Thinking about buying the Dodge Caliber. I was thinking about it.

[PlatinumGold]

now i'm seriously looking at the Mazda5. that looks really attractive, a bit more money, but much more in the way of style, more interior space, more performance than the caliber.

probably a higher level of quality.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold
now i'm seriously looking at the Mazda5. that looks really attractive, a bit more money, but much more in the way of style, more interior space, more performance than the caliber.

probably a higher level of quality.

See this thread:

http://forums.thecarlounge.net/zerothread?id=3040421

They're very nice vehicles. Sliding doors FTW

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold
now i'm seriously looking at the Mazda5. that looks really attractive, a bit more money, but much more in the way of style, more interior space, more performance than the caliber.

probably a higher level of quality.

Is that the people mover? I drove a rental one and hated it. Can't really say why though--it was just the overall experience.

BTW, I used to have an Intrigue too! Loved it. Got about 22-23 mpg with the 3.8L motor. I 'upgraded' to an Aurora last yr.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I wouldn't mind a Caliber srt4
300hp and 260ft-lbs and a 6 speed manual. Just don't understand why dodge didn't go ahead and make it AWD since thats available on the lowerend versions.

 

[sandorski]

Was in a Rental Caliber over New Years and despite being a Mopar fanbois, I fricking thought the Interior was fugly. Power and handling seemed pretty decent, but damn the Interior was fugly! The CVT Auto tranny was real nice, but the Interior was fugly!! They need to fix that fugly Interior!!!!

My Bro's Mazda 3 was frickin sweet in comparison. Lots of power, great handling, nice Interior and Exterior. Would take this over a Caliber anyday.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: sandorski
Was in a Rental Caliber over New Years and despite being a Mopar fanbois, I fricking thought the Interior was fugly. Power and handling seemed pretty decent, but damn the Interior was fugly! The CVT Auto tranny was real nice, but the Interior was fugly!! They need to fix that fugly Interior!!!!

My Bro's Mazda 3 was frickin sweet in comparison. Lots of power, great handling, nice Interior and Exterior. Would take this over a Caliber anyday.

Tell me. What did you think of the interior? Some have said it is fugly.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: sandorski
Was in a Rental Caliber over New Years and despite being a Mopar fanbois, I fricking thought the Interior was fugly. Power and handling seemed pretty decent, but damn the Interior was fugly! The CVT Auto tranny was real nice, but the Interior was fugly!! They need to fix that fugly Interior!!!!

My Bro's Mazda 3 was frickin sweet in comparison. Lots of power, great handling, nice Interior and Exterior. Would take this over a Caliber anyday.

Tell me. What did you think of the interior? Some have said it is fugly.

I think they're on to something!

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: animalia
I'm not crapping on American cars, but Dodges are Teh Suck. Buicks are just as reliable as Lexuses, but Dodge = bad idea. The cheaper price will cost you more in the long run. Everything will break and you will want to sell for 3K maybe 4K at 80,000 miles.

I am just wondering how many Dodges you have owned? I have owned several and NONE of them have experienced what you are describing.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
I wouldn't mind a Caliber srt4
300hp and 260ft-lbs and a 6 speed manual. Just don't understand why dodge didn't go ahead and make it AWD since thats available on the lowerend versions.

There are a couple of test SRTs driving around here. You can tell because the entire grille is removed and there is a huge honking intercooler looking right at you.

 

[Tom]

I test drove several of the models discussed, didn't drive the Caliber but sat in one. In no particular order..

1. Mazda 3 5 door - nice small car, but feels small too. Still considering.

2. Subaru Impreza - too small for me to be comfortable.

3. HHR - quite nice to drive. small windows look cool, but I prefer the view of the world through bigger windows. Still would consider buying one. Better drive train than PT Cruiser, better mileage. More expensive so far.

4. PT Cruiser - I owned one for a while, a GT, was very nice except for gas mileage. I'm considering a non-turbo one, because I think they are well made and designed, and sell for very low price sometimes under $14.

5. Caliber - just a quick impression, but I thought the interior felt very roomy, almost like a full sized car. Haven't driven one though. I like the exterior styling. Would consider buying one if a good deal was available.

6. Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix - haven't test driven one yet, but I like the looks and good epa gas rating. Probably get a better deal on the Vibe, I figure.

7. Toyota RAV4 - way more expensive than I expected so I gave up on them without driving one.

8. Honda Civic - just sat in one, a little too small to be comfortable.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Tom

, or the Vibe/Matrix, which gets substantially better mileage. The Caliber and HHR could also be exceptions, if they sell for substantial discounts.

With a DCX employee Control Number the Caliber SXT is $13,700. Can't beat the price, IMHO.

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Tom

, or the Vibe/Matrix, which gets substantially better mileage. The Caliber and HHR could also be exceptions, if they sell for substantial discounts.

With a DCX employee Control Number the Caliber SXT is $13,700. Can't beat the price, IMHO.

I agree that's a price that makes it very attractive, about equal in value to a PT Cruiser for under $13k. Thing is, as a regular consumer, I see PT Cruisers, even with auto, for under $13k occasionally, but haven't seen a Caliber SXT advertised under 14k, yet.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: Sluggo
Some poor soul got raked over the coals last night for thinking about a Dodge Nitro.

Just about the same crowd of domestic haters that will show up in here.

I drive a Jeep and I would never ever ever buy a Dodge Caliber when there are better vehicles available from other carmakers.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: Tom
I test drove several of the models discussed, didn't drive the Caliber but sat in one. In no particular order..

1. Mazda 3 5 door - nice small car, but feels small too. Still considering.

2. Subaru Impreza - too small for me to be comfortable.

3. HHR - quite nice to drive. small windows look cool, but I prefer the view of the world through bigger windows. Still would consider buying one. Better drive train than PT Cruiser, better mileage. More expensive so far.

4. PT Cruiser - I owned one for a while, a GT, was very nice except for gas mileage. I'm considering a non-turbo one, because I think they are well made and designed, and sell for very low price sometimes under $14.

5. Caliber - just a quick impression, but I thought the interior felt very roomy, almost like a full sized car. Haven't driven one though. I like the exterior styling. Would consider buying one if a good deal was available.

6. Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix - haven't test driven one yet, but I like the looks and good epa gas rating. Probably get a better deal on the Vibe, I figure.

7. Toyota RAV4 - way more expensive than I expected so I gave up on them without driving one.

8. Honda Civic - just sat in one, a little too small to be comfortable.

i am another of those not comfortable in a cramped interior, one such vehicle for me was the VW Toureg, a very very heavy car but the drivers seat / area was exceptionally cramped. i'm 5'10" 220 lbs so a small tight fitting car is not for me.

the caliber for it's exterior size and the dollar amount was very roomy.

 

[GoingUp]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: NFS4
Mazda3 Hatch, VW Rabbit, Impreza Wagon...

There are many better choices in this segment.

i'm considering the subaru, but in general, i prefer american / german over japanese.

vw could be an option but isn't the golf a bit smaller than the caliber? i rode in one the other day (a friend of mine had it as a rental, and it seemed pretty nice) it had a refrigerated portion of the glove compartment. it looked like it would hold 4 or 5 sodas.

Here ya go buddy, all of them lined up:

4-car comparison

Thanks for the link. You'll notice the Caliber has $4000 less total cost of ownership than either of the other 3.

 

[vi edit]

I want to like the Mazda5, I truely do, but it's really underpowered and the gas milage is pretty shoddy for the performance it provides.

My Aunt has a Caliber and enjoys it. She routinely pulls 32+ MPG on the highway with it. She usually has two kids and a 100 pound retriever loaded up in it. Interior is rather homely, but it's cheap, roomy, and economical.

Can't really fault it.

The Mazda 3 hatch has a better fit and finish and is more sporty, but the Caliber is more ultilitarian.

I'd also really consider the HHR as was mentioned. Personally I like the looks a little more than the PT and I trust GM over Dodge.