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Chrysler Sebring Convertible adds deluxe new Limited edition
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Cruising Scottsdale Boulevard on a Saturday in January, the top's down on a deluxe new Limited edition of Chrysler's Sebring Convertible, best-selling drop-top in the country and surely the most handsome.
A warm Arizona sun shines into the leather-lined cockpit of Sebring as a compact disc discharges a snappy melody through multiple speakers.
On the instrument panel, the crisp new black-on-white electronic display of gauges includes a tachometer in front and center position.
Leather wraps the thick and sporty steering wheel, and power drives the buttons and toggles which control all aspects of this car's operation.
Underfoot, power lurks at driver's discretion, as channeled through a 4-speed automatic transmission that also brings clutchless shift-it-yourself convenience from Chrysler's handy Autostick.
And everything about Sebring feels so rock-solid and smooth, with effortlessly easy acceleration and agile lateral moves accomplished with the stable and flat stance of a racy coupe.
Did I mention it's absolutely gorgeous?
The slippery shape of Sebring Convertible features a curt yet aggressive prow and sharply canted windshield followed by fluid side panels which warp into the rear's smooth roundness.
What an eyeful: Those graceful forms spread across a broad stance that hints of strength and, perhaps, speed.
Since introduction only two years ago, Sebring has become the new definition of a classic American convertible, with plush seats for four, plenty of power beneath the hood, and such a streamlined package of elegance and style that the eye naturally draws to its fine lines.
Sebring follows in a long line of convertible classics from Chrysler -- Town & Country, Imperial, New Yorker and, most recently, LeBaron, which for the previous decade ranked as America's best-selling ragtop.
In today's market, Sebring Convertible has matched LeBaron's success. Also, sales records from Chrysler reveal that most buyers prefer to trim this car with fine features, which explains the emergence of a deluxe new Limited edition for 1998 decorated in leather and wood and outfitted with luxury and performance gear.
With production at a Chrysler plant in Toluca, Mexico, Sebring Convertible now offers a choice of three trim levels and two powertrains, plus a range of prices which cast it clearly in the affordable column.
One tester's experience behind the wheel of this convertible commenced with prototypes two years ago in the Santa Rosa Mountains of California near Palm Springs, where steep grades and twisty circuits challenged both engine selections and pushed Sebring's double wishbone suspension components to maximum tolerances.
Then in the chill of December -- least favorite month for a convertible lover -- a week's worth of home tests transpired with Sebring's fancy lid securely latched and a heater blowing at maximum velocity to measure the car's ability to weather the unfriendly winter driving season.
More recently, a boulevard cruise in the Arizona sun served as refresher course to reacquaint one driver with Sebring and showcase features of the new Limited edition.
These multiple experiences behind Sebring's wheel provoke several observations, the most important of which suggests that this car doesn't behave like the typical American open-top model.
Sebring, it seems, feels as solid as a sedan, with a stiff platform free of pesky squeaks and rattles common to a design which omits stiffening linkage of a roof structure.
To achieve this strength and torsional rigidity, Chrysler's designers drew for a platform not the obvious choice of Sebring Coupe but a mid-size sedan chassis borrowed from Chrysler's award-winning Cirrus.
The Cirrus chassis presents an ideal size upon which to build a convertible's superstructure, then special steel cross braces were added to stiffen the structure so it resists torsional twisting and improves driving traits.
This stiffness shows up in subtle ways when you slip behind the wheel, although the overall effect reminds me of the tightness and precise feel that usually comes only from pricy European touring sedans.
As a second point, new Sebring provides far more interior space for riders than the typical convertible.
The generous interior dimensions become particularly apparent when you crawl into the rear seat: There's actually room back there for legs and, with top up, heads.
Switching chassis from Sebring Coupe to Cirrus Sedan results in more than two inches of length added to the wheelbase, which not only translates to expanded interior dimensions but a smoother ride quality.
The suspension, independent in double wishbone setup with stabilizer bars in front and rear, generates an exceptionally smooth ride quality -- even if you accidentally slip the right wheels off pavement to a rough shoulder.
Variations between Sebring's JX and JXi editions become most notable in the suspension department because the latter uses stiffer spring rates for tighter tuning and a sportier feel, and it carries more aggressive 16-inch tires. Also, JXi has a firm-feel quality to its speed-sensing rack and pinion steering, while brakes link to an anti-lock control system that's optional on JX. The new Limited then adds traction control as additional standard safety measure.
For action, Chrysler creates reasonable choices between a twin-cam 2.4-liter in-line 4-cylinder engine and a single-cam 2.5-liter V6. The smaller engine, netting 150 hp, appears in Sebring JX, and the V6, increasing output to 168 hp, drops into both JXi and Limited.
Sebring's interior elements will impress and delight.
Front bucket seats, firm in European fashion, still feel comfortable after hundreds of miles traveled.
The power-operated convertible top, with nice headliner and glass rear window, scores with easy operation and secure fit for cozy winter driving.
Chrysler's ability to bring Sebring home for a base price of $21,000 positions it at the forefront for value. Even a fully loaded Limited lists for less than $29,000.
1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE Specs |
| Description: |
Compact 2+2 convertible |
| Model Options: |
Compact 2+2 convertible |
| Wheelbase: |
106.0 inches |
| Overall Length: |
192.6 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.4-L I4
SOHC 2.5-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS opt. |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
V6: 18/27 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 21,000 to $ 30,000 |
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