i've been reading...and reading...enough for me. too many biased people...to many people who care about speed...to many of this and that.

i'm going to jump around...its 1:25...and i work night shift...so bare with me...

i'm 22...i have a wife and daughter. i'm in the united states air force. i'm trading in my montero sport 2001 4x4 that has over 81,000 miles on it. it gets around 14/18 mpg. ideal? hardly.

my needs are this: a dependable family car, great room for drives and storage, gas mileage, and yes...a nice design.

many friends argued with me about trading in a v6 for a 4 cylinder. one...what i've discovered (and don't argue with me...because i've been driving cars from mercedes clk 430 to hondas...so you won't budge my opinion...) is that too many look at numbers and features that are quite useless to most average joes in daily life venues. i don't tow anything (no trailers...no jet skis...no dirt hauling...or whatever)...and i live in the city...no dirt or steep roads...which would validate a true use for 4x4. i've driven in blizzards and hell-acious rain in rwd and fwd just fine...no problems for control.

NOT ONCE did i ever...ever...have to use 4x4 in my suvs....

when i test drove a caliber (which was a se 2.0 model)...i immediately felt the difference between my v6 and the 4 cylinder...after around 20 it started to show the smoothness of the engine. i was always waiting for the cvt to shift...but, enjoyed (which is a simple pleasure...don't understand why...but, it made me grin) how smooth it was without the feel of shifting in the gears. when i drove around...the most important aspect for myself was this - IT WAS COMFORTABLE and a great ride. the sales rep was in the passenger seat and my wife in the back. my wife said the backseats were very comfortable and enjoyed the drive.

the interior...wasn't what i expected. i thought it was going to be all cheap...but, to my surprise...was very...hmm...satisfying.

for what damn reason would i need a car that can push 250 mph? for a joy ride? ...please. maybe if i was still 18 years old...or just some serious car freak...then sure. but, i've got a family...and we have one car for right now. the caliber presented great gas mileage and a wonderful driving experience. at first i complained about it...because i still sometimes get sucked into (i wanna just drive the hell on the interstate) speed issues...but, i have to be realistic. it has power...it has speed but, come on...dodge isn't advertising it as a "speed demon with mad torque" car. you want that...but a damn sports car. why are you complaining here?

in my honest opinion the caliber does what its intentions are...a great versatile cuv (call it what you like). it serves its purpose as a great family replacement suv (yea yea...its not a SUV...but it isnt a true hatchback...a wagon...a compact...and has the appearance of a midsize suv...so wtf you wanna call it? ...hell cuv is all that comes to mind).

also...from what i've been discovering...the awd r/t may actually be a drawback in direct comparassion to the sxt...because of the weight ratio (300 pounds thanks to the awd being added...hindering its overall performance). but, thats just my opinion and research.

i talked down my sxt to mid-range 16,000 from 18,000...and my payments are just going to be a 40 dollar increase from my 2001 montero sport...good deal? yes. if something was to go wrong with the car...its repairs would definately wouldn't justify the overall value of the suv imo when it is all said in done (on top of maintance once it hits 100,000). warranty is just about up to for the car (extended warranty).

when you buy a car...buy the car what you need it for...and as long as you are happy...thats all that matters (my wife is simple..."a car is a car...gets you to point a to point b"). as for "american car companies suck for reliability..." well, i've always loved japanese cars...and bashed american cars...but, lately...my head has been turning and admiring new american cars...and from what i've seen and heard from friends...american car companies are sharpening up their attitudes and realizing that they need to push back too and regain lost marketshare. dodge has been on a great run so far...with new cars producing satisfying results with the consumers. hell, it takes one bad car from any car company...to create one jaded buyer. but, it takes an educated idiot to understand that s.hit happens and there could be a lemon in a lot...honda...acura...ford...dodge...whatever. thats why you buy warranty...and if problems keep happening...well...sucks to be you...trade in the damn car. happens to the best in life...nothing in life is gauranteed.

with that said...imma enjoy my sxt with my family. [sm=usa.gif]

 

DodgeInformationCenter ...this is a question for you.

if i install a mopar cold intake (or any kind of mopar add on...after purchase of the vehicle)...does this void my dodge warranty?

 

here here my good man. i was going to buy a honda fit just because of the reliability, but i'm getting so much more car for the same amount of money with my sxt. i'm with you on everypoint.

 

Your post was pretty good. I like how you explained your points and validated them. I wish more people did that.

I still dont like the Caliber, at all. I have issues with it as far as size and layout goes. We're all entitled to our opinions though.


If you are happy with your car, then that's all that truly matters. It's all that really should matter. Glad to see that other people are starting to speak their minds and back it up.

Hope to see you here with us for a good long time.

 

I appreciated your remarks.

We also made the decision to purchase a Caliber SXT Sport.

My wife and I are older than the majority of posters to Caliber forums, so our priorities are different.

We have always had Japanese or German cars and bought diesel when possible.

We wanted to have a car that had a good ground clearance, comfortable seats, decent fuel economy, manual transmission and the convenience of a hatchback.

There are no perfect cars on the market, so if I mention some points that I don't like as much in the Caliber compared to another car, it isn't a reason to be treated as a traitor to the Dodge cause!

-Would be nice to have made better use of the 'trunk' area to include storage areas, including various hidden compartments and tie-downs (Matrix)

-Offer heated and fold-away mirrors (VW Golf & Focus, etc.)

-Make door-lock and window switches illuminated (VW Golf)

-Allow window defrosting without having to use the A/C (see manual page 188)

-Stand up for the reliability of the car by a longer warranty

-Offer splash guards for the front wheels (see Mopar accessories 'L' in Caliber brochure)

-Offer a Diesel option for North America (Compare gas MPG figures with Toyota, Honda????)


None of these comments detract from the great value and features that are being showcased by the Caliber.

We're anxiously awaiting delivery of our new car and hope to see you on the road.

 

what warranty did you get? and also "Protection Package?" my sxt comes in around may 7th. i didnt go with the sport because the color inserts just didn't appeal to me...plus it lowers the value of the car because it is statistically harded to sell a car with color seats and interior than a solid color interiror...am i planning on selling/trading my caliber soon? no...just was thinking at the whole big picture of things...i did like them...but also was a little afraid the shiny red would just scratch wayyyy to easily...

i did however add the fog lights, speed control, and etc.

 

i may sound like an idiot here, but i've always wondered and never asked what the speed control does again... is that the steptronic padels or something?

 

its basically "cruise control"

...it doesn't come standard...its an option...can you believe that? 200 dollars.

 

RiCEADDiCTBOY; I commend you! You didnt let anyone talk you down (like some people we know...hmm who could that be? Does Fart-Knocker ring a bell?) You thought about the future, your family, and you thought about the realistics and thought everything through.....Thats being a real man! Must I say the military made you a man? BRAVO! I give you props man!

 

We haven't yet signed the additional warranty papers, but are leaning toward the fullest package posssible. The Protection Package is the Mopar accessory package with the splash guards, hood deflector, car mats, etc. My better half chose the colour and wanted the colour inserts, she was tired of Silver, or in her words, other boring colours.

The latest on our production date mentions April 21st, don't know how much longer it will take to get to dealer and to get prepped with the tinted windows and tires....Waiting is the hardest thing!

By the way, thanks for your objective input.

what warranty did you get? and also "Protection Package?" my sxt comes in around may 7th. i didnt go with the sport because the color inserts just didn't appeal to me...plus it lowers the value of the car because it is statistically harded to sell a car with color seats and interior than a solid color interiror...am i planning on selling/trading my caliber soon? no...just was thinking at the whole big picture of things...i did like them...but also was a little afraid the shiny red would just scratch wayyyy to easily...

i did however add the fog lights, speed control, and etc.
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