Why the Sebring Convertible is Great

"JR1" (type35bugatti)
03/28/2014 at 11:50 • Filed to: Chrysler Convertible, Rant, Oppositelock

Long live the Chrysler midsize convertibles. For almost two decades Chrysler has been making a convertible based off of it's midsize Sebring/200 platform. In todays world of beige midsize automobiles this is something worth applauding. The convertible is a dying breed. Federal regulations almost killed off the convertible in 1973. Thankfully they did not. However they did manage to kill off a large market of convertibles across the automotive landscape.

Hunted like deer during a redneck holiday, convertibles almost went extinct. Think back to the 1960s and 1950s almost every car company had convertibles for almost every car in the lineup. The Ford Galaxie, Chevy Corvair, Cadillac Eldorado, Ford Falcon, Chrysler New Yorker, etc. In this golden era everyone could experience open top motoring without having to compromise. Open-air motoring wasn't just relegated to buyers fortunate enough to own a British roadster. The golden age of the convertible died off in the 1970s and with it the chance of having fun in the sun while driving died as well.

In the 1990's a renaissance brought the idea of the convertible back to life. Consumers finally got the beloved Mazda Miata. Surges of sunbathers were finally liberated from the fascist T-top crazed bureaucratic car companies! Convertibles were affordable yet again, unless of course you wanted a midsize car.

Thankfully Chrysler realized this in the 1990's and saved the day. The Sebring Convertible was born. And what a great car it was. Sure it isn't the fastest car but with the top down at 65mph who needs fast? The Sebring has character. It offers the driver the chance to experience the road and enjoy a fine summers afternoon with 93 million miles of headroom. You may be thinking, "This guy is an idiot a Miata is the best affordable convertible." I would agree with you the Miata is a great affordable convertible, but it isn't the best. The Miata has one huge problem. It is a roadster. All roadsters are useless. The luggage room provided by a roadster is less than you could get from strapping two saddlebags onto the back of a horse. Sometimes people need that extra bit of room in the car. Sometimes people need rear seats! Sometimes people want horrible 4 speed transmissions with anemic 200hp V6 engines! It all comes down to your priorities.

There is a reason so many rental car companies have Sebring and 200 convertibles. They are the perfect cars for a fun time if you have a family. Like every car the Sebring Convertible has flaws, in fact the car has more flaws than most. I forgive Chrysler and the Sebring however because once you take the car out and drive it on a nice sunny afternoon you have smile on your face. It lets you experience the fun and enjoyment of wind in your hair. Without the Sebring the Toyota Solara and Pontiac G6 convertible may never have been born. Regardless of if you like the Sebring or not it is one of the few cars that carries the torch for the American tradition of soft-top cruisers.

What is the best part about the Sebring Convertible? It is a great car to go hunting for barn finds. No B pillar, C pillar, or roof gives this car excellent visibility. Still not sold on the Sebring convertible? Fine, continue to dislike this car all you want. Drive one. I guarantee there will be a smile on your face.

Now if only the new Chrysler 200 offers a convertible. Long live Chrysler Convertibles!

Jarod Rose likes to occasionally write articles on Oppositelock because he finds it fun. He is in college and is attempting to restore a 1959 Lincoln (not his brightest idea.) He hopes you like this article and stop belittling the Sebring Convertible. You are making it cry and feel self conscious, jerk.

DISCUSSION (18)

CalzoneGolem > JR1
03/28/2014 at 11:53

Jarod Rose likes to occasionally right articles here

Sometimes I like to left articles.

JR1 > CalzoneGolem
03/28/2014 at 11:53

Shit thanks for catching that!

CalzoneGolem > JR1
03/28/2014 at 11:55

For what it's worth I've always like the Sebring for being the affordable midsize 'Vert solution.

willkinton247 > JR1
03/28/2014 at 11:59

Sebring.

That name is awful.

JR1 > willkinton247
03/28/2014 at 12:02

It is a terrible name, definitely no race heritage in this car.

AMC/Renauledge > JR1
03/28/2014 at 12:05

The Sebring convertible replaced the LeBaron convertible, which had been on sale since 1982. It was the first American car to feature the body style since the '76 Eldorado.

Chrysler wasn't responding to a trend. They started the trend anew in the first place.

The idea of a proper 4-seat convertible with trunk space is a great one. The reason it's now dead is because the Chrysler 200 was an unmitigated piece of shit. Its specific passing should not be mourned.

The fact that it was so bad that it killed the practical convertible should be.

Milky > JR1
03/28/2014 at 12:11

So after reading all that, its only redeeming quality is that its a convertible ….. with a bigger trunk than other convertibles.

Gotcha ….

moving on with my life now.

oldirtybootz > JR1
03/28/2014 at 12:12

"I guarantee there will be a smile on your face."

Because you know that it's not your car.

JR1 > AMC/Renauledge
03/28/2014 at 12:13

I don't find it to be that bad of a car I've driven 3 different generations all be it briefly and I liked all three. I wouldn't say Chrysler killed the practical convertible segment either considering they are the only ones that ever offered the cars for an extended period of time. I still think the new 200 will offer a convertible and people will buy it. It may not be the best but I will applaud the company for being different.

PheeNoIVI > JR1
03/28/2014 at 12:15

I just can't get past how ugly it is

StoneCold > JR1
04/02/2014 at 19:23

My first car was one of this car's precursors: A '94 LeBaron GTC convertible.

Loooooved it. So comfy, only stranded me once when the timing belt snapped (but non-interference engine, so yay!), took on quite a crash, but still started after that. :'( I miss it all the time.

JR1 > StoneCold
04/02/2014 at 19:27

I think everyone will always miss there first car, a first car that is a convertible is pretty cool!

Dream Theater of the Absurd > JR1
04/02/2014 at 20:54

You would not be so quick to forgive the Sebring's faults if you ever had to work on one. My wife has a '98 JXi and I have invented new curse words while wrenching on it.

JR1 > Dream Theater of the Absurd
04/02/2014 at 21:06

I have heard they are quite the pain in the ass from several owners.

Audistein > JR1
04/02/2014 at 21:42

I would say that VW has taken over this market. The Beetle seems to have taken the place of the Sebring. The Eos has a striking resemblance to the Sebring in terms of shape and size (I think), but I looked it up and it is much more than what I would pay for a FWD convertible with 200 hp, even if the top is metal and it has a DSG.

Also, the cheap Mustang and Camero convertibles have also sucked rental businesses away from the Sebring by being just a tiny bit exciting. It seems that's what the car hire companies are going for these days.

But, in my opinion, the used 3-series convertible market is what really killed this car. 3-series convertibles depreciate very fast, especially in California where the market is saturated. I think buyers turned to used 328i's because they were the same price as a new Sebring.

JR1 > Audistein
04/02/2014 at 23:27

I never considered that before but you are probably right. A used BMW is a lot more attractive than a new Sebring. Good point!

devinb > JR1
04/03/2014 at 04:51

I've driven them and they are boring, not good, not bad. It's a great car if you have no interest in cars.

JR1 > devinb
04/03/2014 at 09:36

It is a good fun utility.