2008 Chrysler Sebring

HTCV Convertible

-

Automatic

1C3LC65M88N285522

Gasoline

NO RESERVE!!!**ONE OWNER BEAUTY!!!** HARD TOP CONVERTIBLE!!! - MAINTAINED & TITLED IN FLORIDA FOR MOST OF MY POSSESSION LOADED, PAMPERED VEHICLE! 35,300 MILES! MINT! Steel That Folds What makes the Sebring Limited unique is the hardtop convertible, a $1,995 optional replacement for the standard cloth top. With the press of a button on the dash (or even the key fob), 30 seconds of whirring and clunking ensues from various electric motors and servos, the hardtop retracts beneath the hard rear tonneau and then the stoplight courtship display is complete. The Mercedes-Benz SLK reintroduced the hardtop convertible to an enthusiastic public in 1997 and now everybody is used to the idea, but this contraption really makes the Sebring convertible look way more 21st century. Hardtop convertibles are becoming more popular now, particularly in Europe where the added dimension of security ensures they can be parked on the street overnight without being molested. The Volkswagen Eos is a good example, and the Eos V6 competes against the Sebring here in the U.S. The $36,970 Eos has its price, however, and it's $2,625 more expensive that the Limited. The Sebring also has a larger trunk than the VW whether the top is up or down. Speaking practically, the Chrysler's trunk holds four golf bags with the roof up, two with the roof down. The suspension bits are standard-issue, with MacPherson struts up front and a multilink independent arrangement in back. There's plenty of potential for performance, but Chrysler knows this market requires soft 'n gentle. At times it seems the mere act of driving past a road sign warning of a twisty road will make the Sebring's front tires chirp in protest, while the body will roll and the nose of the car will show no inclination to follow the sporting line through a corner. As long as you're comfortable with that, the Sebring convertible is a comfortable car, as it's easy to drive and maneuver; a light-effort ride for the boulevard. While this raspy SOHC V6 hardly seems up to the high-output label that Chrysler gives it, there's a useful margin of power over the alternate 189-hp 2.7-liter V6 and 173-hp 2.4-liter inline-4 with which lesser Sebring convertibles are equipped. Its 235 hp and corresponding 232 pound-feet of torque are more than sufficient for what this front-wheel-drive chassis can handle. The heavy 3,959-pound Limited hits 60 mph from a standstill in a sedate 8.3 seconds, while the quarter-mile is eventually dispatched in 16.3 seconds at 86.3 mph. The next step along the drivetrain is a perfectly adequate six-speed automatic transmission that only occasionally emits a mild thunk when changing gear. Just put it into Drive and forget it. You can bring the lever into manual mode, but this is a practical matter for ascending hills or descending them, not an opportunity for sporting diversion. The fuel economy is not impressive either and we observed an average of 19.6 mpg. Altogether, pleasantries are thin on the ground when describing the driving experience. The steering offers little feel or feedback. It took us 133 feet to come to a full stop from 60 mph, which is a measure of this car's sizable weight. The brake pedal has a long, soft action that inspires little more than an urge to hit the anchors much earlier whenever a bend approaches. Practical Indulgence A convertible speaks to anyone who has a feel for luxurious indulgence, but women are far too intelligent for such a thing these days, especially since the latest marketing research suggests that these smartest of consumers are not in a spending mood at the moment. Yet the 2008 Sebring Limited Convertible attracts the interest of women because so much style and luxury seems like a more practical proposition. A hardtop promises safety, security and long-term weather protection. Meanwhile, a four-passenger package is practical as a real everyday car. While the Sebring hardtop is hardly a threat to the Mercedes-Benz CLK, it promises the same thrill of open-air driving, and the fact that it makes such a thing remotely possible for so many people adds to its charm. This promise is what attracted so many women to this car during our test-drive. This is a clientele that any carmaker would love to have, the smartest, best informed and most style-conscious segment of the population. But if the Sebring hardtop hopes to entice women into a longer relationship than an interlude at the rental car counter during a fun-filled vacation, it needs to back up the promises it makes with a more convincing impression of quality. Model year2008 MakeChrysler ModelSebring StyleLimited 2dr Convertible (3.5L 6cyl 6A) Base MSRP$32,345 WarrantyBumper-to-bumper3 years/36,000 milesPowertrain3 years/36,000 milesCorrosion5 years/100,000 milesRoadside assistance3 years/36,000 milesFree scheduled maintenanceNot available Safety KELLY BLUE BOOK! edit options change style 2008 Chrysler Sebring Limited Convertible 2D Mileage: 34,000 change pricing See Trade-In/Sell Values Used Car Prices Suggested Retail Private Party Excellent $16,882 Verify Condition Very Good $16,432 tire pressure monitoring