On Wednesday, I dropped off my wifes dakota at the dealer to get the power steering pump replaced. We went back this afternoon to pick it up, and while waiting for them to bring the truck, we see an Orange Caliber. We figured we would go check it out and see what the Sunburst Orange paint looked like since we had not seen an orange one yet. I figured it was probably an SE or SXT.

When we got to the car, I went to the back and saw it was an R/T with Leather and it looked like what I was looking for. Then my wife was reading the Window Sticker, and she yelled out that it said it was "built especially for" and my name!!!!!!

This was the car I had ordered back in February and was told by the dealer during the period that you could not order a caliber when they were changing over from 2006.5 to 2007 models that he did not get the order placed in time so I told him to cancel it. He did not cancel it, and by some amazing luck, we were at the dealer the same day it came in. It had a small sticker on the front window that said "sold" but they told me that it was still for sale. I found the Fleet Sales Manager, and he said he would make me the same deal that we had originally agreed upon.

I probably don't have to tell you, I am the proud new owner of a Dodge Caliber R/T!!!!!

This car is awesome. You have to get the U-Connect if you have a Bluetooth enabled cell phone, it is beyond belief!!!! The car talks to me and dials!!!!!

The Sirius is awesome, and the Musicgate sounds great.

I am going to get the windows tinted tomorrow, and I will post pictures.

I cannot believe that the last time I was at the dealership was to order the car in February, then I cancelled my order and the next time I am at the dealership, my car is sitting there with my name on the sticker!!!!! What are the chances that 6 months later is the next time I am at the dealer, and it is the same day they get my car in.

As you can tell, I am very excited. The car only had 9 miles on it when I got in for the test drive.

I think they fixed some of the early problems, like the center console sliding too easily, it is perfect, and the can cooler slide is not loose either. Plus I don't hear the Exhaust Popping noise others are hearing.

Later

Mike

 

That is a pretty wierd story. Quite the coincidence you went in. Don't forget to get some R/T emblems for the doors

 

Congrats on your new Caliber! I'm anxiously awaiting the release of the SRT 4 so that I can finally choose what color and get one in the driveway!

[sm=icon_rock.gif]

 

Congrats, you lucky devil you...

 

Thats awesome! Congrats! Bet you're glad your Dakota's power steering crapped out on you. Man I just love that orange color. I can't wait for my Caliber to arrive at the dealer, probably next week.

I agree with tundra_schumacher with those R/T emblems.

 

Thanks, I am very happy I was at the dealer when it arrived. But the power steering going out on the dakota cost me $1,600.00!!!!

I still cannot believe how crazy this was and how it worked out.

Later

Mike

 

Should have traded in the Dakota for the Caliber! Then it wouldn't have cost you anything.

 

Wow, what a story. It's freaking amazing the cards you get delt during the game of life. Glad things worked out for you'all on the Caliber and sorry to hear the Dakota steering cost so much to get fixed.

What was up with the Dakota steering?

 

The Dakota was leaking Power Steering fluid for about 2 weeks, it started with a slow leak, then turned into replacing the fluid every day. I took it into the dealer, and they said the power steering pump was leaking out the front where the pulley shaft is, and needed to be replaced. They also said the Steering gearbox and a power steering hose was also leaking. The total cost was just over $1,600 total. The truck is a 2000 and is paid off and my son is 15 1/2 and just starting to drive so I figure I would give him the truck. I had just came from the cashier and paid for the service work and was waiting for them to bring my wife's Dakota around when I saw the Orange Caliber and after waiting for a few minutes we decided to just go look at the Caliber. Then while in financing, I was haggling about the extended warranty and it was about $1,600 that is when I thought I should have not had the Dakota fixed and instead trade it in.

Either way, I needed another vehicle for my son so I just kept it. But it was a very expensive day. Even with the price all worked out already, it took about 2 1/2 hours to purchase the Caliber.

I love this car though!!!!!

It has about 230 miles on it now and I gave it a wash this afternoon.

I only buy Dodge. I have a 2003 Quadcab Ram 1500 and my wife has the 2000 Quadcab Dakota, and I have 4 Dakotas for work vehicles for my company. I have a 2004 Dakota that a technician drives at work with a 4 cyl engine and manual transmission with over 340,000 miles, and it amazes me at how well it runs and it has a shell with ladder rack and is always full of tools and equipment.

Later

Mike