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February 6-15th.
fastdriver
Chicago Auto Show
Feb 6, 2004 to Feb 15, 2004
Chicago, IL; 630-495-2282
Give them a call.
fastdriver
The lease deal offered was astonishing -- $2,200 down, $299/month for 39 months; 12,000 miles per year. This is a "one only" deal on a black automatic demo with 5,800 miles. The deal seems too good to be true!
My wife and I both have 300M's and we have often thought about a third car to use during servicing, etc. It usually meant taking a vacation day to take a car in for servicing or warranty repair.
Anyway, I think the Crossfire will be a lot of fun to drive over the next 39 months. My wife and I will share it and make sure we get our 39,000 miles. From the practical side (as if practicality were an issue in getting a Crossfire), we will save a lot of mileage on our 300M's which we both love and intend to keep for several years!
If there is any (good) reason I shouldn't get my Crossfire tonight, please speak now or forever hold your peace (with apologies to the sanctity of the marriage ceremony)...
WOW!!! You are indeed an "intrepid spirit"!! Good luck! Drive it in good health. Remember, can't go over 60 if that "wing" doesn't come up. Also, you'll have to get a can of "flat fix" because I understand there is no spare tire.
fastdriver
You're right -- there is no spare. I was told by the salesman (who actually seemed pretty knowledgeable) that the tires "run flat" if punctured. Maybe so, but at what tirewear expense? I was hoping to have to buy new tires only once through the lease period!
I know this isn't a practical decision...but I didn't expect it to be!
HUD
"I know this isn't a practical decision...but I didn't expect it to be!"
LOL......if we did things in a practical way, we wouldn't do anything! :-))
"......that the tires "run flat" if punctured"
Mmm....this I would DEFINITELY check into. It could be, but I never read that ANYWHERE! Wouldn't it be listed on the tire?
fastdriver
I haven't done anything that commits me yet! I guess that's why I'm fishing for reasons to say yea or nay.
The market must be much different in FL than it is in Southern CA. Last weekend I found another ad (different dealer) leasing for $4,071 down, $389/month for 39 months -- "one only at this price". I see that Chrysler has gone national on a $389/month lease (I believe that is for manual transmission). Are the $299/month, $2,200 down leases for auto transmission? If so, I think that's a tremendous lease deal for a $35K+ car!
On the surface, I thought I would be saving maybe $100/month (for auto transmission), which translates to $3,900 (+tax) over the life of the lease. The 5,800 miles don't really bother me because of the savings...
I guess I felt if I didn't do this now, I probably never would...
I don't know about the tires -- maybe I can find some marketing info on them. But it is hard to imagine that they would design a car that leaves you stranded in the event of a flat...
"But it is hard to imagine that they would design a car that leaves you stranded in the event of a flat..."
I guess....but, then again, it is hard to imagine that they would make a 300M Special for $33,000+ that you can't drive in snow and have to buy 4 different tires after spending all that money?
fastdriver
Here in So. CT I have not seen ONE ad for the Crossfire at any price! It's like it doesn't even exist.
fastdriver
Also I do hope they will give you some kind of offset for the $1200, at least, set of new tires you'll have to buy before your lease is up. I have heard that the tires on the Xfire only last about 20K at the best. You stated that the car you are getting already has 5800 miles on the clock ? That means they are about 25% worn out already. You cannot put "el-cheapo" tires on that car due to the differing front to rear sizes you cannot "rotate" them either. Not sure if they are unidirectional like the Vette's do-nuts. What the heck, it's only money, right ?
HUD
- Thought that was for a manual. Intrepid is getting an auto.
Also, the "runflat" tires, I know the Crossfire uses Michellin Pilot Sports. I did not thing this came in a run-flat format, but they might.
Sounds like a good deal on a lease to me! Heck, that is what a V6 Camry LE would lease for!
Nope- no run flat tires, just a can of sealant!
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/- 37688
BTW- Were you ever offered a 7/70 on your first 300M? You had a 99 right? mileshoover in the LHS forum said he was offered it on his 99 LHS that he bought in April of 1998? I never heard of it before and never read anything about it here in TH in the 300M topic when it WAS a jumping place back in the day!
fastdriver
Picked up the Crossfire last night. Looks great in black, but needs some exterior finish care (spelled Z-A-I-N-O!). Other than that, not a mark on it. Looks like a car-care weekend for me!
I actually got a better deal than I thought. The $2,200 down was drive-off cost. The first month's payment, license fee and tax on the capital cost reduction was all included in the $2,200. That saved me close to $700, as I thought the $2,200 was a down payment and the fees, etc. would be extra.
About the tires -- I knew I would have at least one set replaced during the lease period. The trick will be turning it in with enough tread on the replacement tires at lease end (44,000 miles). I was hoping for 25-30,000 miles out of a set from my limited research -- we'll see.
Now if I can just adjust to the idea of driving with no spare...
bigmike -- I wasn't shopping and didn't pick the Crossfire over the RX-8 (which I find to be a very intriguing car, as long as you don't get the auto transmission). I just saw the ad and it seemed to be a great deal -- I guess it was almost an impulse purchase! You just can't be practical about an impractical decision...
Still love my M....
CONGRATULATIONS! Lots of luck. It's going to look AWESOME with the ZAINO on the black! I'm jealous that you can even have a car care weekend! I'll probably be shoveling snow again- er... paying someone to shovel snow! Can't wait to see some pics. Don't forget to take some before and after pics at sunset!
fastdriver
Thanks for the link -- I haven't found my compressor or tire sealant yet...
Chrysler is sending me a 3-piece set of luggage to custom fit in the trunk. I wonder if I have to turn it in at lease end? LOL!
I hear you on the snow -- I got out of snow country before it became necessary for me to pay someone to shovel it (I was still young enough to do it myself).
Now that I live in sunny Southern California, my biggest problem for my car care weekends is scheduling this "work" around my tennis matches! LOL!!
The tires are pricey. Heard from one guy who ran over a pot hole, blowing out both tires on one side of the car and bending both rims. 2 new rims and tires total were over $2K. Cheapest I've seen for the rears from TireRack were in the mid/high 300's each.
Don't know if he looked into getting the rims repaired. There are some great wheel restoring companies out there that can work miracles with these types of wheels.
On the Chrysler website today -- (manual) 2004 Crossfire @ $299/month lease and down payment of $2,298 (+ license + tax + 1st month's payment). My down payment was about $700 less because it included these additional costs. And mine is automatic, which will probably be $15-$20 more per month on the new offer.
But mine was a demo, so I guess things pretty well even out...
My wife drove it today and says it attracts plenty of attention. She is on the freeway at 6 a.m. and cars are playing tag with her to get views of the car front, side and back. At noon, she was able to see the car from the restaurant window and she watched several people (mostly older) walk completely around the car, taking it all in. On the freeway coming home, 2 'vette drivers honked and waved.
This is going to be a lot of fun! I have to admit I find it cool to have a car that attracts so much attention...
Does anyone know how a dealer in NJ can list 2 new Crossfires with automatic and all season tires with a buy-it-now price of $27,995? These are on ebay as we speak
Thanks
HUD
Thanks,
Gramps.........
HUD
thanks............
Gramps.
Yet, the lowest price I have seen for a Crossfire in L.A. is $29,995 for a manual (one only). Strange that carsdirect can't get better prices in Florida with those advertised discounts. Dealers haven't been advertising discounts in L.A other than the occasional one only...
So....... did you spend all weekend Z'ing the Crossfire while we shivered here in CT? :-)) Inquiring minds want to know! If you think people stare at you now, wait until they see that ZAINO shine!
fastdriver
First, I ran over an obstacle that penetrated my rear tire AND rim; both could not be repaired. It cost me $1,200 to replace both and to make matters worse, I had to wait a week for the dealer to locate the rim. I can't even imagine what the wait would be like if you had an accident with this car and needed body parts for a major repair. Secondly, I don't have a lot of confidence in the training the Chrysler service staff have received on this car. My dealership service manager did not realize that the car didn't have a spare and had to use my owners manual to answer questions I had on some of the car's features. Finally, the lack of a spare is really daunting; the flat repair system doesn't inspire confidence and the inability to find a replacement tire could leave you in a real bind if you're out of town and a flat occurs. You don't think about these things when you're test driving any car and caught up in the excitement of purchasing something that looks as good as this car does.
I have a family member in middle management with a large international automotive parts mfg. He told me Chryco / Benz is really putting the pressure on for price concessions on parts for the Xfire. He has "heard" that if sales do not pick up by the end of this quarter a rebate IS coming, possibly $1000 at first with more possible by summer. We'll see !
HUD
I had one guy stop and ask me about the Crossfire Sunday when I was washing one of the other cars. The Crossfire was in the garage. Even though the garage door was open, I'm surprised he noticed (black car in a dark garage).
I had 2 other guys approach me as I left the Crossfire parked to go to McDonalds. They introduced themselves, shook my hand and proceeded over to the car to look it over.
It really surprises me that the car gets that much attention! I mean its cool, but its not like it's a Mazeratti or something...
I knew and thought about the "no spare" situation before I bought and still went ahead. As I mentioned before, this was not a decision based on practicality!
BMW - M3
Corvette and the Cadillac version
others..
This should not be a surprise in this car.
This brings their price on a base (standard transmission) to $30,693 in the Southern CA area....
HUD
Many manufacturers are moving away from the spare:
BMW - M3
Corvette and the Cadillac version
others..
This should not be a surprise in this car
I'm not sure about all of the cars you mention, but I believe the Vette, and possibly others, use run flats, which the Crossfire does not. That is a significant difference.
The Xfire carries no spare because of the two different size wheels used, and because frankly this is no place to put one. I have to say that the lack of a spare is what will keep me from taking mine on any seriously long trip.
The Pilot Sport S tires are not in stock in your average local Michelin dealer. Have an irreparable blow out far from home and you've got a problem.
I've had communciations with a number of other Xfire owners who've been seriously inconvenienced with flats.
I'm not sure if these tires are prone to damage easily but with the soft rubber, I suspect it's possible. Forget the road hazard warranty offered with the car; it cost about $130 but it only covers a maximum of $150 on a replacement. You would have to lose 2 tires for it to be worthwhile. I believe however that the system to repair a flat offered in the Xfire is similar to the run flat tires, but employs a different technology to disperse the fluid to temporairly repair the puncture.
Although I love driving the car, I've become paranoid about another flat and as a result probably wouldn't take it too far from home. All things considered, I likely would have passed on buying the car knowing what I know now.
HUD
Thanks
redbear1
I was offered the Sirius radio system and declined it for several reasons. I called the provider and learned that the system requires a receiver that would have to be stored in the trunk and then wired thru the car's interior to the radio. Additionally, you need an exterior mounted ( by magnet) antenna.
The other negative for me was the fact that I have two friends whose cars have been broken into in order to steal this radio system. For me, it wasn't worth adding another element to attract a burglar.
Finally, why pay $13 a month for something that's already free?
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Jay
Actually the sirius radio is $10 a month if you prepay one year. The advantage is 100 channels of news and music with absolutely no commercials.
Regarding the unit, I purchased mine from BestBuy. The unit is portable and slips out of the car when not in it. It is 2 inches by 3 inches by 2 inches. The radio has a built in wireless FM modulator which allows it to play through the radio speakers. There is a connection to the cigarette lighter for power.
There is no receiver needed for the trunk and it is not hard wired to the radio.
The antenna is slim and does mount to the roof by magnet. My question had to do with determining the best place to put the radio in the car. Right now I have it mounted in front of the cupholder and that seems to work.
Thanks
Redbear