2010 Chrysler Sebring Convertible and Sedan
By: Bill Z. and Cathy D. – Two for the Road USA
The most interesting thing about telling someone you are test driving a Chrysler Sebring is they immediately say… I rented one of those in Hawaii or I bought one of those older fleet models Sebring for next to nothing last year. This is not the usual response Bill and I get when asked what we’re driving. We told people we drove the convertible and the sedan back to back. The reaction was “the Sebring comes in a sedan?”
This reaction made us realize that Chrysler has to work a little harder on the sedan; we’ve heard that will be the case in the fall of this year. The Sebring twins are considered a mainstay in the midsize segment and for different reasons. The rationale for this is the price and the passenger space; which is not always comparable in other midsize vehicles.
The present Chrysler Sebring sedan is the result of a full redesign that was undertaken in hopes of making it more desirable and competitive. Bill and I feel it has fallen short as far as luxury and oomph. The convertible is really more appealing than the sedan due to the fact it is a “convertible” and it is affordable compared to its peers. Let’s not forget the backseat actually fits two adults. It also offers a retractable hardtop for die hards.
(get it?) The sedan doesn’t have the fun factor of the convertible even if the top is up.
Base Sebrings start out reasonably well-equipped with full power accessories, front side-impact and full-length head curtain airbags, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, a six-CD changer and, on the convertible, a power vinyl top. Touring models get 17-inch alloy wheels and a longer options list, while the top of the line Limited features leather trim, automatic climate control and a premium audio system.
Standard on most Chrysler Sebrings is a 2.4 –liter inline four-cylinder engine rated for l73 horsepower. Optional is a 2.7-liter V6 good for l89 hp. Remember these come with automatic transmission for those tired of shifting like me. Fuel economy has a lot to be desired but with the price of these Sebrings, you can spend a little more for gas.
Here are some positives Bill and I found. The overall ride quality is one of its best points, it proves both comfortable and under control at freeway speeds. Braking and handling are good, though. Bill says the Sebring has a soft feel to it, exhibited by plenty of body roll around the corners which Bill seems to enjoy doing – not that anyone really cares except Bill.
Cabin space is on a par with the other midsize cars in its class and the Sebring kids offer plenty of head room (especially with the top down on the convertible). The cabin design is ergonomically sound, but the interior plastics sometimes made me feel like I was inside of a knock-off Gucci handbag.
Interesting that I owned a Chrysler convertible LeBaron for years and loved it, Melanie,
of Boomer and X owns a Chrysler 300 and loves it. My friends have a Chrysler Town and Country and keep buying them. Chrysler makes great products but maybe they tried to hard to be everything to everyone in that segment; when all they had to do was what they do best.
The pricing for the Sebrings - Convertible starts at $28,600 and the sedan gets you going at $20,500.
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