I have always felt that the Crossfire, in base model, not the SRT-6, should of came out with more power to better compete with the likes of the Honda S2000, Nissan 350Z and the RX-8. Don't you think that some refuse to buy the Crossfire because of this lack of thrust?

 

Actually the power in the stock XFire is ok with everyday driving. And what I've heard is that the 6-foot plus guys don't fit that hurts sales more than speed,of course the more ponyies wouldn't hurt.

 

It is enough for my needs. Maybe the car couldn't handle more power or maybe to add that extra power would have pushed the price up so much no one would buy it. I'm sure there are all sorts of reasons why, including Mercedes making sure it doesn't compete with its new SLK models.

 

i think you're right, that it would sell better. the reason is, it's about a 35k car, and for that much you can get many other two seater sports cars with a much faster engine. it depends what ur looking for though, cuz i think the crossfire's much better looking inside and out. it's not aimed to be a performance car.

 

I agree with Saldous that it has enough power (at least for me) but with more power without extra cost, it would help to quell some of the complaints that so many reviewers and some owners have made over the last year and a half. Although, thinking about it, some people are never happy and I'm not sure some reviewers will ever see the car for what it is, fun, stylish, but not a high performance 2 seater racing car.

 

I don't know who says this, though. I'm 6'3", 210 lbs, and I fit in my car perfectly - it feels like it was shaped precisely for me.

 

I love mine and have came to the conclusion that the Crossfire is a very misunderstood automobile. People think its PT Cruiser or Sebring stuff and don't realize its Mercedes stuff. Its fully German and made where many high end cars are made at Karmann (www.karmann.com). Check out the banner at this site and you'll see Crossfire's and even one being shaken :shock:
Also the SLK320 got this 3.2 litre engine from 2001 to 2004. Aren't you glad it wasn't the SLK230's ancient 4 cyl engine?? :shock: Of course I wish it was the SLK32's AMG engine but that would have really pushed the price up I think. So to sum it up below I listed the reasons I believe it hasn't sold well.

1. Badge people want Bimmer, Merc, Audi etc.. (I like the name fine)
2. Horsepower people want more HP (300 or so) I agree but am still happy.
3. Most of the competition are "more practical" with more storage room and even rear seats but we have no kids and I love it for what it is, a stylish touring coupe for nice weekends for much less than what the other cost and its still rare to see one on the road

With these starting to sell for 26k for 04 limited at Carmax, I wish I had another to keep tucked away.

http://www.carmax.com

 

Ditto,Danwell, I think because the Crossfire is a new model and very limited market 2 seats that it's the best looking car on the road for 35k or under why DC is discounting look at all cars ! All are down big ! so in a perfect world I'd still own a Crossfire only i wish I waited to buy 2 for under $50k !

As for the 6ft+ guys the Dealer told me that !But that is only a cop out, not to buy because my head hits the roof.Too bad.No car is perfect for under 35k! Maybe a used car ?

 

My neighbor just bought a new 05 SLK 350... It's nice but when I look at it I think " Just another SLK", big deal... When I look at my XFIRE, I think "WOW. what a great looking car"... I see the same respose from other people driving buy our houses, they will stop and look at the XFIRE but, drive right by the SLK...I don't think a little more HP would make that much differance, I agree whith some of the other posts, the XFIRE is a little misunderstood, but, I love it :lol:

 

I was driving in the highway yesterday when I noticed behind me a red SLK 320. The car has been following me for a while, then it moved to my side as if it was checking my debadged Crossfire

I saw the full view of his car but the SLK 320 did not appeal me at all. And I don't think he wanted to race me because I doubt if he knows the difference between the Limited and SRT-6 Crossfire

But I'm happy that my XFIREX is more appealing and styling than his SLK 320. I sure do wish that the CF came out with more speed so that 3-4 years from now we are still on the top of the line list for a sports car. Reentech 6 will do for me but that's because I want my exotic car to have more muscles and speed

 

I test drove the SRT today and if it didn't have that ugly wing on it and 15-20 $k more I'd own it.

I'll have to wait for the market on it to drop like the stock Xfire did !

 

I'm 6'1" and I like my Crossfire, and I like horsepower. If more horsepower came without much of a price increase, I would say "yes" it would help the sells of the car. But as far as the 215 horses that came in the Crossfire, at just under 3,000 lbs. weight, this thing goes. It's looks and Appeal, that sells it. If horsepower sold this car, I would perfer to have the HEMI option, but then what would the price be?

 

The Hemi wouldn't cost anymore than the MB 3.2 I think .It's probably less.If it was an option it would fly.i tested the 330HP AMG SRT-6 and it flys.

 

I would be happy as hell if the crossfire had the 3.5L I would pay over 50 bucks more a month just for that. It the only ingredient that is missing in the crossfire. The 05 SLK350 6-speed just went 0-60 in 5.3 and ran the quater in 13.8@103. Pulled .87G's and stopped like mad. If my crossfire did the acceleration numbers I'd be in love. Like i was with my 01 m3. But imagine if they put the 3.5L in the crossfire. The crossfire being much lighter than the new SLK. I would expect the crossfire to run mid 13's in the manual. and high 13's low 14's with the slushbox. I dont think they will ever offer the 3.5L though, it would be too close in performance of the slushbox SRT-6. That would be a high 12 car for sure if it came the way it should. Just my .02