Some compromise. From the outside skin to interior comfort and life behind the wheel, the Crossfire Roadster is a remarkable vehicle, utterly different than the cars it competes with in good and bad ways. Consider the Nissan 350Z: while the Crossfire is no match for the power and sports performance of the Z car, the superb 215 hp V6 engine, combined with its creative design, gives the Crossfire panache of its own. And while the Infiniti G35 is more powerful, the Crossfire is lighter and, well, a different type of ride than those who want the G35 experience. The BMW Z4, meanwhile, is about $2,000 or so more and virtually the same in most power ratings. The Z4, though a sportier ride, doesn't have near the same style, and frankly suffers in comparison.
Looks that Move You
Turns out that strakes count for something. So does the funny little spoiler tail that activates at 65 mph - on the Crossfire, it's part of its charm, and there are few roadsters with a more spirited design. Call it sporty sophistication. The Crossfire doesn't look too young, as many grown-up roadsters tend to look. The Crossfire, if anything, looks too expensive. With a price tag around the same as the Z roadster, the Crossfire looks more sophisticated, more expensive, and yes - older. There's a little gray around the temples, a little salt n pepper in the hair.
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