Cars.com Faceoff: Retractable-Hardtop Convertibles

Summer is almost over, and that usually means putting the convertible away for the winter. That’s why many automakers have added retractable-hardtop versions to their lineups. This design allows for all-season driving, and it also makes for a good Faceoff. This year we tackled three cars with vastly different demographics: the Volkswagen Eos, Chrysler Sebring and Mazda MX-5 Miata. It was a tough call because all three cars have such different characteristics, but a clear winner did arise.

Cars.comparison: Retractable-Hardtop Convertibles

Friday Fleet Notes: 8.03.07

This week saw a real hodgepodge of vehicles in and out of the fleet, with some we hadn’t revisited since they were first reviewed. Some oldies turned out to be goodies, while one newcomer didn’t endear itself to the staff.

2008 Chrysler Sebring retractable hardtop

While there’s plenty of good things to say about Sebring retractable-hardtop convertible, some of those good things have related deficiencies.

The Limited trim level I tested had a smooth 3.5-liter V-6, but the engine is tied to a six-speed automatic transmission that was especially clunky during our test when shifting into gear from Park, and when downshifting. Unacceptable.

With the hardtop up, the Sebring is almost as quiet as a traditional closed-roof car. However, despite adding hundreds of pounds to make the convertible stiffer, it creaks a lot when that top is in place.

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Chrysler may be well on its way to private hands and away from its current German parent, but new products are still coming down the pipeline. Mike Hanley delivers his take on the new Chrysler Sebring convertible. It replaces one of the most popular rental drop-tops of all time, and the company obviously hopes it will be popular at dealerships as well. See if it’s the perfect summer getaway car Chrysler hopes for, or if it just leaves your hair frazzled.

2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Expert Review

Chrysler Sebring Convertible Pricing is Here

The 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible is one of those cars we’re not sure about. We were never impressed with the last model, but it’s a strong seller. The new version, with an array of retractable-top choices and engine sizes, could prove to be another sleeper success story. Perhaps its price will prove the ultimate deciding factor.

The base Sebring with a vinyl convertible top, four-cylinder engine, ABS and tire pressure monitoring system will start at $25,470. That‘s actually less than the outgoing Sebring convertible’s $26,115 asking price.

The Sebring Touring, also with a standard vinyl top, adds a standard V-6 engine and 17-inch wheels and starts at $28,070. The Sebring Limited with a standard cloth top, 18-inch wheels, premium sound system and various dress-up features starts at $31,670. Prices don’t include a $675 destination charge.

There’s an optional 3.5-liter V-6 engine and retractable hardtops that will add significant amounts to the price of the car, but we haven’t received those exact figures yet. Until then, let us know if you think the entry price will help boost the Sebring when it goes on sale later this spring.

2006 L.A. Auto Show: 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Chrysler’s Sebring convertible has been one of the most consistent sellers in recent automotive history. The Sebring sedan underwent an underwhelming redesign earlier this year, and today Chrysler will unveil the all-new convertible, seen here, at the L.A. Auto Show. The company is joining the retractable-hardtop market, which also includes the Pontiac G6 convertible and Mazda MX-5 Miata, but Chrysler is going to produce two soft-top versions as well, one in vinyl and one in cloth. All will open automatically and feature a hard tonneau cover.

The cars will meet various price points, with the soft-tops dominating the lower end of the price spectrum and the hardtop being most expensive. Prices will be announced closer to the on-sale date, in the second quarter of 2007, but Chrysler says they will be “surprisingly affordable.” The current base Sebring convertible starts at $26,115, and we don’t expect the price of the new model to be significantly lower than that. 

Engine and trim options will match the new sedan with base, Touring and Limited models, and engines ranging from a 173-hp four-cylinder to a 235-hp V-6. 

More images can be found below. 

Cars.com’s L.A. Auto Show Coverage

2007 Chrysler Sebring: My Take

Last month I got some brief seat time in the same Chrysler Sebring test vehicle Mike Hanley just reviewed over on the main Cars.com site. It’s amazing how much I agree with him on almost every aspect of the new midsize sedan. Unfortunately for Chrysler, this vehicle just can’t compete with what’s already on the market. Even the Ford Fusion tops it in style points, let alone the superior competition in every department from the Camry and Accord. 

What did I like? Honestly? Only the exterior surprised me. The black paint looked lighter, almost a dark gray — it sparkled brightly in the sunlight. Its name is Brilliant Black Pearl, but I wouldn’t say it’s a pure black at all. The dark color also hid some of the unsightly lines the car’s designers decided to add to the side, hood and trunk. Perhaps in this hue the design could grow on me, but I doubt it.

$1,000 to Woo Sedan Owners to Chrysler Sebring

Do you lease a Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima or Ford Fusion? Are you happy with them? If not, Chrysler is offering $1,000 to anyone who trades in a competing model when they buy a new Chrysler Sebring. The redesigned Sebring is entering extremely competitive waters and we’re not sure if $1,000 would be enough to sway an already happy driver. 

While it might seem like a desperate move, the program – which runs through Nov. 30 – brings attention to a redesigned car that hasn’t garnered much buzz since its release. It also brings in barely used, highly sought after cars to dealerships when the cars are traded in. We understand Chrysler doesn’t want to put a true rebate on a brand-new car but they could’ve come up with something a little more persuasive.

[Chrysler: $1,000 For Your Sedan, The Detroit News]

Dodge Avenger Arriving in February

Dodge just announced the all-new Dodge Avenger concept in Paris a few weeks back, and now Dodge dealers have spilled the beans to The Detroit News that a production vehicle will be on sale in February 2007. That’s the shortest time we’ve ever seen between a concept car debut and the production vehicle going on sale. That said, we pointed out how close to production the concept looked in Paris, and we’d guess the production version would have to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late November in time to generate buzz leading up to February sales.

The Avenger will replace the Stratus in the Dodge lineup and is based on the all-new Chrysler Sebring. While the Sebring left us flat, perhaps the Avenger will lure people in with its more aggressive looks.

[Dealers: Dodge Avenger Coming in February, The Detroit News]

Related:
Dodge Avenger Concept Unveiled
All-New 2007 Chrysler Sebring Debuts