Chrysler Sebring Convertible--what's your opinion?

[Wonka]

How many Sebring convertibles equal a Lexus convertible?

Yeah, but you can have a stable of Sebrings for the price of one Lexus convertible, no?

 

[azsunluvr]

Yeah, but you can have a stable of Sebrings for the price of one Lexus convertible, no?

I could have one in every color!

 

[fnewman]

Sure, but who wants the upkeep for string of 'nags' when you can have one thoroughbred!.

Seriously, the Chrysler, in general, does not have a very good reputation right now and from most of the comments above you can see why. Fortunately for car makers, many people tend to ignore the reviews and buy what looks the best to them. Fine if you have plenty of money, but you can buy a better value, IMHO.

 

[Wonka]

Yes, there's no comparison between a Sebring convertible and a Lexus, or other luxury sportsters. I think they exist because they allow those without an awful lot of money to spend to still experience driving a convertible. It's fun, and the Sebring can accomodate four adults and also has a large trunk. It also serves as our pickup truck here in Florida. With the top down, we've loaded it up with flowers, small trees, topsoil in the trunk, etc. The low price does satisfy a market "niche". In Florida, many of the Sebrings are from the rental fleets where tourists can drive a fun car at reasonable rental rates as well. Not everyone can afford a $40,000 investment in an automobile, so it is an alternative. As I said before, the thing I hate worse is there are so darn many here in Florida. It's hard to find your car in a parking lot.

 

[fnewman]

However, there are several very good candidates between the extremes of a Sebring and a Lexus. You don't have to spend $40,000 + to own a reliable convertible.

 

[bobbyb]

I had a Chrysler, Cirrus, which I took over from my mom. It had under 30K on it when the transmission exploded and cost us a new one. Chrysler wouldn't compensate at all. I will NEVER buy a Chrysler again. I just bought a Mazda 3 sport, btw, and with a sunroof! I love it!

JMHO
Diane

I had a 1994 Chrysler Concorde that had many transmission problems. I had two transmission replacements in 50K miles. At 62K, I needed a third.
Read this exerpt from http://www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/

"Since the late 1980's Chrysler's front wheel drive A604 Transmission later renamed the 41TE commonly used in its minivans has proven to be a Transmission very likely to fail, however Chrysler continues to use this Transmission design and the almost identical 42LE in many of its newer vehicles. These Transmissions are so problematic and trouble prone, they require a special fluid that has been revised and modified at least 3 times to help keep the Transmissions from destroying themselves. Between 1989 and 1991 Chrysler made 28 different changes in attempt to deal with common problems. Chrysler's special Mopar ATF has been developed to help smooth out common shift problems and prevent common premature failure. Chrysler's A606/42LE used in Dodge, Chrysler vehicles such as Intrepid, LHS, Concorde, 300M and Eagle Vision is a nearly identical Transmission, which has also been plagued with the same problems. For years Chrysler has also used these knowingly flawed Transmissions to their advantage, capitalizing on replacement Transmissions, parts, rebuild kits and the required fluid for those that actually know about the special fluid requirements. More than 15 years later these same Transmissions are still being used with ongoing common problems such as premature rough shifting in lower gears, bump shift, hesitation, whining noises, slippage and complete failure. Chrysler has even had to develop many different Transmission Control Module (TCM) revisions in attempt to counter shift issues. More than 15 years later, Chrysler still knows that there are special fluid requirements to help these Transmissions last near reasonably and there is still no warning anywhere in the Engine compartments of vehicles with these Transmissions to warn consumers, independent mechanics and quick lube places of the special Transmission fluid requirements. We strongly feel that it is negligent not to clearly specify this special requirement somewhere in the Engine compartment, which Chrysler had not done until very recently (more than 12 years later) with newer vehicles. Chrysler would rather consumers have to purchase replacement Transmissions at the ridiculous price of $1700-$2500 for Transmissions that were defective and trouble prone in the first place. Chrysler, "DaimlerChrysler" continues to manufacture vehicles with the worst Transmissions available today. Additionally it is a fact that all Chrysler vehicles equipped with these front wheel drive Transmissions have a near 40% horsepower loss at the wheels from the factory so they are less likely to fail and even with this they still commonly fail. Chrysler's replacement line of vehicles for the LH Platform, the "LX Platform" is rear wheel drive with a Mercedes Benz E-Class drivetrain according to several sources and for very good reason. Even with this new "Mercedes Benz E-Class RWD Drivetrain" we are already seeing consumer complaints about Transmission problems with the new LX series, transmissions shifting rough and slamming into gear! The BBC's Top Gear also reported in a Chrysler Crossfire review that the Chrysler Crossfire has "an awful gear box that leaps out of first gear and goes "gaaah, gaaaunk!" every time you set off. Later in the show the other host says to Jeremy Clarkson "you should thank your lucky stars you weren't driving that automatic one". Jeremy replies, "I heard it's really bad" while the other host makes a sour face while tilting his head downward to express just how bad it is. Chrysler still couldn't do it even with the help of Mercedes Benz? Chrysler vehicles have suffered from chronic Transmission problems since the mid '80s, nearly 20 years, when will Chrysler finally get it right?"

 

[goldwing]

Opions are like noses everybody has one including me. We owned a 1997 and was one of the best cars we owned. I have Chrysler ever since the 70's and no problems like the problems you have all had. Maybe I was just lucky.
I think every car company has had problems at one time or the other.
Dave

 

[ZCar]

timetraveler,
As KauaiMark mentions, underneath, the Chrysler Crossfire is really the previous version of the Mercedes SLK. Park the two side-by-side and look at the hard (fixed) points ... even the license plate lights are the same.

I had a 2001 320 (V6) SLK "Designo Series" in Copper with Copper/Blck interior. Rare car in that color. It went off lease after 3 years, but it was a great, fun car. Put the steel top down whenever and enjoy!
Troubles? A stoplamp bulb burnt out.

Transmission noises as bobbyb mentions? NONE (Mine was automatic).
Quote from bobbyb: "The BBC's Top Gear also reported in a Chrysler Crossfire review that the Chrysler Crossfire has "an awful gear box that leaps out of first gear and goes "gaaah, gaaaunk!" every time you set off. Later in the show the other host says to Jeremy Clarkson "you should thank your lucky stars you weren't driving that automatic one". Jeremy replies, "I heard it's really bad" while the other host makes a sour face while tilting his head downward to express just how bad it is".
(Some just don't like automatics, no matter what)
Maybe the reviewer didn't know how to shift a stick.
That is just reviewers personal opinion and not accurate at all from my experience.

Right now, I have a 2004 Mercedes 320 CLK, but can't wait until the timing is right to get another SLK.

Look closely at the Crossfire. You'll enjoy it, although trunk space gets a bit limited with top down. This was not a problem (for us) with the SLK's steel top.

You might even consider a previously owned 2004/5 SLK. Some owners don't put many miles on them and simply trade to a newer model. For real fun, look for an AMG model.

 

[RDB]

... and it seems like about every other car on the road is a White Chrysler Sebring Convertible (mines White). It's hard to find my car in a parking lot with all the other White Chrysler Sebring Convertibles...that kind of bugs me. I'd rather be different. ...

I knew an engineer in Europe who never allowed that situation. He painted his VW bug highway yellow. He bought a VW station wagon and immediately painted the hood. He could see the car and so could everyone else.

 

[RDB]

...

Right now, I have a 2004 Mercedes 320 CLK, but can't wait until the timing is right to get another SLK. ... You might even consider a previously owned 2004/5 SLK. Some owners don't put many miles on them and simply trade to a newer model. ...

I LIKE THE 2006 FRONT RESTYLING. SEEMS THE REAREND COULD STAND SOME.

IS LOW MILEAGE DUE TO ONLY DRIVING IT ON ENJOYMENT DAYS?

 

[RDB]

Have enjoyed the Chrysler LHS for 35k miles. Bought it with 66k on it.
Replaced leaking waterpump at 80k. While at it, the timing belt also.
Very nice, roomy, loaded, but not sporty.

 

[RDB]

...the Chrysler Crossfire is really the previous version of the Mercedes SLK. Park the two side-by-side and look at the hard (fixed) points ... even the license plate lights are the same. ...

Too bad the Crossfire has the Chrysler styling, smart but growing old already.

 

[ZCar]

RDB,
Around this area, it seems quite a few people simply want the "newest" and trade. with dollar loss probably of no real concern. There are those (and it seems like a lot) that can do it. Our dealer had a 3 year old SLK with only 6000 miles on the lot, surely a sunny day/weekend car. Can you imagine how much that car cost per mile? But whose counting.