2004 Sebring Sedan - should I buy it?

I just put a refundable deposit on a 2004 Sebring Touring Sedan with the
Summer Luxury package. I REALLY like it and think I got a good price-
Especially with the 0% financing.

Then I got home and did google searches on the car and found LOTS of
problems with the 2.7L V6. Now I'm scared !

Does anyone know if these "Oil Sludge" problems have been corrected? Is the
2004 gonna give me trouble? The dealer says that with proper maintenance,
I can get 200K easily out of the engine. There are websites out there that
say I won't get more than 30 or 40K miles. They also seem to say the dealer
won't honor the warranty and will claim its my fault for not changing the
oil regularly.

I need advice and I need it fast!

Thanks,
Joe

 

As always, you will get varying advice. I have an '04 Sebring 'vert and
immediately switched to synthetic oil to head off sludging. There is a lot
of discussion about what causes the problem but I think the most recent
concensus is that the oil does not heat up enough to burn off condensation
when the car is frequently used on short trips. Love my car, like the
engine, but think the tranny is the weak link (it is neurotic -- after
driving it awhile you will see what I mean). My brother, who works at a
Dodge dealership, told me that the mechanics recommend 2.5k mile oil changes
but like the engine.

YMMV. Good luck.

 

Comparison shop the price with online services such as carsdirect.com. If
your deal still looks good, then go for it.

The 2.7L has more than it's fair share of problem reports. Do a search on
other, competing products and see what you come up with. You'll find that
the Internet is usually quite negative on most products, because it's where
people go to bitch about things. On the other hand, people with the
Japanese car religion seem to think they've got something really special in
the Accord or Camry, but I defy you to find a Honda or Toyota dealership
with an empty service department complete with the mechanics playing
tiddlywinks in the middle of the shop floor.

Word of design changes to address the issue hasn't been forthcoming. It is
clearly tied to maintenance.

All cars give trouble to varying degrees. Tis the nature of the beast.
Regular, quality maintenance alleviates this.

Maintain good records of the oil changes -- receipts showing the mileage --
and you'd be able to disprove any such claims.

My parents just picked up an '04 Sebring with the 2.7L. It is a nice
vehicle for the price. It came with a book of coupons for free oil changes
for the life of the vehicle at the dealership at no (apparent) extra charge.
I'd say that your eyes are open here, and you know what you're getting going
in. Few people buy cars that are absolutely problem-free for their entire
service life.

--Geoff

 

My buddy purchased one recently. I had one as a rental for a week. Nice and
comfortable car, but very expensive on gas. The gearing is totally off on
that car. Even if you only step on the gas pedal 1/4 down it will shift at
4000 rpm.

 

| My buddy purchased one recently. I had one as a rental for a week. Nice and
| comfortable car, but very expensive on gas. The gearing is totally off on
| that car. Even if you only step on the gas pedal 1/4 down it will shift at
| 4000 rpm.
|

It shouldn't be doing that! My engine rarely revs above 2500 RPM, unless I'm
goosing it. This is true both on my 2004 Sebring OR my wife's 2003 Stratus
(same car). Your buddy needs to get the dealer to check that out!

 

| I just put a refundable deposit on a 2004 Sebring Touring Sedan with the
| Summer Luxury package. I REALLY like it and think I got a good price-
| Especially with the 0% financing.
|
| Then I got home and did google searches on the car and found LOTS of
| problems with the 2.7L V6. Now I'm scared !
|
| Does anyone know if these "Oil Sludge" problems have been corrected? Is the
| 2004 gonna give me trouble? The dealer says that with proper maintenance,
| I can get 200K easily out of the engine. There are websites out there that
| say I won't get more than 30 or 40K miles. They also seem to say the dealer
| won't honor the warranty and will claim its my fault for not changing the
| oil regularly.
|
| I need advice and I need it fast!
|
| Thanks,
| Joe
|
|

I use synthetic oil in my Sebring (and my wife's Stratus), which should take
care of the sludge issue. If you drive more than 15 miles per trip, you may
not need synthetic...just change it at 3K miles. Mine came with free oil
change coupons. I'd buy it.