In addition to smooth styling, the Sebring convertibles--like the Sebring
and Avenger coupes--are distinguished by exceptional rear seat legroom.
There's plenty of space for two adults back there, a rarity in ragtops
at any price.
Standard equipment on the base Sebring JX convertible includes dual
airbags, air conditioning, vinyl convertible top (fabric on our high-end
JXi test model), rear defroster, tinted glass, front bucket seats, tilt
steering column, map pockets, power windows and heated exterior mirrors.
Sebring convertibles come with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Sebring and Avenger coupes have five-speed manuals with the base engine,
automatics with the optional V6.
Let's start with the operation of the top. Instead of having to refer
to the owner's manual, you release two windshield latches and press a single
power switch. It's a handy setup when fair weather suddenly turns foul.
Once the top is lowered, it can be covered by a boot that snugs down
with easy-to-use Velcro tabs. And when the "up" button is pressed,
the front-seat windows automatically slide down about three inches to prevent
the windows from misaligning when the top goes back up.
The height-adjustable seatbelts are cleverly integrated into the back
of the comfortable front bucket seats--so passengers won't trip over them
while climbing into the back seat.
After bombing around town (top down, of course) in our JXi test model--which
was powered by the optional 2.5-liter, 168-hp V6--we don't think we'd settle
for the smaller (and noisier) 2.4-liter 150-hp four-cylinder that comes
standard.
In an automatic-only car, the V6 offers far better performance, and
we think it's well worth the extra $800. We'd also recommend the $150 AutoStick
option, which allows you to upshift or downshift manually by flipping the
lever left or right.
With the added power of the V6--and the increased responsiveness provided
by the AutoStick--the Sebring JXi provided respectable hustle in critical
passing scenarios. From a dead stop, the Sebring JXi jumps quickly out
of the blocks, though its 0-to-60 mph times are relatively tepid, and the
engine--particularly four-cylinder editions--isn't as quiet as some at
full throttle. But the Sebring convertible, as well as the Sebring and
Avenger coupes, don't pretend to be sports cars.
When negotiating hairpin turns and darting in and out of freeway traffic,
the Sebring's suspension was firm enough to keep body roll to acceptable
levels, and the power rack-and-pinion steering was precise enough to lend
confidence to quick maneuvers.
But ride quality is really this convertible's dynamic strong suit, which
makes sense to us, given the car's delightful cruising quotient.
Our first encounter with the Sebring JXi was last autumn, when the leaves
were just beginning to turn, and we headed straight for roads less traveled.
There's nothing quite so satisfying as twisting along tree-lined country
roads with the top down, and this is a perfect car for enjoying the bucolic
bliss of the rural countryside.
Visibility in all directions is unimpeded, and the windshield design
helps reduce wind buffeting.