Faults:
First off, I do love my 99 Sebring Convertible. Now, I have read many comments about how horrible they are. No so for all.
I have had mine almost 2 years. Bought with 110,000, miles. The car needed some muffler work and the rotors and pads were bad. Also, the rear driver's side window fell in. Also normal for power windows and a uni~body.No biggie. This is normal for a car with high miles.
I have had all of these replaced, simply because of what I call "preventative maintenance".
Fuel pump, belts, water pump, timing belt, plugs, wires, clip on shifter (recall),blower motor (needed),new set of Goodyear tires (and still perfect),front end alignment, and maybe a couple more items.
General Comments:
OK...This Baby handles beautifully. The air is cold, seats are comfy as well. I am not too fond of the body "twist" it can have on bumpy roads (normal for a uni-body). The earlier Sebring Convertibles had quite a few problems. This model (99), has the Mitsubishi 2.5 V~6 and will keep up with many V~8's! Very reliable, so far. Just recently, with the heavy rains in the Waco, Texas area, I have had leaks. Mainly because it's time for a top change! The back window is coming loose. The cost for top and change is about $900.00. Not bad! Especially what I have been reading!
All rag tops are going to leak. When they need replacing. When I had her re~painted, I had them drill extra drain holes in the quarter panels. With moisture getting in... it can mess with electrical parts. You cannot expect a car to run for eternity and never need work! They all do! I do wonder why they put the battery inside the fender...bizarre!
When you buy a car, used or not... you cannot expect it to run for eternity on regular gas (I use super) and occasional oil changes! Convertibles take more maintenance, and you must accept this before buying. You have to care for the car like it is part of the family. I have my oil changed every 3000 miles and my tires balaced/rotated every 3000 as well. You will wear out tires fast if you do not get the front end aligned, and make sure you balance/rotate every 3000! Listen to your car! I know almost immeadiately when something is wrong. You mis~treat it... it will break down constantly! Oh, and avoid those Dodge 2.7 engines... they lock up at about 50,000 miles! Bad design!
Hope this helps! Oh... and NEVER use Pennzoil!! Neva!Oh, and as far as the floormat thing goes, getting tangled, that is a noted defect with the JXi and is a recall. Mine also did that, and I am waiting for the recall on the JX Convertible now...
5th Sep 2009, 09:35
I have a 1999 JXI and love it. Handles great, Runs perfect, looks beautiful. And if yours is bad it must be because of improper care> I believe that with every car. Leaky roof? not supposed to run through car washes or use pressure washers on them. Brakes? they always need changing after so many miles. Axle? how did the person before you drive it? I have always believed it is not the cars fault it is the owners for not treating the car right.