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Trims
And while that may not seem to be a good thing in our perpetually dyed culture of youth, it is when you're selling cars to the late-thirty and older market. Who else could afford, and want, a roadster in the upper 30s? For 2005, there is an entry-level coupe selling at below $30,000. The standard Crossfire coupe ($29,045) has a six-speed manual transmission, while the Crossfire Limited is available with a choice of six-speed manual ($33,745) or five-speed automatic with AutoStick ($34,820). (MSRPs do not include $875 destination charge.)
The standard Crossfire Roadster ($34,085) comes with the six-speed manual, while the Roadster Limited comes with manual ($38,045) or automatic ($39,120). The Crossfire SRT-6 coupe ($44,820) and SRT-6 Roadster ($49,120) have the automatic as standard. The look more or less stays the same no matter how much you spend, except for the roadster top and the large wing on the SRT. The Crossfire's rear view has a tapered, boat tail appearance. With the retractable spoiler out, the look is sharp, but the spoiler does carve into visibility a little - a small distraction, especially when it activates itself and you can see it deploy out of the corner of your eye, via the rear view mirror. Small potatoes when you consider the value of the rear design. The spoiler is the perfect compliment to a back that finishes the Crossfire statement, which starts with the long, flat hood with strakes and a grille that frames the Chrysler wingspan nicely. The chrome-tipped dual exhaust pipes add a touch of power to the back.
Sprint and cruise
Combine the two - the long, carved hood and fast back boat tail - and the Chrysler Crossfire has a professionally aggressive exterior design, especially with 19-inch rear wheels in back and front wheels measuring 18 inches. The hood and character line sweep compliment the larger wheels in back, and the long hood up with strakes gives the front a mid-action look.
There is more than just look to the action, too - though the Crossfire (SRT excluded) is more built for the sprint-and-cruise than serious ride and handling. The engine is the sublime 3.2 liter 18-valve V-6 of the previous SLK - a nice engine with more than enough power for a light car that's a bit over 3000 lbs. There are other Mercedes parts under the skin, too, such as the multi-link suspension and steering - and they really define the character of the Crossfire. The ride is fun and firm, though the steering could do with a little more feel of the road - but like the SLK, it provides the driver with a precise ride that manages the road perhaps a tad too much - no crazy fish tailin' in this little roadster. of course, the SRT version is another story, and one better told on its own. Click here for more about the Crossfire SRT. Just know that horsepower ratings change from 215 to 330 for the SRT version - more than enough horses to fill your barn.
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About Brian Chee
Prior to joining Autobytel in the Spring of 2000, Brian Chee spent 15 years as a writer and editor in his native southern California, his work appearing in a wide variety of regional newspapers and online publications. As an editor at Autobytel, Brian has been quoted in numerous regional and national publications, including the Wall St. Journal and InStyle Magazine. He is responsible for writing, editing and planning content for three of the company’s consumer websites: autobytel.com, autoweb.com and carsmart.com. His “beat” includes vehicle reviews, features, news and Auto Show coverage. Brian considers himself a “SoCal” car enthusiast: the kind who grades a car on how it handles today’s urban and suburban reality of daily traffic gridlock, rising fuel prices and fast-paced lifestyles. Brian is an Eagle Scout, a member of the Automotive Press Association, the Motor Press Guild, and the California State University Advisory Board for Internet Writing. Brian holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism.
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