What's Wrong With This Picture: The Plastic Surgery Beach Edition

Driving dynamics? Material quality? FWD understeer? Sorry, but the vast majority of the 'best and brighest' haven't a clue between your ass and a hole in the ground relative to this car. Just because you wouldn't buy it doesn't mean there isn't a market and nothing is truer than for this Sebring. Saying you saw "tons of these as rentals" on your last trip to Florida is redundant to the n'th degree. Convertibles by their very nature are rental queens in mild climates and the Sebring has always done the job the best for the cheapest. Furthermore, down here where it never snows, I see truckloads of these of ALL generations owned by private individuals. Yes, Virginia, private folks actually buy the Sebring. They tend to be older, winter residents who desire an affordable second or third vehicle that will be used solely as seasonal transportation. Also, middle-aged women buy these for the same reason they buy anything with a ragtop, leather, a dollup of chrome, and is dressed in a cute color. I'll also state that I'm no big fan of recent Chrysler products, but I will stand by the Sebring as being the best convertible on the market. Period. Droptops by their very nature are compromised handlers with structural added weight necessitated by the lack of a roof, so expecting a softop version of ANY car to perform like its hardtop cousin is self-defeating. People who actually buy these cars don't care about all these perceived nuances; they want an affordable car with a power top that folds down, seats four people comfortably, has basic power equipment, gets out of its own way, isn't terrible on gas, and is decently reliable. You buy a convertible because you want to enjoy driving around in the open air when the weather is nice. Show me a car that excells as well at doing that as the Sebring has for 13+ years. Then, show me a car priced at the bargain that the Sebring is priced at. Last week, I had three Sebrings on the lot - an '02 w/102k, an '05 w/85k, and an '04 w/65k. Today, I have one - the '04 - and that's because its getting a new top installed (cut by vandals or something). I also have an '04 C70 that I can't get rid of for the life of me. And, yeah, its not the hottest name on the block, but it certainly should have more cred and intrinsic value than a Sebring - premium nameplate, loaded with power equipment and superior safety features, turbo + 5-speed auto, and a gorgeous Passion Red w/light tan top and leather. But, if I'm enjoying a convertible for the weekend, I'd rather drive the Sebring - better on gas, less cowl shake, and just as stylish. America needs an affordable convertible that isn't hideous (Solara), uncomfortable (Eclipse), expensive (Camaro/Mustang), or needlessly overcomplicated (Eos). If not for you, at least think of your grandparents.

So Ford dropped the Taurus name in favor of the 500 name only to adopt the Taurus name again. Chrysler is dropping Sebring in favor of 200 and will it stick? Pics show a nice cosmetic upgrade to the car. Wonder if it will last and be trouble free?