HOME
RESEARCH A CAR
- NEWS & FEATURES
YOUR 4CAR
PLAY & WIN
ESSENTIAL TOOLS
|
| Road Test: Chrysler Crossfire (2003-) |
|
| Affordable Sports |
|
|
| RUNNING COSTS RATING: |
 |
The manual transmission Crossfire returns 22.7mpg on the combined cycle, which is not impressive, although curiously, the automatic is better, at 23.4mpg. Either way, these figures are below average. CO2 emissions put the manual in the highest tax bracket (35percent), while the auto is 31 percent. Servicing requirements will mirror those of a Mercedes-Benz, which means an annual inspection unless your mileage is very high, but there's no sign yet of Chrysler offering anything similar to Mercedes' long-term Mobilo Life breakdown and corrosion warranty. Insurance groupings have yet to be determined. This is an unknown area. Quality is likely to prove good enough long-term not to make the Crossfire a used-buy worry. But until we see how the market takes to it we won't know whether it will become an in-demand fashion item able to command a premium (as the TT did) or a residual-value time bomb (like a Ford Cougar). Its styling is so distinctive that it may date quickly. We'll see. Coupe-wise, before the amazingly keenly priced Mazda RX-8 turned up…relative rarity. Convertible versions should hold their value a bit better, and look a little more competitively priced against their opposition - which includes the expensive BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster, though they're hardly cheap.
|
 |
Introduction Sporty two-seat coupes are popular in the US, but they're mostly Germa... |
| BEST AFFORDABLE SPORTS CARS |
 |
|
|
|
