2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
in Affordable Four-Seat Convertibles
Based on analysis of 18 Sebring-Convertible reviews and test drives.
Chrysler Sebring Convertible - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible ranks 9 out of 9 Affordable Four-Seat Convertibles. This ranking is based on our analysis of 18 published reviews and test drives of the Chrysler Sebring Convertible, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Sebring is an attractive convertible that provides plenty of standard features and good utility, but it can't match the driving performance or interior fit and finish of others in its class.
The 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible has an eye-catching exterior design, solid safety scores, the option for three different retractable tops and a lengthy list of interior amenities. But reviewers are generally unmoved by its road performance and have conflicting views on the cabin's quality and comfort. The Sebring has been the best-selling convertible in the U.S. for nearly a decade, but much of that success has been due to rental fleet sales. Motor Trend explains best the appeal of the new Sebring. "The new model looks better, offers more power and interior amenities, and now has a retractable hard top, making it more competitive with the G6 and Eos, among others. It may not be a sports car, but it'll make a lot of people happy while they're on vacation." But that rental car feel -- for a base price that's above some better-rated competitors -- is the reason the Sebring sits near the bottom of its class. At the Sebring's price, you might want to consider the Toyota Camry Solara Convertible or the Ford Mustang Convertible.
The Sebring convertible has been completely redesigned for 2008, but the sedan it is based on has been around since last year. It is available in LX, Touring and Limited trims. All three trims come with a standard soft top (vinyl on the base LX, cloth on the others), but a retractable hardtop is available on Touring and Limited models.
- "The Sebring convertible is still going to be a strong rental candidate." -- Motor Trend
- "It's reasonably priced, it's comfortable, it's easy to live with and it's a good looker. For many buyers, that's plenty good enough." -- Newsday
- "Overall performance and ride and handling yield mixed results. ... However, all such thoughts are whisked away when the top is down. A leisurely, weekend drive on a sunny day is the Sebring Convertible's forte." -- New Car Test Drive
- "With the hardtop, onboard navigation system, and the MyGig hard drive that stores music and even family photos, you're looking at a sticker creeping into the upper $30,000 range." -- Road and Track
- "Lots of virtue here, but the lust level is right down there with Whirlpool." -- Car and Driver
- "A veritable chalice of wretchedness, a rattling, thumping, lolling tragedy of a car. ... The Sebring drop top does something I thought impossible: It makes me long for the exquisite craftsmanship of the Pontiac flipping G6." -- Los Angeles Times
Sebring-Convertible Performance - 6.2 (Mediocre)
Reviews universally see driving performance as the low point of the 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible. The Sebring convertible is available with a 4-cylinder or two different V6 engines, but none of the three win much praise. Driving the smallest of the engines, the Los Angeles Times complains, "The car is slow to rouse, glumly servile at highway speeds, and when you kick the accelerator to pass it's resentful to the point of gross insubordination." Our full Sebring Convertible Performance Review compares the engine choices in more detail. continue
Sebring-Convertible Exterior - 7.2 (Good)
Many reviews praise the 2008 Sebring's looks. "Even with the hardtop closed, the Sebring remains sharp," says the Detroit News. "Its egg crate grille and sculptured hood work well with the car's large headlights and open mouth below the bumper. The lean cut lines along its sides stretch the convertible and the absence of rear doors eliminate the squatty look of the sedan." Check out the Sebring Convertible Photo Gallery to see the look yourself, or read our full Exterior Review for reviewer comment on the Sebring's shape. continue
Sebring-Convertible Interior - 6.5 (Mediocre)
Reviews often say Chrysler built a decent looking interior into the Sebring convertible, but unfortunately, it's one that won't hold up over time. "Some of the interior plastics, especially the stuff across the top and face of the dashboard, would be more at home in a $15,000 Dodge Caliber than a $30,000 Chrysler," according to Newsday. Our Sebring Convertible Photo Gallery shows the cabin in detail, while our full Interior Review summarizes reviewer commentary -- including some praise of the unusually large trunk, which Chrysler claims it designed to hold two full golf bags even when the top is down (hello, rental market). continue
Sebring-Convertible Safety - 9.0 (Excellent)
The 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible receives the highest rating of "Good" in insurance industry front and side impact crash tests, but has not been tested in government crash tests. Continue with our full Safety Review to read about more safety features. continue
Sebring-Convertible Reliability - 4.0 (Mediocre)
The 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Chrysler offers a standard warranty good for the first three years or 36,000 miles on the 2008 Sebring convertible. Our full Sebring Convertible Reliability Review provides more information on predicted reliability. continue
