I must be a freak, because I actually like the Sebring and think it is a nice departure from the "bars of soap on wheels" of the previous model. I also liked the Nitro until I drove one. I have been a Mopar guy since driving-age back in the early eighties and jumped onto Jeep after getting into a 97 Cherokee. That was the model year Chrysler updated the electrical system to post WWII, stiffened the body, took 200 pounds out of the dashboard, improved the seating position and added a steel liftgate. Basically, I think they fixed a lot of what I didn't like in the earlier Cherokee but retaining its character. I realise that is the opinion of a Mopar guy, and there are many Jeep fans that could write volumes on how Chrysler ruined Jeep. It's a mixed bag, because I can see where they have in some ways, and I didn't like the move away from the Jeep philosophy of rugged simplicity and solid axels. I never warmed up to the too-tall rounded Liberty and the popping ball joints (thank you Chrysler) or the fancy Grand Cherokee. And when I needed to haul seven, I couldn't afford a Commander and bought a Durango for half the price.
I really love my Patriot though which started with me liking the Caliber. By the time I was back in the market to buy a car to drive to work, I had the Caliber, Sebring, Avenger, Mazda 3, 4 door Wrangler and Patriot on my list. The problem was finding a Patriot to look at! But when I did, the Caliber faded, the Sebring/Avenger were more expensive, the Mazda was forgotten and the Wrangler was deemed impractical. The choice was easy and painless.
As for fixing the problem? I guess sell more Avengers than Sebrings or emphasise the convertible feature. Take the Nitro concept and put it on the Caliber/Patriot platform to compete with the HHR, XB, PT Cruiser etc. They could axe the Compass and use the production capability to make a Nitro/Caliber/Patriot. I think with 27 mpg, it would be a hit. Take the new Liberty (an improvement) and put it on a Wrangler platform to replace the old Cherokee. Take the Commander and the Grand Cherokee and cross-pollinate them into a mid-size SUV with Commander sqaurish styling and GC mileage and performance with an option for 3rd row seating.
I would have liked to see some of the Nitro interior styling used in the Patriot. The Nitro looked a little more Jeepish inside, and the Patriot looks a little too Dodge-ish. The Patriot should have had Wrangler styled door handles and stuff. The current ones are pretty car like.
So the Sebring is really that ugly?
DJP
