2004 Chrysler Sebring Limited Convertible

Besides looking nice, it's also roomy inside with space for adult-sized adults. The front seats are comfy and supportive, but what's really surprising—this being a convertible, after all—is that the rear seating is for more than just kids or briefcases. There is plenty of head, leg and shoulder room for the lucky folks who go for a ride with you. Taking the top down or putting it up is done with a switch on the center console and one push of the button not only lowers the top, it also fully lowers all the side windows. Since the top must retract into part of the trunk space there's not as much cargo capacity as in the sedan, but at over 11 cubic feet it's big enough for a reasonable amount of luggage, duffel bags or that ice chest you haul to the beach.

On the Road
The 2.7-liter V-6 moves the Sebring Convertible briskly enough to get your hair all mussed up, and does everything you'd expect of a modern V-6; it's smooth, unobtrusive, well mannered, competent and responsive, and gives good power to merge onto freeways or easily and safely pass slower traffic.


The optional AutoStick—part of the Driver Convenience Group—gives the driver the choice of manual control over the automatic. Switched to manual mode, up-shifts are accomplished by tapping the gearshift lever to the right, downshifts by tapping to the left. In the manual mode the Sebring can start from rest in first, second or third gears—helpful when accelerating on ice or snow. It has certain default characteristics; for example, if it's in second, third or fourth, as the car slows to a stop it automatically downshifts back to first, just in case the driver forgets. Among its benefits, the AutoStick offers the aware driver the capability to hold the transmission in a lower gear while driving in hill country or on twisty roads.


The Sebring Convertible delivers a smooth, comfortable ride and easy control. Steering is precise, with reasonable effort and decent feedback. Ride motions are well controlled, bumps are properly absorbed, cornering is correctly sure and responsive, and nothing disturbs your completely pleasant progress down the road.


The Chrysler Sebring Convertible is exactly as it should be. (www.chrysler.com)