Item: Used Chrysler Crossfire Roadster 2003 - 2008
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

Sports

Chrysler has built an eclectic range of cars over the years – everything from radically styled hatchbacks and brash, all-American saloons, to small family cars and boxy yet hugely practical people carriers.

It decided to pull out of the UK in 2015, after struggling with declining sales. However, there are still some Chrysler models that are worth considering if you’re buying used.

The Grand Voyager, for example, is one of the few MPVs that has room for luggage even when all seven of its seats are occupied, while the 300C – based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class – is a refreshing alternative to the traditional executive saloon choices.

CHRYSLER

CROSSFIRE

Its looks and V6 engine are great, but its numb steering and poor ride are not

Used Chrysler Crossfire Roadster 2003 - 2008

That 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.

Its looks and V6 engine are great, but its numb steering and poor ride are not


There really is no choice: just go for the standard V6 model - it has everything you'll need, and is much better value than the SRT6. There is a choice of manual or auto gearboxes. Neither is exceptional, but they work reasonably well.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Ride comfort shouldn’t be sacrificed at the altar of handling sharpness</li> <li>Plenty of power from a melodic engine</li> <li>Handling that doesn’t come at the expense of a back-breaking ride​​​​​</li> <li> Practicality is not essential but nice to have </li></ul>

Driving fun is right at the top of any sports car buyer's priority list, and every one of our award candidates has backroad entertainment coded into its DNA.

The Mazda MX-5 embodies sports-car spirit without wearing an exotic price tag, and has deservedly gained a strong following over the years. Much newer to the scene is the mid-engined Alpine A110. It may carry a name from the past, but this potent, mid-engined sports car was designed with the very latest lightweight thinking.&nbsp;

Rounding off our shortlist, though, is a name that'll be familiar to even those to whom sports cars hold little interest. The Porsche 911 was born an icon in 1964, and the latest generation bridges the gap between sports car and supercar. Yet, somehow, it manages to preserve a distinctly civilised character.

The Crossfire's 3.2-litre motor promises to be tough and long-lived if serviced correctly, and the suspension and transmission look tough enough to stand the test of time.

However, Chrysler has a poor record for reliability, and there are plenty of gadgets that could play up after a few years' use: for example, the motors for the electric seat adjusters may well expire expensively after a few years.

Finally, check that hood. It's a quality item intended to last as long as the car, but a replacement will cost well into four figures if the material is ripped, frayed or covered in mildew.

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 burbly 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.

Used Chrysler Crossfire Roadster 2003 - 2008 review

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