Anyone with Chrysler Sebring convertible experience?

My wife and I are vaguely in the market for a sub $3k convertible, which means we don't "need" one and it's not a hot and heavy search. However, we both love convertibles and miss not having one. So I've started kicking tires on CL, and if the stars align, we'll grab one at some point.

How sporty/fast/GRM it is isn't relevant. It wouldn't be a DD for either of us. I've got my FoST, which I've come to really enjoy. She's got the minivan. This car would serve no other purpose than to enjoy on a warm sunny day, which ATL has a lot of. Use it to take the kids to school or sports...and I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't commute with it once in a while because 2 hours in rush hour traffic with a stick shift can get tedious.

For my budget, I'm more interested in finding the best car for my money. Very, very sadly, Miata is out. It must have 4 seats and room to carry school bookbags and/or some sports gear. A clean and not hacked E36 or Saab 9-3 with stick shift would be great if I find one (even with the traffic I mentioned, given my choice I'd still like a manual, but will live with an auto). But Sebrings' show up repeatedly. Even '03-'08 ranges can be had for roughly $3k or less for really clean ones...as in one-owner-suburban-house-wife-garage-kept-always-maintained clean. My wife would probably like it because it's automatic, appears to have decent room inside for a convertible and is newer (she's not a fan of older cars). I know they're the darlings of rental fleets, but how are they mechanically? I'm talking the 4 cyl version, not the 2.7 V6, which I've heard is really bad. Are they cockroaches that will run forever with just basic maintenance? If I was picking purely for me, it wouldn't be my first choice, but like I said this is a family decision and I'd want the best car for my money, regardless of make/model...and I want to make my wife happy. Her commute is 6 miles each way on suburban country roads, and she has the kids with her because she works at the school they attend. I'm sure she'd use it a lot in spring and fall. The minivan isn't her play toy, she's much more into cars than most women. She's just a good soldier and drives a van because we need one.

Yes, run away.

My experience was with a cheap '97-ish era one we picked up for my step son...then promptly had the transmission go out. I found another at a junkyard a couple hours away, had it installed, and it also failed shortly thereafter. I sold the car, lost my ass, and never missed it a second.

My experience with one tells me that the better option is to search for either a Solara convertible, Mustang convertible, Camaro Convertible, or possibly a G6 convertible (I know nothing about that one, other than it can't be worse than my uncle's Sebring).

Oh, forgot about the Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible. That might be an option in your price range as well.

Run away like a pack of rabid grizzly bears on speed are chasing you while you're covered in a suit made of raw salmon!

They are horrible, aweful cars, with engineering that makes the Tacoma Narrows bridge look good, quality control that makes GM products feel high-end, and electrical systems that make a VW-engined MG look like a good idea.

Did I mention that they are about as fun to drive as a church van loaded with NFL linemen after a game?

Seriously though, I have been offered numerous Sebrings with seemingly no issues for basically free and turned them all down. The local scrap yard won't accept them anymore!

I'd gotten a couple when I'd hoped to be renting a Mustang convertible but got the "or similar" offering.

A Solara is in infinitely better car in every meaningful measure. Go to autotrader.com and used the advanced search terms for body style convertible + price + distance + transmission preference and you'll be surprised how many choices you have.

Typing this again, since I think that Camry's do get kind of an unfair rap from me and this board in general:

The Camry, and Solara by extension, is an excellent car. Boring to drive and ugly to some (although I quite like the Solara's looks), but it is comfortable, reliable, safe, and affordable. I would take a Solara that was beat up and not well maintained over a pristine Sebring--especially in the $3,000 range. I'd even bet that the Solara is 10 times more fun to drive than a Sebring.

petegossett wrote: Yes, run away. My experience was with a cheap '97-ish era one we picked up for my step son...then promptly had the transmission go out. I found another at a junkyard a couple hours away, had it installed, and it also failed shortly thereafter. I sold the car, lost my ass, and never missed it a second.

The '97ish is a different generation than the ones I keep seeing. I think they changed generations around 2000 or 2001 and then again in 2008. I have zero experience with the Sebring, except I think I drove one once many years ago. Never really paid any attention to them until now.

Yes, the Mustang, Camaro, Solara and G6 are on the list as well. As I said, I'm less concerned about brand/model loyalty, it's more about the best car for the money. Since this car would be 75% for the wife, I'm trying to keep her desires in. In our price range, most Mustangs I see are mid-90's. I've shown them to her, and while she's not completely repulsed, she'd prefer a newer car. The Solara tends to keep it's value much more, I haven't seen many in our price range that weren't basket cases...same for the G6.

I may have been under selling it...

RUN AWAY!

The Solara is actually a decent cruiser. Camaro/Firebird convertible, Mustang convertible, Murano convertible, PT Cruiser convertible, Yugo convertible, Chrysler Turbine car, 1901 Rambler, Barbie Power Wheels Jeep, and a George Metro convertible would all be better choices.

Seriously, buy any other $3000 car and Sawzall off the roof. It'll drive better and leak less than a Sebring.

Klayfish wrote:

petegossett wrote: Yes, run away. My experience was with a cheap '97-ish era one we picked up for my step son...then promptly had the transmission go out. I found another at a junkyard a couple hours away, had it installed, and it also failed shortly thereafter. I sold the car, lost my ass, and never missed it a second.

The '97ish is a different generation than the ones I keep seeing. I think they changed generations around 2000 or 2001 and then again in 2008. I have zero experience with the Sebring, except I think I drove one once many years ago. Never really paid any attention to them until now. Yes, the Mustang, Camaro, Solara and G6 are on the list as well. As I said, I'm less concerned about brand/model loyalty, it's more about the best car for the money. Since this car would be 75% for the wife, I'm trying to keep her desires in. In our price range, most Mustangs I see are mid-90's. I've shown them to her, and while she's not completely repulsed, she'd prefer a newer car. The Solara tends to keep it's value much more, I haven't seen many in our price range that weren't basket cases...same for the G6.

I'd take a basket case Solara over a good condition Sebring, unless said Sebring still had a warranty.

Javelin wrote: I may have been under selling it... RUN AWAY! The Solara is actually a decent cruiser. Camaro/Firebird convertible, Mustang convertible, Murano convertible, PT Cruiser convertible, Yugo convertible, Chrysler Turbine car, 1901 Rambler, Barbie Power Wheels Jeep, and a George Metro convertible would all be better choices.

Fair enough.

I tried the Power Wheels Jeep thing. She bitched that it had no traction in the wet because of the plastic tires and the ride was too bumpy. Women...can't live with 'em...

I would assume that any used Sebring convertible was an ex-rental car. Did anyone actually buy one for themselves?

I believe Solara convertibles were exclusively purchased by Realtors (TM), so they've probably seen very easy use.

Obviously I have nothing of any value to contribute.

I'm questioning this, my dad drives these things exclusively. He wants the one with a four banger because they get great fuel economy, look decent and share parts with a billion other chryco cars. It's not a grm best pick but they aren't the junk that they are being purported to be. He has one that he dailies that has 340k on it. Good cruiser for very little money.

In reply to chandlerGTi:

Sebring Sedan /= Sebring Convertible

Alex77789 wrote: I didn't have such problems just because I didn't own Chrysler Sebring... I've heard toooons of complaints on the car and no wonder why this car is in the list of the worst cars of the year... article

That had to be the worst automotive article I've attempted read all year, and I read Jalopnik.

Did a quick search on Car Complaints for pure amusement. Did not disappoint.

Javelin wrote: In reply to chandlerGTi: Sebring Sedan /= Sebring Convertible

Not sure what you are saying, he buys convertibles.

Many of them have the 2.7 v6 which doesn't have a good reputation in some circles.

I recall briefly looking at a 2010 model back when that had the 2.4 "world" engine, and mpg wise I think was decent for a convertible ie heavier. And the '10 Sebring convertible body I believe basically became later model 200 convertibles?

Find an older Turbo LeBaron convertible, it will have less problems.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/5496832294.html

Saab.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/5509199173.html

We had a 240k 4cyl auto Sebring convert come in on trade. After a quick front end rehash and a oil pressure sender leak, we drove it for another 5k with the top down. Other than the occasional trans hiccup/weird shudders and the anemic acceleration it was fine. Wholesaled it for a few hundred bucks

I helped an uncle replace a camshaft that randomly snapped in his Sebring convertible. It was a big ol' hunk of poopy.

This is the fun part of doing this kind of "shopping". We're really kicking tire more than anything. If something that we can't resist comes along, wonderful. If not, we'll wait even into the winter or next year. I would prefer a Saab, E36, Geo Tracker or even the Olds Cutlass (I think they were cool looking), but if a one owner, all service records Sebring comes along for dirt cheap, I may still take a peak. Anything we get will truly be a sunny day, short trip car anyway, so we're not relying on it for daily use.

If you have time, don't settle for a vehicle that is easily in the running for worst vehicle on earth.

My S-I-L had one. A total piece of crap. My wife has had a Solara convertible. All we have done to it is tires and brakes.