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In the dead of winter, in the
northeastern United States and Canada, top down driving is purely a state of mind.
You would have to be crazy to roll back the ragtop when the thermometer dips below
32 degrees, but then I have always been known as someone who is not afraid to
take a walk on the wild side. And so it was that I found myself driving
down the highway at 65 miles per hour with the roof back, all four side windows
rolled up and the heater blasting warm air in the direction of my chest and toes.
The funny thing is I was actually comfortable and completely enjoying
the moment. That is at least until it started to snow. Oh well, you can't have
everything I guess. Even my so-called "born to be wild" nature has its limits.
Pulling off on the shoulder, the roof was raised into position in under
30 seconds. Soon I was once again cruising down the highway, this time enveloped
in a cocoon of relative silence and comfortable man-made temperatures. 
The 2004 Chrysler Sebring Convertible has been restyled for this year, improving
its already refined good looks. The new front fascia offers scalloped headlights
and a rakish grille. Whereas last years model seemed delicate and feminine, the
2004 Sebring Convertible appears chiseled and potent, in a Hollywood action heroine
sort of way.
The Sebring is available in five different versions for 2004:
Chrysler Sebring Convertible, Chrysler Sebring Convertible GTC, Chrysler Sebring
Convertible Touring and Touring Platinum Series and the Chrysler Sebring Convertible
Limited. My test drive was in the 2004 Limited version. New blade-runner
16" chrome aluminum wheels are standard on the Chrysler Sebring Convertible Limited
mounted with P205/60R 16 all-season Goodyear Eagles. Disc brakes are found at
all four corners, vented in front and solid in back, with 4-wheel ABS. A front-wheel
drive coupe, the Chrysler Sebring Convertible is designed as a touring car.
The front suspension is a double wishbone setup and the rear offers a low-arm
multi-link arrangement. Not a slalom driver by any means, the independent suspension
provides good road handling capability, but with a definite lean towards cruising
the boulevard. The rack and pinion steering is power assisted.
Power for
the 2004 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Limited is provided by a 2.7-L DOHC 24-valve
V6. Performance is rated at 200 hp @ 5800 rpm and torque at a strong 190 lb-ft
@ 4850. A 4-speed automatic transmission changes gears smoothly, with
only the slightest noticeable lag. Traction control is standard on the Limited.
Though you will probably never use it for towing, the Sebring Convertible offers
a maximum gross trailer weight of 1,000 lbs.
One of the most compelling
reasons to consider the Chrysler Sebring Convertible is that it offers open air
driving for up to four occupants. Roll back the canvas roof of the Limited and
let the sunshine take you and three friends to a warmer place. Unless of course
it's the dead of winter but we covered that earlier.
With the roof in
place, a glass rear window adds the convenience of rear defrost for those early
spring, or late fall drives.
An AM/FM 6-disc CD changer and a 150-watt,
6-speaker Infinity stereo system on the Sebring Convertible Limited augment the
good sounds of summer. In addition, audio controls are offered on the steering
wheel for convenience. The Limited surrounds its passengers in premium
leather seats, a leather wrapped shift knob and tilt steering wheel and a new
for 2004 instrument cluster with Camelot inserts. Heated seats also come standard
on the Sebring Convertible Limited.  Front seats are comfortable for around town cruising, and mostly comfortable for
highway driving, though I did find my lower back would start to tire after two
hours on the road. Luxurious faux wood accents cross the center dash,
surrounding both the stereo and climate control system. While I'm not in love
with fake wood, it seems to work in the Sebring Convertible, as it limits the
amount of exposed vinyl which would otherwise be overwhelming. Power auto
central door locks with keyless entry and power windows with driver's side auto-down
are included. One thing that is never a concern with any DaimlerChrysler
vehicle is storage. The 2004 Sebring Convertible offers ample space for CD's,
maps, coffee cups, etc. Whatever you can think to bring, you will most likely
find a place to store it. Trunk space is good, but as the Sebring Convertible
is rated a compact car, pack reasonably. DaimlerChrysler backs the 2004
Sebring Convertible with a 3 year- 36,000-mile basic warranty that includes rust-through
protection, and a 7 year- 70,000-mile powertrain warranty with 24-hour roadside
assistance.
There are those times when only a convertible will do. The
2004 Chrysler Sebring Convertible is uniquely designed to allow for open air driving
and space for four. If a reasonably priced, fun to drive convertible is on your
shopping list, make sure to take a good look at this one. Of course, bring a winter
coat and snow scrapper, because you never know when the urge to drop the top might
strike next.
JUST
THE FACTS
| 2004
CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE |
| Description: |
Compact
Convertible |
| Model
options: |
Chrysler
Sebring Convertible
Chrysler Sebring Convertible GTC
Chrysler Sebring
Convertible Touring
Chrysler Sebring Convertible Touring Platinum Series
Chrysler Sebring Convertible Limited |
| Wheelbase: |
106.0
inches |
| Overall
length: |
193.7
inches |
| Engine
size: |
2.7-L
DOHC 24-valve V6 |
| Transmission: |
4-speed |
| Drive: |
Front
wheel |
| Steering: |
Power-assist
rack and pinion |
| Braking: |
Power
4-wheel disc, ABS |
| Air
bags: |
2-
driver and passenger |
| Mileage
est.: |
24
City /36 Hwy |
| MSRP: |
Chrysler
Sebring Convertible: $ 22,665
Chrysler Sebring Convertible GTC: $ 24,140
Chrysler Sebring Convertible Touring: $ 25,465
Chrysler Sebring Convertible
Touring Platinum Series: $ 25,815
Chrysler Sebring Convertible Limited: $
28,275 |
Click here for more information on the Chrysler Sebring.
For the Chrysler 2004 Model Guide : Click
Here
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