Day-by-Day Review: 2007 Chrysler Sebring Sedan

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September 10th, 2007 by James Bergeron

Picture Gallery: 2007 Chrysler Sebring Sedan | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4

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It has been quite the busy past few days for me, but it seems like it may have settled down a little bit now that the long weekend is behind me and I’m back to the grind. Why is it when there is a holiday I am always busier than when there is no holiday? I always seem to need a holiday from my holiday to rest up. Anyway, as I said, back to the grind and another car to review for this week.

This week’s car is the new Sebring from Chrysler. Available as both a sedan and convertible, the Sebring has been completely redesigned for 2007.

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The Sebring starts at only $22,995 for the base model equipped with a 2.4L four cylinder engine and a four speed automatic transmission. Other models include the 2.7L V6 engine with four speed auto and my tester which is the high output V6 model featuring a 3.5L V6 and six-speed auto stick transmission.

My tester is classified as the Touring model; besides the larger, more powerful engine and six-speed automatic transmission a few other features are included, such as automatic climate control, a touring suspension package, automatic headlamps and an eight-way power adjustable seat.

On the outside the new Sebring is refreshing compared to the outgoing model, which in my opinion was severely dated looking. The sculpted hood gives the Sebring a sporty demeanor reminding you of the Chrysler Crossfire. While waiting around to receive the vehicle I took a peek in an older Sebring to refresh my memory. On the inside changes are not that drastic from the outgoing model.

Yes, the steering wheel and dash controls are different, as well as the overall colour schemes, but some of the basic design elements are very similar. The four-spoked steering wheel and the black text on white gauges have not changed, and the HVAC controls and radio are in nearly identical locations.

2007 Chrysler Sebring Sedan
MSRP as tested: $29,435

For more information on Chrysler and the Sebring visit Chrysler Canada

Day 2:

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So much for things settling down after the holiday! I’ve put a good 150km on the Sebring since yesterday, driving around like a mad man to look at homes. You see, so many cars has me in a pickle: I have no place to park them and need more land and more garage space.

At least all this running around has allowed me to get some mileage onto the Sebring in both the city and on the highway, and the constant in and out of the car has allowed me to get a feel for how it would be for the average person going shopping or using the car day in and day out. More so than my regular routine, where I may enter and exit the car only a few times a day.

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Ingress and egress is actually really easy and has made this whole running around problem a little less annoying. The only small annoyance is the doors will sometimes close themselves on my foot or leg when getting in, the detents are not pronounced enough to grab the door and lock it into position. The rear doors are especially bad for this — the door closed on my leg 3 times yesterday, and it hurts.

The gauge cluster is easy to read, but I am not a fan of the green lighting treatment Chrysler has given the Sebring. Together with the black radio just jammed into the nicely designed HVAC unit and dash, it looks kind of cheap. The green is very early-1990’s in feel, and so is the radio. The odd part is it makes me feel like I’m driving a Ford; have Ford and Chrysler merged and not told anyone? The interior lighting and radio treatment are nearly identical.

The seats are pretty comfortably on the Sebring, although hard as a rock — I have not had any back problems though, so they get a thumbs up from me. All switches and controls are easy to reach; my only complaint is the flat sided dash layout and vents that are not that easy to use at first; they are a little finicky.

There’s good head and leg room and good trunk space despite the short rear deck that lends to a disproportioned look at the rear. The automatic climate control works seamlessly. I have yet to touch it and you can barely hear the fan going as it brings the cabin down to temperature after a warm day sitting in the sun. All in all, not as bad as some comments on the blog may lead you to believe.

Day 3:

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I have put quite a few kilometers on the Sebring now and have a love hate relationship with it at the moment. On one hand, it is quick and fairly quiet except for some wind noise from the passenger side A-pillar. On the other hand the engine is fairly grumbly and loud on acceleration and the transmission can shift hard.

When the transmission is cold, the six-speed seems to shift rather harshly from first to second; this isn’t uncommon on many automatics but it seems to hunt a little with this one. The transmission also seems to hunt a little when you put your foot to the floor, today I needed a quick get away and it shifted down a few gears made a bunch of noise and did nothing until it up-shifted again — which gets me to my next point.

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The engine is rather noisy for a V6 when under acceleration, although it does sound very smooth and fairly refined. Power delivery is good for the first 4000 or so RPM but it seems to drop off as you approach redline, causing a lot of noise but little acceleration. The other oddity with the transmission and engine combination is the quickness of the shifts. Get on the gas from a light and you will notice gears one, two and three go by in a flash.

Get on the highway though and sixth gear is a lovely cruising gear, at 120km/h the engine is turning barely over 2000rpm. The suspension is soft and allows bumps and potholes to be absorbed well. This, of course, affects handling, but for the average person there are no red flags to put up regarding the handling. The Sebring feels solid and confident on the road.

My tester has over 12,000km on the odometer, which in terms of a press fleet vehicle is rather high; it is getting near the end of its life. The power steering makes odd noises once-in-a-while when turning left, but as far as I can tell this is the only noticeable flaw and perhaps it isn’t a flaw at all — perhaps it’s just a noisy steering pump.

Day 4:

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For some reason, the entire week I drove around in the Sebring I never turned the radio up. It was playing quietly in the background — barely audible. I was driving around yesterday and noticed that the front speakers have a label that reads “Boston Accoustics” — that certainly piqued my interest.

So I finally I played with some of the settings, found a good song on the radio and cranked it. Just as I suspected, the stereo in the Sebring is excellent, offering unbelievably clear bass with great punch and clear mid range — most impressive.

Now what is somewhat less impressive is the fuel mileage I achieved in the Sebring this week. Perhaps I did more city driving than usual with very little highway, but even so I averaged a quite pitiful 14.1L/100km. That is small to mid-sized SUV-type fuel mileage for my driving habits.

So the Sebring turned out a little better than I had anticipated originally, basing my assumptions from having had a short ride in one a few months back. I was very disappointed in the fuel mileage and I would like a little less noise from the engine and transmission on acceleration, but overall the Sebring seems to be a good package.

*Rating out of 5:

2007 Chrysler Sebring
Acceleration
Handling
Comfort
Interior
Audio System
Gas Mileage

*Rating based on vehicle’s classification

2007 Chrysler Sebring Sedan
MSRP as tested: $29,435

For more information on Chrysler and the Sebring visit Chrysler Canada

This entry was posted on Monday, September 10th, 2007 at 8:02 pm and is filed under Sedans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

17 Responses to “Day-by-Day Review: 2007 Chrysler Sebring Sedan”

Sir Meow Says:
September 06, 2007, 11:02:23 am Wow this should be interesting week. I can't see you like a Sebring. Very in ya face North Ameican Styling.

I heard it is a very heavy car and don't go around bends too well, suffers from too much wind and engine noise so I guess will find out the truth this week. Cause it does look great in a NA kinda way.
carcrazed Says:
September 06, 2007, 11:21:07 am The proportions don't seem right on this car.. looks somewhat top-heavy..
And for the Touring model, it's got pretty small wheels.
sirAQUAMAN64 Says:
September 06, 2007, 11:27:26 am I don't mind the distictive front, hood, or side of the car... nice profile, but at the rear it falls apart. On the upside, the YesEssentials fabric is a great idea, rubbery but durable interior, and I found it roomier than I thought it would be.
mmret Says:
September 06, 2007, 12:04:06 pm
Quote from: wing on September 06, 2007, 11:59:48 am
Why is it when there is a holiday I am always busier than when there is no holiday?

Because mush head testers don't actually have any work.
carcrazy Says:
September 06, 2007, 12:37:53 pm Hey Wing, what did you do wrong to get punished this week?

I cannot believe I was in love with the previous Sebring when it came out and I almost bought one. I guess I still like the 2001-2003 models a bit, until they decided to change the front and cheapen the interior to an unacceptable level for 04MY.

The current one is plain blah....
Sir Meow Says:
September 07, 2007, 12:27:18 pm Day 2 doesn't sound too bad.

I wonder if these MK3 sebrings will plumit in value. Like the old Sebrings. Only time will tell if Chrysler have address the cronic sludge problems of the last MK2 sebrings.

Why do Chrysler build some of the nicest cars on the market, yet never sought out the engines and gearboxs problems. They don't seam to listen to there cutomers. I think that what is hurting them the most.
Mitlov Says:
September 07, 2007, 12:39:40 pm It doesn't sound bad. It's no penalty box. But this is one of the most competitive segments there is in the North American market, and "not bad" isn't good enough to compete.
rrocket Says:
September 10, 2007, 06:26:31 pm Is this the flex fuel engine? If so, why not fill it up with E85 and give us your impressions of power and economy?? I have yet to see this in a blog..(that I can remember anyways)
wing Says:
September 10, 2007, 10:31:16 pm Because you can't buy e85 anywhere....
rrocket Says:
September 10, 2007, 10:53:20 pm There's one in Ottawa. IIRC that's where you reside, no?

Topia GreenStop
1621 Woodward Ave.
Ottawa, ON K260A9
613-722-0660

FWIW, I intend to switch the Supra over to E85 once it becomes avail. in the Windsor area.

You can use this utility to find nearby stations:

http://www.e85refueling.com/
wing Says:
September 10, 2007, 11:27:45 pm From what I gather it closed down, unless that is a new one.
rrocket Says:
September 10, 2007, 11:37:18 pm Well see what you can find if you could........
wing Says:
September 10, 2007, 11:38:14 pm Maybe next time I have an e85 car
rrocket Says:
September 10, 2007, 11:42:46 pm Oh..the Sebring isn't flex fuel then? I thought it was...my bad.

Here's their website......They have Bio-diesel too apparently...

http://www.topiaenergy.com/
Sir Meow Says:
September 11, 2007, 12:48:01 pm
Quote
I was very disappointed in the fuel mileage and I would like a little less noise from the engine and transmission on acceleration, but overall the Sebring seems to be a good package.

Wing.

I don\'t think it is worth $29,435. I think you could do a lot better for that kind of money, plus you just know its going to be worth about 12 grand if you lucky in 2 years.

I think really they should prices to around 15K and would sell well, because to me it only really comparable with a colbart, There is no-way this is a 20,000 + motor.
redroadster Says:
September 11, 2007, 08:27:56 pm
Quote from: rrocket on September 10, 2007, 11:42:46 pm
Oh..the Sebring isn't flex fuel then? I thought it was...my bad.

Here's their website......They have Bio-diesel too apparently...

http://www.topiaenergy.com/

The V6 Sebring is flex fuel,not that it matters here.
rrocket Says:
September 11, 2007, 08:45:07 pm ^^Actually, there are 2 V-6 Sebrings and only one of them is flex fuel..the 2.7 I think....

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