2004 Sebring
Sorry about that...repost here.
Just read Jim Mateja's review of the 2004 Chrysler Sebring sedan in the Chicago Tribune.
Among the pluses he notes are the fact that ABS and traction control are now bundled together along with 4-wheel disc brakes (he states that "front drum and rear disc are standard," but I think he's got it backwards...) New options to the Sebring also include an auto-dimming rearview mirror and radio controls on the steering wheel. The LX and LXi sedans now come with 16" painted aluminum wheels. Chrome-clad aluminum wheels are optional on the LXi. (Hopefully, this means the ugly Wal-Mart-looking fake chrome hubcaps are banished forever.)
He mentions the annoying BeltAlert safety feature (essentially an annoying noise that sounds when the car is in gear and the seat belts aren't buckled - just like we had back in the 70's.) as well as the new "Chrysler Group" front fascia restyle (the big gaping grille similar to the 300C Concept and the Crossfire, also reminiscent of the LHS/Concorde Limited grille but with the wing badge moved to the top.) Sebring sedans and coupes also gets the wing badge on the trunk lid instead of the plain "CHRYSLER" badge - and although quite minor, I feel it greatly improves the look of the car from the rear.
The minuses are pretty much the fact that the LXi model stickers at just over $20K, and virtually everything is an extra-cost add-on.
But onto the other bits of info that Mateja likes to throw out in his reviews...some of this we already know, so just take it as a reminder as you fill in your scorecards at home...
The Dodge Neon (expect a name change) will share a platform with the Mitsu Lancer for 2005.
A stretch of that platform will be shared by the Sebring and Stratus sedans for 2006. The Galant and Eclipse follow shortly after that.
The jury is still out on whether the Sebring/Stratus coupes will also use the stretch platform. The coupe production pact expires in 2005, and Mitsu has stated it needs the capacity for it's own cars, and no decision has been made yet.
Next-gen Durango arrives in fall 2003 as a 2004 model. Grand Cherokee and Dakota are listed as "for the 2005 model year."
PT Convertible arrives around the same time as the LX sedans - spring 2004.
A decision on production of the Tomahawk should come later this year.
But here's the scoop that grabbed me, as I think it may pertain also to the name-game for the LX models:QUOTE
One other change coming next month for the Sebring will be a revision of the lineup nomenclature. The Sebring LX will become simply "Sebring." The Sebring LXi will become the Sebring Touring. And a new model will come in at the top of the line as the Sebring Limited.
Which of course, clears the way for Chrysler to use "LX" as the name for their LX platform sedan.
The fleet buyer information I just checked lists the LX models as "Dodge Magnum" and "Chrysler 300." Not 300C. So perhaps we'll have the 300, 300 Touring, and 300 Limited?
Last edited by hemidakota : 06-30-2003 at 01:06 PM.
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