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a 'Decent' SUV Copley News Service It is what it is and it doesn't try to be what it can't be. The redesigned Chrysler Sebring convertible is smooth as a frothy latte with enough style, comfort and insulation to be a daily driver.
Sixty percent of the 2001 Chrysler lineup is new, and these were well in the works before the recent corporate power struggles between German and American management made Page 1 news. Cars such as the Sebring convertible, PT Cruiser and redesigned minivans are projects that are mile markers of Chrysler's progress in building solid, innovative vehicles. Believe it or not, Sebring has edged out Mustang as the top-selling convertible in the United States. And, yes, I'm aware of some of the quality issues with the previous generation of Sebring. Company execs say they have worked to exorcise electrical glitches and flimsy quality. What I experienced in two separate driving experiences and several hundred miles of seat time has been flawless function, adequate performance and effortless pleasure. Wind flow with the top down is comfortable at highway speeds, and even balmy with the windows rolled up. With the top up, the interior is quieter than ever, reinforced by a 3-layer top and more soundproofing in strategic areas. A big selling-point to Sebring is its back seat leg room for adults, who are helped into the back by a front passenger seat that handily slides fore and aft. The new convertible is available in three trim levels: LX, LXi and top-line Limited. The base price of the LX is $24,945, including a $575 destination charge. The price is close to last year's model, but it includes a more powerful, cleaner and fuel-efficient V-6 engine, four-wheel disc brakes, cruise control, power (and heated) mirrors and 15-inch wheels. The LXi starts at $27,400 and adds 16-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed seats, fog lights and an upgraded trim, trip computer and in-dash (single) CD. The Limited is $29,500 and comes with chrome wheels, anti-lock brakes, four-disc in-dash CD and a very handsome dark royal blue and cream interior. You can get higher technology (such as pop-up roll bars) in the comparably sized Mercedes CLK cab ($50,000) or the BMW 325i drop top ($37,000), but even the V-6 Camaro starts at $25,000 and the top-line V-8 Mustang GT is $28,000.
The differences add up to a small checklist, but worthwhile in making comparisons. The Solara comes with side impact air bags; the Sebring doesn't. When asked about pop-up roll bars (such as in the Mercedes-Benz CLK), engineer Burke Brown says that pop-up bars present more compromises, mostly in trunk space. "That's not what we want to do for the customer of this car," he says. According to focus groups, he says, "people don't feel threatened by not having those features." Sebring's safety list includes multistage front air bags, three-point belts with front pretensioners, three-beam side-impact bars and beefy reinforcement through the door pillars to resist crash intrusion. Horsepower at Toyota comes from a four- or six-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. Emphasizing the so-called premium status of Sebring, Chrysler passed on the four-cylinder engine and gave Sebring a 200 hp, 2.7 liter V-6, replacing the 2.5 liter V-6. Chrysler emphasizes that this double overhead cam engine uses a timing chain, not a belt that needs periodic and pricey replacement. Reinforcing the up-level image are four-wheel disc brakes, a power cloth top with glass and heated window, power and heated mirrors, cruise control, air conditioning, remote locking and a six-speaker AM-FM-cassette stereo. Sebring has a stiffer chassis, too, along with a little more chrome and conveniences than Solara has. Body shake is pronounced in the Solara convertible but hardly noticed in the Sebring. The frame was braced in key flex points that resulted in a 44 percent boost in body rigidity over the last model. The tighter foundation gives Sebring a better ride and improves overall life expectancy in parts that won't be shaken to pieces. Both cars have power tops that lower in about 10 seconds, but the Sebring can be put into gear and driven up to 15 mph as the top descends; handy in case of a summer shower or a shorter-than-expected stop light when you try to drop the top. Trunk space is important for weekend getaways, and Sebring has an 11 cubic-foot trunk vs Solara's eight. But Solara has a longer cruising range with its 18 1/2-gallon fuel tank vs. the Sebring's 16. Solara's V-6 fuel mileage is 21/29 vs. Sebring's 20/29 with the AutoStick transmission. Pros and cons aside, convertibles are more about emotion than practicality. And Sebring has plenty of emotion and practicality. The 2001 model is an admirable update on a $25,000 four-seat convertible with adult-size back seat leg room and a decent-size trunk. With styling that turns heads, Sebring is one of life's simple pleasures.
Safety equipment -- Multistage front air bags, automatic door locks, anti-lock brakes. Standard equipment -- Power folding top with four-window-down feature (includes interior color-keyed boot cover), chrome exhaust tip, tinted glass, halogen headlamps, power (heated) folding mirrors, two-speed intermittent wipers, air conditioning, carpeted floor mats, locking glove box with light, map pockets in doors, lighted vanity mirrors, six-speaker AM-FM-cassette stereo, cruise control, tilt steering, power windows and locks, remote keyless locking.
PLUSES -- Easygoing drivability; seat belts integrated into the seats are smart, safe and comfortable to reach and wear; roomy interior. MINUSES -- Fabric top cuts off over-the-shoulder views when backing out of a parking space; four-disc in-dash CD is awkwardly placed at the bottom of the center stack in the instrument panel (but it's still better than a changer in the trunk). News Index | Features Index |
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AutoWord Copyright© 2001 Copley News Service |
For a carmaker in turmoil, the remake of this breezy Sebring implies no shortage of resources from the company.
Sebring's closest competitor in size and price is the Toyota Solara ($25,000 to $30,000) and Chrysler appears to have taken careful aim to meet or beat it in most areas.