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Dodge Caliber MPG-Real World Numbers
With the price of fuel being what it is, the mileage you're getting is becoming more important. This is the place to discuss the mileage performance you're getting out int he real world.
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I was also surprised the SXT model I bought did'nt have cruise control on it. The dealer told me they would give it to me at cost as soon as the kits become availible. It's the only "other" thing I wanted on my Caliber so I'll have to wait until they send the cruise control kits out to the dealers.
CB
I park in a warm garage every night and I have not had the check engine light problem, but this appears to be something that will not be dificult to fix. DCX needs to get the new programming road-tested before they tell everyone that this is the "fix", that's probably why you were asked to wait.
As I've said before, the positves on this car far outweigh any negatives. Everyone I've showed mine to is amazed at the style, safety, quality, and versatility that less than $17k will buy.
i GOT A solid 30 MPGs this first run. I'm very pleased with that. what do you think? also should i be worried that such a long hwy trip happened before having adequate break in tme?
thanks!
I like the 30mpg, but that is not significantly higher than what you can get in a truck that is 4 thousand pounds heavier, can fit a family of five in, tow a 12k trailer and haul a load MUCH GREATER than that of a compact. I will admit though we are kinda granny drivers though so guys who like to give her the whip can fly by us and get ther faster but we hold the speed limit. I hope that there are some people who are getting upper to mid 30s range mpg, b/c that is not to impressive in my opinion to make me step dowwn the scale so far in capability.
My dads old 99 GMC K1500 gets 22.5mpg, and its an old 5.7L V8 old classic version( old body style ) My old 1979 Custom Deluxe lacking overdrive will probably get 20MPG or there about even though its a 6 cylinder.
Any other mileage figures on the Caliber on trips or highway cruises that top 30mpg or is that about all you can squeeze out.
the highest highway mpg rating for any of the caliber is 32 mpg, chrysler, gm , ford historically seem to struggle to meet these numbers in the real world, where several of the asian automakers come close to achieving or exceeding their numbers, which are already quite a bit higher than 32 mpg. the pt cruiser is a perfect example: rarely were drivers able to achieve the epa numbers, which were pretty low as it was. the caliber does not possess a particularly fuel efficient engine, is not aerodynamic, and is way too heavy. 30 mpg is probably about as good as its gonna get. its really disappointing that dam/cry has nothing to offer in the compact segment (AND YES THE CALIBER IS IN THIS SEGMENT) to attract those looking for fuel efficiency and versatility--see: matrix/vibe, nissan versa, honda fit,et al. sorry to offend anyone, but when your MOST fuel efficient version is rated at 32 mpg, that is downright embarrassing.
also, i was expecting 25 mpg after reading the forum and other's experiences. and since this was the first tank of gas and i'm still under 800 miles on the car, it can only het bettr.
2002 Neon stick shift;
2004 Scion xA stick shift;
2004 Chevy Cavalier (ecotec) with stick shift;
2006 Chevy Cobalt with stick shift (current car)
2003 Honda Civic coupe with stick shift.
2005 Focus ZX3 PZEV with stick shift
The following cars got me 32 mpg under my 80 mile mostly freeway commute with light to moderate traffic:
2002 Neon stick shift;
2004 Scion xA stick shift;
2004 Chevy Cavalier (ecotec) with stick shift;
2006 Chevy Cobalt with stick shift (current car)
2003 Honda Civic coupe with stick shift.
2005 Focus ZX3 PZEV with stick shift
The following cars got me 30 mpg under my 80 mile mostly freeway commute with light to moderate traffic:
2001 VW Golf stick shift;
2004 Neon automatic;
2004 VW Golf stick shift;
the other Focus ZX3 sticks shifts I had (Zetec engine)
The following cars dropped to 26 mpg if I took long road trips and drove 80mph:
both VW Golfs
The following car dropped to 30 mpg if I took long road trips and drove 80 mph:
the Scion xA
26 mpg, all conditions:
2003 Focus ZX3 automatic (2.0 Zetec).
24 mpg, optimal highway conditions:
PT Cruisers, 2004 and 2006 both with automatic
28 mpg, optimal highway conditions:
2005 Honda CR-V with 5 speed auto
23.5 mpg, daily commute (80 mile freeway, as above):
2006 Dodge Carvan SE with 2.4 4 cylinder engine.
18 mpg, 50/50 city and higway:
the PT Cruisers (they take a big hit with city driving).
IN SHORT 26-30 mpg with the Caliber is excellent mileage, given the following factors (i) I am a turtle away from stop lights compared with most of you; (ii) I read the traffic conditions ahead of me on the freeway, and seldom have to brake (just lifting my foot off the gas works) or accelerate hard; (iii) the Caliber is a much heavier, safer car than most of my higher mpg vehicles listed above; (iv) almost all my high mileage numbers (except the CR-V and Neon) come from stick shift vehicles - automatics really slam the mileage, I don't care what the EPA says in comparing stick shifts and automatics. The CVT in the Caliber is supposed to be more efficient in the Caliber, but apparently only improves city cycle mileage, not freeway mileage, over a conventional automatic.
In short, enjoy the car, don't stress.
WHAT!!!???, you consider 26-30 mpg excellent mileage, AND you drive conservatively!!! sorry, this car is a compact car. the matrix has pretty much equal cargo capacities and blows the caliber away as far as mileage. ive driven a couple and they were a blast to drive as well. i hate to see what caliber owners who dont drive conservatively get for mileage. i just got back from a 265 mile trip with my corolla--44.3 MPG and i am only willing to say this is acceptable: i could probably have driven a little slower and done better.
"(iii) the Caliber is a much heavier, safer car than most of my higher mpg vehicles listed above;"
several of those cars similarly equipped as the caliber get similar crash test results
why does chrysler offer such PATHETIC gas mileage in their vehicles. i dont have the answer, but perhaps there are a plethora of chrysler owners feeling that an anemic 26-30 mpg is excellent. the caliber is not fast anyway, so why cant it be reasonably fuel efficient?
sorry to rant, but in no way, shape, or form can 26-30 mpg be considered acceptable in this segment. it is just SAD, SAD, SAD people accept this from chrysler products. it is particularly bad timing as well, considering the state of gasoline prices.
a good analogy is chicago cubs fans who keep filling wrigley field year after year even though there is a poor product on the field. they are all there for the "atmosphere" but in the end the product is still a loser.
chrysler owners: demand better, and maybe they will build something that doesn't insult your intelligence.
the caliber offers nothing over the competition, and they've had several years (matrix/vibe came out in 2002) to engineer and build something more competitive.
i may come off as a toyota owning snob, but on the contrary i would love to see the big 3 step up to the plate, but they always seem to be lagging behind, and in the case of the caliber, lagging far behind. this is 2006. i just passed a gas pump that read $3.01 for regular. your most fuel efficient car needs not be such a JOKE!
Now, if I drive a Caliber 100k miles and average 28 mpg (likely) that takes 3571 gallons of gas, $2.75 per gallon on average, gives a cost of $9821.
If I drove a car that got 38 mpg for the same 100k miles, it would take 2632 gallons of gas, $2.75 per gallon on average, gives a cost of $7237.
Thus, the savings would be $2584.
BUT, how much more would it cost to build/buy the higher MPG car? Probably $2500 or more, ... Do we all get it now? I'm sure DCX has done these calculations several times...
When I was looking at Jettas a while back, it was actually cheaper to buy the gasser than the TDI, because the TDI commands full sticker price and the gasser does not. There was more of a price differential than the fuel savings would offset in 100k. Even the VW dealer agreed with my numbers...
I think you would need to drive a Toyota Prius about 250k before you actually start saving money, since they cost so much to begin with... and the insuracnce is high too because of the value of the car.
The 2006 Civic may get 35 mpg overall, but it is slightly higher priced than the Caliber, has fewer features, and will break you on insurance since its the #1 most stolen car...
Bottom line - my Caliber uses no more gas than my late-model failed GM experiment did, and it has many likable features not found on the entry-level econoboxes.
Its all in what you want and what you want to pay for.
Thank You!
"If I drove a car that got 38 mpg for the same 100k miles, it would take 2632 gallons of gas, $2.75 per gallon on average, gives a cost of $7237.
Thus, the savings would be $2584.
BUT, how much more would it cost to build/buy the higher MPG car? Probably $2500 or more, ... Do we all get it now? I'm sure DCX has done these calculations several times..."
...this argument holds no water. to even get air conditioning in a caliber, youll spend as much or more than a toyota matrix w/ac and still give up at least 6-8 mpg. (BTW, MY COROLLA COST ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE BASE CALIBER, BUT I GET AC, POWER LOCKS, MIRRORS--AND A GOOD 8-12 MORE MILES PER GALLON.) additionally, $2.75/ gallon is likely wishful thinking for the next decad. so, toyota and honda can do it but DCX cannot? its not that they cannot afford to build such a car, they do not have the will to do it and here's why, IN MY OPINION:
your quote was as follows--"Bottom line - my Caliber uses no more gas than my late-model failed GM experiment did, and it has many likable features not found on the entry-level econoboxes"
BIG 3 owners have fairly low standards. you seem satisfied to be using no more gas than a "failed gm experiment". if you want to compare DCX products to ford and gm, they will always come out ok.
yes i think the corolla (and matrix) are great cars. since i sell both DCX and Toyo products for the same dealership, i find those two cars strong representatives for the compact car segment and a good point of reference for comparing to the caliber--I WOULD LOVE TO PURCHASE A DCX, FORD, OR GM PRODUCT--but, i work hard for my money and want/need to get as much for my money as possible. a dodge caliber doesnt give me any value for my money.
i believe that domestic car owners have slowly begun to speak with their pocketbooks and are demanding better innovation at fair prices, thus TOYO's incredible growth in market share. (as well as the Korean automakers) as an american, i would love to see the big 3 as the leaders in the automotive industry, but im not willing to give them my money unless they are willing to step forward and be more competitive.
i honestly think, and would hope, most Americans are like me and would gladly drive a domestic vehicle if it were up to par with the rest of the market. unlike some, i think the caliber looks decent, and if they offered a fuel efficient version i would have seriously considered it. they chose not to offer such a vehicle. if enough people are willing to drive a compact that gets poor mileage, then i think DCX will be content with that.
quote=this argument holds no water. to even get air conditioning in a caliber, you'll spend as much or more than a toyota matrix w/ac and still give up at least 6-8 mpg
You cannot even get a Matrix in my region with ABS and side air bags that are standard on the $16k Caliber. AC is important to you, other features are important to other people.
I'm not sure why you keep throwing the Corolla into the mix. Yes, it is a compact, but does not have the utility of a hatchback/5-dr nor the look/image. People are not cross shopping the appliance Corolla with hatchbacks.
Isn't the Kia Spectra5 a titch bit bigger?
youre right. most people probably arent cross shopping a caliber with a corolla. the corolla is indeed very appliance like, but does its job very well. but i think the matrix is a good comparison. when i build a caliber and matrix the way i want them the price is within $1000.
of course we all want different features in a car. the caliber will have good utility and definitely has unique looks. i guess all my babbling on the caliber is that it doesnt shine in the one area that a compact car should. maybe a couple years in, they will offer a more fuel efficient version??? as ive stated before, i'd definitely consider this car if they did that.
I also think the Matrix/Vibe are perfect competition for the Caliber, as well as PT Cruiser, Mazda 3 5-dr, Focus ZX5/ZTW, and VW Golf.
I think the Caliber shines as a uniquely styled compact with extra utility and some nice features for the money. Fuel economy is not far off the other 5-dr/wagons.
I also think the media and therefore many consumers are placing too much value on fuel economy. It should be a factor when deciding what vehicle to purchase or possibly replacing a less fuel efficient vehicle, but the numbers should be evaluated for the real cost, not just the knee-jerk reaction of paying more at the pump.
However, I also agree with those who have to wonder aloud why domestic compacts don't get better mileage. I just returned from a 500 mile roundtrip with my Pontiac Vibe. I easily got 40+ MPG across the Ohio Turnpike at 65 mph. The Vibe has a Toyota motor, as we all know. I suspect that if it had any of the 4-cylinders GM is currently using, the mileage would be well below that.
I can't offer any educated comments on a diesel, having never owned one. However, I too am sick of hearing Americans complain about gas prices while they continue to buy and drive around in behemoth gas guzzlers. A family of five could easily fit in my Vibe, with plenty of room for carrying cargo and "stuff."
Anyhow, rather than continuing to rant, I will also say it does come down to what someone else said - the bottom line is that people are buying what they want and as long as consumers still "want" gas guzzling behemoths, that's what the Big 3 are going to provide.
Isn't the Kia Spectra5 a titch bit bigger? "
There is none of this at all. The caliber is a bit slow at the start, but races by other cars easily. I thought I would have to gun it the first time I passed a semi, and was surprised when I hit the gas hard and blew on by. Better passing pickup than my old 6 cylinder Stratus, and that was a 2004.
Our last tank just ended up with only 22 mpg avg. Kinda sad right now. This last tank only my wife drove it. She does not drive fast nor hard. Same daily destinations too.
Going to let just her drive the next tank to check again.
Very few vehicles could fit adult behind me @ 6'4" and long legs. Also, reverse facing child seats do not fit either. The cargo space behind of a compact hatch won't hold a pack N play, strollers, portable high chair and other baby/toddler stuff either. Maybe when kids are >5 a small hatch would work as a primary family vehicle, but not a young family. This is why I have a minivan (21mpg) and two 4-dr pickups (14 & 12mpg). Combined 40k miles per year between 2 drivers
But I don't complain about fuel costs.
I'll agree with you when it comes to "storage" of toddler stuff in a car like the Vibe. It is unlikely that a folded down playpen would fit. However - strollers, etc., no problem. I've had them in there on occasion.
Also, your height would probably not be a factor either since the backseat of the Vibe is roomier than any vehicle I've ever owned. I am about 6 ft and weigh 350 pounds. This translates to "seat all the way back, and reclined some." I've had many adults and kids sit behind me with no complaints. I've actually sat back there behind other drivers that have the seat in the same position. The Vibe is simply above the pack when it comes to rear seat room.
As for rear-facing child seats, again, I've never had any trouble using one in my back seat on the driver or passenger side.
Enough about the Vibe for now, since this is a Caliber forum. Based upon my "test" of the Caliber at the Detroit auto show, I suspect it would easily accomodate a family as well, although I personally thought the back seat was much more cramped than my Vibe. It may have more to do with the design of the door opening, or the floorboard, or perhaps the height and extension of the seat, but I had a hard time getting in and out of the back. The storage space behind the back seats looked to be about the same.
If you slide the panel the other way, it stops the cool air from entering the Chill Zone, and makes it into just a Zone. The beverage rack at the bottom is removable.. it just sits there. I'm sure there are many people who don't want to use that space for chilling beverages, so they allow you to close of the cool air, just like most dampers that you have on any of your air conditioning outlets now.
Understand? (Sometimes I'm too "wordy".)
See my post somewhere above.
Long legs, mean seat track all the way back. Long arms means seat bottom front up, back down and seatback reclined a little. Not hiphop reclined, but it may look like that if a shorter person sat in a seat after I've adjusted it. The distance between the seatback and the front of the rear seat bottom cushion gets small quickly for most vehicles. When I had mid-sized sedans and took adults places, I moved the seat forward and seatback up a little, or had my wife (5'5") drive.
Anyway, i haven't sat in a Vibe/Matrix or Caliber yet. I almost bought a PT Cruiser GT in 2004 and it had plenty of room, but 40" rear legroom is more than any other 5-dr hatch.
Anyhow - I hear you on the legroom issue. I suspect that if you sit in the back seat of a Caliber, you will be disappointed if the front seat is back all the way. When I sat in it, I had trouble in the back seat and also felt like the front seat was cramped. I'm more fat than I am tall, but either way, every car I drive I have to put the seat all the way back and recline it some. Otherwise, my stomach won't fit behind the wheel! :surprise: I've never sat in a PT Cruiser, but I've heard other folks say they are also very roomy.
I still haven't had a chance to test drive a Caliber. There haven't been any available in my area. I've only seen one on the highway, and that was down in Ohio.
I'm 6' & I drive a 2002 Neon and can easlily fit myself, my wife, my 9 year old son & my 18 month old son & all his necessary supplies (aside from a high chair which I'm not sure why you need to take a high chair with you when you travel?)
His Very Large Jeep Stroller and Jeep Play Pen go in the trunk. his diaper bag goes on the floor in front of him. He is no longer in a rear facing car seat but he current car seat is much bigger than the rear facing one was. Perhaps you just need to learn to pack lighter or more efficently?