2002 Chrysler Sebring Consumer Reviews

I love my car, but...

Written by: Shelly on 07/27/2008

Vehicle

2002 Chrysler Sebring LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

My mom and I had to finance this car due to my Baby Girl being in the hospital and my '97 Escort being out of commission. I love my car, it had 52,903 miles on it when I bought it in October 2004, in March 2005 I had to repair the transmission to the tune of 1,300 dollars, I have since put 1,200 into it repairing/replacing tie rods, ball joints, brakes, brake hoses, strut components, oh and you can't easily obtain some of the most important safety components, such as strut mounts, I recently had to buy a used pair of struts from a junkyard because the mounts rotted out on mine, and 9,681 other peoples Sebring and this part is on backorder until at least August 11th (possibly September.)

Favorite Features

My little 4 cylinder engine that accelerates like nobody's business. CD player, comfy seats, LATCH system, smooth ride, trunk space, passenger space, my pretty Metallic Hunter Green color. It's a family car and a performance car all-in-one!

Suggested Improvements

Better quality building and parts. Easier accessibility to parts. Better gas mileage.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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02 Sebring six years+

Written by: EAG on 07/14/2008

Vehicle

2002 Chrysler Sebring LXi 2dr Convertible (2.7L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Overall good car if taken care of. minor overheat problem and alignment. Interior seats don't hold comfort over time and tend to sag.

Favorite Features

2.7 Liter makes this fun to drive

Suggested Improvements

5 Speed option would have been better and added fun

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Looks can be deceiving

Written by: Joe R. on 06/15/2008

Vehicle

2002 Chrysler Sebring LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I am an ASE Certified Auto Tech who owns one, so knowing these vehicles is helpful in writing this review. The 2.4L DOHC 4-Cylinder has more than enough pep for running around town and on the highway without the A/C, but you can feel a big loss of power with the A/C on. The exterior styling has to be one of the nicest I have seen. The interior styling is also very nice, good layout of all the controls. The sound system is superb! This car seems to go through rotors from warpage quite often, it also seems to wear out outer tie rod ends quickly, and the auto trans in these cars go bad just looking at them, without proper care and feeding. Overall, I would recommend this car to a friend.

Favorite Features

The best stock sound system I have ever heard in a car. The chrome trim around dash gauges. The power moonroof. The wood trim on the dashboard.

Suggested Improvements

The A-604 automatic transmission!, the solenoid packs get clogged and results in delayed shifts, the rear planetary blows through the back of the case, there is a jerk on a 2-1 downshift. Be sure to use ATF +4 trans fluid only, NO Dexron/Mercon. Be sure to change fluid and filter every 15,000 miles

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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It's several years later from first revi

Written by: Shifter on 05/11/2008

Vehicle

2002 Chrysler Sebring DELETE GTC 2dr Convertible (2.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

It is now several years since my first posting. I still love my GTC, and it still looks showroom-clean. Twice the blower switch needed replacement, but aside from one headlight, the car has been trouble-free. The 5 speed is the best on snow and ice, and I like the control in rush hour (especially as a way of conserving fuel given the current cost). MPG in the city hovers between 21 and 24 depending on driving conditions. My second review (first in 2006) still radiates enthusiasm for this car. I still wish 1st gear had less resistance off the line, but all in all, I continue to love this car. A little Meguiar's Instant Detail keeps the black a high gloss and the wheels looking good.

Favorite Features

The five speed The roominess for four passengers For a convertible, very well insulated Four disk changer The absence of amenities and glitz is, I feel, a real plus. More goodies means, ultimately, simply more things to fix. The GTC 5 speed is simply a great ride!

Suggested Improvements

Still would like to see European-like flasher switch on dash rather than on the steering column. I agree that the battery is buried, and it is not easy to change a headlight.

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I love this car

Written by: mclaura on 04/08/2008

Vehicle

2002 Chrysler Sebring Limited 2dr Convertible (2.7L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I'm amazed at the problems I see on the reviews. I bought this car brand new, with 7 miles on it, and have had no problems whatsoever. It now has 54,000 miles, and I haven't even had to change the battery or the brakes. Everything is running great. I honestly can't find a car on the road that I'd rather have. Plus, even though the car is six- years old, I still get compliments on it regularly.

Favorite Features

Body style, comfort.

Suggested Improvements

None. The car is perfect as is. Maybe improve the gas mileage.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Stuck with it.

Written by: l3ri on 03/29/2008

Vehicle

2002 Chrysler Sebring LXi 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I got this car 2 years ago, used. Had 60k. Not bad for the price I paid. A couple months into owning the car, I noticed a slight knocking in the engine. I took it back to the dealer to get checked out. I was told there were no problems, everything was working fine. Six months later, car overheated and had to have the water manifold replaced. Seemed ok afterwards. Yet, a couple months after, more problems. The window control panel broke twice. Heat blower stopped working. Even with regular oil changes, the engine died. $2900 to replace, and only worth $3000. Chrysler needs to put more effort into making sure they are selling a quality product.

Favorite Features

Roomy, looks nice.

Suggested Improvements

Needs a more durable engine.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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I miss mine

Written by: Mike on 03/15/2008

Vehicle

2002 Chrysler Sebring LXi 2dr Convertible (2.7L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Owned a LeBaron b4 this one. Got 200K miles from that so no prob buying American again. Drove my 02 Sebring 2 yrs till I got hit by a drunk on the frwy. Hit center div & shoulder wall. Then took 2 head on hits while disabled in the slow lane at 5:30am. I opened my eyes and saw the 3rd car coming and jumped the heck outta there and over the wall. Yes I could still run and jump! That car was smashed up everywhere except INSIDE. The passenger compartment was largely intact. A front passenger would've been worse off than I, but there's no way I should've just walked away. My glasses scratched my nose and I scratched my finger going over the wall outside. Not another drop of blood spilt.

Favorite Features

What style! safety, Safety, SAFETY! Can you say "I'm lucky to walk away"? You should see the pictures of that car!

Suggested Improvements

I would've liked to get better than 22 mpg especially with gas prices the way they are now.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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A Piece of the 50

Written by: renewedamericanbuyer on 03/14/2008

Vehicle

2002 Chrysler Sebring DELETE GTC 2dr Convertible (2.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Formerly a Jaguar owner going through a mid-life crisis, I decided to bite the proverbial bullet purchasing a Bright Silver Sebring GTC. Though not a Jaguar by far, it is an absolute joy to drive, except for the constant, rough transmission shifting in and out of 1st gear (auto), rain dropping in with a window open (a simple rain drip molding at the windshield would solve this issue), cheap interior trim that even Hyundai surpasses in quality, lack of what we currently deem necessary standard equipment absent, unavailable, or non-equipped from the factory, and an enhanced ownership program would be nice, after all, isn't that what the merger with Mercedes was meant to do? Where's the substance?!

Favorite Features

In several ways it reminds me of the grandeur of the '50s Chryslers, though lacking all of the luster of the "new, pioneering equipment" that Chryslers were renowned for and held bragging rights to, the sebring is a joy, but seems to fall short of delivering absolute bliss. Owning a Chrysler again.

Suggested Improvements

Quality interior & int features and materials, enhanced std equipment such as: TRANSMISSION!, projector headlamps, security, std side airbags, seating surfaces, auto lamps, improved int lighting, a lot more "glitz", improved bumper to bumper warranty, improved dealer relations towards customers

1 out 3 people found this review helpful

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GTC Needs Something

Written by: snowdogg on 02/21/2008

Vehicle

2002 Chrysler Sebring DELETE GTC 2dr Convertible (2.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This car is fun but all the design/build shortcuts make it a question mark as to how long it will hold up. I drive more than 20K miles a year and can see potential problems ahead. At 50K the brakes seem like they need to be replaced, the suspension groans and creaks, the body has lots of rattles and there are small but annoying noises coming from behind the dash. The washer fluid freezes in the winter, the car takes very long to warm up, there is not even a height adjustment on the driver's seat and I can see wear on the convertible top from rubbing on the frame. i wish that I could say lots of good things about it. I really wanted to "drive American" but this unit is a disappointment!

Favorite Features

The best feature (other than the fact that it is a convertible) is the 2.7L engine combined with the 5 speed it is surprisingly strong and revs freely to the redline.

Suggested Improvements

Lumbar support, heated seats, locate battery under the hood (instead of in fender well - you have to remove the wheel to get to battery), better gearbox (very balky at times), foglights, a tab for rear window defroster that doesn't come "unglued" and windows that don't chatter going up and down.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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A Fun-to Drive Practical Commuter Car

Written by: W.A. Duff on 02/11/2008

Vehicle

2002 Chrysler Sebring DELETE LXi 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I did a spreadsheet comparison before I bought the car and am satisfied that I made a good choice. I have had more repairs than I anticipated, but it (so far) never stranded me on the road. Mid-grade gasoline provides good performance with the 5-speed manual transmission. I don't notice any difference with premium gasoline. The turning radius is too wide, but I am comparing it to my Mitsubishi 3000GT. I just looked at a another(2008)coupe, with manual transmission. It seems like a great car, but it offers too few advantages over my paid-off Sebring to persuade me to "upgrade" at this time. I will keep it in mind, however, as the Sebring ages.

Favorite Features

The manual transmission is fairly close-spaced, with a short throw. Coupled to the 3.0L engine, it gives good street performance. The attractive body and interior are strong and provide good protection to occupants in a collision. The sound system with cassette and CD is great.

Suggested Improvements

More attention to quality to provide fewer component failures/repairs would have been nice. Reduction of the turning radius also would be an improvement.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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