Great looks, good value, poor reliability
Pros:
Nice style, LXI models are LOADED to the max, good gas mileage
Cons:
Poor reliability, 2.5L lacks power, costly parts, annoying rattles
The Bottom Line:
I would stay away from the 1995, and 1996- if you must, get a 97-00
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
This white on grey 1996 Chrysler Sebring LX 5 speed-had every available option for this year, including electric driver eat, HUGE sunroof, cd player, keyless entry with alarm, cd player, spoiler, and huge spoke rims- did not have leather. The LXI comes with leather. It has a 2.5L 6 cyl, that is peppy, but not fast. The 5 speed manual transmission is responsive, and is also known as "short throw" gears, meaning they are very close together, and the clutch is smooth as silk and easy to shift (Great for first time manual drivers).
This car has a bubbly sports car feel, and feels airey and light weight. It accomplishes 18-23 in the city, and 27-29 highway with mild use of the gas pedal.
This, and the 1995 design, has a "something is missing" feel, when it comes to exterior design, which Chrysler addressed in 1997-2000 body types by stretching the car to make it longer, and a tad narrower which completely gave this car the "cherry on top" appeal it was needing.
While its looks are appealing, and price tag is acceptable, there are a few thinngs about this product you should be aware of:
1. The transmission is junk, yes.......Junk! It has to be babied, and the maintence has to be followed to a T, or it will cease!
2. The engine is junk, yes...........Junk! It too, has to be babied, and the maintence has to be followed to a T, or it will die!
3. Chyrsler products are NOT known to go more thank 150,000 miles without a lot of parts, and labor. So keep that in mind if you cant resist one of these cars
4. The electrical system in this car, O2 sensors, radio etc are not geared to be worth while.
5. The front bumper (lower air dam) area is prone to dragging, scraping, breaking, tearing off. Even for the cautious driver, the cars front end is set so low, and the rear is set so much higher, its angle (a design flaw that most agree upon) that its inevidable that the bumper be broken.
