I'm interested in purchasing a 2005 Crossfire convertible. The price of the sticks are running about $2,000 less than the automatics on the east coast. Is one better than the other. How about the black/white interior? Is the white portion a problem in an open car? I'm not into performance. I always liked the look of the Crossfire and the prices seem very reasonable on Crosssfires that are coming off lease. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I had a 2004 Crossfire with an automatic and now I have a 2006 roadster with a 6spd manual. It just depends what you like. There are goods and bads about both. I had an automatic for long enough and was ready for a 6spd. The 6spd is more of a sports car in my opinion, but sometimes in traffic I miss the automatic. Just depends... I loved my 2004 and love my 06 too...they are great cars! As for the white interior...I was debating on getting that in my roadster, but I am very very picky with my car and any speck of dirt makes me go crazy...I decided against buying the vanilla interior because I was afraid it would get dirty. I wanted a two tone, so I opted for the cedar and slate and I love it. It gets many compliments.

 

Go for the white if you like it. I am a clean freak and have the Vanilla two tone and it isn't that hard to keep clean for me, I love it so it's worth the little bit of extra work. By the way did I mention I'm a clean freak? I'm gonna be **** about any color.

 

Go with auto if it's a daily driver in heavy traffic, otherwise go with manual and enjoy the control on the open road.

 

Yeah, what he said.

First to second in the Crossfire is very close. Therefore, the stick can be annoying in traffic and the auto goes just as fast so unless you really enjoy the control of a manual (much of which is given up on a computer controlled engine) go auto.

I like the manual shift for many reasons not the least of which is that my wife doesn't. When we travel an interstate highway route, she drives, uses the cruise control. Back roads are mine. So far,I like the arrangement.

As for the white, it may be a little more to keep clean but it looks marveleous. White doesn't show all that much dirt anyway. Only clean freaks would notice.

White doesn't get hot like the slate.


roadster with a stick

 

I got the manual and enjoy it very much. The auto would have been easier but it's a sports car and not our daily driver.
There was never any question about it- the two tone is beautiful. Our car is a keeper and knock on wood we won't be replacing it for another so I got the one that would make me smile every time I got into it or just saw it.

 

[ would make me smile every time I got into it or just saw it.[/quote]

Sorry to hear about your addiction. I have the same problem. These cars get under your skin quickly.

It was manual for me or nothing


roadster with a stick

 

My preference is the 6-speed manual transmission. I 'm the type of driver that only steps on the brake to let the vehicle behind me know, "Yes, my brake lights do function."

1st to 2nd is short and could be a definite inconvenience in heavy daily traffic. I don't have to do the commuting grind with my XFire. My "company car" is an automatic. I drive my XFire for pure enjoyment and errands like grocery shopping, etc. I have a Hemi Quad Cab for the other stuff.

My XFire interior is all black. I would have purchased the tutone interior in a heartbeat, either white or red, but I was lucky enough to find the exterior color I wanted (yellow) so it was a done deal with the black interior.

I say do whatever will keep you smiling!

Bob

 

I just couldn't imagine a two-seat roadster with an automatic. It has to be a 6-speed. Yeah - when I commuted to Detroit and got stuck in rush hour traffic, it was painful for my left leg. But the pain kept my mind off the morons who would pull up a half-foot behind me as the traffic inched along. And what's wrong with one muscular and one skinny leg?

Seriously, I would have bought an SRT6 roadster originally (and had one car instead of two) if it came with the manual. I added the twin because it was the same year and color, but a coupe (so my original sentence did not apply) as well as an SRT6.

 

Oh yeah baby! six speeds of joy!!!

 

I agree a sports car needs a stick! Yet sadly when I was ready to purchase no sticks were available in my area. Had to go with the auto, still love the car and named her Natalie after my first love.

 

I test-drove both the auto and the manual. It all boils down to personal preference. When the rubber meets the road, it is YOU that has to be happy with what you purchased. Personally, I preferred the smooth shifting of the automatic. Since I work uptown, I would constantly be going between 1st and 2nd gears, and I really wasn't that pleased with the manual in that gear range. But again, you have to get what works for you.