2005 Chrysler Crossfire

I'm thinking of starting a new rating system for cars.
Like movies get stars and restaurants get little forks, cars could get little window cranks. These would be based on the number of times someone gives me the whirling index finger. Not to be confused with that other finger, this is a nice gesture and generally means, "Roll down the window, I am intrigued by your ride."

Under this rating system, the Chrysler Crossfire would certainly merit the maximum number of cranks. Everywhere we went, someone wanted to talk about it. And those "someones" cut across all demographics.

The Crossfire represented the first true DaimlerChrysler child, born of the marriage between the Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler families. It is an experiment the automotive world has awaited with much interest and one capable of drawing an audience wherever it goes.

Congratulations to the Chryslers and the Benzes. This is one pretty baby.

The good news
When you set out to build a sports car, how it looks has to be top priority. Even if it doesn't outperform everything else, if it looks great, it has a chance.

I'd say DaimlerChrysler got its priorities straight here. This Crossfire is a head-turner. With its low, fastback hatch profile perched on huge (18-inch in front/19-inch in back) aluminum alloy wheels, signature Chrysler grill and sharp chrome strokes, this two-seater captures something of yesterday and makes it all tomorrow.

The same could be said of its engineering. Mercedes provides most of this from the previous SLK roadster, which got a big makeover for ‘05. There are worse closets to rummage through for hardware than Mercedes', but it's worth noting that this Crossfire's underpinnings are somewhat "yesterday." There has been enough tweaking and revising, however, to make this child fully legitimate.

Sitting on the former SLK rear-wheel-drive platform, the Crossfire shares the 94.5-inch wheelbase. But due to the structural advantages of a hardtop over the SLK convertible, Chrysler claims this Crossfire is stiffer than a Porsche 911. I can't vouch for that, but I can say it feels solid.

The engine is the SLK's 3.2 liter V-6 making 215 horses and 229 foot pounds of torque. It comes with either Mercedes' six-speed manual or five-speed electronic automatic with AutoStick manual. I had the former, which coaxes the most fun out of the engine. Car and Driver magazine clocked 0-60 in 6.5 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.8 seconds at 96 mph. Respectable figures, if not standard setting.

Independent suspension (double wishbone front/five-link rear), traction control and electronic stability are all standard on this Crossfire, as are high performance tires, four-wheel disc brakes and a speed-sensitive deployable rear spoiler.

Handling and steering also fall under the "satisfactory but not stellar" heading. The average driver would have plenty of fun, but the enthusiast would likely want better communication and sharper reflexes.

With luxury amenities such as heated seats and dual-zone air conditioning, this Crossfire strikes me more as an easy touring coupe than a true sports car. That's good news for those who want a great-looking, but not overly pricey, touring coupe. Unless . . .

The bad news
. . . you're over 6 feet tall. The SLK platform presented some real challenges to designing this hatchback's interior. Those challenges manifest themselves in discomfort. There is minimum travel and little lean in the seats, making it fairly excruciating for taller people. Even I felt cramped.

That closed-in feeling is exacerbated by the dismal rear visibility. As sometimes happens these days with very cool looking cars, the exterior beauty comes at the expense of interior practicality. The Crossfire is one such car. But hatchback cargo space is commendable.

I also find the six-speed shifter balky and never could figure out the illogical window buttons. They never seemed to do what I wanted when I wanted.

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 17 mpg city/25 highway

Price
Manufacturer's base: $33,620
Price as tested: $34,495

Is it worth it?
Every one of the people who stopped to talk about the Crossfire seemed pleasantly surprised to hear its price. It looks more expensive.

But I'm not sure it's a great bargain. When you compare performance, you find others in this class - Nissan 350Z and Mazda RX8, to name two - that post better statistics and prices. This and its interior limitations are going to be the Crossfire's challenge.

But this is just the first edition; maybe there is more horsepower and better seat adjustments down the road. Let’s cross our fingers.

This Crossfire deserves to be as much fun to drive as it is to view.

www.chrysler.com

During her 16 years reviewing new vehicles, Beth Stein has written for Nashville's dailies (circ. 185,000), national magazines and BestStuff.com. She appeared coast-to-coast on-air for Road Test Magazine, Car And Driver Television and Motor Trend Television.