2003 Chrysler Sebring LXi Coupe

On the Olympic difficulty scale, selling sport coupes is right up there with underwater tobogganing. It's because any mention of "sport" gets a prospect's tail wagging in anticipation of the "utility vehicle" words that usually follow. So how does a manufacturer clear this hurdle and draw the eye of customers not necessarily in the sport-coupe mood? In Chrysler's case, the answer is the Sebring.

The Sebring sport coupe gets a sleek facelift in 2003. Restyled parts include grille, fascias, side sills, lamps, hood and trunk.

Introduced for 2001 as a clean-sheet design, the Sebring sport coupe gets a sleek facelift in 2003. Restyled parts include grille, fascias, side sills, lamps, hood and trunk—and two new exterior colors are offered. This wrapping cloaks an interior that's remarkably functional for a 2-door and boasts a freshened instrument panel in addition to new door trim. A 3.0-liter SOHC V-6 engine, standard on the top-trim LXi, pumps out a hearty 200 horsepower at 5,500 rpm. Class-leading flexibility comes from the selection of transaxles offered—a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic, or Chrysler's entertaining AutoStick, which provides the best attributes of automatic and manual shifting under one handy lever.


The Sebring's foundation is a stiff unibody. A single stamped panel covers the entire side surface to eliminate countless joints and seams, thereby improving appearance, mass efficiency, and door and window sealing. The substantial structure is immediately apparent the first time you close a door, encounter a bump, or round a bend. The sound of the door latch engaging is reminiscent of bank vaults. In fact, increased use of sound-absorbing materials makes the 2003 Sebring coupe quieter than ever and decreases noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).


Thanks to its sound foundation, the Sebring's steering is instantly responsive and dead accurate in aim. The suspension reacts to pavement imperfection with supple, absorbent moves instead of hammering the interior with punishment. There's ample grip to handle mountain roads with aplomb. At the adhesion limit, understeer builds progressively to warn you well in advance when to cool it. A traction-control feature that's included with both automatic transmissions helps by informing you when the front tires are prone to sliding. The only downside is that the 17-inch Michelin radials' whir is noticeable on certain road surfaces.

Inside, the coupe receives mild massaging for 2003. The redesigned instrument panel gets black-backed gauges, and brightwork has been added.

Front suspension struts are stabilized by means of a tubular underhood brace. The rear suspension is a sophisticated multi-link arrangement. Fluid-filled powertrain mounts are used to isolate noise and vibration from the interior compartment. Rubber-isolated subframes attach the suspension systems to the unibody front and rear. Power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes are standard, and ABS is a modest-cost option. The leather-wrapped steering wheel fulfills guidance commands through power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering.