AFFORDABLE AND FUN
There are not many convertibles the size of the new Sebring on the market today. Even worse, there are none that offer so much room and advantages at such a price. In other words, it is almost unique on the market. No wonder it is the best selling convertible in America.
The Sebring was totally redesigned in 2001 and there are no major changes for 2002. Unfortunately, its coupe companion is no more available in Canada. But let's point out already the convertible is based on the Sebring sedan platform unlike the coupe that is on a Mitsubishi car. Aesthetically speaking, the convertible shares a lot of its design with the sedan but still keeps its own identity.
My tester was a beautifully appointed Limited version with silver body colour and blue top. Even with the top up, the car was nice to look at. The engine powering my front-wheel driven car was the 2.7-liter V6 DOHC Chrysler engine that delivers 200 hp at 5,900 rpm. It was combined to a four-speed automatic transmission that could be operated (almost) like a standard shift thanks to its Auto Stick lever. Simply put, the driver only has to pull the lever to its furthest point and tap it to the right to up shift and to the left to downshift. Acceleration is brisk and passing speed is reassuring as long as the transmission is kept in its automatic mode. If it's in the Auto stick mode, the driver has to downshift manually to get any kick down. Being shod on 16 inch wheels with P205-60 R16 tires, I felt the suspension solid enough to give precise road handling without harshness. Braking came through four disks with ABS and the system worked fine under any circumstance.
There are not many convertibles the size of the new Sebring on the market today. Even worse, there are none that offer so much room and advantages at such a price. In other words, it is almost unique on the market. No wonder it is the best selling convertible in America.
The Sebring was totally redesigned in 2001 and there are no major changes for 2002. Unfortunately, its coupe companion is no more available in Canada. But let's point out already the convertible is based on the Sebring sedan platform unlike the coupe that is on a Mitsubishi car. Aesthetically speaking, the convertible shares a lot of its design with the sedan but still keeps its own identity.
My tester was a beautifully appointed Limited version with silver body colour and blue top. Even with the top up, the car was nice to look at. The engine powering my front-wheel driven car was the 2.7-liter V6 DOHC Chrysler engine that delivers 200 hp at 5,900 rpm. It was combined to a four-speed automatic transmission that could be operated (almost) like a standard shift thanks to its Auto Stick lever. Simply put, the driver only has to pull the lever to its furthest point and tap it to the right to up shift and to the left to downshift. Acceleration is brisk and passing speed is reassuring as long as the transmission is kept in its automatic mode. If it's in the Auto stick mode, the driver has to downshift manually to get any kick down. Being shod on 16 inch wheels with P205-60 R16 tires, I felt the suspension solid enough to give precise road handling without harshness. Braking came through four disks with ABS and the system worked fine under any circumstance.