Article Comments - 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible First Drive and Full Test

40 messages, Last post on Nov 24, 2008 at 4:15 PM

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First Drive: 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible - Punch line or not, the Chrysler Sebring has had a lot of takers. It's been the best-selling convertible in the U.S. for seven of the past 11 years, so maybe the joke's on us. (more)

Full Test: 2008 Chrysler Sebring Limited Convertible - s with so many things, it probably begins with looking good. And the Sebring Limited Convertible has the looks to attract many suitors, with a long, smartly styled hood matched to a high-waisted profile. (more)

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#32 of 40 Sebring Limited with Retractable HT Loaded by djennings Sep 27, 2007 (2:52 pm)
We've won one. Grand Prize at the Concourse De'Elegance at Pebble Beach August 2007. Hearing a lot of stories about retractable hardtop issues. What to watch out for? Will take delivery in a couple weeks./ Retail value was over $38k. Appreciate any comments and experiences of current or prospective owners. Thanks, DJennings Replies to this message: jackieh2 (Sep 27, 2007 4:52 pm) phillypa (Sep 28, 2007 9:33 am) paulh1 (Oct 03, 2008 7:22 am)
#33 of 40 Re: Sebring Limited with Retractable HT Loaded [djennings] by jackieh2 Sep 27, 2007 (4:52 pm)
Replying to: djennings (Sep 27, 2007 2:52 pm) Congratulations, dj. Read the comments on the different forums to learn what to look out for. The news is not good. I've invoked the VA Law on mine--bought it in July--it's been in the shop four times/39 days so far. It's been a nightmare. I can't say I've heard of problems with the retractable hardtop but they have the same electronics/mechanism as the ragtops. Hopefully you will get one of the later ones off the production line and maybe Chrysler will have figured out how to correct the problems (microswitches and trunk alignment I've been told) by now. They jumped the gun on this one--should have called Mercedes to ask how to design the retractable tops. Good luck. Jackie H. in VA
#34 of 40 Re: Sebring Limited with Retractable HT Loaded [djennings] by phillypa Sep 28, 2007 (9:33 am)
Replying to: djennings (Sep 27, 2007 2:52 pm) djennings - There are a number of postings regarding the retractable top issues. The last time mine failed was over two months ago and has never been fixed. It's been in the dealer several times but the replacement parts are also bad. I too have file Lemon Law papers. The dealers try to resolve but in the end Chrysler has been unresponsive to the issue. I've been able to verify they have my paperwork & assigned a case number, but customer service won't give me a contact name or number as to who is handling it. They have not called me even though they've had the paperwork since 9/19. I've also had negative experiences with the Chrysler Roadside Assistance when the roof/trunk failed and the car left me standed. There is a fear of damaging the car while towing it when the trunk won't close,so they decline to move it. You're left to drive it back to the dealer, trunk open. Each time this happened, the roof stopped part way through the process of putting it down. If this happens, try to put it back up and it may close on it own. The first time it happened, I pressed the down button again and the roof retracted, but the trunk didn't close. The dealer came and drove the car back to thier shop. The next time it stopped half way, I closed it back up and the trunk closed. Thinking it was ok, I tried again and it stopped again. I was able to get the roof closed, but the trunk stayed open. Do not try to put it down again or it will fail if you can get it closed. Take to the dealer and have them try to fix it.
#35 of 40 Re: Sebring Convertible Hardtop [toyeboy] by bert9 Sep 29, 2007 (6:58 pm)
Replying to: toyeboy (Jun 05, 2007 10:46 am) you did the right thing, the 08 sebring has no trunk room at all. you will need a real big bicip to pull down the trunk, with all the motors and pulleys to store the top, it's just too heavy.
#36 of 40 08 sebring convertible by bert9 Sep 29, 2007 (7:11 pm)
Chrysler did very well for the sebring convertible series, however, I am very disappointed to drive the 08.The ignition key has a buttom to open the top from remote, which is fine, but if you mistakenly push the buttom as you take the key out, the motor to open the top starts and the windows drops, which means you'd have to start the engine to close the convertible. It's just one of many disappointments. The trunk has so many metal componets that its very heavy,thus it takes two people to close the trunk. There are almost no leg room for the back seat, I drove a 01 sebring. That was a well designed car Replies to this message: jackieh2 (Sep 30, 2007 7:57 am)
#37 of 40 Re: 08 sebring convertible [bert9] by jackieh2 Sep 30, 2007 (7:57 am)
Replying to: bert9 (Sep 29, 2007 7:11 pm) I traded in a 2001 Sebring and wish I'd kept it. With Sebring's reliability issues over the years, I thought it was time to get rid of it even though it had only 33K miles on it. I liked the style, size, features, etc., of the 2008 so I purchased on July 11--probably one of the first off the production line. I've lived to regret it and have had multiple problems, mostly related to the top's operation, resulting in a Lemon Law claim. I thought I would take a replacement vehicle but after a lot of research, I'm asking for my money back. I can only see more problems with this car down the road. Closing the trunk is a real problem for me, a 5' 0" female but I knew that from the get-go. I'm interested in knowing the status of all the other Lemon Law claims. Jh
#38 of 40 Re: Sebring Limited with Retractable HT Loaded [djennings] by paulh1 Oct 03, 2008 (7:22 am)
Replying to: djennings (Sep 27, 2007 2:52 pm) I took delivery on Sept 20, 08 Limited with HardTop, in new 09 color (clearwater blue) and everything is great. Would like to mention that everyone should check that all options are installed. Mine was missing body color side moldings, and when I called dealer, he mentioned that this was 3rd car missing options that were included on sticker. They are installing today. Also, with incentives, I paid 29K for this care with a 39,500 sticker.
#39 of 40 No Wonder Chrysler Is Bleeding Cash by dgs4 Oct 24, 2008 (8:06 pm)
With crapola like this hardtop convertible the bleeding won't be stopping any time soon. Reading the headline on insideline about Chrysler firing 400 white collar workers inspired me to do a little research about Chrysler. For the life of me I didn't even know what cars they made as I have zero interest in American car companies or their products. I don't know how many times it's going to take for the American car companies to respond to review after review of complaints about cheap interior quality and poor handling vehicles before they do something about it. Well it's a little too late now with the financial crisis in full swing. Couple that with the fact most of these same American car companies put all their eggs in the SUV and truck baskets and I predict some major bankruptcies coming our way in the next 12 to 24 months. Eh, I say good riddance, make room for the manufactures who actually do care about stuff like quality, reliability, proper ergonomics, and gas mileage. The only manufactures who care about that stuff are Korean (Kia/Hyundai) and Japanese (Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura, Nissan/Infiniti etc.) Replies to this message: boris4 (Nov 24, 2008 4:15 pm)
#40 of 40 Re: No Wonder Chrysler Is Bleeding Cash [dgs4] by boris4 Nov 24, 2008 (4:15 pm)
Replying to: dgs4 (Oct 24, 2008 8:06 pm) I have a 2008 Sebring convertible and I am very happy with it. The 2.7litre engine is returning over 30mpg. Everything works as it should and I have it maintained regularly. If you look closely at the number of recent complaints with Chrysler vehicles compared to other makes including Ford, Honda, etc they are surprisingly few. I have a feeling that many of the complaints against Chrysler on this and other forums are mostly from people "brand bashing". In my opinion current production Chrysler vehicles are no worse than other domestic (and some foreign) brands and the unfortunate incidents that happened with sludging of the 1998-2001 2.7 litre engines is dragging down their overall quality image.