There are lots of cars classed as being in the same 'League' as a crossfire but honestly what is the best overall?

Do our crossfires come out top trumps? Can I have your opinions please.... (All cars post 2004)

We certainly know our XF's are best value!!!

 

Crossfire - Eye Candy
Boxster - butt ugly
SLK - We peons ain't got the cash for that league
Audi TT - see Boxster

my 2 cents

 

I have a friend that has a Boxter with a hard top that looks Great much better than the cloth top IMO and running A set of Foose wheels , Really looks nice...

 

All are very fine cars, but without a doubt the Crossfire is the best bang for the buck among them.

I respectfully, but totally, disagree with alaxfire's assertion that both the Boxster and TT are butt-ugly. And the Boxster is one of the best handling cars in the world - I'd have one in a heartbeat if maintenance costs weren't so darn high on them. My brother in law has a new TT and it's just flat out awesome. In RS form it's a weapon, plain and simple. The SLK, especially the R170 version that the Crossfire is derived from, is a very dowdy looking car that just hasn't aged well. There are plenty running around SoCal and every time I see one I'm just amazed that it's basically the same car as my Crossfire. I often refer to my car as an SLK in a fancy party dress!

Two cars you left off the list: one is essentially the coupe version of the Boxster - the Porsche Cayman. Gorgeous car inside and out, and another great handling machine. The interior puts ours to shame, but again there's that huge cost differential. The other is the BMW Z3/Z4. The Z3 is nothing compared to the Crossfire, but the Z4 is a fantastic car all around. Looks great, drives great.

For someone looking to pick up a nice used car that plays with this set, the Crossfire is probably the smartest choice overall. Unless, of course, they have dreams of owning a Porsche or they love the unique look of the TT. Or they just need some brand cache to make them feel good about themselves. "Chrysler" probably won't make that person feel the way "Mercedes" or "Porsche" will, and that's their problem, quite frankly. Anyone needing to own a specific brand to feel good about themselves has some serious issues!

And don't forget that Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear chose the Crossfire Roadster over the TT and 350Z roadsters in a shootout they did a few years back (though not that it's really worth anything, it's just another individual's opinion).

Honestly, I'd be happy with any of the above mentioned cars (though I'll admit I'd only have the TT in coupe form as the soft top really doesn't translate as well on that car) if I had the money. I'd probably lean heavily toward the Cayman, though, as I love that car. But in my reality, being able to play in that arena with a car I bought brand spanking new for $21,000, gives me a huge smile. I love my Crossfire and nothing is going to kick it out of my garage in the foreseeable future, or long term for that matter.

 

I concur.

Boxster just seems cheap to me, even for a Porsche.

Audi TT is like a manly New Beetle. I didn't like them at first but gained my respect when I saw one pass our Ford Edge during a blizzard. The Audi TT Quattros have optioned AWD.


Even compared to brand new cars, our Crossfires are just on a whole other level.

MSN listed the Mazda RX8 as a compeditor. While I agree both models are halo cars for their brands, the RX8 is sporty and not luxurious whereas our Crossfires are both.

 

The lofty Carerra crowd don't even consider the Boxster a Porche, they view it as a high end Volkswagan.....!!!

Although I happen to like the lines and comparable to what you might pay for a true high end Porche, it's a relative bargain.

As far as repairs/maintenance, any Porsche or MB is ugly, but our Xfires ain't too shabby, especially if you have to visit a Dealer, with no warranty...

 

Well that just about sums it up

 

I think the Boxsters are going to end up like used 914 and 944 models. Affordable and a Porsche. I heard somewhere that it is smart to buy only automatic Porsches for reliability.

I love the Cayman. We have one in town and the guy was following me from the coffee shop for a long distance. I think he liked what he saw.

Compared to all premium branded cars, aren't M.Benz and Porsche the more reliable/hearty brands? I'm sure parts are still uber expensive.

 

A recent long term survey in Germany ranked the Porsche 911 as the most reliable car in Germany over a 10 year period. That's quite impressive given the performance envelope of that car.

 

. I have to say I pretty much agree with this assessment. I love the Cayman and if I could afford one I'd probably get one. I like it because of it's similarities in looks to the Crossfire. I may pick up a used one at sime poit but with 3 current cars and my son in college......not soon. I am looking at a Crossfire roaster to add to my ciolection so 2 Xfires for the price of a cayman(ot more) I can have twice as much fun. I love my Crossfire - so no complaints from my end.

 

A friend that I autocross against has a Boxster S. After a couple years of competing he now regularly beats me. There doesn't seem to be anything I can do against him. The only good news is he's not in my class.

 

Are you talking S1 RX-8 or S2 RX-8?

My 2011 S2 RX-8 has an interior that's far above the quality of the Crossfire's interior, but that's just my opinion. Heck, my opinion also tells me that my 98 Boxster's interior was nicer than Bat's '08 Crossfire.

But, everyone loves their cars for their own reasons.

If you want a German car with great exterior styling, for cheap, you buy a Crossfire.
If you want a German car with Classic exterior styling, and fantastic handling and brakes, you buy a Boxster.
If you want a German car with not nearly as classic styling, with better snow performance, you buy a TT.
If you want a German car with wedge styling, and you have money to burn, and you don't want to feel the road, you buy an SLK.

BC.

 

i have to say im a little biased. ok a lot biased! for me having the choice of a hardtop or a vert in 1 car seals the deal for me. the slk wins hands down. to be clear the only m/b i consider owning and do own would be the amg models. the body styling, engine upgrades and suspension are a great pkg. of course mine is a r170 model. 13dog has the newer r171 and its a slk55 which is an amazing car also.
drop a cayman in my driveway and i wont complain! i looked at a couple and the biggest complaint i had was the crazy way to drain the oil and refill. from inside the cabin!

 

IMHO if we are comparing direct model line ups from years of production (i.e. not taking the 2004 Crossfire and comparing to the much better looking 2011 TT), the Crossfire trumps all in the looks department between 2004 - 2006 (biased opinion here of course).

But the new TT, Boxster, and Z all give the Crossfire a run for its money of course. Especially the new TT-S. That said, it is a testament to the Crossfire's timeless styling that people come up to me and ask me if my SRT-6 is new.

Performance wise the Boxster takes the cake, but the SRT-6 can hold its own in that category. SLK should run about even with the Crossfire (maybe slightly below if you are comparing it to a Crossfire Coupe), and the 2004-2006 TT I don't think really would hold a flame to any of these models during that time period.

 

I'm a big fan of the RX8 since the movie X-Men 2.

The RX8 does have some interior options that just look awesome; the red and my favorite, the saddle color.

I think I would get more use out of an RX8 than I would out of my Corssfire given the 8 has rear seats and psudo-4-doors. I find the rear interor of an RX8 to feel very comfortable for anyone who was curious.

In general though, most earlier model RX8's just have the basic black cloth interior. I find that to be a bit lack luster and more no-nonsense sporty than anything luxurious.

You say you got a later model RX8? Congrats, those things have Ferrari good looks. I want one!

What's you take on ownership costs? You have to keep an eye on the oil since it's a rotary engine, I've read that was an issue. PM me please, I am very interested in the RX8. I don't want to seem like a troll, so I'll get back to Crossie talk.

_____


To add one compeditor to the list, I may have mentioned this before, the new Cadillac CTS Coupe.

On my way to my GF on the highway, I came alongside one and thought how smart my purchase was. I still think the Crossfire is more stunning than the CTS-coupe. Even though it has interesting and attractive styling, the CTS-coupe is a bit mild compared to the Crossfire. Of course this is based on looks alone, the CTS-V is insane on performance but in all seriousness where the Hell are you going to drive fast outside of a racetrack? I live in a very monitored area, police everywhere. I don't mind, I look like I'm going 80mph going 30; and the Crossie is geared so beautifully that I don't mind going slow.

 

i've driven the cts-v and the cts-v wagon. i think (unless someone's got something their sleeves) these two cars are within the srt-6 realm. but they don't fell like an srt-6. i like the bank vault close, i iike the occassional jump in, run around the country block, then nestle in. you guys/girls who drive them on a daily basis, good for you. I'm always interested in what people say about our amg wunderkars.

 

German, German, German, I see a trend here...lol...

As far as I'm concerned, nobody builds cars like the Germans, for the mass consumer market.

(The specialty stuff from the Italians like Masarati, Lambo, etc., are a sickness unto themselves...)

The American and Japanese car companies have come a (very) long way and can compete pretty good, but those Germans have some nasty stuff that they build and put on the road, (in bunches).

I was hooked on German cars with my first BMW 2002, But now that I got a Xfire, I'm a big MB fan.

Call me fickle...

 

The two people with RX8s I know have both a 2004 and a 2005, both leather, loaded, and have a navigation SCREEN and HIDs from the factory, both options our cross should have had.

I think you are crazy . Yes I have driven them both (not wagon, but coupe and sedan) as well as highly modded SRT6s, not even in the same catagory, but not supposed to be...

 

This is a bit of a loaded question, no? I mean most people bought a crossfire because they didn't want the others. You can buy some iteration of any of the cars listed pretty cheaply. The crossfire will always have what I consider superior styling on its side versus any of the other cars listed. I just don't see how people could consider them ugly, it really baffles me.

Dynamically and otherwise, the crossfire was behind the times since it was introduced since it was based on a mercedes that was current in the mid 90's. Unfortunately, the crossfire really can't hold a candle to many of the cars listed with regard to how it drives. The boxster/cayman isn't very exciting looking, but my god , it's just sublime to drive! The others aren't quite as exciting, but seem to still drive better, especially steering.

 

Interesting discussion here.

I think you have to include the Z4 for the model years the Crossfire was made. Having both an XF Coupe and a Z4 they are very comparable cars. The Z4 (3.0 / SMG/ Sport) is faster, it handles better, has a better stereo and is tons of fun. The Crossfire feels more solid, is more fun driving a 75-80% limit on winding roads, stable in a straight line, more interesting interior, fun to work on, and more practical.

My Z4 has 50K miles and I've replaced all 4 springs, the sway bar end links, and swapped out tires after two runflat blow outs to soften the ride a bit. I understand with the new ones they figure out how to make a car handle and ride well but they are priced out of this discussion.

As a daily driver the XF is high on that list if not the top. The SLK is a good daily driver but since they are the same genetics that would make sense. I fell in love with a Boxster the first time I saw one and wanted one so bad. Of course, that was over a decade ago and they look the same. Unfortunately I've changed and they haven't at all.

The Nissan Z is a fantastic car as well that is seems to loose some respect because of the tuners who do aweful things to them.

I think the AudiTT lost it's coolness somewhere personally. It is like the old, new Beetle ;-). In fact, this thread has been interesting for me because the XF is timeless to me and the others were an intense spark of desire that faded.

R