The New Dodge Caliber!

[bluegoose]

I drove one at an obstacle course at an autoshow and I thought it
was a nice car for the money. The CVT takes some getting used to.
The SRT looks like it will be a hell of a screamer. They are clearly
going for an older crowd this time. The Neon SRT4 is very difficult
to insure now that a ton of teenagers have wrecked them.

For my tastes, the Caliber looks a little truckish...but you can always lower the car.

I think the PT is a better looking car...but a lot of people hate the PT. For people looking for a small SUV the Caliber is the ticket. However, I would wait a year before buying one.

[PT Noir]

I saw/sat in a Caliber the first time December 06. I liked it ok from the outside. Hated it inside. We went to the Milwaukee car show last week. Looked again. It, along with many other US cars have a horrible cheap plasic interior with a HUGE console between the driver and passenger. We had also looked at an HHR before we purchased out 04 PT last month. I thought it has a plastic cave-like interior. A couple days ago I was able to put it into context - they are like sitting in an Igloo Cooler! I hope the giant consoles and cheap plastic go away before I need another car.

[fritz_t_coyote]

quote:Originally posted by PT Noir

I hope the giant consoles and cheap plastic go away before I need another car.

Or that when you next need a car you have the budget for Leather, Plush Fabrics and Real Wood?

The new Bentley has a very nice interior.... all I have to do now is get better at picking lottery numbers.

[PT Noir]

Or that when you next need a car you have the budget for Leather, Plush Fabrics and Real Wood?

Gee, I guess when I buy the second most expensive thing in my life (house being number one) I don't want to feel like I am in an Igloo cooler of cheap looking plastic. Some makers - not just Bentley - still try to make the interior look nice. Those doors, dashboards, and huge consoles of smooth plastic are just cheap looking and feeling. If you like 'em that is great for the car makers. They get more of your money for less quality.

[CREWZIN]

Well, we (wife and myself) were just in the market for a new car. Had a Suzuki Wagon but still felt a little cramped for space and highway driving wasn't the greatest. Looked at the Caliber, Honda CRV, Toyota Rav-4, Kia Sportage, Saturn Vue and of course a new PT. Each had their own good and bad qualities but what we ended up with was a brand new model from KIA. Everything about it fit our needs and what we got for the price and 3.6% financing topped the cake. 2.7L V6 (182hp), 5 speed automatic, third row of seats (if needed)and only 9 inches longer than the PT, 4 wheels disks with ABS, traction control, low tire warning, power sunroof/door/mirrors. 17" 5 spoke wheels and tons of room and cubby holes throughout. We opted for the cloth seats and light interior color for the Florida sun and I just had the windows tinted. Out the door for 22K (including taxes, title, tag transfer and dealer prep [xx(]

Now as far as retro, sporty or eye grabing exterior ...not the top of the line, but not to ugly either. Oh yea, kinda a funky name for a "crossover" car ....RONDO

[SteelBlueGT]

Good luck and let us know how it compares with our PT!!

[CREWZIN]

quote:Originally posted by SteelBlueGT

Good luck and let us know how it compares with our PT!!

Forgot to mention that it also came with an Infinity Premium 10 speaker, in-dash 6 disk CD with a 7.5 subwoofer and also plays iPod disks. The 6 CD's slip right into the head unit, no separate changer involved.

I would never give up the PT because of the way it looks even if there is a million of them on the road, you still feel different. The Rondo feels just like riding in a sport van, especially if you have the 3rd row of seats up, sitting high with a commanding view all around. None of the seats come out, but the 3rd row goes down into the floor and the passenger and 2nd row of seats fold down flat. It's hard to remember it's only inches longer than the PT. The EX with the 17" wheels has a turning diameter of 34.4ft and 2.7 turns lock-to-lock on the steering wheel. So far, with first fill-up, 21mpg. Tach is running at 2200 (5th gear) at 65mph.

[bobs turbo pt]

looks nice !! congrats !!

[thegoldpt]

The only things I don't like about the caliber is the back end (it looks strange IMHO) and the fact it's hard to find a 5 Speed manual as opposed to the CVT POS they thought to put into it.