Which would you chose? A 2004-reg Mercedes SLK 320 with 73,000 miles for £2995 or, for the same money, a same age, same mileage Chrysler Crossfire?
See Chrysler Crossfire for sale on PistonHeads
They’re closely related and share a rear-drive platform and 3.2-litre V6. What’s more, there are rare AMG-fettled versions of each, called, respectively, the SLK32 and SRT-6.
However, the first-gen SLK was bowing out as the Chrysler, built by manufacturing company Karmann, came on stream in 2003, so even a late-plate Crossfire is actually a pretty old design. Still, it’s available in coupeà and convertible forms, although while the SLK is classy, the Crossfire coupeà looks awkward and the convertible is prettier.
While rust is an issue with both cars, the Karmann-built Crossfire is actually likely to be in better condition. Meanwhile, our £2995 example not with standing, £5250 is where tidy 04-plate SLK320s with reasonable mileages really are (and even then, you should budget generously for some essential refurb). The same money is your passport to a world of good, low-mileage, 06-reg Crossfire coupeÃs and convertibles.
So, awkward styling and dated mechanicals, but well made, good value, a choice of body styles and a 215bhp 3.2 V6 driving the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox or the (much better) five-speed auto. But are driving thrills another attribute? Alas, no. Dozy recirculating ball steering sees to that.
Instead, think of the Crossfire as a secure but relaxed GT. It has grippy 19in tyres at the back and 18s at the front, in combination with double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear set-up. It’ll crack 0-62mph in 6.5sec when pressed but is happiest tootling between 2600 and 5300rpm, where most of the engine’s torque is a throttle-squeeze away. It does have one genuinely sporty feature, though: an active spoiler that deploys at 60mph (you can operate it manually, too).
The convertible is almost free of scuttle shake. The electric-folding fabric hood is weathertight and quiet and should go from closed to open in 22 seconds. Check the windows drop automatically and that the hard tonneau cover opens to admit the hood, before closing flush. The cabin is comfortable – leather and air-con are standard – but it’s plasticky and, owing to the high waistline, hard to see out of. Seek out cars with the optional parking sensors.
The supercharged SRT-6, with 330bhp and 0-62mph in 5.5sec and the suspension and brakes to match, ought to feel much sharper, and so it does – until you turn the steering wheel and sense that recirculating ball system. This version has future classic written all over it, but a standard, 06-plate automatic convertible with 50,000 miles for around £5750 is our pick. Trouble is, we’ve just seen a gen-two (fully galvanised body), 55-plate SLK350 auto with 62,000 miles and full service history for the same money...
