Chrysler Sebring convertible question

[jjw]

Hello,

I have been contemplating a Chrysler Sebring convertible for a while but have heard so many good and bad things about them. Some people swear by their dependability and others claim they are just junk. I am seeing them all over in price and year range from $700 to $10,000!! Can you guys out here that own and or work on them or both help me in my selection? Are some years better than others?? What do I look for when it comes to looking at them etc? Any further help would be great!!!! I appreciate all your input and hopefully I will find a good one! Thanks so much!

 

[Funship32]

I suppose is does depend on what year you get but I own a '97 convert (2.4L V6) so I can only speak from the experience of it. For the most part it has been a good rig however I did have a spendy tranny failure after about a 100K miles. A rebuilt tranny later I was back on the road...also don't forget to service the timing belt...I didn't have a failure but you will have to keep it in mind. Other 'issues' that I've had with the car have been minor but things to consider:

The remote key fobs, if you use one, can only be programmed by the dealership OR by a locksmith who is setup to program them.

The tie rod ends are not grease-able from the factory (at least mine weren't) so if you get a high mileage unit, you may want to consider replacement of those items. They are pretty inexpensive from rockauto.

The dash on these units is KNOWN for having a heat related intermittent connection on the dash which blanks out the odometer/tach power. On my unit it is intermittent but it can be repaired and I plan on doing such. More info on that can be found here : http://www.allpar.com/fix/electrical/stratus-gauge-cluster-fix.html

So there you have it. Right now the rig has about 165K on her and is still running strong. There are some, what I consider to be 'minor' issues which I addressed. But other than the tranny which was a bummer, I wouldn't shy away from one.

 

[lewtot184]

i have a 2002 'vert. i've had to replace the wheel bearings, had a rubber hose go bad and needed the gas tank dropped to fix it, perpetual trans pan leak. suspension/ride is very sophisticated. other than that it's ok, and it's payed for!

 

[Hemi Rebel]

The new the better. RUN FAR AWAY FROM THE 2.7 V6.

 

[meskip]

Have a 96, owned it for, oh man, I don't know maybe 12-13 years. Fun little car to drive, & we really liked & enjoyed it, although now at my age, hard to get in & out of, being so low. But-------and keep in mind it now only has 70k miles on it, every brake line has rusted out, some twice. Crank rotation sensor went bad, that one was a real bear to diagnose & replace. Car never would make heat in the winter. Rack & pinion broke, that one was hairy! Oil pan rusted through. Now has numerous rust through spots on the body & is sitting with a blown water pump & another rusted brake line. My biggest complaint though is they are just miserable to work on, the way that engine is stuffed in there.

All that said, we replaced it with an 08 new generation Sebring & really like that car. Have not had a lick of trouble with it as it approaches 100k miles.

JJW, I see you are in PA, so if you buy an early model, I have a cheap parts car for you.

Skip

 

[MNBiker]

I have had experience with two, a 96 and a 2001. Bought the 96 for $500 with a bad tranny. Replaced the tranny and it it was a great car. The only other major thing was the valve cover gaskets. Daughter put a good 50k miles on it before she sold it for $700. We bought the 01 with the 2.7 motor and 130k miles on it. It now has 220k on it and is still going strong. Quick list of things I have done to it over the years....front wheel bearing, motor mounts, all upper ball joints, both front lower ball joints, rear upper strut mounts, and the normal brakes and tires. It has it's share of battle scars, truck backed into it while the wife was sitting in a left turn lane, son hit a deer with it. Tree branch fell on it during a storm, had to replace the top. Don't be afraid of the 2.7 motor, like any other motor, as long as it has been taken care of with regular oil changes, etc they are a great motor. Bottom end is built like a damn race motor, four bolt main caps, stud girdle.

 

[lewtot184]

there are two 2.7 engines. one is cam in block (?), and the other double overhead cams. mine has double overhead cams and has been trouble free, but i do keep the oil clean.

 

[Lazerwolf]

I own two of them, a 1998 and a 2002. The 1998 has 200K on it and never did beyond what I would call normal repair for a 17 year old car with 200K. Biggest expense was replacing the water pump/timing belt which is recommended at 100K. Beyond that, replaced all tie rod ends, all ball joints, both front wheel bearings, alternator and starter. Didn't need all that replaced on front end, but thought might as well while I'm there. The 2002 has the supposed "junk" 2.7 in it and has 150K on there. Only issue so far has been needed the water pump replaced. The 2001-2002 2.7 engine was suppose to sludge up, but I keep the oil regularly changed and flush coolant every year or two. Some people say the "I'm lucky" getting 150K out of the 2.7, but I personally think that are full of BS. Take care of it like every other car and there is no issues. I would not hesitate to buy either of these again.