Faults:
There is not a major area of the car I did not have a problem with. The first was the power window motor, no big deal $200. 53,000 miles at this point.
At 55,000, the alternator went 60 miles away from my house, a friend picked me up and I installed it roadside. Parts were difficult to come by, my car was left for 11 days, and it still ran me near to $400. On the way home with the new alternator, the A/C was not functioning, so I took it in for service. I was told the compressor was bad, $250 installed.
I had a trouble free and smooth month and then it began making a front end noise/ vibration. Turned out to be a wheel bearing, ran me $175 labor on me. Not even a week later, I got cut off, and had to hit the brakes, and nearly rear-ended someone because the right front caliper bolt/pin assembly snapped, allowing the caliper to flap around in my rim. Exhaust had been making noise since I bought it, patches weren't holding anymore so I went ahead and replaced it for $900.
I at this point begin to shop for vehicles and slap a for sale sign in the window for quite a bit less than I paid.
The car must have been hurt by this, I noticed coolant when I changed my oil, and dark coolant in the radiator. We are now at 60,000 miles, and I'm looking at a head gasket?
That would have been lucky. After careful inspection, there was actually a crack in the rear of the cylinder head of the motor. Estimates were in excess of $2500.
I would also like to mention that this car was driven by an older adult woman, and then I babied the car from the day I bought it, It got a daily highway warm up, mainly in the right lane.
General Comments:
Overall a disappointment, I gave Chrysler another shot because I figured since the engine was Mitsu, that was a good thing. Apparently they are a lethal combination. Problem areas within the 13,000 miles of ownership : Major Engine + Cooling System failure, exhaust, brakes, A/C, Engine Electrical, Interior electrical Accessory issues, minor front suspension repair, WHO KNOWS IF I WOULD HAVE KEPT IT!!
I have now been driving a Honda Accord for the last 25,000 miles, and I have never been happier with a car.
18th Jun 2012, 18:13
The 2001 Chrysler Sebring Coupe is a very sporty looking vehicle. It has a nice design, and is made for 2, but because the only thing that is Chrysler is the body (the motor and all other parts being Mitsubishi/Lambert), the damn thing is very costly to fix, and parts are not easy to find cheap.
I love my car, but would never buy another one, even if they made the same thing now, and would recommend that if you are not rich and don't want to lose money, don't buy one.