Topic: CD Article: 2007 Dodge Caliber

[Autos_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
First Drive:

The new Dodge Caliber delivers more than you'd expect in this class, reports Paul Williams. "What the Caliber does so cleverly is build on the emerging demand for practical and fuel-saving crossover vehicles (CUVs) and the popularity of compact cars," he says.  "The result is a vehicle that in many ways looks and functions like both."    More...

[The Mighty Duck]

One of my most anticipated vehicles of 2006...  right behind the Honda Fit.  Definately something I could see myself driving - good looks, good value, and hopefully a reliable vehicle to boot.

[chrischasescars]

Reliability will be the key. I hope it turns out to be a dependable car - it does look good!

[a4_tom]

I just don't understand why carmakers have to force consumers to get a certain package to get ABS. When Honda makes ABS standard in all Civic, Chrysler should make it standard in Caliber.

[The Mighty Duck]

 

The 17" steel wheels with covers also threw me...  who wants 17" steelies?

[84im]

The 17" steel wheels with covers also threw me...  who wants 17" steelies?

I bet those suckers are Heavy
Hopefully, the Dodge Caliber will be as reliable as he PT Cruiser has been.

[mdxtasy]

This thing was built with value in mind.  The plastics look pretty cheap and the steelies and lack of ABS etc just prove that point.  However, it does look stylish and has some pretty neat features in a car of this price.  The 'fridge' is nice to have, but does anybody know if the thing constantly uses the A/C to keep things chilled?  The iPod thing is neat, but is very much in the way.  The sloped rear glass would probably take up some valuable cargo space too.  Those are my gripes (without even setting foot in it) but I like this thing more than the PT Cruiser.  I like it more than the Neon.  Do I like it more than the Ford Focus wagon?  Not sure. 

But I think Dodge has a legitimate contender in this price bracket.

[smainville]

The looks in picture do nothing at all for me, hopefully it's much safer and reliable than the Neon/SX it replaces.  Chrysler wants to compete with Matrix/Vibe and the 3 Sport, that's quite the challenge.

[wing]

Well rumour has it I'll get to toss one of these in AWD variant around like a rag doll come Saturday.  I'll let you know how I feel about it

[safristi]

Oooh Goody ....give us a FULL story wif Pics Wing.........I like the little beast...

[Shnak]

I just don't understand why carmakers have to force consumers to get a certain package to get ABS. When Honda makes ABS standard in all Civic, Chrysler should make it standard in Caliber.

The $14-15k Fit will come standard with A/C, ABS AND 6 airbags... I can't understand some manufacturers still have the guts not to include at least ABS standard... 

[safristi]

WOTS the BIG DEAL with ABS.....we've discussed this ad infinitum other than Graeme Fletcher of Motoring 2006 who is hooked on Phoneyics ABS....the things suck and are worse in many situations LEARN TA BRAKE...............

[wing]

Let's not get into ABS here, we can leave that for another thread please start one if you like. 

[Bullet Blue]

Looks don't do a whole lot for me. 17 inch steel wheels kinda threw me though. It's an intersting concept, and mot will probably like it. I mentioned in another Cailber thread that Neon loyolists who love to mod their cars probably wouldn't be impressed with this. Dodge may loose a good chunk of their customers... Then again, attracting a whole slot of new customers is probably more important to them.

[Zoo]

If this car proves to be as reliable as the PT Cruiser has been then Chrysler has a potential hit on their hands.

[tortoise]

I too am not crazy about the looks.  

When I first saw the pre-production photos of the Dodge Magnum I was really really impressed.  Then when it came to the market, I wasn't as wow-ed. I think it's trying too hard to look like a truck and the design isn't very cohesive.   I find the same thing happening here.  I liked the early photos, but again think this design is too truck-ish with a lack of cohesiveness.  I mean, the rear reminds me of the Malibu Maxx, a car not known for it's beautiful posterior!

That said, I like the rest of it.  It seems Dodge have done their homework on the packaging front (ABS, notwithstanding).  They've also added a ton of novel features that make you wonder why it took manufacturers so long.

But 17" steel wheels?  Wow, owners are gonna be pissed when they have to put expensive tires on cheap rims.  C'mon dodge, spend the extra cash and give the peeps some alloys.

[toolatecrew]

If its reliable it will be a winner.

Its feature loaded, rommy at a reasonable price. The target market likley isn't big on driving dynamics etc. Give me the features don't fall apart, give me room for stuff and keep the payments low and lots of people will buy it.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I like the outside but was totally turned off by the interior. Cheap, cheap, cheap! PLUS, I could not fit into the driver's seat as my knees were jammed up against the dash. And the rear isn't all that roomy either!

That said, I looked at a new Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited in a showroom Saturday while my friend's Dakota was being serviced (the outgoing Dakota's interior isn't bad at all), and that vehicle was horrendous as well. The load floor is high, the rear seat's bottom cushion is super short and curved for zero support, not to mention lack of rear leg room, and the front A-pillars constrict entry into the cabin, which looks pretty gimmicky, and the driver's floor mat had to have been the dinkiest piece of material I have seen. Why did they bother?

So if people are buying $45G GC's, I'm sure they'll be loading up on these Calibers. The engine and outside appearance are neat, there's some neat features too, superb price, but the execution totally turned me off.

[ktm525]

I like the outside but was totally turned off by the interior. Cheap, cheap, cheap! PLUS, I could not fit into the driver's seat as my knees were jammed up against the dash. And the rear isn't all that roomy either!

That said, I looked at a new Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited in a showroom Saturday while my friend's Dakota was being serviced (the outgoing Dakota's interior isn't bad at all), and that vehicle was horrendous as well. The load floor is high, the rear seat's bottom cushion is super short and curved for zero support, not to mention lack of rear leg room, and the front A-pillars constrict entry into the cabin, which looks pretty gimmicky, and the driver's floor mat had to have been the dinkiest piece of material I have seen. Why did they bother?

So if people are buying $45G GC's, I'm sure they'll be loading up on these Calibers. The engine and outside appearance are neat, there's some neat features too, superb price, but the execution totally turned me off.

I agree with you on the Jeep GC. Your description would equally desribe the Toyota 4Runner. 

[skypoint]

I hate myself for it but I actually like what I'm seeing here, apart from the white dash dials ( a chrysler feature that I hated since the rental Sebring)

As for the cheap interior... in this price segment you won't get anything but cheap interior. I don't mind.