Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-56
Give it to me! I bet I can get 10 more years out of it. I live for stuff like this, taking cars that were one step from the junkyard and driving them for years afterward until the owners say "dammit, I should have never gotten rid of that car!"
I bought a 1998 chrysler sebring lx coupe a little over a week ago. My wife found the car and really fought for it. Now a week later I have to fix the alternator, Front springs are shot, passenger door panel is falling off, bumper is cracked in half and don't want to repair it because they are too low to begin with. Now I come across this site and am now scared as hell. to top it all off the engine is made by
mitsubishi? car shakes as well during speeds between 40-65 mph. Also shakes while braking. Completely disapointed with chrysler!!! Recall this wreck.
Well, before you totally give up on your '98 lxi, first keep in perspective that this is an 8-year-old car and is probably due for some maintenance, like any 8-year old car made by any company. Without knowing the miles on it, I assume that it probably has upwards of 80,000? At that mileage, it isn't unreasonable to have to replace the alternator, change fluids, and change out the shocks/struts. Your shaking upon braking is due to the fact that the previous owner didn't service the brakes like he should have. Your brake rotors are warped. It costs $9 apiece to machine them down to a flat surface, and another $30 for a set of brake pads for the front axle pair. Then you will be in good shape again. I hate to point this out, but you can hardly blame the cracked valance shield on Chrysler, because the previous owner obviously drove into a high curb while parking like everybody does, and you should have noticed that before you bought it. Any 8-year-old car will need some maintenance.
Unlike many of the previous commnets on this blog, I have a few questions about a current sebring I own. I have a 1998 lxi coupe. I am having some difficulties with the sunroof. it is rattling and when it is open, it shakes. it sounds like it might be loose on the tracks. however, I have tightened all the screws down and still a constant rattle. so if anyone has had any luck with fixing this problem please respond. Next, I have a loose drivers side window. same thing like the sunroof, it just seems loose. but before I tear apart the door panels I would like to know if anyone has had any luck with fixing such an issue. thank you.
I own a 98' chrysler sebring lxi coupe and it runs great.. i dont know about most of these comments, but something must b beatin out of your cars for them to not run well.. although the front is low that isn't a reason to blame chrysler for cracking your bumpers just be careful on the roads your driving on and you won't have problems... i had some squeeking in the brakes, but I took them out n they're fine then had sand in them so that fixed that problem... as for the shaking I havnt experianced any shaking over 60mph...I've had my car up to 125mph on the highway and I still felt as if I was in full control and it wasnt shaking like most of you are saying so that is something you need to figure out... as for the handling I've seen much worse, but the sebring doesn't handle as well as I would have hoped... you have to realize that evrything I say may not apply to you... well seeing as I'm just a 17 yr, old kid I wouldn't expect you to take me serious, but I've been working on cars and building engines since I've been 12 and I havnt found any problems with my lxi... only thing I've noticed is that the emergency brake light is on and stays on I've checkd all of my fluids and they're fine so I can't figure that out, but that's the only thing I notice...I'm planning on changing my suspension eventually, but as for that I have a great running car..
Well, well, well! I too must add my disappointed comments about Chrysler. I bought my '98 lxi brand new off the show room floor. Within the first year, I had to get new door handles, check engine light came on, doors sides coming apart, tint pealing, and cracked front bumper. After a couple of years of fixing this darn car, I thought I was in good shape other than purchasing tires every year and brakes (which is understandable living in the city). Well, since then, I've had inner tire rod repairs completed, ignition issues where the key would get stuck in the ignition (repaired 3 times), and still that unbearable check engine light. I consider this a DUD by Chrysler, and have came to the conclusion, that I too will NEVER buy another Chrysler in my life and would not recommend them either. My cousin is car shopping now, and she asked me about a Chrysler, and I told her "WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T GET ONE!" For those of you who have experienced the Chrysler nightmares, I understand. But those who have not, BEWARE and good luck!
I have owned a 98 LXI for over a year now. I don't understand all these complaints. It is an 8 year old car. Even an 8 year old BMW will need some work. That is why you have to read that schedule in the book that comes with the car. Past this, your brakes probably suck because if you drive like most of the people I see, you are WAAAAAY to hard on them. In reference to all the money yo all say your spending, I say you are not shopping around. Do not blame Chrysler for you paying whatever the mechanic asked. If you need work done on yourself, you would get a second opinion, right? Same should apply to your car. Shop around, there are honest mechanics out there! Let's put it this way, if you owned a $100,000 Beamer, you would treat it like it was your first born. Treat this car with the same amount of care, and you will not have all these problems! Respect your cars for God's sake!
I to have had several problems with my Sebring wheels/rims. I must have bought 15 over the years. Has anyone actually gotten reimbursed for their replacement cost. I remember getting a recall letter some time, but of course misplaced it.
I've had my 1998 Sebring Convertible for almost three years now. It had 66K on it when I purchased it on eBay. I've got 92K on it now. Never misses a beat. Great little car. All I've done is change the oil and wash it.
I did put new tires on it last week. I also had the same problems with water in the side panels that everyone has. Just opened the drain holes with a screwdrive and that fixed it.
Can't say anything bad about my experience so far. Of course, I've driven less than 25K over two three years, but it's been fun, and hardly a problem. Other than tires and changing the oil, I've not spent a dime!
Randy.
I own a 98 chrysler sebring 2dr hardtop coupe lxi, had it for about 4 years now. I washed the engine and it didn't start. The dealer claimed it was the distributer, but it wasn't, it ended up being something cheap. Cost to replace the distributor was $1200 with labor and parts, never again. One rim has bent since I've had it, but not much. $130 to fix. anyone owning a sebring beware of the bump on the road, your rims will bend easily. the integrity of the interior is going out, radling in the roof and knocks in the rear body area. Not even the 83 honda civic I had sounded as bad as my sebring, sorry Daimler Chrysler. Sebrings must be well maintained to run at peak performance, really really maintained, more than most other cars. Vibration in the front suspension, ended up having to replace inner and outer tie rods, much better. Cost $330. Bought different tires for the sebring because the originals hydroplane. Had to buy "continental extreme contact." Buyers beware when you buy "conti extreme contact", they do good in wet and dry, all the tires turned out to be bad. Two of them are out of round, and the other ones don't pass pressure testing. That is the cause for a rough ride at 55mph on up for my car. So get your tires checked or stick to the originals, I had a smoother rid with them. Rotors are defective, they warp too easily. I should have bought high priced rotors instead of the originals. By the way the car has 87000 miles on it, purrs like a kitten.
I also have a 98 LXI. I bought it with 48000 miles in 04, one owner & have since put 65000 miles on it (I know, I know...). I drive my cars hard & believe if I didn't, the car would be in a lot better shape than it is. I've had new struts/shocks replaced, 4 new tires, brakes, wheel bearing, door handle, right front control arm, now the left control arm, right sway bar link, the rims aren't great & are corroding, the interior of the ceiling is starting to fall. The car is getting old & for the way I drive, I'd say doing well. Not sure I'd go with Chrysler again just because I need something to keep up with my lead foot, but whatever. My question is & if anyone knows, please help me (!)... I just found today that the control arm is covered under warranty (I fixed one side this summer & now the other needs fixed asap). I called the dealership & they said it was no longer covered under the recall. I called Chrysler & they said I could have the dealership call the district manager & if it's a recurrence of the recall, it could be fixed. What determines if it's a recurrence of a recall? Please help!! I don't want to pay for the diagnosis if they're not fixing it under the recall- I have friend that can do it for about $100. Thanks!!!
Wow I just read through all these comments and I was horrified. What do you people do to your poor cars?!?! I have a '98 Chrysler Sebring Coupe Lxi and sure I beat the crap out of it, but I have never had any of the extreme problems with the car that are listed here. I bought the car back in 2001 with only 15,000 miles on it and now its somewhere in high 60,000's range. It runs beautifully and everyone who drives my car comments on how smooth the ride is. The car has never shaken on the highway and I have gotten it up the the 120's range. It also has never needed to be serviced for anything other than an oil change or brake pads. The only faults the car has are mine entirely; a cracked bumper from high curbs and a ding on the drivers side from a close encounter on the highway. But all in all this is a great car and caused me to absolutely fall in love with Chryslers. So please, if you're looking to point fingers don't blame the car for being defective, but rather blame yourself for not knowing how to keep up an older car.
To the person that wrote... My question is & if anyone knows, please help me (!)... I just found today that the control arm is covered under warranty (I fixed one side this summer & now the other needs fixed asap). I called the dealership & they said it was no longer covered under the recall. I called Chrysler & they said I could have the dealership call the district manager & if it's a recurrence of the recall, it could be fixed. What determines if it's a recurrence of a recall? Please help!! I don't want to pay for the diagnosis if they're not fixing it under the recall- I have friend that can do it for about $100. Thanks!!!
I just bought a 98 Sebring yesterrday and checked for recalls. My dealer told me it was still covered and I am getting the arms replaced completely free. Also, the passenger panel is coming off and my dealer said it too was covered!!!
Hi all, I have a problem with my 1998 Sebring lxi the check engine light comes on when cruising down the road. the code says a random cylinder miss fire, witch in turn gives me very pore gas mileage. then the check engine light starts to flash witch the dealeer tells me that is due to the cat burning the excess fuel in the system. and will cause it to go bad. but they cannot find the problem and where the miss is coming from. has any one had simler problems and what you did to change or fix the problem. email me if you can help.
Thanks Jason
ridenbanshee247@yahoo.com.
I own a 1998 Chrysler Sebring LXI. Am I happy with it? Not really. Does it look great? Most definitely. Have I had problems? Very much so. Rims bent - Premature rotor wear - Corroding rims - Loud Tensioner Pulley - Horrible Control Arms!! I mean horrible! Had to pay $400 to purchase 4 lower control arms and replaced them myself. Outer tie rods have play in them - The front strut leaked - Had to replace both fronts with Sensitrak struts from Monroe. Extremely bumpy ride. Hood hinge worn out and rattles as I go over bumps - Mysterious rattling noises from the front end of the car and sunroof. Loose drivers window shakes about 1/2" in and out. Panels came off multiple times - big trouble with those panels. Front bumper too low as everyone already knows. Transmission is leaking by the radiator - not a huge problem. There is some fresh oil under the engine so there must be a minor leak somewhere - brakes are very weak in this car - the car is too large for the small brakes. the exhaust front flex pipe and catalytic converter have holes in them and require replacing - about a $650 job I'm getting ready to come to terms with - Oh yes, I almost forgot the broken door handle I needed to replace, paint, and install myself.
Out of all of the nu-senses in this pretty car, the rattling, loose door panels, and loud front balljoints are what upsets me the most. If anyone else cares to chat about this model sebring, you can respond in this great message forum or even contact me at emo_man@hotmail.com for further advice/information.