This need to get through the 1,000 mile break in period is driving me nuts!! I took a little detour off the 210 Freeway though the San Gabriel Valley today and up one of my favorite roads - Highway 39 towards Crystal Lake, onto East Fork and then up and over Glendora Mountain Road. GMR is a very tight and twisty two lane mountain road that sees almost no traffic during the day mid week. This was a regular training road for me during my bicycle racing days, and I also used to love driving this in my 1999 Miata. Today it was the Crossfire's maiden run, even though she's only got about 550 miles on the clock. So I took it easy. Mostly.

I have to say, for all the comments in magazines and online about this not being a true sports car, I was heavily impressed. The Miata was great fun here, even with the limited power it put out. Very flickable as you would expect a 2,300 lb car to be. But I have to tell you, the stiff chassis of the Crossfire (supposedly 50% stiffer than a Porsche Boxster so, um, that's gotta be about a million % stiffer than a Miata) and the far greater ultimate grip than the Miata meant that I had a blast. The huge increase in torque the 3.2L V6 generates over the Miata's 1.8L 4 (229 lb-ft vs 110 lb-ft) was just astounding, and powering out of the corners was a rush like I simply could not get in the Miata. Higher lateral Gs and better acceleration out of the turn at the same time - what joy!! And to think, I was actually taking it easy!! Mostly. The Crossfire changed directions beautifully and body roll seemed to be quite minimal, certainly less than even the Miata. I can't wait until I can give the car a proper flogging on this road and take it to a NASA HPDE day at either Buttonwillow or Willow Springs. Fabulous car, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Here's a couple of pix I took to give a feel for where I was. And these aren't even the real twisty bits!

 

Great to hear you are discovering the true nature of the Crossfire Mike. There are so many reviews that bemoan the lack of sporting character in the car but I doubt many of them are based on actual experience. This car DOES handle despite what the reviews suggest. I've ran mine with bog stock suspension on the track with Boxters, Caymans, 911s and all sorts of other 'superior' machinery and not been embarrassed. There is so much prejudice against this car here in the UK based on the nonsense in the motoring press.

 

Mike-in-Orange,

Glad to hear you're getting the feel for your new toy. I am planning on attending NASA's HPDE 2 at Buttonwillow in October and, if I can, again in November.

There will be a thread soon to get everyone going on the same page so we can share information and get a good spot in the paddock area.

Cheers!

 

I live in Illinois. We just don't have roads like you and I will never be able to enjoy the kind of driving you have around you.
I guess a trip to Colorado is in my future. I absolutely love the mountains and the roads there.

 

Mike,
Nice photos! I'm a bit jealous. Here in Kansas the only twisty roads we have are highway on-ramps.

Have fun.

Bryan
#22 D/Stock

 

I feel you flatlanders, sorry. Here in SoCal we either have bumper to bumper freeway traffic or these wonderful mountain roads.

Woody, I hear ya! Hell, I even had a pretty darn aggressive alignment done on the Miata and new coilovers to boot! I'm telling you the Crossfire will just spank the Miata. I know the guys on the Miata forum would call me silly (or worse) but there it is.

 

driver's heaven.
head up to Pepperdine and ask for directions to Saddle Peak Lodge.
Spectacular suicide drive -

- and definitely have dinner at the lodge.

thanks for sharing the drive!

 

Great review, another great drive is Ortega Highway in South Orange County. You just have be on the lookout for the motorcycles taking curves at a 45 degree angle. FUN FUN FUN.

 

Sometimes I think the hacks that say such disparaging things about our little gems have never actually driven one. At best they took it on a very tight closed course on level ground. They always include skid pad numbers (like it is normal to go around in a circle ever faster until the front end protests).

To be honest, I think where our cars shine is as a sports tourer. Like you mentioned getting it out on the open road through the countryside and along mountain trails. No need to run the Mille Miglia just a nice stroll through the hills...yummy!

Another nice ride in SoCal is up to Arrowhead. Lots of switchbacks and a wonderful place to be.

 

Hey, you could ride down to the "Dragon" US 129 in Tenn it's a lot closer,
& it has 318 turns in 11 miles of Mountain road. It would be much closer than Colorado & it is rated as No 1 in the US for bikers & sports cars.

Here's a Pic Blog of you name it on the Dragon & a "Dead Sexy Chrysler",
my new baby, it made the Front Page over all those other sports cars, it's
first week on the Road! (50 miles from home).

Bill (& SilverFox II)

ttp://killboy.blogspot.com/
(Update - Now Need to go to the Week b/4 "Wednesday, July 25, 2007" Page two second pic down for "Dead Sexy Chrysler")

 

I love the hills above Malibu and can't wait to get the Crossfire up there! I checked out the Saddle Peak Lodge online and it looks fantastic, thanks for the tip!

Ah yes, I know it well. In fact, I live very close to it as I'm at Oso Parkway and the end of the 241 Toll Road. Just a short hop down Antonio Pkwy and I'm on Ortega. Traffic can be kind of heavy on Ortega though, and people just don't seem to figure out how to move over at the turnouts to let others through.