I am looking to purchase a new car, and by "new" I mean new to me, but actually used. I have been thinking about a 1996-2000 Sebring or Avenger. I was wondering if any of you could tell me if they have a decent reliability track record. What problems typically arise between 50k-100k miles, 100k-130k miles, and what are repair costs like?
I would appreciate any advice you have, I like the cars and I've heard good things so far. I just don't want to get a car that ends up costing me hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs in the months after purchasing it.
Personally, I would advise you NOT to buy one. I have a 2000 Sebring LXi, and have had some "nickel and dime" issues. I cutrrently have 64,500 miles on the car.
First off, the stock rims (if alloy) are prone to bend. There was a class action lawsuit for the issue.
The brakes are crappy, and wear quickly along with the rotors.
The front end of the car is extremely low, and will drag on anything taller than a soda can.
The engine power is subpar. Only 163 bhp and 170 ft-lb of torque. Zero to 60 in around 9.5 seconds.
The transmission really sucks. Shifting isn't all that great, and it is prone to failure. Some have failed as early as 36k miles.
Now I might just have had a bad car, and its definately not due to poor care. I have babied the Sebring, and the better I treat her, the worse she runs!
The 5-speeds are more reliable than the automatics. The autos are known for having problems. If you keep them up they can last forever. There really isn't anything that is considered typical problems for these cars other than the auto tranny. They are a good car for people to have because they can take a beating and still be driven as a daily driver. The 4 cylinder motors are the same ones that eclipses/talons use. They have a broad variety of uses from daily driver, to starter car, to turbo racing applications. The basic maintenence that applies to all vehicles. Oil changes, tranny flushes, and coolant flushes, new clutches, timing belts. But if you decide to purchase one you'll have a great community of people around here that can and will help you out!
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hmmm..... well i was swindled when i got mine...a 98 es, automatic, V6...it had been wrecked, front and back... and just YESTERDAY, while in augusta, gs, my girl's dad backed into the passenger side with a new wrangler... it still runs...lol but things to check out...headlights, look at the steering wheel and dash CLOSELY, make sure the airbags weren't replaced, look in the trunk, make sure the bumper is on TIGHT, check the brakes, and when u get it, change the oil and get a flush!!! for some reason ALL dodges get some kinda oil/gunk build up rather quickly if you don't baby them like you should... speaking from experience...and i 2nd what Darkentu said...we're helpful and friendly...so if u buy one, join the team...your welcome!
i'll voutch for Jynx and Darkentu, i just joined the forum and these guys have been a gr8 help.
I just bought a 99 Avenger v6 with 73 thousand kms on it, duno wat that is in miles :s First car Its been about 2 mounths and well its been alright, i had a lady slide in2 my pasanger side door n ram it in, its fixd now, the coolant leaks whenevr it wants to, and im guessing i hav a sludge problem after reading this forum because i had just changed the oil 1000kms ago and i checkd it last night, almost as black as when i got the car :s, i've also been getting a little under the average fuel consumption #s. I'm getting som tips about that here. All in all i really like this car, its handling is very good, power is decent, 9.5 seconds isnt much but it fells a lil faster than that and well i dont have to say much about its looks...dead sexy! So far my rims havent bent n i'm using my handling power to avoid every pot whole in the city It sure as hell beats the perents chevy venture thats for sure If you decide to go for one, go for somthin wit low milage, and if any problems occure everyones here more than happy to help you out, and i mena really help you out. They'll make diagrams, pictures, give u step by step walk throus, the whole enchalada
We've have owned (or still own) a 95 Sebring (no real problems until he turbo'd it), 95 Avenger (ball joints replaced under recall), 96 Avenger (no problems) and a 2001 Sebring coupe (no problems). The headgasket can leak on the I4s...autos are hit and miss. If there is a member in your area more than likely they will be willing to look at a few cars with you and/or show you their car. All in all a good car, but with the same batch of problems here and there that will befall any car make and model.
I own an automatic 99 Avenger Sport with 31,000 miles it I purchased at 25k. The car has been great so far and the only problem I have had is due to my own stupid self slamming into a curb. I have noticed at times the tranny will respond different than usual at times, but this very rarely happens and does not affect driving at all. All in all, she rides like a dream.
ya my tranny is a lil weird, wen i play rough n im slowing down to a stop or to below 45km/hr the tranny downshift is a little rough :s so im sure i should take care wen i drive it hard, btw wats the deal with the overdrive? som1 told me its normal ovrdrive but it actualy adapts to driver input n drivin style?
OK the auto tran IS weak but heat is the mortal enemy ,ADD the tranny cooler it's $50 WELL SPENT
Depending in mileage GET THE TIMING belt replaced at correct intervals ,It's a zero clearance motor a snapped timing belt while ruin the motor ...
Brake rotors due tend to warp I had mine replaced at 17K miles the biggest trouble is mechanics with the airguns overtourquing the wheels on...Be sure to use a torque wrench and evenly torque to 100ft pds ,if the rotors do warp replace with slotted or crossdrilled
Take the car in for the recall it's a FREE inspection ,and it's a FREE replacement
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but, I believe the avenger/sebring uses the 41TE automatic transmission. This is a Good transmission that just needs proper care...like the other guy said (tranny cooler) and especially transmission fluid!!! ONLY US MOPAR ATF+3 OR MOPAR ATF+4...I have owned 4 Chrysler vehicles with this transmission and NEVER had to replace one (my most recent is a 97 Avenger I got last saturday) As long as I'm right and it is the 41TE in the avenger. Have any of you ever been to ALLPAR.COM??? they have a wealth of info on this tranny and they know far more than I do, I have just been lucky enough to keep my rigs moving! I actually had a reputable transmission repairman tell me my transmission was done and I changed the fluid&filter (after reading recommendation on allpar) and kept right on going. The wrong fluid and/or filter can DESTROY these transmissions, they are very sensitive and require a certain friction rating.
I've had my 97' Avenger 420a 5 speed for 4 years now. The only major thing that has been done to it (mechanicaly wise) was my Ball joints (in the states it's a free inspection and replacement) Spark plug wires and plugs needed change and thats about it. These cars are fairly reliable. and the community is great aswell.
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but, I believe the avenger/sebring uses the 41TE automatic transmission.
It's not the 41TE its the A604
That's why Exileracing.com sells a "built" A604. Those trannys had a bad habit of going into limp mode and never coming back out. When this board was the king of all boards, there was plenty of posts to back up my response. It was pretty much the most complained thing about our cars.
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Its been about 2 mounths and well its been alright, i had a lady slide in2 my pasanger side door n ram it in, its fixd now, the coolant leaks whenevr it wants to, and im guessing i hav a sludge problem after reading this forum because i had just changed the oil 1000kms ago and i checkd it last night, almost as black as when i got the car :s, i've also been getting a little under the average fuel consumption #s. I'm getting som tips about that here. All in all i really like this car, its handling is very good, power is decent, 9.5 seconds isnt much but it fells a lil faster than that and well i dont have to say much about its looks...dead sexy! So far my rims havent bent n i'm using my handling power to avoid every pot whole in the city 
Sell Out Crew, Nismo Division
