I had an economics professor throughout university that was a huge fan of the Chrysler Sebring. He'd been through two of them while the economics-related part of my education was in his hands, and I was always intrigued with his choice of ride.

At one point, I'd asked him, perhaps ignorantly, why he chose a Sebring and not something more flashy, expensive and luxurious. He was, after all, a highly paid professor.


His answer perplexed me.

He said "I don't let my possessions possess me". What he meant was that although there are many more expensive convertible models out there, the honest and down to earth Sebring was good enough for him- and did the same job as many a more expensive machine. It's one of the ultimate cost-effective convertibles.

Sebring is built off the same platform as its hard-topped siblings, which helps keep the cost down. A machine that delivers great looks and open air fun, Sebring also provides a reasonable level of driving excitement as far as a decapitated sedan goes.

The new-generation model is on dealer lots, but if you're out for a used convertible, it could be a great time to look. After all, it's an American car- meaning resale value is somewhat poor. That's a good or bad thing- depending on the position of your seat at the bargaining table.

But of course, they don't come without problems- and checking out a few key areas will ensure your Sebring performs commendably while in your custody.

The first thing you'll want to look for is the performance of any recall-related work. If your potential Sebring Convertible is on its original owner, they'll be able to tell you if it was performed or not. If in doubt, your local dealer should be able to help. When considering a used Sebring, or any car for that matter, take it for a visit to the local dealership for an inspection. They know the car, its problems, and possibly even its owner(s) best.

Most recall items deal with minor problems. For instance, improperly-routed electrical wiring could ground out and cause a stall, or the random illumination of the check engine light. The latter is caused by a faulty heat shield on a knock sensor, which can ground out against the engine, leaving the ECU more confused than Jenna Jameson in Sunday school. Some owners report having their cars checked for erratic check-engine lights a half-dozen times before it was repaired by recall work.