PRICE RANGE: $24,945 - 31,000

CONFIGURATION: Engine: 2.7 liter, 200 hp V6, Front Engine/Front Drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway

SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger airbags, standard; ABS[http://www.womanmotorist.com/glossary/abs.shtml], standard

IMPRESSION: Roomy, tight and comfy. The open air Sebring has as much fun and comfort as a vacation getaway cabin, and feels just as secure.

The American automobiles that shaped the world's image of this country came with the fifties, and none was so defining as the big, four seat convertible. On the silver screen; in newsreels; in the hands of US service men overseas; the American dream was typified by opulent escape and freedom, and the big Cadillacs, Lincolns and Chrysler convertibles were at the top of the aspirational heap. Who would have ever thought they would almost disappear from our wide open interstates.

Despite an undercurrent of grumbling about government safety regulations killing the convertible in the 70s, we brought about its demise. For some reason the post Viet Nam generation seemed to lose interest in cars, and for the five year periods on either side of 1980 convertibles all but disappeared from the US market.

But Chrysler kept the faith, and even in their darkest hour they revived the company, and the US car industry, with appealing products like the minivan, the Cherokee four door . . . and the LeBaron convertible.

Convertible driving is spirited and romantic and the unrestricted 360 degree view is perfect for American vistas. While far from perfect, the LeBaron struck a chord and helped the company on its recovery.

Then in the mid 90s they came out with the Sebring Convertible which has dominated the market ever since. It had seating for four real people, a large trunk and a well thought out set of features. No afterthoughts here. Since 1996 it has been far and away the best selling convertible in America, and probably the world.

Heading more upscale with a cutting edge image, it is quite evident that people who really love cars drive the Chrysler brand. Sebring is athletic with a combination of speed, power and handling. It delivers all the emotion of a convertible with few compromises. It isn't a car that you need, but a car that you want.

"The Chrysler Sebring Convertible has been the perennial favorite in its segment and we are proud of that position," said Sue Cischke, Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and General Manager, Passenger Car Operations. "The reason for its tremendous success is simple: Sebring Convertible offers all the attributes and qualities of an affordable year-round primary car, with an unmistakable design presence that causes the competition to fade into the roadscape."

The new 2001 Sebring Convertible maintains all the attributes that made the first-generation version such a success, while delivering even more refinement and features to give customers more than just wind in their hair. Its small features lead the industry with attention to detail like jeweled instruments, dual zone temperature in mainstream cars and variable function consoles. Maintaining the shoulder belt in the seat aids safety, ease of access and comfort.

This Convertible still has the best-in-class passenger and cargo compartment size, aspects which cannot be expressed simply in cubic feet, and which mean the difference between "boy this is fun" and "are we there yet?"