1997 Chrysler Sebring Convertible JXi review from North America
"Quality...something it lacks"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Odometer and the Tachometer come on and function of their on free will while the car is running.
Unexplained popping noises coming from dash area.
Horrible wear on the drivers seat, even with leather treatment applied weekly since I came to own the car.
Driver's door is literally coming apart at the seems. The interior components are held to the door by this one way locking plastic pegs. Those pegs decided to stop function around the 4 birthday of the car. So when you shut your door the thing rattles and sound awful. Also on the door the molding around the window/lock controls is separating.
The car takes on water whenever it rains. Leaving you with a nice mildew smell for quite some time afterword.
Almost all the stitching on the top has came loose.
Headlight bulb replacement is amazingly difficult. You have to remove the entire headlight unit to actually be able to replace the bulb.
I have had to replace the rotors once.
The car also eats through tires like no other, these are nice tires by the way. I believe that is to be expected with a front wheel drive though.
Rear window defroster has never functioned.
The fabric lining the trunk is falling down.
The steering rods have failed once, and were subsequently replace by the dealership, under warranty.
Passenger window is 1.5 times slower than any other window to move up or down.
General comments?
This car is most comfortable, but it is lacking in the power department. The creature comforts are plentiful, considering the year, although it seems that the grand majority of said comforts don't function anymore. I have owned this car for 4 years, putting a higher than average number of miles upon it each year. The mechanical reliability of the car has been satisfactory, considering my daily commute, but that is the best I can say for it. The car perform it's job. It was my main mode of transportation, and added a little top-down fun on the side. However upon final consideration of this vehicle, I must say that I will not be getting another Chrysler product. Well unless they learn a great deal from their new German parents. My next car will be German, a BMW to be exact--hopefully it will make up for where this car fell somewhat short.
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| Bittersweet Misery |
| 1997 - Sebring Convertible JXI It is still a great car |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1997 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.5L V6 Semi-Automatic |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 5 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 7 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 25000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 127000 miles |
| Previous car | Mercury Cougar |
| Date of Entry | 23rd March, 2004 |