Dodge Caliber?
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New Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3
From: Grayslake ,Il, U.S.
Dodge Caliber?
I need your help. I just test drove the new Dodge Caliber SXT today.
It seemed quite nice. 158HP with EPA of 26/30. I still don't know if
I can trust a U.S. automaker. Of the 15 cars I've bought over the years
only 3 were American-2 Saturns & 1-Geo which was buily by Isuzu.
The list of the Caliber I drove was about $17,700 although the dealer
seemed willing to negociate and there is also a $500 rebate. I think I
could get it for around $16,300. Should I wait for the Fit Sport? I'm
guessing the price may be close to the $16,300 I'd pay for the Dodge
and I'm quite sure Honda won't be dealing. With more room and power
for the same money I'm tempted, but I'm a Honda fan. So I need
some suggestions.
It seemed quite nice. 158HP with EPA of 26/30. I still don't know if
I can trust a U.S. automaker. Of the 15 cars I've bought over the years
only 3 were American-2 Saturns & 1-Geo which was buily by Isuzu.
The list of the Caliber I drove was about $17,700 although the dealer
seemed willing to negociate and there is also a $500 rebate. I think I
could get it for around $16,300. Should I wait for the Fit Sport? I'm
guessing the price may be close to the $16,300 I'd pay for the Dodge
and I'm quite sure Honda won't be dealing. With more room and power
for the same money I'm tempted, but I'm a Honda fan. So I need
some suggestions.
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 728
From: San Francisco, CA
The Caliber and Fit are in different vehicle classes. They are both 5 door hatches but, the similarities end there. The fuel economy as you noted isnt great, and while there is more power, the caliber weighs substantially more. I read that the Caliber weighs in at 3039 pounds, around 600 lbs more than the Fit! There are also a lot more options you can get with the Caliber, like a moonroof, AWD, navigation, bluetooth handsfree, and so on.
This is a Fit forum, so I wouldnt expect unbiased opinions. Wait for the Fit to come out, and test drive it. That's the only way to compare the two cars.
This is a Fit forum, so I wouldnt expect unbiased opinions. Wait for the Fit to come out, and test drive it. That's the only way to compare the two cars.
New Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24
From: guelph, canada
well, i'll tell ya. i have teste driven the dodge caliber three times now at three different dealerships. i am in a unique situation where my car is just about dead, and i need a new one FAST. so as much as i wanted the fit and still wanted it, i have to settle for the caliber. it was there and out of all the other ones i could afford, this is the one i bought. i'm pretty sure i'm goign to regret it three years from now, but push came to shove. it beats buying a chevy.
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 82
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Originally Posted by superbang
i think we all know i'm going to need it 
I'd say just live with it, double up on payments here and there and in a couple of years you [hopefully] you won't be upside down and you can trade it in on something else.
New Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24
From: guelph, canada
Originally Posted by the_saint
I wouldn't get too worked up with your Caliber purchase.
I'd say just live with it, double up on payments here and there and in a couple of years you [hopefully] you won't be upside down and you can trade it in on something else.
I'd say just live with it, double up on payments here and there and in a couple of years you [hopefully] you won't be upside down and you can trade it in on something else.
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 158
From: DC Metro Area
wtf
Just get something else in the meantime. Go pick up like an old Miata or an S13 or something to drive around for a few months, then get the Fit. Why settle?
I mean, any decent older car you get (S13, Miata, EG6, Cressida) won't depreciate a dime over a few months, so you'll come out even, and you'll get the new car you really want without the inflated launch-day price.
Hell, I bought a running 89 S13 5spd for $50 this past weekend.
Just get something else in the meantime. Go pick up like an old Miata or an S13 or something to drive around for a few months, then get the Fit. Why settle?
I mean, any decent older car you get (S13, Miata, EG6, Cressida) won't depreciate a dime over a few months, so you'll come out even, and you'll get the new car you really want without the inflated launch-day price.
Hell, I bought a running 89 S13 5spd for $50 this past weekend.
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 82
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Originally Posted by HashiriyaS14
wtf
Just get something else in the meantime. Go pick up like an old Miata or an S13 or something to drive around for a few months, then get the Fit. Why settle?
I mean, any decent older car you get (S13, Miata, EG6, Cressida) won't depreciate a dime over a few months, so you'll come out even, and you'll get the new car you really want without the inflated launch-day price.
Hell, I bought a running 89 S13 5spd for $50 this past weekend.
Just get something else in the meantime. Go pick up like an old Miata or an S13 or something to drive around for a few months, then get the Fit. Why settle?
I mean, any decent older car you get (S13, Miata, EG6, Cressida) won't depreciate a dime over a few months, so you'll come out even, and you'll get the new car you really want without the inflated launch-day price.
Hell, I bought a running 89 S13 5spd for $50 this past weekend.
Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 57
From: Canada
Originally Posted by superbang
well, i'll tell ya. i have teste driven the dodge caliber three times now at three different dealerships. i am in a unique situation where my car is just about dead, and i need a new one FAST. so as much as i wanted the fit and still wanted it, i have to settle for the caliber. it was there and out of all the other ones i could afford, this is the one i bought. i'm pretty sure i'm goign to regret it three years from now, but push came to shove. it beats buying a chevy.
Speaking of leasing, what are your monthly payments and for how long if you don't mind me asking. Also what is the interest rate you got for leasing? You can PM me if you prefer telling me privately.
Last edited by SBC31; Mar 14, 2006 at 10:14 AM.
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 158
From: DC Metro Area
Best of luck with the Caliber.
I have a friend who's likely buying the SRT, I do think they're pretty neat cars, and I don't expect that it'd be a bad ownership experience at all inside the first 50k miles.
Not all Dodge products are bad, my mom' s husband has an '02 Dakota that looks and drives NEW after 80k. Granted, it's immaculately cared for, but it hasn't ever so much as hiccuped.
What were you driving before, and what was wrong with it?
I have a friend who's likely buying the SRT, I do think they're pretty neat cars, and I don't expect that it'd be a bad ownership experience at all inside the first 50k miles.
Not all Dodge products are bad, my mom' s husband has an '02 Dakota that looks and drives NEW after 80k. Granted, it's immaculately cared for, but it hasn't ever so much as hiccuped.
What were you driving before, and what was wrong with it?
New Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24
From: guelph, canada
Originally Posted by HashiriyaS14
Best of luck with the Caliber.
I have a friend who's likely buying the SRT, I do think they're pretty neat cars, and I don't expect that it'd be a bad ownership experience at all inside the first 50k miles.
Not all Dodge products are bad, my mom' s husband has an '02 Dakota that looks and drives NEW after 80k. Granted, it's immaculately cared for, but it hasn't ever so much as hiccuped.
What were you driving before, and what was wrong with it?
I have a friend who's likely buying the SRT, I do think they're pretty neat cars, and I don't expect that it'd be a bad ownership experience at all inside the first 50k miles.
Not all Dodge products are bad, my mom' s husband has an '02 Dakota that looks and drives NEW after 80k. Granted, it's immaculately cared for, but it hasn't ever so much as hiccuped.
What were you driving before, and what was wrong with it?