This is in general the case with ANY new car you buy. They immediately lose 20-25% as soon as you take posession and drive off the lot. It's why so many people are "upside down" in their loans until 2 to 3 years into the payments, unless they put a lot of money down or had a large residual on a trade-in.

 

Yes I do realise that, but then add on the ’4,000 as well and I'm down much more than that percentage, and I've not made a single finance payment yet!. GRRR

 

The Department of Transport will be introducing a new scheme known as Electronic Vehicle Identification (EVI) as early as 2007. This records, amongst other things, the speed of the vehicle. Talk about big brother.

If this EVI scheme is introduced, then the residual values of cars registered between 2004 and 2007 will rise, as they are not likely to retrofit the chips. I would also probably not have my licence.

Make a note to keep an eye on the introduction date, as you may want to replace your car before then, or keep it. Invariably, the general election and delays will probably mean they can't introduce it until later.

 

EVI!!!!! There is my excuse to go with super charger and custome paint job.

 

well looks like there will need to be a change of government then! how about the crossfire party?

 

What would **** me off more if they put they made the AMG supercharged the stock engine!

 

Can't seeing them doing that to the stock eng. Maybe the SRT. I would have concern about the tranny and rear end holding up under the incresed torque. Plus, at least for me, I would want up rated brakes and suspension for the big gain in pony power

 

Speaking from a dealers point of view something had to be done about the excessive stocks of Crossfire in the UK.

Sales, which although slow were steady, all but collapsed after the broadcast of Top Gear in December in which Clarkson decided to completely slate the car. Our sales rate dropped to one car every two months after the show. Since the bonus was introduced in July we have retailed three already. Manuals have virtually dried up. This trend will ultimately raise the profile of the car & firm up the currently weak residuals as demand rises.

It is a fine product, in hindsight a little overpriced, ’24995 would have been a better intro figure. It looks stunning, turns heads like nothing else at the price.

If you guys want to blame anyone, don't point the finger at Chrysler, try the BBC & Clarkson.

 

mrkipling,

Nice to get the other side of the argument.

Its basic supply/demand principles. If all else fails you reduce your price.

I'm glad you did because I wouldn't have looked at the car at ’27k. I had seen only one car on the road until I bought mine. I still haven't seen another.

When people see them on the roads they will want one! Everyone takes a second look.....

 

Hard to believe this one guy holds such sway over the car buying public over there. Is there NO ONE else that might perhaps offer an opposing evaluation? I mean, I watched the review, I've got a CrossFire, and it's plain that Clarkson was acting the uninformed buffoon throughout that review.

 

It seems to me putting EVI in a car that isstable at 140 mph+ is a form of entrapment.

 

Maybe they waited to long for discounts ,here they started in Feb. 04, so maybe that's the reason the public knew the price would fall if they waited for them to come in line with USA price incentives!

 

Just a tidbit of info from this weeks' autoweek,Chevy 04 malibu,tested,$26590.1st year deprciation$9,187.after 5 years $16,758.Edmonds.com price to own for 5years $37,135!Average cost per mile $0.50 And this an economy family car!Stop crying and start driving!

 

The only other television based credible motoring journalist is Tiff Needell (http://www.celebagents.co.uk/html/Tiff_Needell.html) who did not slate the car.

Jeremy is a funny, watchable guy who commands an army of car lovers across the country because of his anti speed camera and policing views. He's been around for ever and writes for magazines and newspapers, too.

Tiff was a prefessional racing driver and can really make anything dance on a track. Watching him get an Aston Martin Vanquish off the ground over the top of a hill and land it on a private test track is something I'll never forget.

I have downloaded his review and his only realy gripe is that the car's looks outpace the power. He also felt that the SLK was never a handling machine and that this characteristic would be mirrored in the xfire. Preferred the gearbox over the SLK though, thinking it had been tweaked somehow.

He pointed out that the car was only ever really designed for the American market and would no doubt be very well recieved there, however the UK market would be tougher to crack. People were likely to want a Nissan or a TT here.

Interesting to note that the xfire was designed by a british man.

 

The XF was styled by Andrew Dyson who is British, but I don't think he actually designed the car. It all depends on your definition of the word design. And at least Tiff gave you information like that in his (in my opinion) fair review.

The engine, gearbox etc. and the concept were provided by Mercedes and Chrysler respectively. DC needed something quickly to revive the C bit, and to prove to the Stock Market that the merger was working.

Anyway, however it was done, the result is pretty spectacular.

I just wish the Brits made up their own minds rather than believing anything some over-tall, overpaid, TV presenter says. It would be interesting to find out how much the Top Gear presenters get paid from vehicle manufacturers. If we found out they were receiving funds from certain compaies, it would show just how impartial they are. I did agree with their review of the Lexus Roadster thing.

 

I sympathize with all you guys who bought in the UK at full price. Especially as if you push Chrysler hard enough you can get a brand new one for ’2200 at the moment. Thatfs what I paid for mine last week. For that price I canft grumble about the amount of car I am getting for my money.

Chrysler did tell me that they expect the promotion to stop as soon as they have shifted a few roadsters as the idea of the deal was to raise awareness of the Roadster and get some more coupes on the road. The roadster is still the Full Price so I would expect the Coupe to be back up in price by the end of next month.

All the dealers also told me that manuals were in short supply of all of sudden and they expect them to hold their price a little better over the next few months.

My advice to anybody who has a manual coupe and wants to sell it, wait until the price goes back up next month.. You might find a few dealers eager to take them off you.