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Dodge Caliber
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Comments
Bill
Inferno Red R/T
"An unstable shear layer that is established at the forward edge of a window opening causes wind buffeting. These disturbances (swirling wind or currents of different speeds and directions) travel along the side of the vehicle and, when they reach the rear edge of the window opening, generate a pressure wave that propagates both inside and outside the passenger compartment. Outside the vehicle, this wave moves both forward and backward along the side of the car. When the forward-traveling wave reaches the front edge of the opening, it triggers another disturbance that moves back to the rear edge. This process is repeated many times a second and causes the shear layer to develop a characteristic buffeting frequency, which depends on the vehicle speed and the geometry of the opening."
link title
As for the CoolZone- I don't know that it was ever meant to be more than a place to keep drinks cold (not cool them down). For what it is, I think it's pretty neat that they thought to put that in there!
MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE OF THIS MODEL INCLUDING DEALER PREPARATION
Base Price: $ 15,425
DODGE CALIBER SXT
Exterior Color: Solar Yellow Clear Coat Exterior Paint
Interior Color: Pastel Slate Gray Interior Colors
Interior: Cloth Seats with Color-Keyed Insert
Engine: 2.0-Liter 4-Cylinder DOHC 16-Valve Dual VVT Engine
Transmission: Continuously Variable Transaxle II
STANDARD EQUIPMENT(UNLESS REPLACED BY OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT)
FUNCTIONAL / SAFETY FEATURES
Front Advanced Multistage Air Bags**
Supplemental Side Curtain Front and Rear Air Bags**
Power Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes
Solar-Control Glass
Rear Window Defroster
Rearview Day/Night Mirror
Sentry Key(R) Theft Deterrent System
Keyless Entry
Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Sliding Sun Visors with Mirrors
Power Accessory Delay
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
Power Mirrors
Speed Sensitive Power Locks
Power Windows with Driver's One-Touch-Down Feature
Passenger Assist Handles
Power Rack-and-Pinion Steering
Touring Suspension
12-Volt Auxiliary Power Outlet
Auxiliary 115-Volt Power Outlet
Illuminated Entry
INTERIOR FEATURES
Air Conditioning with Chill Zone(TM) Storage
Illuminated Cupholders
Tilt Steering Column
AM/FM/CD, Chgr Ctrl, Aux Input Jack
4 Speakers
Sliding Armrest with Cell Phone/MP3 Holder
Flexible Seating Group
Driver's Seat with Height Adjuster
Rear Fold-Flat-Forward Seat
Rear 60/40 Split Recline Seat
Fold Flat - Load Floor
Interior Removable/Rechargeable Lamp
Satin Silver Shifter Bezel
Satin Silver Instrument Panel Bezel
Front and Rear Floor Mats
EXTERIOR FEATURES
Liftgate Door with Fixed Glass
PRICE INFORMATION (contd.)
Halogen Headlamps
17" x 6.5" Steel Wheels
P215/60R17 BSW All Season Touring Tires
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
Solar Yellow Clear Coat Exterior Paint $ 150
Solar Yellow Seat Insert
Customer Preferred Package 24E $ 645
Sport Appearance Interior Group
Color-Keyed Instrument Panel Bezel
Cloth Seats with Color-Keyed Insert
Color-Keyed Shifter Bezel
Fog Lamps
17" x 6.5" Aluminum Wheels
MusicGate Power (TM) Sound System $ 495
2 Articulating Liftgate Speakers
6 Boston Acoustics Speakers with Subwoofer
Steering Wheel-Mounted Audio Controls
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
Heated Front Seats $ 250
Continuously Variable Transaxle II $ 1,000
Anti-Lock Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes
2.0-Liter 4-Cylinder DOHC 16-Valve Dual VVT Engine $ 100
Power Sunroof $ 750
Speed Control $ 250
SIRIUS Satellite Digital Radio $ 195
Call SIRIUS to Activate at 888-539-7474
1-Year Service Provided by SIRIUS
DESTINATION CHARGE $ 560
TOTAL PRICE:* $ 19,820
Check out pics of our neat ride! :shades:
http://www.carspace.com/stevenbarbrn/?50@@.59a51db8
Caliber Pics
The next problem I reported was the "popping" or "pinging" noise from the exhaust during driving, idling and after stopping. Chrysler told the dealer they were aware of this and were not working on a fix for it but the metal would cure and the noise would get quieter eventually.
The third problem I reported was engine "knocking" that Chrysler acknowledged they were working on and eventually would have a program to retard the timing and correct the problem (also reducing the gas mileage). The fourth problem I reported was a rattle underneath the console that appeared to get worse when the wind was stronger. The dealer could not identify the source and I was told I might just have to get used to it.
Since I was not willing to accept all these issues on a new car with less than 1000 miles (costing $20K)and I could not get any cooperation from Chrysler I decided to sell the car and buy something dependable to drive. I have owned several Chrysler products but I will not own another one after this one.
Anyone with a manual transmission having problems with noise?
So far my only complaint is that the car needs to be faster but that is because I traded in a Mustang GT and everything seems slow compared to that.
Oh, and it would be better if the interior was darker, having kids and a light grey intentior can be problematic.
Instead it appears that Dodge is saying "there are no problems with the car" when they know otherwise. We are not making these thing up. I also suspect that changes are being made in the current production cars to solve these noises, but, as owners of early models, we are being ignored because they do not have enough good parts to fix our cars and continue building more cars at the same time.
If anyone knows why Dodge is ignoring us, please let me know. I think we all agree that while Dodge has a good acr overall, this is unacceptable and Dodge needs to clean up their act quite a bit.
http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/07/Autos/jdpower_iqs/
some surprises: porshe overall #1 in survey, hyundai #3. the rest none too surprising. dodge is way down the list-20th out of 38 nameplates.(see wall street journal, June 8.--sorry i couldnt find a link to the overall chart)) while this is an initial quality survey, i cant help but think if your cars have alot of problems in the beginning, that does not speak well to long term reliability.
Tolerable!!?! :P
There is a method to our madness however. We live in an area of good ol' WVa we like to call the "Methuselah Belt". About 75% of the population is >70 and they ALL drive Coupe de Hogs (or Buick boats), with their heads just over the steering wheel! :mad: It's nice to know we're driving a car we think they MIGHT see!
Anyhow, "X" is a real party car! We're still looking for suggestions for tricking her out.
What about getting the color matched spoiler? That's next for us. Oh, I think the rain guards look good too. Tint would be good too!
I'm not sure what the problem is (aside from myself)?
I couldnt find info in the manual about it.
or do i have to do it manually all the time. Boy do i sound spoiled..lol :P
thanks!
ITs a cool car all things considered . I might pick one up , depending on if your problems get solved
I'm looking at the Cali, and the Mitsu Lancer, both in the base model. I've driven several Lancers, and I'm off to drive a Cali tomorrow. Any opinions on the two vehicles and how they compare?
Also, my local dealer only has 5spd vehicles in stock, which is ok, but I haven't decided if I want a 5 or a CVT model. How would owners rate the CVT tranny?
Any other factors to consider that I might not be thinking of? I admit, I LOVE the look of the Caliber... I'm leaning that way. Should I just wait and buy an off-demo model in 10 months? I've never purchased brand new before... little help?
(sorry for all the questions...)
Mine is the Caliber peeing on the tree. And if you vote for any one else shame on you! j/k!
It does appear that Dodge is aware of the exhaust noise and the engine pinging. We will see what they are going to do about it on a large-scale basis. From what I've read with other posts, there was a problem with a joint being too tight on the exhaust causing the excessive cooldown noise. I'm not surprised that the replacing the exhaust solved the problem. All of the current production cars (May or June) should have the "fix" already done at the factory.
As for the engine pinging, mine does ping, but it is not noticeable with the windows rolled up. The 5 speeds all have the 1.8 liter engine and the CVTs all have the 2.0 liter engine. The computer programming for these two ehgines is most likely different, so the pinging is likely due to the programming, not the tranny.
As far as 5 speed versus CVT goes... The CVT is $1100 US more, but it is a nice tranny, the larger engine has dual balance shafts (the smaller engine does not), and ABS is included with the CVT package. A 5 speed with ABS is $700 US cheaper than a CVT with ABS. US MPG is only about 2 mpg higher with the smaller engine and 5 speed, but some folks have been reporting higher than rated MPG with the 5-speed but the CVT appears to be right on the ratings.
I thought the CVT with ABS was worth the extra money, especially considering the typically lower resale of 5 speeds.
As for the SE model, you can't get cruise control on it, so that's what made me buy an SXT model. The reclining rear seats and folding front seat on the SXT are very nice also. I think an SE with A/C and power package is only about $500 cheaper than the SXT, which has these items as standard.
Despite the two noises mentioned before, I'm happy with the car. Hopefully Dodge will spread teh word to dealers abotu how to fix both of these issues.
"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
It's difficult to see out the rear windows sometimes, but the again my other car has an entire glass hatch.
Oh, and the car is averaging 29.5 miles per gallon now that we driven it a bit.
BTW, I saw the picture of your Caliber - it was okay, but I could not get a large enough image to see the effects, if any.