17th Oct 2009, 14:14

I bought (or stole) my 1996 Sebring Convertible in Miami for $2250.00 in January 2009. The odometer read 67,800 miles.

The issues that it came with were a ripped drivers seat, broken rear window motor and broken passenger door lock. I went to u-pull-it in Davie, FL and bought a used leather seat, power window motor with regulator and power door lock solenoid for $50.00 and changed the parts myself. I used gorilla glue to redo the trims on the convertible top's canvass and where it was off around the bottom of the glass rear window in the convertible top. I use 20/50 oil since the thicker oil is better in the 90 degree plus Florida climate. It looks and runs as good as new, only I don't have to make any new car payments.

I love my 96 convertible, as long as the speedometer and gas gauge work, I can live with the tachometer and odometer on again off again problem. And if you remove the drain plugs from in front of the rear tires, the water actually drains and you will no longer have water in the car when it storms.

11th Dec 2009, 16:58

I've had my 97 Sebring Convertible for a couple years now and I love her. She is pushing 200k and everything's still pretty great except my power steering is off. I don't know what's wrong because the fluid level is fine, but when it gets cold for the first couple minutes of being started, and when I turn the wheel, it squeals horribly. Should I just replace it? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Oh and did I mention that this is the most reliable car I've ever owned? Besides the fact that she eats alternators and the water that gets stuck in my rocker panels, but so far still hasn't come in the car.

21st Oct 2010, 12:11

I have a 97 JXI Sebring in IL. It currently has 116,000 miles on it. I purchased it used several years ago at about 70,000 miles. This is the best car I have ever owned.

Yes, the top leaks sometimes (but it is a convertible, what do you want?). I have just had to keep up on the basic maintenance, & yes I include replacing timing belts at 110,000 mile as basic maintenance.

The car does have some electrical issues, which seem to be typical; mostly my idiot light comes on for no reason. For the most part, the electrical issues are nothing that stops me from driving.

30th Nov 2010, 20:00

Besides all those little problems, 97 JX V6 2.5 has been the best looking and the most reliable car I've ever owned. It has some electrical problems, but the main thing - the engine is perfect and it won`t let you down... I have 147.000 miles currently on it.