So my girlfriend is opposed to my getting a Caliber on the grounds that Dodge does not make very reliable cars and that the resale value will drop like a stone in a year. Now I've never owned an american car before but my Dad had one of the first cab forward New Yorkers years ago that seemed like a pretty good car to me (granted I was like 8 at the time). So basically my question is what kind of reliability can I expect from a Caliber in general? I understand it's a brand new car but what's Dodge's track record for new cars? Can I expect severe failures in a short period of time or will I be ok with it for a while?

 

Dont listen to your girlfriend, and get what you want. Unless she's an EXPERT; which I highly doubt, than she needs to step away from what is literally your decision. I take it she too was raised in a family that only drove asian cars? If she dont know about it she needs to BUTT out, unless you are married; until then.....exactly!

 

Wow, ok. She was just giving me her opinion not telling me I can't get the car. I just wanted to see if what she said held any water that's all. I just want someone to explain what I can expect with a Dodge versus something like a Honda or Toyota or any other car in terms of reliabilty.

 

The Caliber is a totally brand new car from the ground up so its hard to say exactly whether or not its going to be a reliable car. I've ONLY owned Dodge vehicles and so has my dad and neither of us has had any major problems where it needed to be serviced at the dealer for any reason. Resale values on Dodges aren't as good as Asian cars, but I don't think Fords, or Chevy's are either.

I honestly don't know where she gets the notion about Dodge not being a reliable brand? Maybe she's doing the no, no of comparing it to the '95/'96 Neon. This car is so freakin' far from a Neon, it isn't funny. I wouldn't worry and get the car you want, not what someone else says. I know you said she's not letting get the car, but I absolutely hate when someone tries to talk to you out of something just because they don't like it. IMO, if they don't like it, then don't look at it and don't ride in it. Simple as that!

If you want to make her feel a little better, you can tell her it was co-designed by Hyundai engineers. Hyundai's are extremely reliable.

 

The dumb mythos of American cars not being reliable is a thing of the past. Every car company has had a bad design. Just because a few Hondas and Toyotas were great does not mean that some American cars are great. Its a 1970's stigma that still gets passed down. I would get the caliber as the engineering on the new Dodge vehicles has been excellent and they have been reliable. It has a ton of great features that are making other car makers play catch up. I think you will be happy with it.

And the old Neons were trash but they have came a long ways and look at all the PT cruisers running around. I would say the odds are good that you are going to enjoy your caliber for a long time. Now only if they would stuff a HEMI in it then I would get one.

 

i was in the same seat with you. but, what really matters is if you like the car. you are the one driving it. i was trading in a japanese suv for an american cuv...v6 to 4 cyclinder. but, what i had to do was take it to the board and look at it throughly. i'm saving gas. my insurance goes down. my father had a dodge vehicle purchased a couple years ago and he loves it. japanese vs american...well it does hold some truth to dependability...check out the reports...i think lincoln and buick are at the very top though...and then companines like toyota and honda...and european and american cars fill out the rest. but, from what i've seen and heard recently...dodge has been on a "winning streak" of great car prototypes to actual models with little changes...and realibility. from what i see dodge is really trying to jumpstart its overall consumer image. the engine of the caliber had its help also from the likes of hyundai and mitsubishi...and with dodge releasing it as a world car to help establish dodge as a world brand...they have done a great job yet to make sure it meets realibility expectations...

also...the interior is kick ***. my wife sat in the back seat and loved it. when i sat in the driver seat...it was very....hmmm...felt so comfortable. =p

 

First year new model cars of any brand generally have a high a higher number of problems than the same model a year or two later. Design flaws show up, manufacturing problems become evident. Personally, I never have, and never will buy a first year new model car from any car maker, be they Jap, German, or American.

Dusty

 

My experience with Dodge's...

My car, a 2004 Dodge Neon SE: About 35,000 miles. No problems yet. Not one. Same clutch too...

My mother's 2000 Durango SLT RWD: 110,000 miles, it's driven around the country to art shows. Not one major problem. A few very minior ones here and there, but that's to be expected on a vehicle over 100,000 miles.

My step-father's 1984 Dodge Ram Maxi-Van custom 250 (cargo van): 485,000 miles. Original motor and transmission. On her 2nd starter, Original interior, front is in decent shape and rear is not too good with rust.

The farthest has been to Haines, Alaska, which is 13,500 miles way from us.
She was used for my Step-Dad's work. He is an underwater photographer. He traveled with her all over the United States to about 75% of the states, to art shows.

We would have tried to get it to 500,000; but during last year, one of the hurricanes knocked a tree on top of it. We haven't fixed it yet.

Those are my experinces with Dodge. Excellent, if you ask me... Mopar at it's finest.


Oh yeah and just the hell of it. A picure of the Ram Van:

 

thanks everybody, that's the kind of news I wanted to hear! I'm going to save up for a couple of months and then try to sell my current car (95 honda passport) so hopefully it won't be too long until I get my caliber!

 

When? The J.D. Power and Associates ratings are based on fit and finish not actual long term reliability. Hyundai has a bad reputation. I have know so many people who have had Hyundais and get rid of them before the warrantee was up because they kept breaking down.

It has a CVT2 transmission on some models. CVTs are known for having problems.

It actually uses a Mitsubishi platform. I am yet to find anything on this car that was truely a Dodge design besides the styling and the 41TE.

The Japanese manufactures being "superior" is a myth. They simply make you replace everything and anything that could go wrong in the service guide and call it regular maintenance.