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Coupe
It might look like a classic American sports coupe, but the Crossfire's engineering is bang up to date. A low driver’s seat and high window line make the cabin feel cosy, although this also restricts rear visibility, so it’s tricky to reverse-park.
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Otherwise, it's basically good news: the two-seat cabin is comfortable, and the boot is big, if awkwardly shaped. Equipment levels are high, too - leather seats, dual-zone climate control and cruise control are all standard - but the quality of interior fittings and switches is poor for the price. Drivers will certainly enjoy the 3.2 V6 engine, which produces 215bhp and plenty of mid-rev pull, as well as a rich, throaty note once you reach 4000rpm. Traction is very good and body control is excellent, but the ride is poor, jarring over lumps and bumps.
Running Costs
The 3.2 V6 has a real appetite for petrol and it also pushes up insurance bills, group 15 for the standard 3.2 and 19 for the SRT6. They achieve average fuel economy of just 25.7mpg and 22.7mpg respectively, and that's with a manual gearbox. Bargain on a couple of mpg less if you're looking at a car with an auto transmission. Servicing comes around every year or 12,000 miles, which is sooner than for most rivals, but main dealer charges are reasonable for a big-engined sports coupe. The Crossfire is rare and complex, so it is best to stick with Chrysler dealers for work, or at least sports car specialists. Spare parts are expensive and tyres notably so. A set of good quality replacements won’t leave much change from £1000
Convertible
The car's striking appearance lets you believe you're driving a classic American soft-top. But that's not the end of the plus points. The 3.2 V6 may produce just 215bhp, but its mid-rev pull is better than you'd expect and it emits a rich, throaty note above 4000rpm. The SRT-6 produces rather more at 330bhp, but isn't worth the extra money. Drivers will love the seemingly endless grip from the tyres and the excellent body control, but the ride is poor and jars over even the slightest lump and bump. Practicality's not great, either: the cabin may be comfortable enough for two, but the boot is awkwardly shaped and the hood folds into it, robbing most of its space. Likewise, the low driver's seat and high window line make the cabin cosy, but restrict rear visibility, so it's tricky to reverse-park. At least, refinement is good - hood up, most road noise stays outside; hood down, the cabin is calm and civilised, even at speed - and the equipment levels are high: leather seats, dual-zone climate control and cruise control are standard. However, the quality is poor for the price.
Running Costs
The 3.2 likes petrol and it also pushes up insurance bills to group 19 for the standard 3.2 and to 20 for the SRT6. Even with a manual gearbox, it achieves average fuel economy of just 27.2mpg, and significantly less for the SRT6. You can budget for a couple of mpg less if you're after a model with automatic transmission. Servicing comes around every year or 12,000 miles, which is sooner than for most rivals, but main dealer charges are reasonable for a big-engined roadster. The car itself is rare and complex, so it is best to stick with Chrysler dealers for work, or proven sports car specialists at the very least. And the costs won't stop there. Spare parts are expensive and tyres notably so. A set of good quality replacements won't leave much change from £1000.