I've noticed that some Cliber bashing has started already. We all have to remember that it's going to get worst. Most people don't even know what the Caliber is right now because it's so new. Once the DC is more common the bashing will get worst. Then when the SRT4 Caliber comes out it may be an all out war. Once alot of younger people (15-18) get involved then it will get really bad. I've seen this many times. I'm surprised it's still this mellow acually. Remember this is our car and we bought it (or ordered it) for a reason, we have every right to defend it!

 

I don't like bashing for bashing's sake, either, on any car/manufacture.
Personally, I am not a fan of the Caliber. I see a mini Aztec. I don't like the hard top PT cruiser either, but I bought the rag top and like it. That said, a friend will be done paying on his wife's suv in 18-24 months and the Caliber is what he will get for himself. My dad is also seriously looking at buying one when his lease is up on his Dakota.
I say to each his own and it's funny all the silly things 15-18 year olds say. Then again, when I was that age, I was an expert on everything and my opinion mattered!

 

You got that right.....

 

Ahh...great post! I love that clip

You're right, that's that tough thing about anything people get passionate (sports, cars, etc)..everyone is an expert.
How do you figure there will be all-out war with the SRT-4? People talking about how its not fast or good enough I presume?

I'm excited to see that thing! They've done so well the SE/SXT/R/T so far that I can't see how they're going to lead customers astray too much. If anything I expect the SRT-4 to be even better!

I do think its fascinating (and DCXgageman's post made me think of this) the number of people "trading down" from Dakotas and Rams and all sorts of other larger cars to the Caliber. To me, that signals that Dodge has the right "mix" for a lot of customers. Anyone seen any polls on downsizing to this car yet?

 

Personally, the only thing that kept me in a Dodge when I traded down from my Dakota was the Stratus coupe. I didnt want a 4dr car, and I needed something midsized for my size. I've seen a bunch of people in recent years trading down from the big vehicles expecting to save gas money and what have you only to find out that they werent saving all that much or that they really needed the space of the bigger vehicle more.

For the people who want a smaller car, this is a good vehicle size wise. It's got enough room to use for hauling and its got decent head room. I'm still disappointed with the cheap look/feel of the car though. It's a first year car though, so we have to cut it some slack I suppose.

No knock on the Caliber, but Dodge really didnt need this car...and it really doesnt need hatchback/sports utility crossovers....its already got enough big bulky cars.....

Personally, its not about the 0-60 bit....its more about the fact to me that Dodge has killed off alot of great cars to bring out ones that didnt fare well after 2-3 yrs of being around...or killed off cars that didnt fare well and brought out ones that were just as bad...