Sebring Convertible

[Tubingluvr]

Anyone have any input to offer on the Chrysler Sebring Convertible?
Plan on using the income tax refund to get the wife some wheels this year.
I am currently laid off so I don't want a payment.
We have been looking at Sebring Convertibles (1997 to 2001).
From what I have been able to research the 4 cyl. tends to have head gasket problems so we would stay with one of the V6's.
Anyone with experience with one of these?
Thanks for your input.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Sebring Convertible

If you can get your hands on a Consumer Reports you will see they have a horrible repair record and the owners have one of the lowest "buy it again" ratings out there.
My neighbors brand new one sat in the local dealership for about two weeks trying to get a leak sealed in the top. So that shows even the newer ones aren't doing that well...

Ford Mustang convertibles are everywhere, and Toyota makes a Solara convertible, just to throw out a couple...

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Sebring Convertible

Not a huge fan of the 2.7, I think they have sludge problems.

A bit anecdotal but I put an engine in a 97 Sebring awhile back, the car did have about 250k on it and still ran ok but had low oil pressure and was probably full of sludge. It was an absolutely abysmal car to work service wise. This one was extra testy with all those miles in the rust belt.
I guess with lower miles you might be ok but the 2.7 engine is known for sludge problems leading to early failure and well Chrysler automatics transmissions and electrical systems are not exactly known for their utter excellence.

I am a fan of convertibles and love the Solara but that Yota quality and resale value has those cars high in the money as a Mustang owner I wish we would have bought a convertible when we bought our Cobra.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Sebring Convertible

Friends had them and the two I knew both had V-6 and transmission problems.

Solara Convert thumbs up.

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: Sebring Convertible

I am really confused now.
What I am hearing here is the total opposite of the reviews I have read on-line.
The reviews I have read are either 4 or 4.5 stars out of 5.
Half of the reveiws have been owners with over 100,000 miles.
I have always steered clear of chrysler products because through the years I had dakota that the rear end went out and same thing with a 1/2 ton truck and 3/4 ton van.
I did however have a couple dodge mini vans that were probably the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned and they both had over 160,000 when I sold them.

 

[erie_guy]

Re: Sebring Convertible

I personally have owned or leased 5 or 6 chrysler convertibles over the past 20 years and never have had a problem with "sludge". I only keep them for 5 years or so and take good care of the engine and tranny. Change oil every 5 to 6K miles and do not overheat the transmission by pulling to much trailer weight. We tow a 1200 # jet ski and trailer and never have had an issue with any car.

I also don't believe the car ratings on Consumer Reports. If its not a rice burner, it gets lousy rating. We have loved all our chrysler convertibles and plan on replacing our 2004 Sebring Limited when it get a couple more years on it. My other car is a VW TDI which I am sure CR also hates - because it smokes their Toyoto Prius and does get 50 mpg.

The only engine problem I can report is that our Dodge 600ES turbo's engine blew a head gasket. Which we repaired for a couple hundred bucks before we traded it in. We especially like the smoothness of the V6 engine which consistantly give us about 30 mpg.

I say go for it and enjoy the new toy.

erie_guy
Port Clinton, OH

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Sebring Convertible

Should be cheap to get...it's the #1 car in Forbes list of fastest depreciating cars. Of course the fact that it has a horrible repair record may have helped.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/12/ca...os-depreciation_slide_11.html?thisSpeed=15000

 

[i386]

Re: Sebring Convertible

A friend bought a high-mileage used one and had major engine trouble with it. I don't how well it was maintained by the previous owner(s) so take that for what it's worth.

There were also problems with rain water draining into the car. It wasn't a leaky roof. Had something to do with drain tubes not working correctly or being stopped up. I don't recall exactly what it was but there was a lot of water in the floorboards and it really smelled.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Sebring Convertible

Hello from your friendly neighborhood used car dealer.

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT buy a 2.7 Chrysler below 2004 unless you know the history of the vehicle.

Two major issues with this engine:

Lack of regular oil changes causes sludge to restrict the oil flow to the timing chain causing catastrophic failure.

Water pump leaks internally into the crankcase causing catastrophic failure.

Because of this these vehicles have a extremely low resale value which makes them a bargain............but they are also "ticking time bombs" unless you can figure out exactly what you are getting. BUYER BEWARE.

 

[ThumbPkr]

Re: Sebring Convertible

If you can stick with the 2.2/2.5 engines you will have very little trouble with them.If you have to replace the head gasket there are gaskets available these days that will not fail again if installed properly,that is making sure that the headbolts are torqued properly.New headbolts are recommended and they are not that expensive.The headbolt diameter was changed from 10mm to 11mm in the production run of those engines sometime in the '80s and the torque values changed as well.
The engines are capable of 200,000 miles and more which has been documented many times.
The 2.5 with a turbo is pretty spry and makes a nice package in a convertable which is good on gas as well.Ron G

 

[piper_chuck]

Re: Sebring Convertible

I can speak from experience. I had a 2001 Limited. I loved the car, but it had way more problems than ANY other car I've ever owned. If it weren't for the blonde bimbo who turned left in front of me, resulting in the car being totaled, I would probably still have it. Problems with the car included:

The whatchamacallit that has all the wiring through the steering wheel went bad resulting in cruise control not working and the airbag light coming on. Hundreds of $ to replace.

A significant number of engine gaskets went bad resulting in leaking engine oil and transmission fluid. Hundreds of $ to replace.

I know there were many more problems, but these were two of the biggies. The car only had around 70K miles when it was totaled.

 

[gypsysoul]

Re: Sebring Convertible

Well for what it is worth, I have my sister-in-laws 2004 sebring convertible sitting in the backyard on jack stand with the tranny out. I figured on finding a used one in a wrecking yard. But low and behold every time I find one of these cars the tranny is already gone! starting to get the idea that is a problem. Tranny shop I contacted said they see them in there shop all the time usually 50-70 thousand miles. hers is a four cylinder so I don't think it was overpowered. as to if they are good cars or not I think any car can be a good car if it is maintained correctly. but I don't know the history on the one in my back yard. she purchased it used. just thought I would throw my two cents in.