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#21 of 1634 Re: Steering wheel too far away [sp00ge] by biggus3 Apr 03, 2005 (10:12 am)
Replying to: sp00ge (Mar 07, 2005 5:51 pm) Sure the XRS does have the 180hp VVT-i engine, but in order to get ANY power out of it, you have to rev it above 6000 or so RPM. As far as normal city type driving, the engine is a dog. Take for example that a 160hp Mazda3 with a better torque curve is just as fast as the matrix with 180hp. On top of that, the Matrix(regardless of type) is BUTT ugly. While the Caliber isnt the best looking car in the class (I believe the Mazda3 is) it is worlds ahead of the Vibe\Matrix. As long as they can give it a decent powerplant, decent handling, and keep the price around 15-20k fully loaded, I think it will do well. Replies to this message: tarquini (Apr 03, 2005 11:28 pm) dino001 (Apr 06, 2005 2:11 pm)
#22 of 1634 The caliber by tarquini Apr 03, 2005 (11:28 pm)
Replying to: biggus3 (Apr 03, 2005 10:12 am) I think it would be better if dodge tried for a sleeker front than that trucker-ish grill they use on their massive vehicles. I think the stratus grill, if strethed up some with a curved hood would look much better. That way they could smooth out the rest of those harsh lines, especially on the back end!   I dunno, I will be in the market for a newer used car by the time these babies come off their 2 yr leases.... Only time will tell.
#23 of 1634 Re: Steering wheel too far away [biggus3] by dino001 Apr 06, 2005 (2:11 pm)
Replying to: biggus3 (Apr 03, 2005 10:12 am) Add also the price. Load Matrix XRS/Vibe GT with just a little bit of stuff (airbags, some convenience features) and you easily top $20K list, I even saw once jaw-dropping $23K (OK, there are discounts, but you get the point). For that you get Mazda3 with everything, including navigation (!) and with a leap of just a couple large more you get Subaru Impreza WRX (comes with hatchback, too) or Acura RSX-S! Who in the world would get Matrix XRS with these specs and this pricing?!! I used to be quite excited by the Matrix, but when compared price and content, it just doesn't cut.
#24 of 1634 Neon vs. Caliber by dialm4speed Apr 17, 2005 (4:56 pm)
Chrysler has hit quite a few homeruns in recent years, I think it's beginning to go to their heads! How they can go from a sleek little car to a HATCHBACK is amazing! The fact that their willing to S-can the SRT-4 for that is well NUTS! The more I look at that thing the more I think... Good luck Dodge your gonna need it!
#25 of 1634 . by wale_bate1 Apr 17, 2005 (5:06 pm)
Hatches are hot the world over. Except here of course. Average American isn't bright enough to understand the tremendous advatages I guess. Thankfully, that seems to be changing a bit. Maybe the success of the Magnum is a harbinger of things to come. Lordy I hope so. Audi has brought the A3, the Magnum is selling, BMW will have tthe 130i here next year; things are starting to look up!   Only thing I don't hold with is that idiotic redneck truck grille; great for a Ram, stupid on a compact. Well, that and FWD, but I'm willing to make certain exceptions for a good cause... [-) Replies to this message: dialm4speed (Apr 17, 2005 5:28 pm)
#26 of 1634 Re: . [wale_bate1] by dialm4speed Apr 17, 2005 (5:28 pm)
Replying to: wale_bate1 (Apr 17, 2005 5:06 pm) I don't know how things are up there but down here in the US we've been there done that back in the 80's! Not all hatchbacks are bad, I should know I've got one! But most aren't performance vehicles, just people movers and boring. And the thing with the grill is it's alll about branding or whatever they call it. You can just look at it and know it's a Dodge.
#27 of 1634 . by wale_bate1 Apr 17, 2005 (5:41 pm)
Well, take heart and realize that the Benz Boyz apparently understand the street cred of the SRT operation and won't let it die. BTW, I'm in CA by the Bay.   There are plenty of real performance hatches the world over, but we don't get them here only because most Americans have an aversion to the hatch format. Comes from years of anemic, crappy domestic offerings after that last oil crisis.   The grille thing bugs the ever-loving crud out of me, and I wish they'd tone it down a bit, and emphasize the shape a little more. It really does have the basic proportions necessary to be a hottie, it's just the details that are whacked.   Personally, I don't believe this is the only variant coming to market, especially in the US. They'll hedge their bets with a sedan, or I'm several Dutchmen...
#28 of 1634 Caliber: I like it. by leadfoot_ed Apr 30, 2005 (8:39 am)
I dig it. Like most Dodge products of late, its styling is polarizing, as I think is the company's intent. How many people love or hate the looks of a Camry? Not many. While I agree the grille is a bit truck-ish, I don't think it's patently offensive. Call me weird, but I actually see a little bit of Lexus RX 330 in the rear 3/4 view.   Here's my hope: Good build quality (DC has gotten better at this lately, let's hope they continue to improve) and I hope they offer the diesel option when it goes on sale in the States, and (hoping against hope) they actually offer the diesel as an option in CA. From what I've heard, it's a VW-sourced diesel of around 2.0L and 140 horsepower (!). I can only hope it's the new 16v diesel they have in Europe. If it is, and it has 236 lbs./ft. of torque, I think this is definitely the "must have" powerplant. Granted, the rumored SRT4 version with a 235+ hp turbo is tempting, but with fuel nudging $3.00 a gallon, 40+ mpg and and 236 lbs./ft. is looking pretty good. Replies to this message: medinamalibu (Apr 30, 2005 10:02 pm) alpha01 (May 01, 2005 3:25 pm) leadfoot_ed (May 02, 2005 12:03 pm)
#29 of 1634 Re: [dudleyr] by f111d Apr 30, 2005 (1:06 pm)
Replying to: dudleyr (Feb 26, 2005 8:44 pm) Amen!   Paul
#30 of 1634 Re: Caliber: I like it. [leadfoot_ed] by medinamalibu Apr 30, 2005 (10:02 pm)
Replying to: leadfoot_ed (Apr 30, 2005 8:39 am) Shouldn't subcompacts be fuel-efficient above all, anyway? I have to agree that 40mpg does sound super sweet though.

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