Dodge Caliber

willsim

It was tested against most of the cars you mention in the May issue of Car and Driver and your right it didn't do well.

katiescaliber

I indeed find it true that a lot of saleman know very little about a lot of the products they sell...

My husband sold cars for a very brief period and they didn't train him hardly at all and told him that the less he knows, the better salesman he will be! This was more on the business end but still. Also, he was selling Nissans and knew nothing about them. He is a GM guy...

willsim

The Caliber didn't do well in the MT test either. However, the was not as good a comparison as they were using a pre-production AWD RT

gregoriusm

The only Calibers SXT's that don't have the chrome grill is the SXT Sport. They have a few of them in Winnipeg. The non-chrome grill makes it look just that much more sporty.

The Dodge Ram logo is still "chrome".

pacerman

I fully agree, hoping I can order without chrome on an RT.....

bookhud

Anyone with inside knowledge heard when the ESP option will be available on the Caliber? I asked a dealership and DCX, but the only answer I get is "late availability" which I already knew. My guess is that it won't be available until the Compass and Patriot go into production. Anyone know anything different? Thanks. Hud

aaron_t

Late Summer/Early Fall again with arrival of the Compass.

neely2005

No offense but in my opinon Consumers Reports is BY FAR the Least biased.
Their annual Auto Issue was just out last month & they cover off 1 Car Segment each month.

micweb

I subscribe to Consumer Reports (on line) but I think it is biased in favor of Toyota and Honda and against American makers. Consider the fact that they will give brand new models from those companies top ratings for predicted reliability.

You can't completely blame them - in general, across the entire line, Honda and Toyota build good cars. GM makes some good and some bad. Chrysler seems to make average (and average is pretty good these days, we own two DC products right now!). Ford is spotty and occasionally gets nailed by the press.

There used to be an adage "no one gets fired for buying IMB [office equipment" but now you could say "no one gets blamed for recommending Honda and Toyota." At worst, if they make a turkey (automatic transmissions, sludge) people shrug and say everyone's entitled to an occasional mistake, and they fix it, right?

gljvd

I'm interested in this car , the vibe , patriot and torrent (i know but with the 3k gm card money I can get it for close to a caliber)

I'm a tall guy around 6'4 and I find in many cars the center console is to close to my right leg while driving. My leg constantly rests against it and my leg starts to hurt.

How is this car ? do your legs rest on the console ?

lexan1965

I'm 6'-4", weigh 240 lbs. and I have room in my Caliber to stretch! The front seats are fine with my height and weight but as the discussions here on the back seats, I would'nt want to travel far if I had to sit back there with a person my size driving. I have to have the seat almost all the way back while driving. Now if a smaller person were driving and did'nt have to have the seat all the way back it would'nt be too bad.

lexan1965

I had to go to the hardware store to get some lumber, 8' sections. I folded the back seat down, the front passenger seat down and I was in business! I also hauled a patio set with a glass table and large box with just the back seat down and it worked out great. You can't do these things with any car, I like the versatility of my Caliber.

nortsr1

gljvd....I think ou will find out that you can only use 1000 GM points on the Vibe.....unless you have a super duper old type card!!!!!

gljvd

I'm 6'-4", weigh 240 lbs. and I have room in my Caliber to stretch! The front seats are fine with my height and weight but as the discussions here on the back seats, I would'nt want to travel far if I had to sit back there with a person my size driving. I have to have the seat almost all the way back while driving. Now if a smaller person were driving and did'nt have to have the seat all the way back it would'nt be too bad.

Right , but how about the center console . Is it in the way of your right leg ? I had a minute to sit in it at the auto show and couldhn't change the seat around but it seems like the center console would be right there on my leg

gljvd....I think ou will find out that you can only use 1000 GM points on the Vibe.....unless you have a super duper old type card!!!!!

I'm not sure , its my fathers card and he has had it since the card came out . I have 3000 points on it , I know I get the full amount off on the torrent. So a fully loaded torrent would cost me around 23k and the vibe and caliber would be around 20k the vibe prob 19k if i can use only 1k points

nortsr1

gljvd.....There is a phone # on the back of the card...You can then get what amount you are allowed for each GM vehicle....or call the dealer.

gljvd

Yea I know , I know the torrent is 3k . Actually when I buy in the fall I might get an extra thousand points on it (As they normaly give extra points at the model year end ) if i go 06 instead of 07. Right now its not a big deal. I'm looking at all of the cars as if I have no money on them and then after I test drive and read enough on them all I will see how the rebates affect the choice

pacerman

That was me, and sorry that you are that sensitive, like I said I like the body coloured grill :lemon: :P

caliberchic

Geez, where is the rolling eyes car smilie.

PF_Flyer

Let's get back to the Caliber please.

In general, it's a good idea to NOT comment about other users. Even if you mean to say something good, the words don't always get interpreted as you intended.

caliberchic

So I finally got ahold of the dealer today about the exterior styling package. Apparently it IS something to be ordered through the parts department seperate from the delivery of the car. Anyone who ordered one with that package make sure your dealer orders it in a timely fashion so you don't end up waiting for it.

I am slightly annoyed at the fact that it's been 6 weeks since I ordered(almost) and they didn't look into it until I called to be sure I would have to wait a week for the parts to come it.

:mad:

neely2005

I think you answered your own question The reason that Honda & Toyota have Good Predicted Reliability is based on their track record.
From what I've seen in Consumer Reports (I have a subscription to the magazine) Ford seems to rate the highest for quality for U.S. car makers and Chrysler is second with GM in last place.
The thing that I like about Consumer Reports is that they actually buy all of the vehicles themselves and they don't accept any advertising - I think that's the key to being unbiased.

If you haven't picked up the Annual Auto Issue (it was out Last Month) I strongly suggest that you do!!! It's great!

gljvd

so you guys are saying the cvt2 makes alot of noise ?

blackcaliber

Well, the transmission (CVT2) itself doesn't make much noise, but the engine that works with it does. If you want to feel the car moving, you have to push a little more on the gas pedal than with the 1,8L with the manual transmission. And because the engine revs more, it produces more noise. And to get from 0 to 100km/h, either it will take you 20 seconds or more or you push on that gas pedal, and you'll have a headache for the rest of the day... :P

gljvd

thats interesting . I will have to keep an ear out for that when I look at the car. I'm going thursday . Starting to gather info on what I want to buy

uday85

I am thinking of buying my first new car. I currently drive a 91 Prizm. I saw an Orange colored Dodge Caliber and was wondering about its performance and reliability. Any one who has bought the base model with a Stick Shift could you please respond with your experience so far with the car. I am 6ft 2 and medium built so any information in the areas of leg, hip and the head room is appreciated.
Thank you.

moonhunt18

i dont think so! not at all! very quiet to me

lexan1965

I disagree...the cvt2 is not that noisy. Everybody makes it sound as if it's a Sherman tank or something. The fact of the Caliber being more quiet to drive than my past 2 neons may have something to do with my opinion. I do not find it to be "clunky" or "noisy". In fact I find the cvt2 in my Caliber to be very smooth, and when passing other vehicles, very quick. Only time will tell how reliable the cvt2 is but I believe Dodge has done their homework on this and it won't have issues with the cvt2's.

lexan1965

I have no issues with the center console being in the way with my right leg.

neely2005

"All-round, I love this transmission. Its among the best CVTs Ive ever tried. Interestingly, what might be the best CVT Ive driven overall is fitted to Nissans Murano crossover, a transmission that just happens to be made by the same supplier that builds the Calibers CVT, Jatco; a Japanese company thats partially owned by Nissan. The Caliber CVT is a more sophisticated gearbox than that in the Murano, however, being a newer, more updated CVT2 example, and is probably only bested by the Nissan due to the larger vehicles torque-laden V6 engine - kind of an apples to oranges comparison."

http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Dodge/review/2007-dodge-caliber-road-test/1680- /2

pacerman

Only thing I think that Dodge should have done is put in a dipstick to check the CVT2 trans oil level...........wonder if the Murano has one?? :confuse:

gljvd

that is good considering dodge has this in 3 models this year , two of which i'm interested in haha

caliberchic

I personally thought the cvt2 Caliber we test drove had engine noise HOWEVER it was seen in the shop with the engine torn apart a few days after it was delivered to the new owners.

Rumor was that it was getting automatic start installed but I am suspicious that it had something wrong with it. :confuse:

renchbnder

have the 2.0L with the fancy auto which is the SXT model got 1000 miles on it, and am very happy. Yes it makes noise when you have it up around 5000 Rpm, but that just sucking air,,lol.. For 3300 lb car, very comfortable, been averaging about 32Mpg/ use the cruise control probably 85% of the time. Very well constructed underneath, (was surprised)almost full framed. I am and auto mechanic, so at work i had that prevelige to look at the dirty side,,lol
To Me this car is better built than the PT Cruirser. theres no comparsion to it, or the neon, and i own a '04 neon, and traded an '03 neon in on the Caliber. on complaint i have they needed to put some padding on the center console, and the door rest,(kills your elbows after awhile. hope it helps you some,,, enjoy it !

gljvd

thanks man , i'm really looking at this more seriously , going to test drive it at the end of the month . I really want to try the patriot though (since i have a 94 cherokee it shouldn't be a big change) I'm looking at the sxt too , however are the steering wheel mounted sound controlls only with the leather package ?

neely2005

Some interesting info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Caliber

nonnemacher

I've not pushed my 2.0 much above 4,000 rpm and the opertaion is very smooth and pretty quiet. I'd suspect engine noise is the primary thing at higher rpms... If you take off the air intake tube to expose the battery, you will notice a tube that is capped and says "dealer use only" on it. I think this is some sort of breather or dipstick for the CVT. The Owner's Manual says that under normal driving conditions, the trans fluid will last the life of the car.

dianicess

According to an article I read at this link, 1,000 workers that had been laid off in the Belvidere, IL plant were brought back in March to work on the Caliber, and if all goes well, the work force will be increased even further. I read this after buying my Caliber, and I feel good about this. I can't wait to see more Calibers out there on the road.

mazda6iguy

>>I do agree they should have put some padding on the console >>and armrests,oh and the white interior is a little scary. <<

You might be able to find a gel filled 'wrist rest' at a computer store. That may help with the arm rest padding.

renchbnder

Wow! very good suggestion, was going to have the wife make something and velco them on,,thx

neely2005

Can you post the Link for the article?

wcott

Does anyone know if the DCX's "Friends and Family" discount is available in Canada for the Caliber?

bookhud

Are most R/T owners still seeing MPG in the mid 20s or are any of you seeing increased MPG over time? Thanks. Hud

moonhunt18

i've seen gel pads for car interiors on ebay.

DODGE CALIBER ELBOW KNEE LEG SUPPORT GEL FILLED PAD
Item number: 8060917024

:shades:

dianicess

Here's the link about the Belvidere plant:
http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060111/BUSINESS05/101110017

cuzinkev

I have a 2007 sxt 2 litre caliber. After two weeks of driving it started to make a pinging sound from under the vehicle as short as three kilometers of driving. Even while the car is moving idleing it makes this noise about every 3-5 seconds. it only stops after the vehicle cools down. any one else have this problem i have it in the shop to get checked out. the salesman said it was water in the catilatic converted. i call BS.

pacerman

Check out the other Caliber forums, yes there have been problems with pinging from other owners, most suggestions say to try higher octane gas to see if it goes away, then a trip to the dealer.......I think one fella said they had to "reflash" his ecm??? :confuse:

nortsr1

I am in the process of negotiating for a new Chrysler vehicle. Any Employee or whomever out there willing to Email me a confirmation number???My Email can be obtained by 'clicking" on my "nortsr". Thankyou

cuzinkev

Thanks The mechanic at the dealership is going to replace the exhaust system. I will mention the reflashing of the ecm??? which I think is something to do with the computer?

nonnemacher

If the engine is pinging, the computer is off, especially the timing. If the exhaust is pinging, resetting the computer will not change anything.

My local Dodge dealer said that DCX is considering the exhaust pinging normal operation at this point, so I doubt if replacing the exhaust with the same parts will change anything. It is odd that the noise only occurs after a couple of weeks of driving....

To me its not a biggie... In time they will redesign some part so that it does not do this anymore, at which point, I'll take mine in for service. It is an odd thing, but the car runs and drives so well otherwise, I'm willing to give DCX a chance to find a good solution. In the meantime, I'll turn up the radio...

My previous Saturn cars had rediculous noises, especially suspension and steering, and they were never able to come up with a fix for them that worked.

I'm impressed with the Caliber to this point and I hope that DCX solves this minor issue. That said, replacing parts before they really have it diagnosed and solved is a waste of time on your part and money on DCX's part.

I did get a good response when I contacted Dodge through their web site about my SXT's outside temperature display. Perhaps we should send them emails asking about the status of fixing the pinging on the Calibers... If they haven't started working on it yet, maybe they will.

mek0123

About two weeks ago, DCX kinda quietly discontinued the Friends and Family discount on the Caliber at this time. They can't keep up with demand, so the F & F is not available on this model.............. at this time. Employees immediate family is of course eligible for the same discount an employee would receive. Just an fyi. Good luck.