Goodbye, Chrysler Crossfire
The Chrysler Crossfire was one of those unfortunate exercises in style-over-substance. What's worse is that its style was somewhat questionable, garnering reactions from "oh, that's interesting" to "make it stop, please make it stop". Well, Chrysler finally listened to the latter, and here at Autoblog we're not exactly weeping over the demise of the coupe and roadster, the last of which rolled off the assembly line in Germany on Tuesday.
During its five-year lifespan, the "all-American" coupe built in Germany sold 80,000 units, but last year US sales accounted for only 8,216. The car was offspring of the now-defunct partnership between Chrysler and Mercedes, and shared its platform with the original SLK roadster after it had been replaced.
The Crossfire is the first of four models that Chrysler is giving the axe under its new ownership, and since production of the car and many of its components are so closely tied to Daimler, it makes sense that it's the first to go. Next to be cut are the Dodge Magnum (unfortunately), Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible (unfortunately only the convertible) and Chrysler Pacifica (wait, which one was that again?).
[Source: Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Freser 12:17PM (1/31/2008)
I owned a 2004 Crossfire & it was a great car. I had to trade it in for a bigger vehicle due to family reasons. No mechanical problems whatsoever. 85% of it was Mercedes parts. It was priced way better than the Mercedes counterpart.
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cowboy bob 1:01PM (12/20/2007)
Konk, "I 'cuda had a V-8"!
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Grey Meanie 1:02PM (12/20/2007)
Good riddance.
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shadysi 1:04PM (12/20/2007)
you took the words out of my mouth.
Xcountryflyer 2:33PM (12/20/2007)
Totally agree. It is the butt of overpriced underperforming sport coupe jokes.
It was saddled with questionable styling and a dated subpar platform.
Luis 1:07PM (12/20/2007)
What's a Crossfire...isn't that something someone gets caught in and tragically dies? how fitting...
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Mursin 1:09PM (12/20/2007)
I still cant believe they are killing the Power Wagon (Magnum), to me thats a helluva bad ass car
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sw 1:19PM (12/20/2007)
I haven't quite understood the reasoning behind that one either. The other models they've axed make sense, they should also get rid of the pt cruiser entirely.
psarhjinian 1:55PM (12/20/2007)
Because some nitwit thinks that the Challenger will sell more.
The Challenger will sell more than the Magnum for two to six months. Then it will sell worse. Much worse.
Daniel 3:57PM (12/20/2007)
Right when the Magnum came out, I saw a ton of them. However, a couple years later, I feel like I rarely see them. Maybe they've just blended in though...I'd have to see some sales stats
zoomzoomr 4:45PM (12/20/2007)
They really can't cite sales as a reason for dropping the Magnum, considering I see tons more of them on the road than their Charger sedan counterpart. What they should do is offer the refasciaed Chrysler 300 version of the Magnum in the US.. I bet it would sell like crazy then!
el indiano 1:13PM (12/20/2007)
finally! thank you!!!
now the road will be a much prettier place to drive.
too bad the same fate can't be said for the bentley wanna be 300c
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John R 1:20PM (12/20/2007)
Up shot: unsold or used RWD hoonage can be had for cheap!
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dpb! 1:20PM (12/20/2007)
Really? That many people don't like the Crossfire? I think it is a great looking car and drives pretty nicely. Little too small for my taste, but I enjoy looking at them!
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Derek 1:41PM (12/20/2007)
There's at least two of us. Great looking car, but on the heavy side for me. Always like seeing one on the road though.
Rob 1:45PM (12/20/2007)
My dad has one and he and I both love it. He of course has the convertible version. The convertible is better looking than the coupe even when the top is up.
The average person (non-car people) think the crossfire is a good looking car.
GT 3:42PM (12/20/2007)
I love the design as well. I think its weak point was the engine. 215hp/229 ft.lb was way too low for this. The 330hp that comes with the SRT-6 (6?, why not HEMI?) should have been standard, the SRT hitting 420hp like the other siblings under the SRT sub-brand.
Clarence Young 1:20PM (12/20/2007)
You celebrate the demise of "differentness."
Like if it was hurting you somehow, I might get it.
I am sorry to see any of these cars go.
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zamafir 1:25PM (12/20/2007)
"since production of the car and many of its components are so closely tied to Daimler, it makes sense that it's the first to go"
Since production of the car has far outstripped demand to the tunes of tens of thousands of languishing crossfires, it makes sense that it's the first to go. Props for mentioning how paltry the sales were, the conclusion just seemed a little disjointed from the rest of the post.
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Menice 1:25PM (12/20/2007)
oddly enough,this was one of the few late model chyrslers i always liked.... and the only one that i ever liked the ribbed hood on.
always thought this car looked cool.
(ducking now)
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