Clarkson rips Crossfire...
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHmiKtOFxEQ

Sounds about right.

So instead of hanging "truck nutz" from the rear of it, should one hang some rubber dog doo on some clear fishing line? Ha ha ha:laugh3:

I have never driven one and didn't watch the video, but I have driven an slk and they are supposed to be the same car (according to the dealer). slk's suck imo.

Clarkson should prioritize critiquing British cars, as it won't be long before the last truly British car is built.

I test drove one when I thought my 190 was going to be totaled. I must say I like it. I love the way it looks, it handled as well as most. It's not a track car but then again, most cars are not. It did what it was designed to do quite well IMO. He was right about the 3/4 view looking out back (very bad) and being 6'4" I was a bit limited with leg room.

I'd have gotten one.

Clarkson is a funny guy, politically incorrect and all that jazz, but does he like any American car? The new Z06?

I have driven two crossfires. I found them to be very nimble. They are very good on the autocross I believe.

The only thing stopping me is surplus money missing.

Tom W

They are ok, I agree with Clarkson, the coupe never looked right, but the convertible, surprisingly nice.

They are too heavy to be anything special in the handling department though, like any MB :)

He owns a Ford GT, SL55 AMG, and Jag XJR.

Of course it's an American car over $100k. Wonder if he likes anything "pedestrian" god forbid. :eek::D

Well when you drive what he does for a living, something like a Toyota Camry just won't cut it.:D

Hates the Z06 as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiA7vVydWaQ
He liked the GTO though.

Road & Track's Pete Eagan blows Clarkson away in terms of writing ability, wit and story telling. Not a hint of snobbery, iirc.

I suppose Clarkson has to jerk chains in order to keep a loyal TV audience, ratings, ratings, ratings.

His first girlfriend must have been an Aussie. ;) If it was 100% Uncle Sam, he'd slam it.

Peter Egan is one classy writer.

Probably the one writer that I would most like to have a beer with. He is almost exactly the same age as me (I have narrowed it down to being born in the winter of 48/49 but cannot find his birthday) and we have owned a lot of the same cars, including the 53 Caddie.

But he has owned a lot of cool ones that I have never, and actually restored them.

I on the other hand have lots of kids and grandkids.

I think I have all of his books, and have read some of them more than once.

Tom W

The only thing faster on the Road and Track slalom is a caterham seven, so don't tell me how they are a sled. They match the mini within a mile per hour and also a porsche boxter.

They will cut a corner just fine, thank you. And if you check the weight they only weigh about 200# more than a mini.

The looks though are an aquired taste. I happen to like them. I think maybe they remind me of my dad's 61 dodge lancer!

Tom W

I don't read too much into the magazine numbers, they don't tell you how a car feels.
But compared to a Miata (my gauge for a fun handling car) the thing felt slow to respond and just didn't feel natural for me. Plus you can't see out the back!

The ride was damned good though, real stiff chassis lets the suspension do the work.

I liked playing with the wing when I test drove one..

up down up down up down up down... kinda like my red head...

How true. I have driven a number of cars that on paper were really good, but upon driving, meh. BMW 3 series and CLK's come to mind. Everyone seems to love the 3 series, but to me its just meh. The CLK just leaves me wondering how much more an SL costs.

well, comparing it to a miata.....well, everything larger will feel pretty numb. The miata is what a bit over or under 2000#. The Miata is Da Man for feel, it is just very very small and won't work for larger folks at all.

I have not driven a Miata but they trounce me by three to ten seconds on the autocross depending on what modifications they have.

Tom W

Tom: how is a Honda S2000 as an autocrosser?

Just curious I'm very close to picking one up. Every time I've driven one it feels like the closest you can get to a motorcycle, other than a Lotus or a Caterham, which are not in the budget at present...

S2000 is basically a Miata on steroids, an extra 100 or so horsepower and about 600 pounds. Much more serious driving car, the Miata more light hearted and fun to drive, basically just like an old British car without all the bull**** that goes wrong with them. They get a bad rep about being a girly car and I always thought they were too until I drove one, it's just a fun car.

Now I have beaten several of the s2000s on the autocross course. I like them and wouldn't mind having one but they are tricky to drive on the autocross course. I think it is because the power comes on quickly. They seem to spin out a lot.

Tom W

I have been pondering what to do for next year in autocross. I think maybe further money and effort spent on my old 280e might be silly. I have been perusing the classifieds for cheap miatas and mr2s.

If my financial situation were better I would pounce on a lotus seven replica of some flavor. They beat all comers on the road and track slalom by nearly ten mph. And with a puny 1600cc motor will contend on a regular basis for fast time at about any autocross meeting.

Tom W

An older RX-7 might fit the bill. As might a mid-to-late-80s 944...

I thought that your hair was brown.

Oh snap!

Chrysler just announced that they're dropping the Crossfire....


http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=asdQebhlY1Ew&refer=home

Fortunately they're also ditching the P.T. Cruiser.

I looked at a couple of 944s today at the local german car specialist who seems to collect a lot of cars and sells a few now and then.

Tom W