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Dodge Caliber
wale_bate1
Member Posts: 1,982
Allpar reports:
http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/caliber.html
Replacement for the Neon finally unveiled?
FWD? I don't care. AWD or RWD, I'm mildly interested, except for the hard styling cues.
http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/caliber.html
Replacement for the Neon finally unveiled?
FWD? I don't care. AWD or RWD, I'm mildly interested, except for the hard styling cues.
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Not sure which article is correct but Detroit News says that the Caliber is based on the Neon replacement, not that it IS the replacement.
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That was a spartan, yet potent roadster/coupe supposed to come to market for about $15K IIRC. They finally figured that to hit the performance numbers they wanted the price would be closer to $18K, so it was shot down. At least that's the way I remember it. Then again, I've been wrong before, at least according to my wife...
Problem is that at $18K+, it's into competition, and the market for a stripper at $18K is certainly smaller than at $15K.
Great idea, but apparently the parts bin is either smaller or more expensive than they thought!
Re Neon: no, I guess it's not a replacement, but rather a version along the same lines as PT.
I hope the next Neon platform is half as good as the current. I'm still amazed at what they've been able to accomplish with it. But for the early head-gasket debacle and some interior materials penny-pinching, the car was world-class in its class (IMO). Pity. The PT thing was (and remains) genius through and through I think. The legs are gettin' thin and it's time to move on, but man oh man, what a run for the money!
Probably have more torque than the Matrix.
Won't sell 100k like the Neon.
The only thing I don't like about the Matrix is the steering wheen is MAYBE 3 inches from the guages!
The Matrix and PT are the best of this class until further notice.
DrFill
So what do I do? I buy an 05 Outback and the steering wheel is too far away!!! It wasn't as obvious at first as the Vibe is.
The Caliber should be a great replacement for the Neon... I love hatchbacks! What's the point having a small car that you can't even put anything in because you just have a little trunk... when you can buy a verstile hatch for the same price...
Now with a kid on the way, we're looking again, and may hold out for the Caliber. But if it gets butchered, much like GM did to the Aztek, the Matrix is still a possibility.
I dunno, I will be in the market for a newer used car by the time these babies come off their 2 yr leases.... Only time will tell.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Only thing I don't hold with is that idiotic redneck truck grille; great for a Ram, stupid on a compact. Well, that and FWD, but I'm willing to make certain exceptions for a good cause... [-)
There are plenty of real performance hatches the world over, but we don't get them here only because most Americans have an aversion to the hatch format. Comes from years of anemic, crappy domestic offerings after that last oil crisis.
The grille thing bugs the ever-loving crud out of me, and I wish they'd tone it down a bit, and emphasize the shape a little more. It really does have the basic proportions necessary to be a hottie, it's just the details that are whacked.
Personally, I don't believe this is the only variant coming to market, especially in the US. They'll hedge their bets with a sedan, or I'm several Dutchmen...
Here's my hope: Good build quality (DC has gotten better at this lately, let's hope they continue to improve) and I hope they offer the diesel option when it goes on sale in the States, and (hoping against hope) they actually offer the diesel as an option in CA. From what I've heard, it's a VW-sourced diesel of around 2.0L and 140 horsepower (!). I can only hope it's the new 16v diesel they have in Europe. If it is, and it has 236 lbs./ft. of torque, I think this is definitely the "must have" powerplant. Granted, the rumored SRT4 version with a 235+ hp turbo is tempting, but with fuel nudging $3.00 a gallon, 40+ mpg and and 236 lbs./ft. is looking pretty good.
Paul
~alpha
~alpha
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Yes, it's a bit strange that DC is buying diesels from one of their biggest competitors (in Europe, at least). I think it's a matter of having a right-sized engine for this application that has already passed (or is in the certification process of meeting) U.S. emissions standards, rather than developing one from scratch. I think most of DC's existing diesels are either too big (Mercedes E320 CDI) or too small (A-class or Smart). My guess is that in 2-3 years, depending on the popularity of the diesel option, they will have developed and will offer their own 4-cyl diesel of similar power & displacement to the VW unit.
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Hi everybody: This is my first knowledge of the Caliber as of May 2. Am I to understand they will offer the VW 1.9 TD engine? What about the gear box? Please, somebody inform me. Thanks. jhilke
They are both good cars, but in two different ballparks.
On a side note, you should just buy a Mazda3 hatch. It trumps them both. But Ill save that for another forum topic.
Why would Chrysler replace the Neon with a car based on a Mitsubishi design?? Mitsu is circling the drain!
Chrysler has had a pretty good run lately so I guess there due for a flop and the Caliber is it!
DCX, I'm sure, is overseeing this development closely, and likely delivers the lion's share of input. I surely won't write it off so soon. After having a couple Mitsu/Chrysler products myself, I'm easy with this partnership. Besides, at least the got the door count right finally. Mistake not to at least offer a sedan, though, IMO.
Now, if only the power went to the correct wheels, I might actually buy one...
;-]
Having owned three Neons and still have a 96 and a 04, this makes me wonder where DC is heading. With GM in serious trouble, unless DC makes some better choices for the public, I see DC heading way down to the list of companies that will fail for sure. I personally think the "olden days" Magnium is nothing but an outdated sataion wagon! The Charger's back seat is not intended for anyone over 5" tall. Where is the logic in that?
So Oldsven don't hold your breath, I am not sure anyone knows for sure what engine, or trans or where the parts will come from. Buy a 2005 Neon while you still can.
I like the looks of the Caliber. Hopefully, they can get better fuel economy out of the turbo 4. My parents have a PT Cruiser GT with the turbo. That thing doesn't get much better mileage than my V8 Explorer. Not to mention, my Explorer can turn on a dime. You need to do a 10 point turn to pull the same turn in the PT.
I'd love the AWD SRT-4 with navigation, Sirius radio and every other goodie out there.
And who knows.. with just a little work the srt-4 made it cool to drive something related that could be called a Neon, (not that i have anything against them as i used to drive one for the past 3 years) so who knows we may see a srt version of the caliber out quicker than it took for the neon version to come out, so they can stay in with those econo-racer crowd
;-]