Article Comments - 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 First Drive and Full Test

8 messages, Last post on Dec 28, 2007 at 9:39 AM

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What is this discussion about? Dodge Caliber SRT-4, Hatchback, Wagon

First Drive: 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 - nternal engine mods include pistons cooled by oil squirters and mounted to forged connecting rods. Specific injectors flow more fuel (high octane recommended). And an external oil cooler keeps the Mobil 1 synthetic from getting too toasty. The engine cranks out 265 pound-feet of torque beginning at 2,000 rpm. (more)

Full Test: 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 - The Caliber SRT-4 is faster and just as usable as a standard Caliber, but lacks the raw, explosive and engaging character of the original SRT-4. (more)

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#1 of 8 Article Comments - 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 by KarenS HOST Sep 04, 2007 (4:56 am)
Check out our 2008 Caliber first drive. What do you think? First Drive: 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 Replies to this message: chisss (Sep 06, 2007 8:48 am) jmcmillen3 (Sep 11, 2007 10:24 am) kyle11 (Dec 28, 2007 8:11 am) jmcmillen3 (Dec 28, 2007 9:39 am)
#2 of 8 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 [KarenS] by chisss Sep 06, 2007 (8:48 am)
Replying to: KarenS (Sep 04, 2007 4:56 am) It is still a Caliber.. ugly boxy durango looking car... it may be quick but still ugly. For that much money I would definetly go with the speed3. The caliber's interior is cheap plastic all around. The steering wheel looks like it came out of a truck. Also the Mazdaspeed3 does 0-60 in the mid to high 5 seconds and not 6.1. Replies to this message: jmcmillen3 (Sep 11, 2007 10:24 am) kyle11 (Dec 28, 2007 8:11 am) jmcmillen3 (Dec 28, 2007 9:39 am)
#3 of 8 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 [chisss] by jmcmillen3 Sep 11, 2007 (10:24 am)
Replying to: chisss (Sep 06, 2007 8:48 am) Yeah what's up with the Mazdaspeed 3 only doing 0-60 in 6.1? Car and Driver and Road and Track had it I think at 5.5. The Caliber is more like a crossover SUV than a hot-hatch. Dodge would have to make the suspension so stiff for the Caliber SRT-4 to have good handling that it would make for a super stiff ride. At least the old Neon SRT-4 looked like a car. I have an 07 Mazda3 5 door. It has a much better interior, exterior, ride and handling than a Caliber. I almost bought the Mazdaspeed3 but travel too much and needed a good balance of fuel economy and fun to drive. I'd never consider buying a Caliber SRT-4 even if I could get one for $19K. It's hideously ugly.
#4 of 8 Full Test Available! by KarenS HOST Oct 03, 2007 (8:50 am)
Full Test: 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4
#5 of 8 As I suspected by networkguy Oct 03, 2007 (4:21 pm)
I'm pretty much a form follows function kinda guy. I can get past mofugly if the car performs well for the money. When I saw the Caliber I thought the enginerring team might have a hard time cheating the physics associated with a mini-ute setup. Seems they couldn't refute Newton after all. The look of the Caliber already put me off, the reported driving experience confims my suspicion. In the interest of full disclosure, I already own a Mazdaspeed 3. I still 'shop' the competition, and maybe a bit higher. The upcoming Evo and STI have piqued my interest. The Dodge... not so much.
#6 of 8 Great review! by drive571 Oct 03, 2007 (5:40 pm)
Clear, candid, and entertaining to read. Car & Driver's November review read a bit too much like a puff piece; this one had the beef. Thanks so much! I also half-expected this, networkguy. I've only driven the Caliber SXT, but I couldn't imagine that car's sense of mass, SUV driving position, and deep, "tunneled" view out the windshield would allow the SRT-4 to feel like a true sport-compact. The steering was numb and nebulous on the base car; I'm sure it's much better on the SRT-4, but I can't imagine it being transformed to MazdaSpeed 3 precision, especially not with those lead-weight 19s. I was pleasantly surprised to hear about the six-speed's shift quality, though. The SXT's felt like clunky garbage. I guess this means the domestic-brand hot-hatch torch has been passed to the HHR SS. I always thought the Cobalt SS S/C was an overlooked gem; maybe the HHR version will be just as fun.
#7 of 8 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 [chisss] by kyle11 Dec 28, 2007 (8:11 am)
Replying to: chisss (Sep 06, 2007 8:48 am) Are you a nut this car is great. Masda 3 stinks Replies to this message: jmcmillen3 (Dec 28, 2007 9:39 am)
#8 of 8 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 [kyle11] by jmcmillen3 Dec 28, 2007 (9:39 am)
Replying to: kyle11 (Dec 28, 2007 8:11 am) Ok first things first, I read ALOT of car magazines and secondly I test drive ALOT of cars. To name a few, the Caliber R/T, Civic Si, Mazdaspeed3, Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, Neon SRT-4, Charger SRT-8, Lancer EVO 8, Subaru STI, Cobalt SS, RX-8, 350Z, 07 Mustang GT and many others. The Caliber SRT-4 nor any other car under $25K has been able to topple the Mazdaspeed3 for all-around performance. Oh yeah, learn how to spell. It's M-A-Z-D-A. The Z stands for zoom-zoom, something the Caliber will never have.