I dont know how you get 50% worse gas mileage when the Caliber gets a reported 26 City 32 Highway, thats a 4 MPG difference from what you claim your neon gets, which, I know am only up to Calc 3 in College, but I am pretty sure 4 MPG is not a 50% difference. I would also like to see this 30 MPG in a Neon SXT, I would LOVE to see that actually and have it be from just City driving.

If a Neon was offered for $9,999, then I never saw it, and if thats after promotional rebates to move the car they could no longer sell, I dont believe that counts. That is like saying the Caliber is more expensive than a Ford Taurus for 2005 when they had about $7000 in rebates to get the cars out of there. $13,995 is also not 50% higher than $9,999, and since the Caliber currently has $1000 in rebates, if you want to play that game, it makes the Caliber $12,995, which I KNOW is not a 50% difference.

I suggest you read up more.

As for taste, that is all in the eye of the beholder. But I am sorry, the Neon is NOT attractive, or sporty, or anything. Its as plane as a Countor, as I said, which means its just a glorified grandma cruiser. Thats all its seen as outside of the SRT-4, which is the only Neon you ever hear of in a good light. The Neon was unreliable at best, and not a good seller, especially in its later years, when compared to the competition.

Also, how can you know your Neon would outpace a Caliber. I have only seen one on the road since they started shipping, and it sure as hell was not an R/T. So you are making some assumptions on that one. Not to say it would not have a chance of beating the Caliber, but I am willing to put down money that it would not walk all over it. I drove one already, and I think the R/T would beat down my Explorer, and I can tell you that from experience, my Explorer can walk all over a PT Cruiser and a Neon.
But hey, I cant say the Caliber is perfect, if it was my choice I would be getting a well equiped Ford Fusion, a far superior vehicle to the Caliber or the Neon, but I have to go with what I can afford, and the Caliber meets my needs better than any other manufacturer for the cost because of AWD, Sirius (which I have had as an external unit forever, cant wait to not deal with that anymore), and many other reasons.

I mean, your logic is flawed around nearly every turn. You say you would be good with an SRT-4... So you would take an extra 3-5 MPG drop, an extra few grand in cost, just to pick up some extra acceleration that I am willing to bet you will hardly ever take advantage of. You would just be another one of these Corvette driving little boys who drive the thing under the speed limit and have to come to a stop before making a turn. (Yes I know you wouldnt be driving a corvette, but I see people with performance vehicles who drive them slower than people with top-heavy SUV's, and it blows my mind, in fact I was behind a Charger SRT-4 this morning who was passed by friggin' Civic's and Durango's because the guy drove like an old lady).

So have your opinion, it does not bother me in the least, but at least be fair about your comparisons. The Caliber is a great vehicle, offers more than the Neon, and I believe has a much better look than the jelly bean shape of the Neon. But hey, thats just me.

 

All Jibba Jabba aside, I have a question if anyone knows.

When I have seen the build list for the Caliber, even on Dodge's site, it says that there are rear seat heat ducts. I looked in some of the usual places for this type of thing, and cant see any sign of anything like that.

Anyone have an information about this? I know it is not an end of the world type thing, but I have found in the past that people appreciate them when riding with ya.

Thanks!

 

VulnoX ... all models include rear-seat heat ducts. It's a standard feature, for like you said, back seat passengers appreciate them when riding with you

Kelly S

 

Thanks for the info, but I was hoping someone could tell me where they were located. On all my Ford trucks with them, they were mounted inside the center console pointing back, of course. I looked there on the Caliber and saw nothing.

Thanks again!

 

I usually find them under the driver and passenger seats.

 

The latest Neons have much beauty about them. The exterior is designed very well and they are nice looking cars.

The Ford Fusion is the same thing as the Mazda 6. It may be slightly superior but its certainly not "far" superior... and besides both cars are so new so how does one tell which is better? ...well the Mazda 6 is not new and is a good car though (and the Fusion does seem like a good car but so does the Caliber).

 

I hate to say it, but you're smoking crack or something. The Caliber gets nearly the same gas milage as the Neon SXT (based on EPA estimates). The engines are far better, have more power, and are more efficient. The Japanese engine (engine in the Neon, aka Mitsubishi Engine) really isn't any better. And there's no way in hell is a stock Neon SXT 2.slow liter going to even come close to a Caliber R/T, or even an SXT with new 2.0 Liter.

Calibers are going off the lots as fast as they appear and Chrysler can't keep up with orders so obviously a lot of people like them. Its a far better car than a Neon ever was. The Calliber IS cheaper than the Neon. The rebates were obviously just to get rid of the remaining stock of Neons on dealers lots. Normally, you would never even see deals close to that.

Better check your facts so you don't look like a big dummy like you just made yourself out to be.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the Neon is dead and dead for good so get over it.

 

I like you.

Lets be friends.

 

Sorry... my bad. The 21.1 MPG was the only independent MPG rating I could find... and it was for the AWD test vehicle.
Sorry… the 21.1MPG was for the AWD model. None others were independently tested.
Trip computer in 2.4-liter, CVT, AWD test vehicle showed 21.1 mpg mainly around town.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...-caliber_x.htm

SE: 0 TO 60 MPH: 11.6 seconds (mfr.)
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../FREE/60213001

Acceleration: Adequate at best, regardless of powertrain. No opportunity to time, but Dodge quotes 10.8-11.2 sec 0-60 mph for models we tested.
http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/N...5/Act/Showall/


A Neon SXT can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.5 seconds
http://www.internetautoguide.com/rev...005/index.html

 

Well I actually drove a Caliber AWD (R/T) MYSELF, and the trip computer said 23.8. That was after four other test drives by other people that day.

So sorry if I dont take the word of someone who wrote an article who may not have driven the vehicle properly over first hand experience.

Also, I dont really care, at all, what the 0 to 60 is on the vehicle, and I dont know why you would either.

What road do you drive on where you need to get from 0 to 60 in 8.5 seconds. This is the stupidest thing that people obsess over, and its people that dont know better.

Speed limits are hardly ever over 55 on roads that are not expressways, and if a cop saw you doing 0-60 flooring it, he would pull you over for excessive show of speed.

And if you think you need it for drag racing, you dont know anything about drag racing. Drag Racing is not about your 0-60 times, all drag racing, except heads-up racing, is more dependent on consistancy than speed, as well as reaction times.

So tell me, why in the world would I want to trade a two second difference in 0-60 for all the benefits of the caliber.