KansasCity.com's view

Chrysler’s redesigned Sebring convertible has style, refinement. Chrysler convertibles have been popular since the LeBaron of the 1980s. In 1996 it became the Sebring, and it has been the king of ragtop sales since. The 2001, updated once again, looks to continue the trend.

Improving on a best seller is never easy, but the 2001 is better in almost every regard. It has more power, a nicer interior and styling that is miles ahead of the previous car. It borrows many of its styling cues from the restyled Sebring coupe and sedan, most notably the classically inspired egg-crate grille that originated on the Concorde. This bold front end is carried off on the Sebring with particular panache, and attention to detail, such as the small air vent under the winged emblem on the nose, makes it even better.

There are three trim levels: LX, LXi and Limited. Prices start at $24,370 and range to $28,915. The LX, far from a stripped-down model, has power windows, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless remote, AM//FM cassette and four-wheel disc brakes.

The LXi adds16-inch aluminum wheels, fog lamps, leather seats, CD player and theft deterrent.

The Limited, which was the car I drove, adds blue and cream leather, electroluminescent gauges, chromed wheels, in-dash CD changer and the AutoStick transmission.

Aside from the handsome styling, the first thing that caught my eye is the level of refinement evident throughout the interior. The Limited is the top-of-the-line model, true, and it was appointed as nicely as a luxury sedan. Its white-faced gauge package captures the elegant look of a vintage car while being thoroughly contemporary, and it blends nicely with the wood and leather trim used throughout the rest of the cabin. The radio and climate controls, borrowed from other Chrysler products, are located up high in the dash where they are easy to reach.

The large center console has cupholders that will hold a wide variety of cup sizes.

Because the Sebring is built on a 106-inch wheelbase it can accommodate four people, although in truth the back seat is a wee bit snug. But, then, what convertible doesn’t have a small back seat? Trunk capacity is reduced because the folding top encroaches on the space. DaimlerChrysler points out that the Sebring has the most passenger and cargo space of any competing convertible.

The 2.7-liter, DOHC V-6 that is standard in all models came originally from the larger Concorde sedan. It puts out 200 horsepower, which is 32 more than the engine used in last year’s Sebring. The 2.7 engine has been a dandy since its inception. It is compact, fuel efficient and smooth. Putting it into the convertible, which weighs roughly 3,500 pounds, results in lively performance, and that feeling of enthusiasm is particularly appealing in a convertible that looks sporty.

Fuel mileage is rated at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 29 on the highway.

The AutoStick transmission is an au tomatic that can be shifted manually by the driver when she chooses. While AutoStick can be useful in certain situations, I find its appeal rather limited.

On the road, this generation Sebring convertible feels much quieter and more sophisticated than its predecessor. Wind and road noise with the power top in place is not at all objectionable. Putting down the top and all four windows is a one-touch operation after releasing the windshield latches.

My one objection to the Sebring is the amount of wiggle and shake felt through the steering wheel over bumpy surfaces. This not a new phenomenon when it comes to convertibles, but I found it to be mildly annoying, especially since the structural rigidity of the body has been increased by 44 percent.

Price

The base price of the test car was $28,915. The only option was an ashtray. Add destination charges and the sticker price was $29,510.

Warranty

Three years or 36,000 miles.

To get i touch with Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tstrongman@kc.rr.com.

Point: Slick styling and luxurious interior make the Sebring one of the nicer convertibles around. The 2.7-liter engine has plenty of power, lowering the power top takes seconds and the blue and cream leather interior of the Limited model is sumptuous.

Counterpoint: There is a fair amount of wiggle felt through the steering wheel on bumpy pavement, and trunk space is limited by the folding top.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: 2.7-liter V-6
Transmission: AutoStick
Front-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 106 inches
Curb weight: 3,533 lbs.
Base price: $28,915
As driven: $29,510
Mpg rating: 20 city, 29 hwy.