The unwanted step child car.

[M60A3 Driver]

A year ago I was looking for a car just to work on and have fun with. The only two requirements were it had to be a manual transmission and a convertible.
I found a car that I didn't even really know existed, but fell in love with it the moment I took it for a test drive. A 2006 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster (base model).
The Crossfire was made during the Diamler-Chrysler era and is based on the Mercedes-Benz R170 platform (SLK 320).
The reason I call it an unwanted step child is because even when it was being manufactured it had to built by a third party company, Karmann.
Also neither Chrysler or Mercedes dealerships will work on them. Mechanical parts aren't hard to get if you search as a Mercedes. Other parts are hard to find and very few are reproduced.

I don't care, the car is a blast to drive! The 3.2 liter V-6 puts out 225hp but it only weighs 3,400 pounds so it moves out!
The other version, the SRT-6 (Supercharged) 3.2ltr puts out 330hp.
Here are some pics of my car:

 

[Treburkulosis]

A year ago I was looking for a car just to work on and have fun with. The only two requirements were it had to be a manual transmission and a convertible.
I found a car that I didn't even really know existed, but fell in love with it the moment I took it for a test drive. A 2006 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster (base model).
The Crossfire was made during the Diamler-Chrysler era and is based on the Mercedes-Benz R170 platform (SLK 320).
The reason I call it an unwanted step child is because even when it was being manufactured it had to built by a third party company, Karmann.
Also neither Chrysler or Mercedes dealerships will work on them. Mechanical parts aren't hard to get if you search as a Mercedes. Other parts are hard to find and very few are reproduced.

I don't care, the car is a blast to drive! The 3.2 liter V-6 puts out 225hp but it only weighs 3,400 pounds so it moves out!
The other version, the SRT-6 (Supercharged) 3.2ltr puts out 330hp.
Here are some pics of my car:

Nice, when those were new I had a Cobalt SS and I had a guy with a SRT-6 one run me on the freeway. Its held it own, but the Cobalt was faster.

 

[mikeru]

Congrats on your new car. Glad to hear you're happy with it. One of my neighbors had one of those back when they were new. I didn't like them then and I don't like them now, but it just goes to show that there's a buyer for every car. Enjoy!

 

[RodeoRam]

Never mind the car. Who's on the poster on your garage wall?

 

[M60A3 Driver]

Never mind the car. Who's on the poster on your garage wall?

Elvira she still looks good for her age!

 

[rvance]

Nice, when those were new I had a Cobalt SS and I had a guy with a SRT-6 one run me on the freeway. Its held it own, but the Cobalt was faster.

Where's the Cobalt SS now? I had a Cobalt with the regular engine but extensive suspension upgrades that was a blast to drive. Traded it in at 90k trouble free miles. A friend's daughter had the hot engine in the Solstice and has 160k on it now.

 

[rvance]

I always wanted Crossfire, but I never had any spare cash or room for such an impractical vehicle. If I had been a little younger....
I wonder if you have to get special tools to work on it? I have a friend who is a Mercedes mechanic and he says every model has at least one special tool. The only special tool I ever bought was a set of Whitworth wrenches for an old BSA motorcycle.

 

[Hagar1]

Used to call it the Chrysler Misfire! I didn't like it then, my opinion hasn't changed. Unfriendly to work on.

 

[alpinegreenneon]

My son has a Crossfire and is quite happy with it. It's his summer car and he bought it used several years ago. We have done a few things which one would expect with over 70,000 miles. No problem getting Mercedes parts and so far no special tools needed. It wasn't hard to work on, not really different from most rwd cars. It has the 6 speed manual transmission and the engine runs really smooth. He has a wife and 4 children so yes it's a little impractical but it's great for going back and forth to work. There is a following and they do have meets. Pretty sure there is FB group if the OP is interested.

 

[Marshall]

I have seen one or 2 running around this area, but other then one sitting in a show room, know nothing about them. Same with the Viper, suggested to a sale guy one time we go for a drive, but he just gave me a coffee and a donut .

 

[Lsujker]

Elvira she still looks good for her age!

Have her autograph somewhere in my house. My brother went to her house for dinner a few years back. Super nice lady according to him. She “racked” up quite a “large” following in the early 90s. LOL!

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Have her autograph somewhere in my house. My brother went to her house for dinner a few years back. Super nice lady according to him. She “racked” up quite a “large” following in the early 90s. LOL!

I listened to a pod cast with her a little while back, and she was talking about a time when she was 14 and pretty much a roadie at the time & travelling all over the place.

She was at a concert where the lead singer of The Animals (Eric Burden) invited her to his hotel room after the show and all but forced himself on her... she bolted out of the room and carried on with her roadie tour, just a different band... and then she ended that convo.

What a life she has led, no doubt!

Hell, my Mom was a hippie and went to Woodstock when she was 16.
She hitchhiked from one end of Canada and back including the territories, twice, and half the USA as well. A nomadic gypsy my Mom was!

I hope she writes her memoirs one day before it's too late.
She's told me some crazy stories of her travels back then...........

 

[Treburkulosis]

Where's the Cobalt SS now? I had a Cobalt with the regular engine but extensive suspension upgrades that was a blast to drive. Traded it in at 90k trouble free miles. A friend's daughter had the hot engine in the Solstice and has 160k on it now.

Sold it in 2014 because it would not fit 3 kids... I went looking for a SS/TC before settling on the Camaro. I really enjoyed mine.

 

[Dusty]

My youngest son had one for a few years. A real noticeable style that garnered lots of attention. I had the car for a few days when my son needed my truck. The seat had to be back all the way for me to get in, and all the way forward for me to get the clutch all the way to the floor. Not a comfortable car in my opinion, and the interior was filled with cheap plastic parts that buzzed. He put about 25K on it and never had any mechanical issues, but it wasn't a car for me.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 110358 miles.

 

[Treburkulosis]

My youngest son had one for a few years. A real noticeable style that garnered lots of attention. I had the car for a few days when my son needed my truck. The seat had to be back all the way for me to get in, and all the way forward for me to get the clutch all the way to the floor. Not a comfortable car in my opinion, and the interior was filled with cheap plastic parts that buzzed. He put about 25K on it and never had any mechanical issues, but it wasn't a car for me.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 110358 miles.

They are definitely a young mans car. Heck my Camaro is even hard to get in and out of.