1999 Sebring questions

[MrMoparCHP]

I had a crazy idea about getting a 1999 Sebring JXi Convertible again. I had one many years ago but sold it to focus on my old cars, at the time my Barracuda was collecting dust needing restoration.

A quick look shows I might be able to get one for about $2500-$3000, that is something I could do.

What sort of questions should I be asking when looking at a car of this era?



Alan

 

[67-Fury]

Did you say Sebring convertible? :love10::love10:

My Dad Had 3 of them. The last one was Junk, Was told The Trans was bad and are $$ to replace.

 

[commando1]

Alan, I used to hold you in such high regard....

 

[Samplingman]

Alan, the weakest link on these is the transmission. I've been through 3 over the years at about $2300 each and the life span is about 80,000 miles. As for the engine, not sure about the 2.7 but my personal experience with the 3.0 was so bad, I will never consider any Mitsubishi vehicle useful as a daily driver beyond 3 years, 36,000 miles.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Alan, I used to hold you in such high regard....

Haha, love ya too.

Here is my old one I got new in 99

Alan

 

[67-Fury]

She's beautiful.

 

[Wildaugust]

I don't and have never owned the convertible, but I do own a sedan as my daily driver. The sedan, unlike the coupe, is mechanically similar to the rag top. My car has the 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder, which I'm not sure was ever available in the convertible, but from my experience seems to be a pretty good engine. I haven't had any trouble with my engine during the four years that I've owned my car, except for losing the timing belt, which thankfully didn't take out my engine. :whew:

When I was looking for a car I stayed away from the 2.7 V6, after researching lots of bad press about them. Here's just a sample.

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/V6/27.html

 

[MrMoparCHP]

In the time I had the car I never had a problem with it, I was probably in the 80k+ range. If I recall the only engine available in the 99 was the 2.5L V6. Oh I did need to replace one of the speed sensors I think the output, totaly blind but I got it out, the tricky part was figuring out the clip and doing with one hand.


Alan

 

[Wildaugust]

In the time I had the car I never had a problem with it, I was probably in the 80k+ range. If I recall the only engine available in the 99 was the 2.5L V6. Oh I did need to replace one of the speed sensors I think the output, totaly blind but I got it out, the tricky part was figuring out the clip and doing with one hand.


Alan

Yeah, like nearly all newer cars, some things are very difficult to get at. I wanted to check my oil pressure before I bought my car, mainly just for my own satisfaction, but the location of the sender makes it almost impossible. The mechanic that was looking my car over told me he couldn't get at it. I think what he really meant was that he could get at it if I was willing to pay him a lot more.

The one issue, other than the timing belt, has been Camshaft Position Sensors. They don't last very long. They're easy to replace, maybe a 20 minute job, but they are pricey. Because they're so easy to change, maybe just consider them a regular "tune-up" item, like spark plugs.

That's it though. It's been a good engine other than what I've already mentioned.