According to a local Toyota dealer. The Vibe Engine is nolonger than same engine as the Matrix. This is because the contract between Toyota and GM expired. So Vibe is no longer the same as a Matrix at least where the engine and transmission are concerned. This started with the 2006 version.
I don't believe this is true , isn't gm and toyota part of the world engine group ? They spun off a company along with dodge and someone else that just designs and build engines that then they each tweak for thier needs ?
I'd THINK about the 1.8 with a stickshift, except for the fact that the other drivers in my family have never driven stick before. And the cost of the "automatic" is probably worth the cost of the couple of clutches I'll go thru, not to mention the grinding gear shifts and the stalling in traffic. So I'll bite it and buy the CVT for the peace and mind. Granted, I am also a little leery of the CVT2. But I think that is a technology that is coming into its own. Audi, and others, have had a successful CVT in some of their recent auto offerings. I am going to wait til year-end to see what the Dodge recalls are (if any), and to see if they have any deals up here.
Yeah, If you want a Caliber I guess you would have to go with the proven stick shift or go with the CVT technology. Waiting till the end of this model year is a good idea to see how the recalls go and what the overall complaints are about this technology. I just hate that the engine is all new too. I at least wanted something to be battle tested but as it is you are risking your neck with an all new powertrain and a new tranny. I'm with you. Wait until the end of the year at least and see what happens.
My Vibe does the exact same thing, and it's REALLY loud! It must be something to do with air pressure, because I've sat in the back of my dad's Buick Century which does the same thing while it's happening, and I can feel the air pressure doing weird things in my ears - kind of like being on an airplane.
Any scientists out there who want to explain to us why it happens, and why it seems more common on newer vehicles?
It could be that the auto makers are cutting corners on the quality of steel and seaing material they use and specificly on the compact stuff. Here in the past( mid 1990's) This wasnt a problem but now with higher fuel costs and so many auto makers posting losses, everyone has to be cutting corners to try to save money. The double seal that seals the door to the car may be cheaper and start leaking causing that rush of wind noise at higher speeds. You would not think that cheapining the double seal on a car would save much money but think if it saves pennys per car. Think of all the cars they make. It'll be worth it in the long run, expense wise.
My 1996 Toyota Camry does it. I thought all cars did it, when just the back windows were down. It drives me crazy! Is it true that at higher speeds, it is more gas efficient to use the A/C instead of rolling down the windows?
I don't know much about cars but I don't think that seal quality would have much to do with the wind noise from windows being down. Maybe if you had wind noise when the windows were up then seal quality would come into play...?
When the rear windows are rolled all the way down, you have an air pocket in the front passenger area. The wind rushing through the pathway between the two rear windows tries to suck the air out of the front of the car as it moves through the car. This is exaggerated at higher speeds. But it can't suck all the air out, or it would create a vacuum. So, what you are hearing is the the fight to suck air out of and draw air back into the front passenger area. What causes "sound" is changes in air pressure against your eardrum. That's exactly what is happening in the front of the car with the back windows down.
If the door seals were really loose, it would decrease the sound, not increase it. What makes the sound so loud is how tight cars are built these days, not how loose they are.
I have also seen reports that driving 65 MPH with AC on is better for MPG than driving 65 MPH with the windows down, due to aerodynamic considerations, but his would likely vary from car to car, depending on the car's overall aerodynamic design.
All 3 Caliber engines were jointly designed by Hyundai, Mitsubishi & Chrysler.
This is the Second Generation of the CVT Transmission for Chrysler hence the name CVT2.
Looks are subjective. Many men and women will love the way it looks and many will hate the way it looks - which is what Chrysler wants for all it's cars. They want people to either love the way it looks or hate the way it looks they don't want any mushy middle / it looks okay or average responses.
I found out something really cool about my new Caliber today. I have been driving it for almost a month now and have about 1800 miles on it. I have stepped on the pedal to see what kind of power it could make. I pushed down on the pedal to what I thought was all the way down, kind of ho hum power, but, today on my way home I was not paying attention, messing with my REC radio, and kind of pulled out in front of a big truck. With the truck bearing down pretty fast in my rear view mirror, I pushed down on the gas pedal hard, and what I found out is really cool the pedal goes down nice, smooth and easy to what you would think is all the way down, and then if you keep pushing it hard will go further, hold on to the wheel be cause it makes a ton of power, out of control power, spinning tires and torque steering. I think I could have driven it forever and would never have pushed it past the stop, at first I thought I pushed to hard and broke something. Try it out, but be safe.
Are there any plans to offer the VW turbo-diesel engine that is due out for the European market soon, in the Caliber's for sale here in the U.S.? The VW diesel engine has proven itself for many years and would be a welcome addition to the U.S. market under the hood of a Caliber. Since VW and DCX will be offering more combined platforms soon, I think now (with fuel at $3.00 a gallon and only guaranteed to go higher) would be the ideal time to offer a vehicle capable of 50mpg on the hwy and 42 or so mpg in the city. I'd be willing to sign up first!
I'm sure you all love your Caliber's, but the one thing that turned me off of the cars was the view out the rear of the car. There are big blind spots...
I think the VW turbo-diesel in the Caliber would be great. I've driven the TDI, and it's a pretty good powerplant. It's got gobs of torque, and while it's no Corvette, you won't be embarrassed off the line.....and getting almost 1000 kilometers per tank on the highway is REAL hard to take these days. I understand that the diesel fuel quality in N. America is somewhat of a problem. European diesel fuel has about 15 parts per million contaminents in it, while NAmerican diesel has about 500 parts per million. And isn't there some emissions regulations about diesel exhaust?? Too bad, because I think the TDI would be great. Throw in diesel fuel mileage and AWD...wow!
Caliber TDI or CRD would be great, I agree. I did not want to wait that long though. Other manufacturers also have diesel cars that they are not selling in North America, like the Ford Focus TDCI, which is selling very well in Europe. Also, for a while M-Benz plans to stop selling its very popular 320CDI in the US. I think the hold-up is that North America does not have "clean diesel" yet. When clean diesel is common in N.A., manufacturers will offer those vehicles, but not until then.
"I pushed down on the gas pedal hard, and what I found out is really cool the pedal goes down nice, smooth and easy to what you would think is all the way down, and then if you keep pushing it hard will go further"
you mean chrysler designed a special gas pedal that doesnt stop until it goes all the way to the floor. well, thats just ingenious. with that kind of break through engineering, its amazing that dam/cry doesnt just dominate the automotive market. if the asian automakers figure out this technologically advaned gas pedal, it might be just what they need to push them to the forefront.....er...oops....too late!!
I just started reading this forum yesterday, and haven't read past your post about changing F to C, but I would try holding the button in for 5 or 10 seconds and see if it changes.
If someone has already found out how to do this, great! I'll read about it in a few minutes.
Has anyone else noticed that when you turn on your signal, the light goes out on your running lamps! My husband told me when he was ahead me driving , said the light was out..but when I made the turn..light came back on...weird!Is this something new?? Besides that...I LOVE my new Caliber!!!Inferno Red SXT Sport.... We`ve had her now three weeks and in those three weeks we pimped her out alittle....tinted the windows,vent shades,wind deflector,hood cover,chrome tip, and had the wheels painted same color as the car,(just the grooves,not the whole wheel)She looks hot!! people tell us how different she looks, but people always compliment her...I waited along time to get her..kept in touch with dodge,,and when I got the e-mail that she was at the dealer..boom, I was there! we traded in our 2005 Neon,and got our new baby...
A REAL MAN buys what he likes/needs/can afford, thinks of his significant other when purchasing, along with whomever might be riding with him regularly, etc.
Around here, we have a million PT Cruisers, and the majority are driven by MEN. REAL MEN, not men who have to buy something that costs them more, doesn't necessarily meet their needs, etc. just to be a "man".
Give me a break! If more men were REAL MEN, we'd all be happier, especially our significant others, mothers and friends.
I love the muscular look of the Caliber, but if the Matrix fit my budget/requirements/functionality, etc., I'd buy it and to heck with anybody who thinks I'm not a "man" for driving it.
Yep... that is the way it works. The idea is to make people really notice the turn signal since so many cars have the signals right beside the headlights and the signals are hard to see with the headlights on.
Also, the Caliber has the largest headlights ever offered by Chrysler, so I'm sure this helps.
One way or the other, it helps people be more aware that you are turning, which to me is all about safety!
Well, if I didn't just see you turn your signals on and see the DRL go out............I would just think .......another one eyed doorknob who doesn't check their lights regularly....and does one headlight go out as well with the headlights on when turning at night?
Someone on this forum or another one said that they spoke with DCX about the temp display and there is no way to change it from F to C... that is what they said at least.
picked up my marine blue pearl sxt sport with sunroof and convenience group friday. was surprised there was no chrome on the grill except for the goat head. dealer could not offer any info. grill same as base se model. build date 04 06. mistake or cost cutting? plan to call dcx canada monday. otherwise love the car. wife said the blue dash was too much dealer offered to install carbon fibre style n/c.
No,,The headlight doesn`t go out at night,,,only the DRL....but during the day, I`ve had COPS looking hard .....waiting to see if i`m gonna get stopped one day.. :surprise:
Another question for anyone......on the power window contols on the doors, only one lights up on mine..ya know, that little green light, on the drivers side...Are the others suppose to light too?? It`s hard to find the controls at night in the back..you have to feel for it. :shades: "
yup, was discussed at length in the other forum, only the drivers window is lit, yes there are clear windows in the others, but the switches are sealed and not a simple matter of installing a bulb or LED.
ya know the little squares (lights?), one on each side of the power switch for the nighttime rear view dimmer...? well, when i activate the dimmer only the square on the left lights up. should they both be lighting up? or is the right hand one a sensor or something?
also,does anyone know if there is a way to have the headlights turn on/off automatically when turning on/off the ignition?
I've read a lot of this caliber forum and have read about people complaining that the Caliber lacks power. Yeah, so what? It's not a hot rod, it has a small engine, it also weighs 500 pounds more than the neons did. If you want power buy another car like a Mustang.
yup,,only one side lights up....usually it`s on when you start the car..and the headlghts you control with the personal settings, located under the gas gauge...push in to get to the setting..look in your manual for more info....
Now I guarantee you, the major oil refineries will squawk blue murder about how much more money it's going to cost them to further refine and process their diesel fuel to meet the new standards. So, it will either cost twice as much for the new diesel fuel, or Big Oil will drag their feet for years by putting the issue before the courts and Congress.
If you got the SXT whether standard or sport the grill should be trimmed in chrome according to the pictures in the book. The only one doesn't have the chrome is the SE.
DCX canada head office was no help to me this morning when i phoned them to ask why there was a se grill on my car...they said that all sxt and rt models come with the chrome surround...they said they would check with the factory and get back to me...surprise!!! they said they would mail me a $50 parts voucher for taking the time to call them...i might call them 2 or 3 times a day also phoned a large dealership in toronto and some wacky salesguy said no chrome was a $10 delete option??? anybody have any info without questioning my manhood...
$10 no chrome delete option.....I'll have to remember that when I order my RT, I like the grill sans chrome.....actually how is the chrome bead held on???
Our dealer said that the exterior styling package(spoiler, chrome gas cap, etc) are dealer installed parts and they aren't sure if the car will be delivered with it or it something they will have to order. (Yes, I am throughly annoyed at the lack of knowledge)Does anyone know if I have to press my dealer to get it ordered before the car comes in or while it be shipped assembled?
Dh thinks it will have to be ordered through Dodges parts department. I will be a very unhappy camper if I have to wait several weeks for these accessories!
I agree, 26-30 mpg on a modern small car is no great shakes. If the domestic-variety Caliber came with the diesel motor that it has in Europe, I'd snap one up tomorrow. I don't know if the diesel will fly in the States, though. Here in Canada, fully 45 percent of VW Jettas and Golfs are of the diesel variety, compared to barely over 10 percent in the States. It makes me wonder. Unless, y'all LIKE paying over 3 bucks a gallon?
I wish that the USA would be as open to diesel as Canada. I have a Jeep Liberty diesel. Jeep has made the diesel in 05 and 06. The bad news is no diesel in the Liberty from the 07 on. The reason is that the V M Motori CRD does not meet Fed Smog levels. The government is causing more polution by allowing the huge V-8 engines that get 15 mpg and some diesel that gets 26 mpg they won't allow. This administration is really in sad shape. What's worse is I voted for this President. So at least our neighbor to the north is doing more to make the air clean than we do.
"The government is causing more polution by allowing the huge V-8 engines that get 15 mpg and some diesel that gets 26 mpg they won't allow. "
exactly. diesel fuel is so much cleaner burning nowadays than it was 10-15 years ago. americans have this image stuck in their head of the old diesel cars that were a b***c to start in the cold weather and had black smoke billowing out of their tailpipes. those days are gone. unlike hybrid technology, diesel burning models are fairly inexpensive and readily available just about everywhere else but north america. having said that, a gas burning compact car should still do better than the caliber.
probably even more stunning is the tiny chevy aveo, a subcompact. im seeing people struggle to get 30 mpg in those. :surprise:
Hey, we're not doing much better with our current administration up here. We've fallen into the trap of blaming everybody else for gas prices...except ourselves. We've gotten used to cheap gas, and our vehicle choices reflect that. In Europe, 90 percent of the vehicles there are compact cars. They don't seem to find it necessary to have a 5000 pound, 300 horsepower vehicle to drop off the kiddies and pick up groceries. But until politicians have the guts to tell people to pull their heads out of their butts and figure it out....it'll always be easier to blame OPEC, Wall Street, EXXon, Republicans, Democrats, etc, etc.
I've looked at all those vehicles, and made all those comparisons and arguments...pro and con. I like the mileage and quality of the Corolla, but I find them so...bland. If I'm spending 20+K, I want to feel excited about my purchase. I don't mind the Matrix or Mazda3, but once you start adding on the basic features, the price climbs up pretty well. Frankly, I'd take a long hard look at either of those two cars, if the prices were comparable to the Dodge. The Caliber's fuel mileage is a bit disappointing compared to the others, but if you add up the price difference between those models and the Caliber...that would probably pay for quite a few tankfuls.
European countries and cities also tend to be a lot smaller/compact in terms of size and have less highways and much better public transit so it's easier to get around without a car. Having said that I find it odd that the U.S. hasn't embraced Diesel fuel more.
Comments
I don't believe this is true , isn't gm and toyota part of the world engine group ? They spun off a company along with dodge and someone else that just designs and build engines that then they each tweak for thier needs ?
Granted, I am also a little leery of the CVT2. But I think that is a technology that is coming into its own. Audi, and others, have had a successful CVT in some of their recent auto offerings.
I am going to wait til year-end to see what the Dodge recalls are (if any), and to see if they have any deals up here.
Any scientists out there who want to explain to us why it happens, and why it seems more common on newer vehicles?
I don't know much about cars but I don't think that seal quality would have much to do with the wind noise from windows being down. Maybe if you had wind noise when the windows were up then seal quality would come into play...?
When the rear windows are rolled all the way down, you have an air pocket in the front passenger area. The wind rushing through the pathway between the two rear windows tries to suck the air out of the front of the car as it moves through the car. This is exaggerated at higher speeds. But it can't suck all the air out, or it would create a vacuum. So, what you are hearing is the the fight to suck air out of and draw air back into the front passenger area. What causes "sound" is changes in air pressure against your eardrum. That's exactly what is happening in the front of the car with the back windows down.
If the door seals were really loose, it would decrease the sound, not increase it. What makes the sound so loud is how tight cars are built these days, not how loose they are.
I have also seen reports that driving 65 MPH with AC on is better for MPG than driving 65 MPH with the windows down, due to aerodynamic considerations, but his would likely vary from car to car, depending on the car's overall aerodynamic design.
This is the Second Generation of the CVT Transmission for Chrysler hence the name CVT2.
Looks are subjective. Many men and women will love the way it looks and many will hate the way it looks - which is what Chrysler wants for all it's cars. They want people to either love the way it looks or hate the way it looks they don't want any mushy middle / it looks okay or average responses.
I have been driving it for almost a month now and have about 1800 miles on it. I have stepped on the pedal to see what kind of power it could make. I pushed down on the pedal to what I thought was all the way down, kind of ho hum power, but, today on my way home I was not paying attention, messing with my REC radio, and kind of pulled out in front of a big truck. With the truck bearing down pretty fast in my rear view mirror, I pushed down on the gas pedal hard, and what I found out is really cool the pedal goes down nice, smooth and easy to what you would think is all the way down, and then if you keep pushing it hard will go further, hold on to the wheel be cause it makes a ton of power, out of control power, spinning tires and torque steering. I think I could have driven it forever and would never have pushed it past the stop, at first I thought I pushed to hard and broke something. Try it out, but be safe.
http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/caliber.html
I understand that the diesel fuel quality in N. America is somewhat of a problem. European diesel fuel has about 15 parts per million contaminents in it, while NAmerican diesel has about 500 parts per million. And isn't there some emissions regulations about diesel exhaust??
Too bad, because I think the TDI would be great. Throw in diesel fuel mileage and AWD...wow!
you mean chrysler designed a special gas pedal that doesnt stop until it goes all the way to the floor. well, thats just ingenious. with that kind of break through engineering, its amazing that dam/cry doesnt just dominate the automotive market. if the asian automakers figure out this technologically advaned gas pedal, it might be just what they need to push them to the forefront.....er...oops....too late!!
I just started reading this forum yesterday, and haven't read past your post about changing F to C, but I would try holding the button in for 5 or 10 seconds and see if it changes.
If someone has already found out how to do this, great! I'll read about it in a few minutes.
If not, let us all know if this works!
Greg
Besides that...I LOVE my new Caliber!!!Inferno Red SXT Sport.... We`ve had her now three weeks and in those three weeks we pimped her out alittle....tinted the windows,vent shades,wind deflector,hood cover,chrome tip, and had the wheels painted same color as the car,(just the grooves,not the whole wheel)She looks hot!! people tell us how different she looks, but people always compliment her...I waited along time to get her..kept in touch with dodge,,and when I got the e-mail that she was at the dealer..boom, I was there! we traded in our 2005 Neon,and got our new baby...
Vibe, Matrix, PT Cruiser, etc. not a "man's" car?
What you mean is not a "macho man's" car.
A REAL MAN buys what he likes/needs/can afford, thinks of his significant other when purchasing, along with whomever might be riding with him regularly, etc.
Around here, we have a million PT Cruisers, and the majority are driven by MEN. REAL MEN, not men who have to buy something that costs them more, doesn't necessarily meet their needs, etc. just to be a "man".
Give me a break! If more men were REAL MEN, we'd all be happier, especially our significant others, mothers and friends.
I love the muscular look of the Caliber, but if the Matrix fit my budget/requirements/functionality, etc., I'd buy it and to heck with anybody who thinks I'm not a "man" for driving it.
/rant off!
Greg
Also, the Caliber has the largest headlights ever offered by Chrysler, so I'm sure this helps.
One way or the other, it helps people be more aware that you are turning, which to me is all about safety!
Like "they" say: "SEE and BE SEEN".... :shades:
Greg
also,does anyone know if there is a way to have the headlights turn on/off automatically when turning on/off the ignition?
thanks
So, it will either cost twice as much for the new diesel fuel, or Big Oil will drag their feet for years by putting the issue before the courts and Congress.
Dh thinks it will have to be ordered through Dodges parts department. I will be a very unhappy camper if I have to wait several weeks for these accessories!
I don't know if the diesel will fly in the States, though. Here in Canada, fully 45 percent of VW Jettas and Golfs are of the diesel variety, compared to barely over 10 percent in the States. It makes me wonder.
Unless, y'all LIKE paying over 3 bucks a gallon?
Farout
exactly. diesel fuel is so much cleaner burning nowadays than it was 10-15 years ago. americans have this image stuck in their head of the old diesel cars that were a b***c to start in the cold weather and had black smoke billowing out of their tailpipes. those days are gone. unlike hybrid technology, diesel burning models are fairly inexpensive and readily available just about everywhere else but north america. having said that, a gas burning compact car should still do better than the caliber.
probably even more stunning is the tiny chevy aveo, a subcompact. im seeing people struggle to get 30 mpg in those. :surprise:
We've fallen into the trap of blaming everybody else for gas prices...except ourselves. We've gotten used to cheap gas, and our vehicle choices reflect that. In Europe, 90 percent of the vehicles there are compact cars. They don't seem to find it necessary to have a 5000 pound, 300 horsepower vehicle to drop off the kiddies and pick up groceries.
But until politicians have the guts to tell people to pull their heads out of their butts and figure it out....it'll always be easier to blame OPEC, Wall Street, EXXon, Republicans, Democrats, etc, etc.
I like the mileage and quality of the Corolla, but I find them so...bland. If I'm spending 20+K, I want to feel excited about my purchase.
I don't mind the Matrix or Mazda3, but once you start adding on the basic features, the price climbs up pretty well. Frankly, I'd take a long hard look at either of those two cars, if the prices were comparable to the Dodge.
The Caliber's fuel mileage is a bit disappointing compared to the others, but if you add up the price difference between those models and the Caliber...that would probably pay for quite a few tankfuls.
Having said that I find it odd that the U.S. hasn't embraced Diesel fuel more.
Fer crissake's, the U.S. can't even embrace a usable dollar coin or (gasp) the metric system...let alone diesel.