2001 Chrysler Sebring Convertible LXi from North America - Comments

Just wanted to add my own two cents worth about the 2001 Chrysler Sebring convertible and its engine. Bought mine brand new at a dealership in Ann Arbor, Michigan. My car just turned over 200,150 miles.

At about 75,000 miles I too had the water pump go bad, and it cost me $1800 to fix, mainly because while they did that repair I had them replace the timing chain, tensioner and everything else they could get their hands on while they had it apart.

I have put Mobil One in the engine since I have owned it. I have also had the intake system cleaned at Victory Oil Change every 50,000 miles, something that costs about $65.00.

I did go through a period three years ago where the transmission started to slip. Before taking it in for service, I used the Lucas Transmission sealer. Worked like a charm -- the computer eventually reset itself and I haven't had a problem since.

I too have had the sun visor clips break -- one on each side. Found em on ebay for $10 each and screwed them on -- a pain in the butt, but whatever.

Recently, I had problems with the electrical system. The windows stopped working intermittently, and then the windshield wipers and several other things would work and then not work a minute later. Went to the dealership and they wanted to replace some kind of wiring harness, with labor that exceeded $600. Took it to a friendly neighborhood repair facility (an honest one) and they found three frayed wires inside the door panel and simply repaired and sealed the wires. The cost $110. Works for me.

The driver's side front seat was wearing out big time about a year ago. It appeared as though the frame of the blasted thing was a bit bent, probably from my 220 lbs ass getting in the car with a plop (LOL) so many times. I inquired at the dealer -- forget it, over $500 to buy a seat and have it put in. Checked around at local junk yards, nothing that matched. I finally found a PAIR of seats with under 20,000 miles on them taken them out of a wrecked car in Ohio on ebay. The cost? You won't believe it, but I bid $90 (for BOTH seats) and WON. I got lucky and was the only bidder. The common carrier shipping of $110 was more than I paid for the seats. Had a local body shop install it and make sure the seat belt and air bag sensors were correctly installed for $30.

One big hassle that has ticked me off is the plating issue with the chrome allow wheels, which I paid $1500 more for when I picked up the car. These were the wheels that came with the limited. Their plating process is SO crappy that it peels off on the wheel's interior and causes air leaks where the tire seals at the rim. I have replaced these things 2x and it has caused me to prematurely wear our many tires.

Overall, the car his given me good service and great looks. I actually got into this car new on a lease and then over drove the mileage by 15,000 at the end of the contract. So I bought the sucker and when it crossed 100k, decided to keep it until it dropped dead.

I have heard all the horror stories, believe me. I have simply done my best to keep ahead of the game and baby this thing. I am a private pilot and I guess my attitude is focused around the idea that airplanes fly for decades and decades before being put out to pasture. Yes... every thousand hours or so an airplane has a new or rebuilt engine installed and there is an inspection every year. But you get my point. Treat it well, be aware of what is happening and even products with poor engineering will give you a good long life, you just have to deal with reality and not what you'd LIKE the design to have been.

How many more miles can I get out of this engine before the seals burst and send cooling gushing into the cylinders and it seizes solid? We'll see... -- Howard Morris.

I just found a 2001 Chrysler Sebring LXi Convertible for $4900. I will be going to check it out soon and can use any suggestions. I currently drive c240 (Mercedes) but I'm sick of the expenses. All the maintenance fees just suck my blood and paycheck out of me. Until now my father was paying for my car and insurance. I learned a lot by using Mercedes. What are the changes I will be facing? What should I be aware of when I go to dealer? What should I ask? What should I expect? PLEASE help.

I have had a 2001 LXi since 2002. I love my car. I bought it used with about 20,000 miles on it. I have never had the problems mentioned above, except for the damn visor clips. Oh well...

I have had the top adjusted once due to air noise and it solved the problem (typically convertible problem, not just Chryslers). Before I bought a convertible, any convertible, I did a search and found out the problems that ALL convertibles had and chose to deal with it so I could drive a convertible.

It's funny to read all the gripes and realize that some are bad luck, others are sour grapes, and some are from a lack of understanding about automobiles. I mean, really, I wish my brakes would last the life of my car, but, come on, they are brakes after all. Every mechanic recommends changing your timing belt at 60,000 on every car, no matter what. If you don't do it, then deal with the consequences. They call it maintenance for a reason.

BTW, I have owned foreign cars and three different makes of domestic cars. They were all similar. If you just "gas and go," eventually something breaks. Two friends both had their Honda's die because they lived "gas and go," no maintenance.

I love my Sebring convertible and always will.

Good luck.

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful and detailed comments. I was looking at a beautiful dark red convertible last night and came across this thread in the course of my research. Kills me not to buy it, but has saved me thousands of dollars.

-- Roy Zider.

I have a 2001 Chrysler Sebring LXi Convertible. I have had it about a year and it has 96,000 miles on it. I bought it from a dealer, who was also a friend.

It was not my intention to buy a vehicle this old or with more than 50,000 miles, but it was beautiful, blue with a black top.

The only problem I have had is an oil valve had to be replaced.

The top is still in great shape, so are the seats.

I have not had the visor problems I have read about.

My friend, the car dealer, did tell me this car is maintenance times 10! So, I have the oil changed every 3 months with synthetic, at this time I have all fluid levels checked/filled. So far so good.

I have had cars that have required less maintenance, but were not as pretty, and the handling is great. I read the horror stories, guess I'm fortunate to have bought one of the good ones! I love it!