2005 Chrysler Crossfire Coupe review from UK and Ireland

Nothing.

Dealer gave me a demo car for a half day so that my wife and I could see if we liked it. This is much better than a two minute test drive with a salesman beside you.This definately swung the deal.

After I had bought the car, I caught the seat panel whilst getting in after only 500 miles. I must have had a pen or something in my back pocket. This caused a small tear/scuff of about 2 (50mm) inches long.

Dealer replaced full leather seat for free as they said that the leather on these cars is excellent and should have withstood that kind of abuse! There was no arguments or discussions, they just instantly said they would replace it.

Car gets lots of attention, kids taking photographs with their mobiles etc. My car is metallic silvery blue.

Car is very quiet, but gives a nice sporty sound when driving hard. Grip seems excellent. One review I read said that "there is enough grip to stop the earth turning". The rear tyres 19" x 255s certainly do grip, but may cause a wince or two when they need replacing. I have not driven it with the auto traction control off so I don`t know how wild it would get pulling out at wet junctions etc.

Semi automatic gearbox is very good. Read somewhere that the reviewer said that it seemed not to know which gear it was in when they tested it. I think this is more to do with the ECU learning logic that is built in that learns driving styles. I have found the semi automatic box to be very responsive such as when slowing down at junctions. This can be done just like a manual and very smoothly. Kick down or a flick of the gear knob gives very good acceleration. "Manual" gear changes are strange in that you push left or right rather than back or forward to change gear. I soon got used to it though.

MPG is around 25 which is a mix of urban and motorway. Does not need super unleaded like my Mitsubishi did.

Auotmatic rear spoiler that deploys at 68MPH on mine and drops back down at 40MPH is a real talking point. You can see people pointing as it goes up and down on the motorway. Not sure if it does anything aerodynamically but the car always feels stable on the motorway, although of course, I have only taken it to the legal speed limit of 70MPH.

I can only imagine that above these speeds, it would be very good!

I have heard mixed reviews in the media, but I have only had lots of very good feedback on my car.

Media comments generally seem to be against it, but I have always decided on the car I drive by what I like, not what someone tells me I should like. Maybe I am unique, but if you like the look of a car, test drive it and see if it`s for you. If you don`t like it, don`t buy it. It`s not complicated.