GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Chrysler and Dodge created Dodge Caliber for 2007 competitor to face the vibe/matrix.http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/caliber.html

Don't know if Caliper is a Canadian model, or if you made a typo...In the U.S. it's called Caliber. Here's a whole 'nother lengthy thread on the Caliber -->http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=18542and another older thread -->http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...81627

OOps,your right

The Vibe features are just dripping off this dodge... what an obvious "metoo" car. losers can't think of something original so they yank a vibe off a pontiac lot and slap that fugly truck facia on it and drop in a good ol' boy dodge engine.

I don't mind it. Although, now that I've seen the rear view, I think those tail lights look too big, they just don't look right.

They're definitely carrying over their "muscle" appearance to the smaller cars, and they seem to be backing it up with some nice horsepower ratings (2.4 liter - 170 hp).Still, it looks a little blocky. Kinda like a Vibe on steroids.

I am waiting for the Jeep version since I already have a Vibe and the Caliber is well, a Vibe. When my PT's lease is up I will most likely get the Jeep vehicle...The Caliber and Vibe are very, very similar. So similar it is scary! Oh, the Caliber is coming to Canada, probably the same name, to the best of my knowledge it is.

(removed) ugly just like the PT cruiser.

Quote, originally posted by tangerine »(removed) ugly just like the PT cruiser. Beauty is in the eye of the beholcder. How esle would Mick Jagger get laid so often.

hahah i "sorta" like the looks, although it looks like a vibe with the "dodge" body panels and front facia. but with the engine in those things...WOW but maybe not so good mileage.

Check these out from Sema this year! Here comes the competition!

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The other.

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it looks good, until u see the lights in the grill.....those are ugly imo

Quote, originally posted by binary »The Vibe features are just dripping off this dodge... what an obvious "metoo" car. losers can't think of something original so they yank a vibe off a pontiac lot and slap that fugly truck facia on it and drop in a good ol' boy dodge engine.'tis OK.....it's just Dodge's payback for Chevrolet for cloning the PT Crusier (HHR).

Quote, originally posted by tnpartsguy »'tis OK.....it's just Dodge's payback for Chevrolet for cloning the PT Crusier (HHR).Seems they tend to get it right the second time!

I'll take an SRT version, please!

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »I'll take an SRT version, please!Imagine, and if they can keep that kind of A/M support, I'll take 2 and get rid of both my cars!

From the linked article: This motor should be available in the U.S. also. It's a Volkswagen diesel with a 6-speed manual! The block has 1.9/2.0 L cast in, with a Garrett turbo. Several Bosch components on the motor, with VW and Audi symbols on them! What am I missing here? Daimler-Chrysler is using VW/Audi/Seat engines now? The supplier of the transmission is JATCO, which is owned by Nissan and Mitsubishi; the transmission is apparently a new generation of one used in current Nissans. Okay, I understand the Daimler/Chrysler relationship with Mitsubishi...but is this car just going to be a hodge-podge of parts? From what I gather, the design is Chrysler (but looks very Opel-like), the engine is (or may be) from VW and the tranny is from Nissan. I can't imagine taking that vehicle to a Chrysler service department for work and having confidence in any mechanical work done on it. This isn't a knock against Chrysler service departments, but a serious question about how they can be trained-up to handle so many irregular systems.The people buying 2007 Calibers are going to be real guineapigs.

Teaser info:http://www.dodge.com/caliberI gotta say, if an SRT version came out, I'd give it a looksee.

i think the lights in the grill look pretty sweet and the rest of the car stands out from the rest. if i had the chance i'd get one.

I like the car it kinda looks like a smaller Durango..

I might give it a look too. Definitely not ready to give up the Vibe just yet, but maybe in 2008 I might be ready for a different car. As far as the SEMA show car, the front end is interesting. Has enough lights to light a football stadium. The back-end is absolutely hideous. I hope whomever picked out that body-kit has been fired from Chrysler or at least transferred to a place where he can never harm another vehicle again.

The Caliber is supposed to lauch next month. The Jeep version will follow months after... I have seen many production versions at Chrysler, the Jeep may be my next vehcile.

I like it!!! if you can get that diesel engine i will probably trade in my car. i'm a big diesel fan and i wouldn't mind the extra traction from all wheel drive

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 »Too bad you could not get any pictures for the site, would be neato. I wish I could but I cannot even take in a camera phone anymore... I could take pis of the new Sebring and Stratus too! I could make millions!!! Oh and Joholste, the diesel a 2.0L is for overseas now, but may be one day it will come to the States!

the diesel definitely needs to come to the states. i want a Diesel car soooo bad. talk about gas mileage, i had a friend who had a diesel car that was like a 1983 and in 2003 was still getting 50-some odd miles to the gallon

arent they bringing in a new diesel to the US like next year? I think the diesel here has to much sulfur.

i'm totally all about the biodiesel

Hmm.... on the site it says it has dual VVT. Isn't that a Toyota coined term? If it had a Toyota engine that'd be cool cause it looks pretty nice but, as they say, you can't go far with MOPAR.

Quote, originally posted by Petrucci914 »Hmm.... on the site it says it has dual VVT. Isn't that a Toyota coined term? Not that I've heard of. Had they said their engine had 'VVT-i' or 'VVTL-i' then they would be ripping off Toyota. You have the process, "variable valve timing" and then you have the name the various manufacturers like to throw in there that describe it... If anything, wasn't Honda the first who came up with such a process with VTEC? The rest ripped them off, IIRC. Quote »If it had a Toyota engine that'd be cool cause it looks pretty nice but, as they say, you can't go far with MOPAR.It's not just MOPAR though now, you also have Hyundai and Mitsubishi chipping in to develop the new engines...

I thought Daimler-Chrysler sold their Mitsubishi stock?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the two split up... But the "World Engine" project continued.

Quote, originally posted by Petrucci914 »I thought Daimler-Chrysler sold their Mitsubishi stock?CP is correct. DC no longer owns controlling stock in Mitsu, but the two still cooperate on projects. For example, new Sebring/Stratus is based on the next-gen Mitsu Lancer platform. It will still use DC's engines though, IIRC.

I got a few more information on the Caliber:A four-door hatchback, the Caliber has a front passenger seat that folds forward to create a table-like surface (SXT and R/T models), 60/40 rear seats that both fold flat and recline 12 degrees (SXT and R/T models), and a vinyl load floor in the rear cargo area that is both washable and removable. As well, the seats are covered in an easy-care, soil-repellant and anti-microbial textile that protects the seats from stains, odours and discoloration (late availability). An optional nine-speaker Boston Acoustics premium sound system with subwoofer includes two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate. When the liftgate is open, the speakers can swing down from the trim panel to face rearward for tailgating and other activities. The Caliber also features an optional dual purpose, self-recharging removable flashlight which is mounted in the headliner above the cargo area and can snap out of the bezel to serve as a flashlight; Chill Zone cooled beverage storage bin that can hold up to four 20-oz. bottles or cans (available in air conditioning-equipped models); a floor console sliding armrest that moves forward 3 inches to accommodate shorter drivers. The armrest lid includes a unique flip pocket for storing a cell phone or an MP3 player; an available 110-volt outlet in the centre console that can power small electronics (SXT and R/T); and illuminated front cup holders rings that glow blue-green to match other centre stack lighting. Three engines will be offered: 1.8-, 2.0- and 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engines with 148 hp, 158 hp and 172 hp, respectively. Each will have dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and intake manifold design with flow control valves. The Caliber will feature a new continuously variable transmission (CVT) with an AutoStick feature that allows for manual control with the simulation of six stepped gears. The new CVT contributes to a fuel economy improvement of 6-8 percent compared with a traditional 4-speed automatic. While base models are front-wheel drive, the Dodge Caliber R/T will have an all-wheel drive system, a 172-horsepower 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine coupled with a CVT and Autostick, anti-lock brakes, a sport-suspension, performance steering and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Canadian prices haven't been announced, but in the U.S., the Caliber will have a starting MSRP of $13,985 and will go on sale in the first quarter of this year.

A good bit of stuff here.That ipod holder armrest is sweet! I like what I see.

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And the build thingy is up on Dodge's site. I built an SXT, 2.0 and the cvt auto.. Pretty blue color on 'em too, although I haven't seen a real pic yet. Optional stuff on the list is the 9-speaker package, Sirius , security package (alarm, cabin air filtration, cargo cover), convenience package (auto dimming mirror, outside temperature gauge, compass, tire pressure monitor, universal garage door opener), drl's, and cruise, 17" alloys thrown in there somewhere. Not too shabby. If I were to buy another Vibe-like vehicle, this thing would get some serious consideration...

I sort of like the styling, but I don't like the pricing at all. To get AWD w/ABS and A/T you have to get the loaded R/T for a shade under $20K; adding a sunroof is another $750. On the plus side, 18 inch are standard and the CVT is interesting. However, I was able to get my similarly equiped Vibe for a few thousand less; I think that's a bargain considering the time-tested mechanicals of our Toyota guts vs. the unknowns of the Caliber (and how it's CVT will pan out). I guess I would have to consider it though: If the AWD Vibe goes bye-bye, that only leaves the Impreza/Saab 9-2 & the Caliber R/T. Slim pickens...

For the normal driver, I don't see the advantage other than "appearance" of 18 inch tires that have the same outside tire diameter as a 15 inch. Much harsher ride. Educate me!

You're right about the 18" wheels; I was citing them solely for their appearance. In the real world, 18" wheels on a Vibe/Matrix or Caliber don't do much...(not to mention the negative of having to spend big $$$ when your tires wear out).

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »If I were to buy another Vibe-like vehicle, this thing would get some serious consideration... With the history of drivetrain problems from dodge... you couldn't pay me to drive a Chrysler... I had always thought Dodge/Chrysler has the best styling and slick features... but worst mechanical engineering.Maybe GM and Chrysler will partner up on some models... like Toyota and GM did at NUMMI... that would get my attention.

Amen, Binary. You can't go far with MOPAR

Quote, originally posted by binary »With the history of drivetrain problems from dodge... you couldn't pay me to drive a Chrysler... I had always thought Dodge/Chrysler has the best styling and slick features... but worst mechanical engineering.Maybe GM and Chrysler will partner up on some models... like Toyota and GM did at NUMMI... that would get my attention.Glad my 2004 T&C has a 70,000 mile drivetrain warranty. If I got a Caliber I'd probabluy trade it in when it reached the 3 year warranty expiration. But I still don't think I would buy it the first year. My 2003 Vibe will soon be 3 years/19,500 miles. I am hoping to get another two or three years out of it with minimal expense.

You should be able to get another 10 years with minimal expense. The engine isn't broken in until 100k.

Yeah, I guess a Caliber wouldn't be such a hot idea. I mean, I wouldn't want to worry about powertrain problems like, oh, say, a DEAD TRANSMISSION! That NEVER happens on TOYOTA products!

Any Automatic transmission will fail when you try to manually shift it on a regular basis

I don't know about that manual shiftin' business... I let the tranny shift itself and destroy itself. But anyway, I still like the Caliber, regardless. Hyundai/Mitsubishi/Chrysler engine and a transmission from the same people Nissan get theirs from, can it be THAT bad? Besides, the Vibe doesn't have the in-dash beer cooler or the removable flashlight in the headliner.

Went to the Houston Auto Show yesterday (1/28/2006) and got to see the Caliber. I also got on the platform and sat in it for a few moments until someone told me to get out (hey...there wasn't any signs saying to "keep off"). Wish I had my camera while I was in there.It is freaky how similar the interior is to the Vibe. The instrument cluster is three circular areas joined together (with white Indiglo style backlighting). The center column has two airvents on top, the headunit, a small space, three a/c controls, then the shifter. No storage space below the shifter, but an 12VDC outlet instead. Emergency brake just in front of the armrest (single top, not dual like the Vibe).Sorry for the blurry pic...the platform was rotating and I didn't use a flash.

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Here's another pic of the Caliber:

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Quote, originally posted by binary »With the history of drivetrain problems from dodge... you couldn't pay me to drive a Chrysler... I had always thought Dodge/Chrysler has the best styling and slick features... but worst mechanical engineering.Maybe GM and Chrysler will partner up on some models... like Toyota and GM did at NUMMI... that would get my attention.Historically you are correct regarding Dodge or Chrysler transmissions...However this vehicles engine is a joint effort between DCX/Mitsu and Hyundai The World Engine. And the auto transmission used in the car is a CVT, a version found in the Nissan Murano. It is a Japanese transmission, JATCO is the company. One of the few companies that actually has made a CVT work for the most part. Not to mention all the Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep products now that have Mercedes Transmissions behind them... The Jeep Grand Cherokee for one.Not flaming just informing since I call on DCX I know a lot about their changes.

Attached are some photos of the caliber from the Detroit Auto Show. Some comments: The motor looks like a clone of the Toyota motor, except it is available up to 2.4 liters. The CVT is a bonus in a small engine, for those not partial to manuals. Sitting in the car showed how close it is to the Vibe, concept wise. From the Dodge web site, the price will be considerably less than Vibe. There are deisels and turbos in the future. This is intended to be a serious, high volume sales car. The next PT Cruiser will be based on the same chasis.

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