It’s called Sebring but is built off the same platform as the ChryslerCirrus sedan, not the Chrysler Sebring coupe.
Whatever the heritage, Sebring is the best-looking and roomiest convertibleon the market and more Sebring convertibles are sold in Chicagoland thananywhere else in this country.
The 2.5-liter, 168-h.p. V-6 (a 2.4-liter, 150-h.p. is the base engine) hasample power, but the 4-speed automatic transmission couldn’t make up its mindabout what gear it wanted to be in and when. Fuel economy is a very good 19m.p.g. city/29 m.p.g. highway.
Our test vehicle also came with optional Autostick, which allows manualclutchless shifting by slipping the lever into a second slot and giving it agentle slap to move up or down through the gears.
If you use Autostick more than three times before trading the car in, youprobably will have used it two more times than most folks.
Sebring’s vinyl top is power operated. Give the levers in the headlinersquick pull, press the button and it motors down rather quickly. Sebring comeswith two rear side windows rather than allowing the top to wrap too far aroundthe sides of the car. Those windows help side vision with the top up.
The Sebring JXi we tested had a base price of $25,040. It comes with dualdepowered air bags, ABS, firm-feel power steering, softer touring suspension,air conditioning, power door locks, power mirrors, power plug for accessories,AM/FM with cassette and CD player, power seats, speed control, tilt steering,leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever, power windows, power trunkrelease, tinted glass, and 16-inch all-season tires.
An optional Preferred Equipment package added $1,550 and included tractioncontrol, four-wheel disc brakes, Autostick, universal garage door opener andchrome wheels. The 2.5-liter V-6 added $800 and freight ran $535.
