The Big Three American automobile manufacturers have dominated the market for decades. Introduced as a corporation in 1925, the famous Chrysler makes one of them and prides itself on a wide range of vehicles. Specifically, the Big Three flourished in the 1990s, right before the big industry crisis in 2008. In this period, the team saw enormous expansion.
The popularity of two other members, General Motors and Ford, rose in the 90s, and Chrysler grew with them. Thanks to the massive sales, the big American manufacturer (at the time) introduced several exciting models to meet the growing interest in sports vehicles. In 2004, the star named Chrysler Crossfire was born.
Although the 2004 Chrysler is not considered a classic car today, it was extremely popular back in the day and continues to have a special place for dedicated fans. What makes this sports coupe lovable today, almost twenty years after the launch? Discover a brief history behind the model and our reasons for loving it in the following article.
Let's Take A Peek At The 2004 Chrysler Crossfire Background
As we mentioned above, the global love for sports cars has been growing over the years. The '90s have seen roadsters reappear and turbos become more popular than ever. In that atmosphere, the Chrysler Crossfire appeared as a two-seat sports car built from 2004 to 2008. It was previously developed throughout the union of Mercedes-Benz or (at that time) Daimler and Chrysler. As such, the Crossfire shared and took over some Mercedes-Benz characteristics.
The 2004 Chrysler Crossfire was based on the Mercedes-Benz R170 platform, the one recognized as a mark of the first-generation SLK, a sporty roadster produced until 2004. Although initially attended as a concept car, the Crossfire made it to the production and highlighted the collaboration between Chrysler and Daimler in its name. The two-character lines from front to rear along the body sides also had something to do with the name, though.
In the first year of production, the Crossfire came only as a coupe. There were no trim levels. That changed for the next year when the roadster was introduced alongside coupe. Both models also featured three trims: Base, Limited, and SRT-6. Generally speaking, the models had to offer different specs, but they all had similar designs and drew attention with their visual appeal, which is why we love the Crossfire in the first place.
The Main Reason We Love The Chrysler Crossfire: The Striking Design And Fun Performance
Allegedly, the Chrysler designers said the Crossfire was made to be loved or hated for its design. Looking at the coupe from the side, it appears that is truly the case. The 2004 Chrysler Crossfire is not a regular sporty coupe. With the long hood, the oval cabin, and the boat tail rear, the Crossfire is something different — something you either fall for immediately or avoid altogether.
If you ask us, we think the Crossfire deserves the credit for its styling. In the 2000s, the vehicle stood out from the others, blending the looks of classics and modern sports cars in a unique design. With the cabin far back at the rear end and the crisp character lines, the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire is still a rear find on the market.
The same bold and love-it-or-hate-it styling was translated to the interior. Full of features and buttons, the Crossfire was modern in the things that offered, but maybe not everyone's cup of tea. On the other hand, the 3-liter V6 engine with 215-hp, 229 lb-ft of torque, and a 6-speed manual was more than enough to make the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire fun to drive.
So, our main reason for loving this sports coupe is the striking and unique styling paired with the excellent performance. For things to become even more interesting, Chrysler later introduced the supercharged V6 engine with 330-hp and a five-speed automatic transmission. This ensured more fun on the road, without a doubt.
Can You Buy The 2004 Chrysler Crossfire Today And At What Price?
Fortunately, the Crossfire was produced in decent numbers over the four years of production. That means that you should still be able to find more than a few used models on sale at affordable prices. We scanned the market looking specifically for the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire and have found a couple selling somewhere between $5,000 and $7,000. Of course, the final price mostly depends on the condition.
When it comes to buying the models from the following years, you may need to add some more money. The 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadsters we have seen come up to $12,000, although we have to admit the priciest models look as good as new. In summary, you may need to add a few greens more to get the newer Crossfire, but considering years have passed since its launch, this vehicle won't break your bank.