04 car on here with new tires on the back just last week; it has 50k on the clock for $9980. He is a student at a auto college and has taken care of the car---per him. I am trying to help a lady here in Nashville find a car, but she is 78 and does not want to travel. I told her that this car came from GERMANY, so it has already traveled just to get here---for two grand I would go to it---a 15% savings. That's a year of driving for FREE. My grandfather told me---it's not what you MAKE---it's what you KEEP. If you can get the same car for $2000 less why not? You can ship a car for $300 or so, or buy a plane ticket and make a weekend out of it and still save well over a grand---net. That will pay for taxes, tags, and maybe some maintenance---SET of tires maybe? Just something to think about. We can help---check the cars for sell in the Personal Section.

 

Just had one problem with the two Xfs I've had. First was a BLACK/Silver 6 speed (04) loved the stick on the flat NC coast. Now in E. TN. have an '05 Graphite Ltd. w/ auto stick so I won't wear out my arm on the hills. Love it too!
Had one problem with the 04's ignition switch. Dlr. had anew key cut and solved the problem. Seems a pin in the ignition switch had broken off internally and caused the prob.
Otherwise hassle free on both.
Price is high on your choices.
Good luck, and as said: "stop lurking and join!"
Jonathan

 

If you are just looking for a weekend car, I would definately go with the SRT. If you aren't putting that many miles on it, maintainence & repairs shouldn't be an issue.

 

It's definitely not going to be driven alot. My wifes PT Cruiser is our DD. My weekend cars usually do not see any more than 1500 miles a year.

 

well i will certainly get blasted for this but check out the slk32 . best of both worlds. hardtop AND vert and fast as can be!