THE CROSSFIRE IS BASED ON THE MERCEDES-BENZ SLK AND THE LATEST VERSION OF THE CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE ROADSTER BRINGS A LOT TO THE TABLE FOR ANYONE LOOKING FOR A SPORTY DOMESTIC, TWO-SEAT DROP-TOP WITH A EUROPEAN FLAVOR.
THE 2007 CROSSFIRE ROADSTER IS A CARRYOVER FROM 2006. GONE FROM 2007 IS SRT-6 WITH THE 330 HORSEPOWER SUPER- CHARGED ENGINE. BUT, THE RED CONVERTIBLE WE TESTED WITH A 215 HORSEPOWER V-6 WITH 229 FOOT POUNDS OF TORQUE STILL HAD A PEPPY PERSONALITY.
THE CROSSFIRE'S MISSION STATEMENT ISN'T AIMED AT BECOMING THE LATEST CORVETTE FIGHTER. THIS IS A BOULEVARD CRUISER IN THE AMERICAN TRADITION AND THE CROSSFIRE'S STRONG SUIT IS STYLE. THE SHORT WHEELBASE CONVERTIBLE BENEFITS FROM A TASTY ASSORTMENT OF CHARACTER LINES, CREASES, AND OTHER DESIGN ELEMENTS THAT PROVIDE A RACY WINDSWEPT LOOK FROM ALMOST ANY ANGLE.
CROSSFIRE ROADSTERS CAN BE ORDERED AS EITHER BASE MODELS OR IN LIMITED TRIM. IN BOTH TRIM LEVELS, MUCH TO CHRYSLER'S CREDIT, THE CROSSFIRE COMES EQUIPPED WITH A POWER CLOTH TOP AND DEFROSTABLE REAR GLASS. THE BASE MODELS ARE ATTRACTIVELY EQUIPPED AUTOMOBILES THAT INCLUDE STABILITY CONTROL, DUAL-ZONE AIR CONDITIONING, POWER WINDOWS, MIRRORS AND LOCKS, AND A LEATHER-WRAPPED STEERING WHEEL.
LIMITED MODELS HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL CREATURE COMFORTS AND UPGRADED FEATURES SUCH AS AN 8-SPEAKER, 240 WATT INFINITY STEREO SYSTEM, DVD-BASED NAVIGATION SYSTEM, AND POWER-ADJUSTABLE LEATHER SEATS WITH HEAT.
BASE AND LIMITED MODELS ARE AVAILABLE WITH A SIX-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION OR A 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC.
ALL CROSSFIRE ROADSTERS ARE FITTED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTI-LOCK DISC BRAKES WITH BRAK ASSIST, TRACTION AND STABLITY CONTROL AND SIDE AIRBAGS FOR PASSENGERS.
THE SUGGESTED RETAIL BASE PRICE OF THE CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE ROADSTER IN BASE TRIM WITH THE SIX-SPEED TRANSMISSION IS $35,110.
THE LIMITED SERIES ROADSTERS START AT $39,370.
THE CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE ROADSTER IS PROVING TO BE A POPULAR SELLER, THANKS TO ITS MERCEDES-BENZ DNA BUT WITH A PRICE TAG WELL BELOW A MERCEDES SLK ROADSTER WHICH PROVIDES THE CROSSFIRE'S PLATFORM.
FOR MANY, STATUS IS PARARMOUNT AND SPENDING EXTRA FOR A BENZ ISN'T AN ISSUE. BUT, IF YOUR BUDGET HAS A MID-40'S CEILING AND YOU'VE JUST GOT TO HAVE A TWO-SEAT OPEN-AIR TOURING MACHINE, THE CROSSFIRE COULD BE THE ONE YOU'LL WANT.