by "Party-vi" (party-vi)
Published 09/19/2017 at 14:45
by "Party-vi" (party-vi)
Published 09/19/2017 at 14:45
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STARS: 1
I’ve got a friend that is looking into one of these. Clean CarFax, 2.7L with just under or over 100,000 miles, not sure yet. I’m apparently going for a test drive tomorrow. I know the 2.7L has an issue with water pump gaskets, and is temperamental if you don’t perform regular oil changes. Anything else to worry about?
"Nothing" (nothingatalluseful)
09/19/2017 at 14:49, STARS: 1
My buddy’s wife has an ‘05 that they bought new. They haven’t had any mechanical issues/non-maintenance related expenses.
"and 100 more" (nth256)
09/19/2017 at 14:51, STARS: 4
The 2.7 likes to make sludge. Pull the oil cap and look at valvetrain and inside the bottom of the cap itself for black goopy stuff.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
09/19/2017 at 14:51, STARS: 3
It’s more than just tempermental; it is THE engine you should think of when you hear extreme engine failure due to sludge.
"Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)" (bman76-4)
09/19/2017 at 14:52, STARS: 1
Don’t
"Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street." (demon-xanth)
09/19/2017 at 14:54, STARS: 7
The engine was designed by a manufacturer and not a mechanic. Some thing are a complete cluster to work on while others not so bad. But the car isn’t a tragic problem car. The upper water neck might go bad, has a book time of an hour and a half but takes 15 minutes with basic tools. The belt has a mechanical tensioner that is a pain to work, the thermostat is under the the alternator. Replacing the water pump basically requires removing the engine as it’s underneath the timing chains. But not much really goes wrong. Just squeaks and rattles.
Source: A household which has owned multiple Sebring convertibles (currently one ‘04). And now Miatas.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
09/19/2017 at 14:55, STARS: 0
Coolant bleeder housing (top of engine). The plastic likes to crack.
And yeah, these seem to be extra-sensitive to oil changes. By brother’s ’04 started knocking at 175,000 mi, around the same time that I replaced the water pump (which is a timing chain -driven PITA, BTW).
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
09/19/2017 at 14:57, STARS: 12
Friends don’t let friends buy Sebrings.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
09/19/2017 at 14:59, STARS: 1
When that water pump leaks coolant goes straight into the oil. I think replaced coils and injectors on some many years ago when I was still noobtech.
"Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street." (demon-xanth)
09/19/2017 at 14:59, STARS: 1
Replaced two of these. One of the easiest parts to do though. Just undo the upper intake manifold so it can be moved out of the way, undo the hoses and four bolts, reverse.
"DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By" (ducst3-red-1liter-standing-by)
09/19/2017 at 15:02, STARS: 0
I had an 01 with the dreaded 2.7. Bought cheap and sold after 30k after the head gasket decided it wanted to be 2 separate head gaskets. If cheap enough, go for it. Its an easy bargaining chip, just don’t expect it to last 5+ years
"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
09/19/2017 at 15:06, STARS: 1
Is this for a Lemons Race?
"Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever" (rustanddust)
09/19/2017 at 15:11, STARS: 1
I adopted a kitten that was found cowering on the rear bumper reinforcement of an ‘02 Stratus rental car. Wanted to name her after where she was found, so I went with “Bumper” (I figured a stray kitten had already been dealt a shitty hand, no need to call her “Stratus” for the rest of her life).
As for useful information, for some reason I want to say that they had trouble with rust at the rockers and rear doors, but it’s been years since I had one in the shop.
"someassemblyrequired" (someassemblyrequired)
09/19/2017 at 15:12, STARS: 0
Buddy had one- run away screaming. Total garbage.
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
09/19/2017 at 15:15, STARS: 0
The water pump is...under the timing chains???
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
09/19/2017 at 15:15, STARS: 0
Unfortunately not.
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
09/19/2017 at 15:16, STARS: 0
The car fits the budget.
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
09/19/2017 at 15:17, STARS: 1
Good tip.
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
09/19/2017 at 15:18, STARS: 0
Or anything from Chrysler from any era, except the Charger/300/Challenger, then be very cautious and selective about the post-FCA ones.
"Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street." (demon-xanth)
09/19/2017 at 15:19, STARS: 1
Yep
Ford Ecoboost is the same though:
"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
09/19/2017 at 15:19, STARS: 1
Sad
"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
09/19/2017 at 15:25, STARS: 2
What’s the budget? I can find you at least 10 cars better (more reliable and fun to drive) than the Sebring, no matter your budget.
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
09/19/2017 at 15:26, STARS: 0
I think it’s $2,000
"19JRC99" (19jrc99)
09/19/2017 at 15:28, STARS: 0
*sigh* Here we go again.
1996 Dakota. 3.9V6. 267,000 and counting. Only issues I’ve had are age and wear and tear. Starts as soon as I turn the key, and if my math is right, I’m getting like 19mpg.
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
09/19/2017 at 15:37, STARS: 1
I wondered if I should specify cars. Their trucks are often okay, much like most trucks (outside of certain models/years that had known serious problems).
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
09/19/2017 at 15:49, STARS: 2
Toyota Corolla.
"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
09/19/2017 at 15:56, STARS: 0
Tough budget. Let’s see what kind of goodness I can find with asking prices under $2500 (hoping to negotiate down to $2000). I assume you need a sedan (not a Miata or something else small)?
"Bytemite" (bytemite)
09/19/2017 at 16:06, STARS: 1
But what about a Pontiac Sunfi-
"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
09/19/2017 at 16:10, STARS: 4
Okay - here’s a few I’d consider:
2000 Camry LE with 127k - $2450
2003 Mazda6s with 147k - $2495
The Mazda3 looks like it has got bitten by the rust bug, but was a lot better than the 3's I found. From the results I saw, I’d say your best bet would be a Civic or Corolla.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
09/19/2017 at 17:39, STARS: 0
I agree, although I think at that price range you should be shopping private party.
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/19/2017 at 19:01, STARS: 1
My co worker’s developed a miss. It turned out to be a rear side injector which requires major disassembly like removing motor mounts and dropping the engine about 4 inches to replace.
He junked the car rather than pay over $1k to have it fixed. A 12 year old Chrysler....I hope it is dirt cheap.
"benchslap" (benchslap)
09/19/2017 at 19:39, STARS: 0
Why?
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
09/19/2017 at 21:22, STARS: 0
i was off - budget of $1,500. I’ve found a handful of cars on CL for him to look at. This thing is a 2 hour drive to go look at it.
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
09/19/2017 at 21:23, STARS: 0
because his fiance left him without a house or car, and he doesn’t have the luxury of going “ew a Sebring”.
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
09/19/2017 at 21:24, STARS: 0
Good legwork. I appreciate that. Looks like his even smaller budget is netting mostly late ‘90s Civics and Accords right now.
"RT" (rt-p)
09/20/2017 at 05:18, STARS: 0
!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GAZ_Volga_Siber
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
09/20/2017 at 06:59, STARS: 1
This is amazing.
"benchslap" (benchslap)
09/20/2017 at 16:06, STARS: 0
Well damn it’s too bad no other car has ever been made that might fit into his budget like a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla that isn’t a piece of steaming shit.
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
09/21/2017 at 08:39, STARS: 0
Moot point - I found him an Integra and he’s golden now.