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2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Review

November 3, 2008

STYLING | 5 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Unique styling…sets the Sebring apart
Kelley Blue Book

recall(s) a kindler, gentler Chrysler
Cars.com

lackluster performance and…a body to match
Jalopnik

No Longer the Ugly Duckling, but Hardly a Swan
Car and Driver

it's a good looker
NY Newsday

Reviewers were split on the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible’s style. Kelley Blue Book has praise for it, describing it as “elegant,” noting its “egg-crate” grille and large headlights. NY Newsday acknowledges it as a "good looker," but has little to say beyond that. Mother Proof describes the convertible as "sharp looking," but felt as if the design was targeted at older drivers with its "large grill" and "boxy feel." Cars.com discussed the “lean lines” that “stretch the convertible,” adding that the two-door convertible did not have the “squatty look of the sedan.”

More opinionated sources had an active dislike for the Chrysler Sebring Convertible’s shapes. Jalopnik was highly critical of this vehicle’s styling, commenting that “it took a keen eye, some serious hallucinogenic substances and a love of the George Foreman Grill to make the already ‘fugly’ Chrysler Sebring even less fetching.” The Los Angeles Times wrote a scathing indictment: “It makes me long for the exquisite craftsmanship of the Pontiac flipping G6…and the Sebring Convertible is homely, too.” The rear end is “cantilevered gracelessly over the rear wheels,” as if “it's had unholy congress with an El Camino.”

TheCarConnection.com has driven the Sebring Convertible extensively and has similar opinions about the Sebring Convertible inside and out. The new body design is choppy, ungainly, and unattractive with any of the available tops raised in place. Inside, the dash is a mishmash of shapes and textures, with some lines going retro and others trying to carve a modern look. Edmunds considers the styling OK—they praise an “ergonomically friendly art deco design that says Chrysler Building more than Chrysler car”—but are equally let down by textures and materials that degrade the styling that actually does work.

Conclusion

As Car and Driver said of the Sebring, Chrysler’s built a car with “a face only a manufacturer could love.”

STYLING | 5 out of 10Expert Quotes:Unique styling…sets the Sebring apartKelley Blue Bookrecall(s) a kindler, gentler ChryslerCars.comlackluster performance and…a body to matchJalopnikNo Longer the Ugly Duckling, but Hardly a SwanCar and Driverit's a good lookerNY Newsday Reviewers were split on the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible’s style. Kelley Blue Book has praise for it, describing it as “elegant,” noting its “egg-crate” grille and large headlights. NY Newsday acknowledges it as a "good looker," but has little to say beyond that. Mother Proof describes the convertible as "sharp looking," but felt as if the design was targeted at older drivers with its "large grill" and "boxy feel." Cars.com discussed the “lean lines” that “stretch the convertible,” adding that the two-door convertible did not have the “squatty look of the sedan.” More opinionated sources had an active dislike for the Chrysler Sebring Convertible’s shapes. Jalopnik was highly critical of this vehicle’s styling, commenting that “it took a keen eye, some serious hallucinogenic substances and a love of the George Foreman Grill to make the already ‘fugly’ Chrysler Sebring even less fetching.” The Los Angeles Times wrote a scathing indictment: “It makes me long for the exquisite craftsmanship of the Pontiac flipping G6…and the Sebring Convertible is homely, too.” The rear end is “cantilevered gracelessly over the rear wheels,” as if “it's had unholy congress with an El Camino.” TheCarConnection.com has driven the Sebring Convertible extensively and has similar opinions about the Sebring Convertible inside and out. The new body design is choppy, ungainly, and unattractive with any of the available tops raised in place. Inside, the dash is a mishmash of shapes and textures, with some lines going retro and others trying to carve a modern look. Edmunds considers the styling OK—they praise an “ergonomically friendly art deco design that says Chrysler Building more than Chrysler car”—but are equally let down by textures and materials that degrade the styling that actually does work. ConclusionAs Car and Driver said of the Sebring, Chrysler’s built a car with “a face only a manufacturer could love.” 2008 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE STYLING | [5 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: “Unique styling…sets the Sebring apart” Cars.com: “recall(s) a kindler, gentler Chrysler” Jalopnik: “lackluster performance and…a body to match” Car and Driver: “No Longer the Ugly Duckling, but Hardly a ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Ford Mustang is strictly a soft-top affair, but its retro looks are spot-on perfect and the rear seats are usable--and there’s no denying the visceral appeal of its V-8 engine and 1,000-watt audio system. The Volkswagen Eos is TheCarConnection.com’s favorite four-seat hardtop convertible; its well-detailed interior and V-6 performance are only let down slightly by conservative looks. The four-seat Pontiac G6 Convertible is the Sebring Convertible’s nearest colleague, and markedly better-looking.

Next Steps:

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See the Chrysler Sebring Convertible in Other Years:

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2001

Comments (3 total)

  1. By nick #1, Posted: 6/18/2008

    2008 sebring

    love the car.4cylinders work very good for power.watch the rpms and use it as a standard.goes like crazy about 3500 to 6000 rpm.roof is awesome.very quiet at 130 mph.lol.

  2. By nick #2, Posted: 6/18/2008

    owner

    love the car.4cylinders work very good for power.watch the rpms and use it as a standard.goes like crazy about 3500 to 6000 rpm.roof is awesome.very quiet at 130 mph.lol.

  3. By 2008 owner #3, Posted: 11/5/2009

    The "so called" critics....complain about styling ...don't hear them trashing Toyota styling ...which Chrysler mimic....or the previous conv...which copied Camaro....I shopped all the brands....interior materials suck in all of them....Chrysler was nice given the price point....Critics trash it on handling....Whoa.... I don't drive it at the track...neither does anyone else....a more realistic test would how it handles with a 32oz Big Gulp in one hand and a Big Mac in the other!!! I read the reviews and its apparent some of them spent no time in it...based on errors in their self absorbed reporting.... ie: one says "center arm rest not extended far enough"...Hey Knucklehead it extends out if you pull it....guess you didn't notice since you never drove it !! Critics said the Chevy Malibu was above average ..another one they didn't test much...all have steering column/ front end clunking problems....mine ate 2 automatics in 35,000 miles....Highly Rated junk....Their reviews are worthless....they just sell magazines.

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