Greetings fellow CROSSFIRE enthusiasts, after wearing out and otherwise destroying a series of convertibles during the past decade, I am shopping for my next Roadster: The D-C XFire, of course!
Herein lies my dilemma: Do I buy a SPORTY 2005 m/y 'gas-guzzling' (relatively speaking) 330 HP SRT-6 Ragtop Rocket with (mandatory) auto trans - - OR - - should I opt for a newer ('06, '07) gas-sipping 215 HP BASE (or SE) convertible with the FUN 6-speed stick?

*&^%$#@!! Please let me know what you think! I should do here... I would really appreciate the help!

To make the situation worse, there is a NEW 2007 my Alabaster White LTD Roadster (w/automatic) for sale at the nearest Chrysler Dealer. It has just 7 miles on the clock, for $27,999 = tax & license... WTF??!

 

If you're in a hurry to get one you might just opt for the newer limited with a 6M. The reason I say this is they made fery few SRT-6 roadsters. I'm sure one of the SRT guys could correct me on the number...but I think it's something like only around 500 cars.

BTW...you can still have a LOT of fun with the autostick and a supercharger!

 

It's more like 928 roadsters.

I'm biased, get the SRT-6.

 

If you really need to feel "I have the need for speed", go with the SRT.

BUT, the LTD. is no slouch and the 6 spd MT is a gas! IMHO - the only way to drive - 6 spd!

 

I agree totally........to me, a automatic equipped sports car is like a Corvette with a 4 cylinder.

The regular Crossfire is still plenty enough powerful to get you into serious trouble!

 

I have the SRT6 Roadster, 2005 with just over 16000. mi. My real world deciding factor in the srt w/the autostick vs. ltd stick: I'm near enough to Pacific Coast Route 1 and its twisties to have lots of fun with the "stick" part of the autostick. But as the real world traffic interferes on weekends and even getting to the twisties, the automatic can provide a welcome change.
So, decide how YOU want to use the car. Either way it's a blast.
Frank

 

How about the best of both worlds?? A reinforced NSG370 in an SRT..... Prices have come down to the point to allow that...

 

Hi, 6speed!

It all depends on your definition of fun: if fun is slapping around a 6 spd, then go for it; you won't be disappointed. If fun is driving around in a rocket on 4 wheels then you won't mind the automatic.
I also own a '04 Coupe & like Xfire2005 states above, it's a pretty darn quick little beast.
Close your eyes, point in the general direction & you won't be dissatisfied!

 

Why is it that they never put a stick with the SRT6? Tranny not strong enough?

Just curious!

 

I agree with 99% of this. The part about closing your eyes....not so much. Me, I like to drive with my eyes open!

The Limited Roadster with the 6 speed manual is a blast on the street or on the track. I don't regret not getting the SRT for a second. Not that I'd mind having one sitting in the garage next to my Limited Roadster you understand.

 

Several facts to consider but most importantly how bad do you want a stick. If you really want a stick thats more important than SRT6 or Ltd. Both cars will be a blast to drive but if you want a stick, end of discussion. If you could live with an auto (SRT6) how badly do you want a leather interior vs. suede? If you must have leather its the Ltd. If exclusivity is most important to you than probably the SRT6, although 6 speed Roadsters are fairly rare too. These are questions only you can answer. You'll have a blast in either one. Oh, and if you're looking at an Alabaster car its not an '07. Alabaster was ended as a choice with the '06's.

 

A dealer near me had about a dozen crossfires on the lot, including SRT-6, auto, and manual. I wasn't really considering the SRT, but needed a good test drive to determine once and for all, whether I wanted my new Xfire to be stick, like all but one of the cars I've owned in the last 25 years, or auto, as my wife recommended.

Point is, I drove both auto and stick versions within a few minutes of each other. The auto WAS impressive. But to me, it isn't a sports car without a clutch. I'm in Central Illinois with no significant traffic backups or hills to make a stick annoying. Like you, I still can't figure out why there is no stick SRT-6.

My Xfire roadster limited is a stick, and except for those rare times I've wanted to drink and drive (soda or coffee, of course), I don't regret the choice. After a year, it still puts a big smile on my face every time I get to drive it. But if you'll deal with big-city traffic regularly or otherwise have a reason to drive auto, then the SRT-6 fans have a pretty good argument for going all-out on the high-powered version.

My prior car was a convertible Mitsubishi Eclipse - auto. And I hated having a convertible sports car without a stick shift the whole time I owned it. Sort lof like having a Harley with training wheels.

My vote: go for the 6 spd stick.

 

DITTO

 

check out my srt6 roadster in the cars for sale section-- it is a far superior car, price and value than the new white roadster at your local dealer, not to mention the better resale between the two if you should ever decide to sell.

 

I faced the same dilemna and bought a brand new Roadster with MT6 three years ago. I would have purchased an SRT6 if it came with a stick. But I always missed having the more powerful SRT6.

Problem solved. I found a soulmate for my Roadster...same year and color. And I don't mind that it's a coupe because I already have a convertible.

So my advice is shop used and buy one of each! Then you'll have no regrets.

 

There are ALOT fewer cars out there that will be able to spank you when you own an SRT-6. Maybe thats not an issue, but 90% of the sports car experiance is to "Look good and go FAST".

There's nothing better than taking advantage of some unspecting soul that has been "messing" with you, either from stoplights or on the road.

The SRT-6 is "no joke" and unless you know how to shift (folks that can shift know what I mean) the auto is an advantage. Most folks cannot shift as fast as an auto and keep the power on the ground.

 

I like the way your mind works.

 

It's my wife Linda's car and she insisted on the 6 speed or no deal. I personally like the convenience of the auto but like I said it was up to her. Side note: I've always wanted to drive a 6 speed and now I have that option.

 

Hello CROSSFires!
Well, the VOTES are all in, and have been counted and tabulated. From the start of this thread, it was nearly an even DRAW between the Roadster enthusiasts who prefer the SRT6 w/Auto, and those drivers who favor the old-skool 6 Speed manual; (there were a few write-in ballot members who wanted me to buy the SRT and install my own 6 speed stick; yet, others who prefer the LTD and advised me to add my own S/C --what a great group!) Many thanks for all of your collective Words of Wisdom drawn from your cumulative decades of XFire Driving.

After many hours of obsessing, I passed on buying either the mint-condition 2007, or the pre-owned SRT6 ('lightly-used'? - yeah, sure!!) - - and located a beautiful 2005 Sapphire Silver Blue convertible Roadster with the stick. Besides weighing the greater initial cost to purchase an SRT, and awesome gas mileage with the LTD, I further rationalized that the Stick version would give my left foot something to do as I redlined during my long-distance commutes. (Skip the stereo: the Real Sound System is the cool 6 cyl 12 plug 18 valve 3.2L motor, singin' thru twin stainless pipes!)

I discovered that, unlike other sports cars that use the 6th speed for 'Economy-Mode OverDrive', these cars have impressive 65-90 MPH accelleration in 6th, even uphill! [Didn't test the pull above 90, yet.]

I really appreciate ALL of the opinions expressed in this Forum!
Many thanks - Jim, Novice XFIRE Driver starting February 26, 2008

 

Ouch, lol I hate to tell you and wish I would have reached you sooner, But I made the same mistake about two years ago. ITs ok though All will be well if the HP bug and MOD bug dont bite you. Then again my sapphire ltd was not a convertible the wind in the face might be the deciding factor, thats what I had the crotch rocket for lol. Hope all goes well you are going to love it either way. I suggest picking up the needswings intake might help with gas and will defiantly help with the up hill power.