The main problem was none of that (despite the chassis being nearly as old as the one in the Crown Vic, it still handled quite well and had good dynamics), as the Crossfire actually competed quite well with its main competitors, notably the Beamer Z4 and 350Z convertible. Remember, also, that the Crossfire sold quite well when it was new. The problem was that the few that they did sell in the recent years cannabalized its younger brother:
Yes and no, but I'll give you the one on the dynamics. I was surprised when I drove it, as it did move quite well, but there were better cars out there... Notably the 350Z and the Z4. But, the didn't sell all that well really ever. Sure, 35,000 may have been produced for the 2004 model year, I rarely see one even here in Domestic-domianted Michigan. Those models rolled-off into 2005, where only 28,000 were produced, and with further roll-offs, only 12,500 were built for 2006. They didn't build any for the remainder of 2006, and obviously they haven't built any 2007s.
Both sentiments could be said of a certain other American convertible.
And had they not detuned the SRT-6 from SLK 32 AMG specifications, it probably would have been much better.
What other convertible? The Solstice/Sky twins?
...However, the extra power probably would have helped the opinion of the car when it came to performance. Yes, it was powerful to begin with, and actually was surprisingly fast, but the overall refinement was down, and that was just one-more shot in the foot...
And what V8 would that be? The same V8 (4.7L) they should have put in the Prowler? The same V8 whose weight penalty offset the meager horsepower gains? The only engine option Chrysler could have used that would have been better would have been the 3.5L mill out of the Dodge sedans, or maybe the 3.5L mill out of the new SLK.
And don't say the Hemi. That would have stolen sales from both the SLK 55 and the Viper.
I had always said from the get-go that they should have used the 3.5L V6 from the big sedans from the beginning, but nobody would listen to me. It just seemed like a better idea, and it would have kept some of the costs down on the car, in theory at least. Also, if I'm not mistaken, wasn't the 3.5L from Chrysler more powerful than the V6 offered up by Mercedes?
...On the subject of the V8, I was thinking HEMI. It really only would have made sense in my opinion. Certainly they wouldn't have gone for the 425 BHP 6.1L unit, but the 'standard' 345 BHP 5.7L model. Strap that in with the five-speed slushbox, and it would have been a pretty decent ride... Certainly something worth putting up against the Corvette at Corvette prices...
I doubt it. However, I think calling the model discontinued is a stretch, as it was sneaking up on the usual 4 year redesign period (8 years if you are Ford), and Chrysler simply didn't think it was worth it to put it on the new car's chassis with sales slipping (despite how obviously cheap to design and produce it would have been).
Yes and no. They haven't built any for a while, and with 2005 models still lingering around, its plainly obvious that the model isn't worth replacing. They would certainly be more successful with a Firepower-type car, as the Crossfire just doesn't seem like the right thing to be in. I dunno, call me crazy I guess...
...I liked the Crossfire when I drove it, but after I got out, it was pretty much a 'whats the point?' situation. I just didn't feel like it was worth it whatsoever, no matter what history the car may have had as a Mercedes...
