2004 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire?
Based on the Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster platform, the new Chrysler Crossfire grand touring coupe has lost little in the translation from concept to production. From the trademark egg crate grille to the boat tail rear hatch, the Chrysler Crossfire retains much of its original show car appeal. A Mercedes-Benz 3.2-liter V6 engine making 215 horsepower drives massive 19-inch rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission. Key features include four-wheel-disc brakes with Brake Assist, stability control, specially designed luggage that fits the cargo area and a full load of luxury amenities. With almost 40 percent of its parts sourced from Mercedes-Benz, the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire is built in Germany by Karmann.

Advantages of the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire:

• Classic Chrysler concept car styling
• Mercedes-Benz technology beneath the bodywork
• Extensive standard feature list

Objections to the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire:

• Looks like a sports car but doesn't drive like one
• Mercedes-Benz price tag on a Chrysler-badged vehicle
• Some SLK-derived bits and pieces date to the mid-1990s

Editor's Advice:
Chrysler is moving upscale with the Crossfire, one of the first vehicles to take significant advantage of the DaimlerChrysler marriage. Given that this exercise essentially represents engineering from the fatherland overlaid with American design, the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire speaks with a decidedly German accent. Despite its sleek styling, this is more a touring car than a sports car; a great competitor for the BMW Z3 Coupe if it was still on sale in the States. Don't expect to have Chevrolet Corvettes, or even Ford Mustangs, eating your dust, and the Chrysler Crossfire could make you quite happy.