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Overall is the caliber a good car?

7 messages,  Last post on May 17, 2009 at 8:34 AM

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#1 of 7 Overall is the caliber a good car? by hppgir4 Mar 30, 2009 (7:54 am)
Hello, I am just looking for some honest opinions on the dodge caliber, my husband went out on Saturday to look for a new slightly used car and came across a 2007 caliber with 20,000 miles for $9,999. The price seams right and it looks great inside and out but as I was reading through some of the ratings it seams a lot of people have engine or other problems after about 30,000 miles. Also we have 2 boys one is still in a car seat and the other is 13 so needs some leg room, since I really don't want to drag them to the car to just check out the back seat any info on the room in the back would be great. Replies to this message: myster (Mar 31, 2009 9:29 pm) hppgir4 (Apr 02, 2009 5:22 am) myster (Apr 03, 2009 9:21 pm)
#2 of 7 Re: Overall is the caliber a good car? [hppgir4] by myster Mar 31, 2009 (9:29 pm)
Replying to: hppgir4 (Mar 30, 2009 7:54 am) Hi. I strongly recommend you make a different choice. I own a 2007 Caliber SXT, and I am close to swearing off Chrysler for good. Let me explain: At 62,000km, a light-show and gauge-dance started randomly on my dashboard. At first it would last only about a minute, but gradually it started happening more often, and for longer, until finally the car was loosing lots of power. After spending two days at the dealer's, they told me that the computer module was fried, that a new one (module p/n 08-015-009) would require replacement. Of course, just over the 60,000km warranty, I had to spend $1550 CAD. There is a bright side here; I immediately called their complaint desk and opened a complaint file. Six weeks later, I received a letter with a check from Chrysler for a full reimbursement, as they stated they would do this "one time reimbursement as I was so close to the expired warranty mileage. They strongly recommended I purchase their extended warranty plan, which I checked out. Seeing as the price was exorbitant, I chose to roll the dice and take my chances. Low and behold, just yesterday, the same "light-show and gauge-dance" started, at a mere 92,000km (30,000km into the new computer module!) Needless to say, I have no idea what to do at this point, and if history repeats itself, the problem will progress and worsen. I have in my right mind to go trade in this lemon for a vehicle NOT manufactured in our great country. Let's face it, foreign cars seem to have best reputations. To add insult to injury, just last October, I had to fork out another $1600 CAD for replacement of the two tie rod ends and suspension arms (parts on the front steering). Not necessarily uncommon for vehicles being driven in Montreal QC, as our roads reek havoc, but still a difficult pill to swallow as I've already put too much money into this car. Concerning your other questions re: comfort, I hate doing long trips with this car, as the interior is mostly hard plastic, which gets to be very uncomfortable when you're in the car for a long time. Seats are also not very comfortable. I would not, and NEVER recommend this car to anyone... Basically, it is priced to sell, and you get what you pay for. Hope this helps. Replies to this message: hppgir4 (Apr 02, 2009 5:22 am) myster (Apr 03, 2009 9:21 pm)
#3 of 7 Re: Overall is the caliber a good car? [myster] by hppgir4 Apr 02, 2009 (5:22 am)
Replying to: myster (Mar 31, 2009 9:29 pm) I just want to say thank you for your honest opinion it has helped a lot we have decided to go with another car because of all the problems ect. we have read about here, and feel it has saved us alot of time and money in the long run. So thanks again!!! Replies to this message: myster (Apr 03, 2009 9:21 pm)
#4 of 7 Re: Overall is the caliber a good car? [hppgir4] by myster Apr 03, 2009 (9:21 pm)
Replying to: hppgir4 (Apr 02, 2009 5:22 am) It's a pleasure! I'm glad you chose against it. I've just been spending the last three evenings test driving other vehicles, as I want to dump this one as a trade-in instead of putting more money into it. The one that I'm most interested in is the Hyundai Elantra Touring; I guess I shoud check out blogs for it as well. Would you believe, all the dealership is offering for my Caliber is $6500? That actually doesn't come as a shock to me, as it's listed in black book at $7800-$8200. Far cry from the $22,000 (CAD) I bought it for!!! Oh well, live and learn... Any knowledge about the Elantra? Regards, C.
#5 of 7 2009 Caliber SXT Information by mich321 Apr 17, 2009 (12:17 pm)
There are so many differing opinions of this car and the majority of them are from owners of older models. Does anyone have any information on the 2009 SXT models?
#6 of 7 Texas experience by ltyler44 May 07, 2009 (3:17 pm)
I have only just passed 25K miles and have had absolutely no problems with my my Caliber, driving mostly in and around town in East TX. I get over 30 MPG on the road, but around 20 in town. Thanks for the warnings about what to watch out for.
#7 of 7 I'm in Love! by synesthesia May 17, 2009 (8:34 am)
I drove a Ford Bronco II for 17 years... Loved the view, but hated the 19 MPG. Would have bought a new car long ago, but never saw anything that inspired me to open my wallet.   I always got a Dodge Neon when I rented a car on vacation... Liked the zippy little car, but never would have bought one. Looked like a jelly bean, and I always felt like my rear end was sitting 4 inches off the pavement while driving it. Then the car rental place switched me to a Caliber. I thought there had been some mistake... I wanted a cheap/inexpensive compact that got good mileage. Rental agent said "this IS our cheap/inexpensive compact with good mileage sir".   After two weeks behind the wheel, I was in love! Same zippy ride as the Neon, but I was sitting 6 inches higher, feeling a lot like I did driving my old Bronco II; all the while, getting better than 30 MPG on the highway with the air conditioning running. Started looking at Calibers on line, and found a "slightly used" 2008 SXT in September of '08 for only $13,400. Snapped it up and lived happily ever after.   I had read about the problems with the '07s... Stalling, pinging, poor mileage, revving CVT tranny... I also read that the TSB computer flash fixed all those problems remarkably well, and all Calibers are running nicely now.   I'm 9 months into my Caliber experience and have had nothing but smooth sailing! Noticed a wicked drivers side/lane change blind spot created by the beefy roof pillar between the front and rear doors, and got a blind spot mirror... Stuck it on the corner of my outside mirror and that problem was solved. Wonderful road trip through the mountains, San Diego to Vegas this Spring, and the Cali took all in stride.   Switched the oil to Mobile 1, as I plan on driving my Cali for 17 years, like the old Bronco II.

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