The 2007 Dodge Caliber: Anything But Cute, or Anything But Cool?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JohnBM01
  • 63 comments
  • 7,584 views
...Well, lets see what the engineers do at SRT. GM managed a miracle by getting the Pontiac Grand Prix GXP to not torque steer with clever engineering and a few other pieces of trickery, that has 303HP and an S-Load of torque compared to the SRT-4.
 
No I've been in the SRT-4, went for a ride, and it was a torque steering monster.
 
neanderthal
wolfe/ niky

BS
why? because the large corporations are not trying to please little wanna be ricer when they design a car. they are trying to hit middle america mom and pop who will likely be buying the car. ive yet to see a single marketing blurb that says the "geewhizzbang aero version XXX is being marketed at streetracers and other people who will appreciate its handling while they are tearing up the canyons of thier local mt akina." the closest ive seen is the marketing materials for the SRT4 which simply said they were aiming to get some autocrossers and dominate the class.
Click to expand...

You called BS on us, then went off on your tangent again...that paragraph has nothing to do with what we said to you.

Neither of us said that Dodge was trying to please "wannabe ricers" with the Caliber. We said that people, including those "wannabe ricers" and others, will be expecting the Caliber to be another sports compact, and that your attitude in this thread has been far more elitist than the "performance-minded" GTPers you're scolding.

I can appreciate where you're coming from, but I don't agree with how you're doing it. A lot of the responses in threads like this are going to be quick, casual little quips about what person A or B thinks of the car, and you can't expect more than that. So, instead of complaining about a lack of common sense, why not challenge the opinion of someone that you disagree with, and see if they formulate a well-thought-out, logical response? If they don't, then you've got a case. Otherwise, don't judge people just because they don't feel like thoroughly analyzing each car that pops up in this forum.
 
hmm...I think of the Caliber's styling derived from the Magnum, why would I think that, just look at the names, they relate 💡. I know my brother bought a base Caliber and he should be arriving to the house with it later today, so if I get to take it for a spin, I'll report back how it goes. In regards to the Caliber competing in the sports compact market, just look at the design, it falls with the Matrix, xB, HHR, type crowd, and is added further by the release of the SRT-4 version. Will it be faster/quicker than the Neon SRT-4, doubt it, thats why the power's been bumped up because of the extra weight, it is bigger than a Neon.
 
i just read an article that the age group that Dodge is aiming the Caliber at isn't buying it. instead, it's acting like Honda's Pilot (?)...the 60 year olds, instead of the twenty somethings, are buying the thing up like hotcakes...most likely because they want the box shape on a 4 cylinder so they actually feel protected.

my personal opinion is the thing's fugly.
 
Target marketing works sometimes, and other times it doesnt. As I understand it, Scion was having problems getting to the youth market of which is caters to, with most of their cars going to hipster 40-yo Moms and Dads looking for something "cool" and efficent for driving around town.

...Most of the Scions around here are piloted by 30-somethings as it seems, but there are a fair share of youngins driving them as well...

As for the Caliber, what few I have seen were driven by younger folks...
 
I think Yss hit it right on the nose, here. the recent rash of retro comes from the fact that the Baby Boomers...my parent's generation, are trying to relive their teen and 20 something years, and the reaction to living for 20 years with curvy econoboxes, the size of which make Europeans wince in pain.

i was born in 73. I grew up in the back of a Rabbit, and for the first five years I was driving, never got past an 83 FFsedan with a slushbox 3 speed.

i don't need a car with a zillion HP at the rear wheels (yet), race track handling, and tires that can't take a thumbtack without blowing the remains of their 20 inch alloys all over the guy in the station wagon with 10 kids in it visiting from out in the boonies somewhere. I also don't need a slush-job with a huge engine, miniscule power ratings, and absolutely nothing in the cabin but the radio (the definition of the 80-90 cars) i need something that'll last more than 6 months without throwing a valve, piston, gasket, computer, or a front wing at the nearest trucker. these new cars are TOO BIG for me, and european market things are too tiny for the average american's comfort.

the Caliber would have the height I need, but is probably got the Jammed cabin I hate. i wouldn't know, tho...there's not a single actual DODGE dealer in my vicinity. just Chrysler/Jeep
 
60 somethings? That's not a good market to be identified with, because it turns off the 30-somethings who'd actually buy the car.... and despite my criticism of it, the amount of space (here I go again... :lol: ) really is appealing.

That's part of what killed Olds and Buick... the feeling that you're buying into the septagenarian lifestyle.

But then, all that Chrysler needs is for a few celebs or tuners to pick up one and sales will start to go up... what's it at now?
 
Well older folks feel compelled to buy American, as that is what they have been tought to drive all of their lives... But with budgets getting tighter, gas getting more expensive, why not go with a smaller car or truck?

Fortunately for them, the Dodge Caliber fits the bill perfectly. There is enough space to carry Floyd and Elanor to Bridge Club, enough room for Elanor to pick up flowers from the local greenhouse, and Floyd to get his golfclubs in the back, and enough room for all three of the grandkids to ride with the two of them to go to Russ' for a nice family dinner.

It is interesting, and a far departure from where I would expect most older folks to be going, the Buick or Chrysler dealers. My Grandfather (just a tad over 72 years old) goes after sports coupes and sedans, and my Grandmother (same age) is happy with her VW Cabrio.
 
I don't understand how the calibur is a replacement for the Neon. It's more like a sporty PT Cruiser then anything. Maybe it can be turned into something that can be AutoX's but it looks like it would take a lot of effort, time and MONEY to get it there.
 
Actually, as long as the chassis is stiff, anything can be tuned for AutoX. The box in the back would actually help it rotate faster.
 
They say that the Caliber-based SRT-4 is going to be crazy on the autocross circuit, and there is a good chance it will start dominating at SCCA racing events across the country. If they can fix the torque steer, the thing will be a monster...
 
Swift
I don't understand how the calibur is a replacement for the Neon. It's more like a sporty PT Cruiser then anything. Maybe it can be turned into something that can be AutoX's but it looks like it would take a lot of effort, time and MONEY to get it there.
Click to expand...


Thats because its not. There was a new compact sedan being tested the last year from Chyrsler. People in forums and messages boards go by hearsay..... The Dodge Rebel(perlimenary name) is the Neon replacement.

Edit: I have no problem with the looks. I like the SRT-4 and judging by the size of the tires (225/45/19) and its weight its not really a compact car. Being a Mazda 3 5-door owner it does apeal to me.
 
LaBounti
The Dodge Rebel(perlimenary name) is the Neon replacement.
Click to expand...

Care to elaborate on that one? Too bad the press also seems to think that the Caliber is replacing the Neon, not only because it makes sense, but mostly because Dodge had said so...

People can get upset all they want about the Caliber, but it is here to stay... It is a new breed of compact, something the Europeans have had for a while with cars like the Renault Megane and Opel Astra... The idea is new in the US, let it sink in, and people might like it...
 
the Caliber is target also to the European market, where a hatchback form is popular. the shape/design is also a comprimise, as Hatchbacks have a bad reputation in the US because of automotive lemons involving the shape. americans appreciate an SUV style box instead. the Caliber combines both shapes to appeal all around
 
Wolfe2x7
All they have to do is add a driveshaft and another differential... ;)
Click to expand...

Then you'd be just better off getting on of these...

sticoupe.jpg


Or these...

mitsu.lancer.evo_MR.f34.500.jpg


Or even that Mazda thing...uhhh the 6?
 
How many of you think this could have been its own model rather than a Neon replacement? Would it be better perceived if it were its own model than a Neon replacement? What would have been a better Neon replacement (assume Dodge wanted to replace it with something other than the Caliber or anything Caliber-like), or would you replace it?
 
Wow I totally missed the fact it was a coupe.
 

Latest Posts

Back