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Chrysler Sebring Convertible

461 messages,  Last post on Mar 04, 2013 at 1:03 PM

You are in the Chrysler Sebring Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chrysler Sebring, Convertible

Messages Page 32 of 47

#303 of 461 Solara or Sebring Convertible? by poeticsinger

Jan 09, 2007 (5:28 am)

Hello,
 
This is my very first post. I'm going to be buying a car in a about a month or two. I'm torn between the Sebring and Toyota Solara convertible. I've always been a BIG believer in Toyota and Honda. Their cars last forever. My boyfriend is a mechanic and he says that the Toyota is the better car. But for what I would pay for a 2002 Toyota Solara Convertible, I can get like a 2005 Chrysler Sebring convertible. Can someone please tell me if you have any knowledge about how these two compare???? Should I spend the extra money to get the Toyota?

#304 of 461 Re: Solara or Sebring Convertible? [poeticsinger] by jpf

Jan 09, 2007 (9:58 am)

Replying to: poeticsinger (Jan 09, 2007 5:28 am)
Your decision depends on a variety of factors. True, the Toyota is probably better quality. However, if you plan to lease the car for only 2 or 3 years, the Chrysler will likely still be under warrranty. You get more car for the money by buying the Chrysler. If you go with the Sebring and plan to keep it for a long time, you should get an extended warranty. The 2.7 V6 used in the Sebring had oil sludge and timing chain problems 3 or 4 years ago. I am not sure that Chrysler has resolved these problems. Good luck.

#305 of 461 Re: Solara or Sebring Convertible? [poeticsinger] by thegraduate

Jan 10, 2007 (8:21 pm)

Replying to: poeticsinger (Jan 09, 2007 5:28 am)
After 13 Hondas, my dad decided to give Chrysler convertibles a try. He had a LeBaron Convertible in 1994 (which he kept for 8 months and traded in because the dealer couldn't fix the problem of the car deciding not to go into reverse).
 
He later got a Sebring convertible, which experienced transmission problems, random stalling when putting the car in reverse, and a front suspension that needed rebuilding at 35k miles. He got rid of it with the suspension problem, right before the warranty ran out. They are BEAUTIFUL automobiles (the older 2 generations of Sebring Convertible anyway, I'm not a fan of the new style), but they aren't worth the tires they're riding on as far as our reliability experiences proved.
 
He's been back with Hondas ever since.
 
I'm a big believe in the Honda/Toyota reliability notion, and an even stronger believer that you get what you pay for. Be VERY CAREFUL if you buy a Chrysler, and make sure you get a warranty, and make friends that can carry you to work.

#306 of 461 Re: Seat Belts will not work in 1998 Sebring Convertible jxi [becnlyle] by smelde

Jan 10, 2007 (9:29 pm)

Replying to: becnlyle (Sep 22, 2006 4:46 am)
Tis Jan 10, 2007. I have a 1998 sebring convertible, and find that the seatbelts lock up on me sometimes, rendering them unusable. Have you found any reasons or fixes?
 
smeldecomcast.net

#307 of 461 Re: Solara or Sebring Convertible? [thegraduate] by poeticsinger

Jan 11, 2007 (4:23 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Jan 10, 2007 8:21 pm)
Thank you SO much!!! I think I'll go with the Toyota!!! Your response is GREATLY appreciated! Have a good one!

#308 of 461 Re: Solara or Sebring Convertible? [thegraduate] by poeticsinger

Jan 11, 2007 (4:24 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Jan 10, 2007 8:21 pm)
Thank you SO much!!! I think I'll go with the Toyota!!! Your response is GREATLY appreciated! Have a good one!

#309 of 461 Re: Solara or Sebring Convertible? [poeticsinger] by thegraduate

Jan 11, 2007 (11:38 am)

Replying to: poeticsinger (Jan 11, 2007 4:24 am)
You are welcome.
 
I realize, that our experience may have been particularly bad luck, but Consumer Reports really backed up our findings.
 
And two vehicles, with different designs, different transmissions, and different engines (the '94 LeBaron was a 3.0L Mitsubishi-made V6, the Sebring was a 2.4L I-4 from the Stratus sedan), and they STILL had similar problems - which just seemed a little too scary to go back to Chrysler Corp for us.

#310 of 461 Re: 2008 Sebring Convertible [jpf] by shopper_80

Jan 21, 2007 (12:48 pm)

Replying to: jpf (Dec 09, 2006 10:09 pm)
Very nice styling and I bought a Sebring a few years ago.
 
1) Just after the warranty ran out the head gasket went out. The dealer who fixed it told me that Chrysler has known about this problem as the gasket needs to be redesigned and they did not want to do a recall.
 
2) at 60,000 miles, the transmission conked out. Cost me a ton of money to fix and I then just gave up and got rid of it.
 
I got a Honda S2000, which is solid and reliable. But I now want a 4-seater convertible and I am seriously thinking about the Toyota simply because of the reliability. Toyota is poor in styling but the hassles may not be worth it.
 
I don't believe Chrysler / Benz can build cars that stay trouble free. The only thing they can do is come up with gizmos and style. The companies are run by finance and marketing people not engineers and they can't seem to get anything to work right.
 
The final reason is that even their Mercedes cars are unreliable. My friends who bought S class sedans have had it and now buy Lexus or Acura.

#311 of 461 2004 GTC by badgers

Jan 23, 2007 (6:17 am)

I know these aren't Toyota Solara's, but what can I expect if I buy a 2004 with 20,000 miles. It would be a 3rd car that I only drive in the summer. Probably 5,000 miles max.
This is more my price range for a "fun" car.

#312 of 461 Re: Discussion Group Revival [leebea] by mic11

Jan 31, 2007 (4:18 pm)

Replying to: leebea (Sep 05, 2003 8:34 pm)
No negative vibes please. I just bought a 99 JXI in mint condition and only 56k original miles. This baby was garaged and well cared for. Maroon, black roof, black leather. I love the way it looks. Rides just ok. Handles well. Poor power from the 2.4 auto transmission. I have been driving it like crazy for a month with not one stange sound. I plan on keeping for a while and want this forum to rock. If anyone knows of a site selling enhancement parts for this car, let me know.

Messages Page 32 of 47

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