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Know how things grow on you?
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 5:46 am
by tangerine
When i first saw the Dodge Caliber i like to puked on my computer but today i was shown the Dodge Caliber SRT and wow... MOre powerful than the Neon SRT and can out handle. I think I'm gonna look into those, though I also saw my 1st modded TC today and wow again. I confinced myself theres no need to pay 30 grand for a car when i can buy a cheap car and build it up withy the left over money. Now to decide which one and still gotta decide on the vibe or trix for my show car again. btw, i know 'search' is my friend but are there any new bodykits for the vibe out? and is psychovibes kit still out of production?
Re: Know how things grow on you? (tangerine)
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 6:05 am
by ZubenElGenubi
I know how you feel. Saw my first Caliber on the road today, but when I checked with the dealership it came from (based on tags), they didn't have any in stock.The SRT-4 looks very enticing, but we'll have to see what the actual MSRP ends up being. I'm not happy that the R/T version only comes in an AWD; think that loses some available torque.
Re: Know how things grow on you? (ZubenElGenubi)
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 6:51 am
by Psychobroker
Quote, originally posted by ZubenElGenubi »I know how you feel. Saw my first Caliber on the road today, but when I checked with the dealership it came from (based on tags), they didn't have any in stock.The SRT-4 looks very enticing, but we'll have to see what the actual MSRP ends up being. I'm not happy that the R/T version only comes in an AWD; think that loses some available torque...OR that the SRT-4 only comes in FWD
Re: Know how things grow on you? (Psychobroker)
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 7:46 am
by BlueCrush
I'm kinda diggin' the AWD R/T - 2.4L VVT World Engine 172hp/165tq CVT2 tranny w/6 gear autostick.
Re: Know how things grow on you? (BlueCrush)
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 7:58 am
by Psychobroker
Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »I'm kinda diggin' the AWD R/T - 2.4L VVT World Engine 172hp/165tq CVT2 tranny w/6 gear autostick.Would be sweet with a blower on it, that's for sure.
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:05 am
by tangerine
anyone know what the weight is on these cars? I think that 300hp in a car about the same size as teh vibe is gonna be nasty on the track. Even though it pissed me off to all hell not getting my Z because of my back i think this thing is totally gonna change my outlook on things. With some nice Mopar upgrades that will dominate ricers. 300hp FWD is gonna be a ton of wheel hoppin though thats for sure. P.S. your car is lookin good psycho.
Re: (tangerine)
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:16 am
by BlueCrush
SE - 2966 lbs.SXT - 3039 lbs.R/T FWD - 3156 lbs.R/T AWD - 3308 lbs.Tons of Caliber info here:
http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/caliber.html
Re: Know how things grow on you? (Psychobroker)
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:17 am
by BlueCrush
Quote, originally posted by Psychobroker »Would be sweet with a blower on it, that's for sure.Could easily get it up to 225-250hp.
Re: Know how things grow on you? (BlueCrush)
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:21 am
by BlueCrush
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:29 am
by tangerine
Looks amazing. the ground effects and widened bumper for the intercooler on the SRT looks way better than the other models. if its around $25,000 I'll totally be getting one.
Re: (tangerine)
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 10:27 am
by BlueCrush
Here is a price comparison chart including the Vibe and Matrix:
http://www.truedelta.com/models/Caliber.php
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 2:21 pm
by northvibe
I sat in a sxt at the car show, i swear they took the vibe and put dodge stickers on it . im sorta diggin the car too, if only the srt came in AWD. my next car is AWD no matter what, MN winter sucked with out it
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 12:52 am
by tangerine
I'm goin to the dodge dealer in town today when i go see a movie and see if they can give me any info on the car and see if a can drop 2 grand down to save the 1st one that comes in.
Re: (tangerine)
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 1:21 am
by Mavrik
I like the Dodge Caliber but an just not going to be buying any 2wd vehicle again for a long while... once I get a new car its going to be awd... very likely a Subaru. However... if I could I'd take one of those to. I like it.
Re: Know how things grow on you? (BlueCrush)
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 6:29 am
by Toasted7
Looks like a Vibe on steriods... wait, where's Bonds?
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:33 am
by tangerine
Well, that idea is now out the window unless i can really bear to go that long without modding a new vehicle. Dealer said it will be late 07 till they are out because they are having problems trying to harness the 300hp with that CTV tranny. He said right now they can't shift it they con only stick it in gear and go... this blowz heh i finally fonud a car I likeand it may not come into production now after i read it was finalized. I'm just hoping that was a clueless salesman. My dad ended up not selling his SS because the buyer tried to lowball him after it was finalized and its still a POS warranty case so when i take it to the shop monday I'm gonna check some other dodge dealers. me want, unlike the nasty POS neon SRT this one has style. heh dealer tried to get me to buy an SRT-8 magnum i test drove that bad boy and was like ugh when i saw the $42,000 price tag.
Re: (tangerine)
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:52 am
by ZubenElGenubi
Quote, originally posted by tangerine »Dealer said it will be late 07 till they are out because they are having problems trying to harness the 300hp with that CTV tranny. He said right now they can't shift it they con only stick it in gear and go... I'm just hoping that was a clueless salesman. You nailed it: clueless salesman...and greedy too, trying to get you to go for the Magnum.I test drove an SXT yesterday and the word is that the SRT-4 will arrive in 6-8 weeks. I'm on the list to test drive that puppy unless someone buys it sight unseen. The R/T FWD version will come out about the same time. Also, the SRT-4 will be a six-speed manual..not CVT2.By the way, the CVT performed pretty well. It's smooth, but felt a little spongy on acceleration. Handling is nice. The interior is smaller and ultra modern. The windshield is a good 4-6 inches forward of the Vibe's.Definitely ripped off the Vibe layout: three "tunnel" instrument cluster (swapping tach and gas/temp). I like the Indiglo-style backlighting. Center console is exactly like the Vibe, only the 12VDC outlet is below the shifter and the A/C outlet (yep there is one) is in the armrest (150watts).The seats are stiff and flat. The rear seats have fixed headrests, but adjust the back angle. The rear cargo area is smaller than the Vibe and the rear seats have cloth backs.Overall, it's a trade of convenience for performance. If you want 300 hp, I don't think you'll be hauling much stuff around.
Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 4:08 pm
by tangerine
Nice, now thats more like i wanna hear. and yea they did rip off the vibes guages, i was watching the video of the STR-4 in action at the chicago car show and it had the same damn guages with the stainless covers. all in all for what its being purchased for it seems like it will be pretty bad (removed). It needs to be show quality when I'm done, won't be hauling anything in the back except a sound sytem and will have to be built to handle weekends at the track during spring and summer since my uncle and my dad told me i can't be paranoid behind the wheel anymore after my acident or i'll just get into another one so they are making me start racing again. wahoo.. just never again on the street. I'v never had such a hard time deciding what kinda car to get, just glad my dad made me google the new intimidator SS Silverado and i saw a video clip of this car on edmunds inside line and i said, 'wow'. sponsors want me to have a sport compact again, I want something I can have fun with, and everyone in town misses my sound systems so this thing looks like it could bring back everything I used to have.

The only thing now is to figure out how the interior color scemes work because they had one SXT on the lot when i was over there, it was black and had nasty red interior. I want a black or Go Mango! caliber.
Re: Know how things grow on you? (tangerine)
Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 7:35 am
by Lancer
Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 10:14 am
by tangerine
Well, i went to see my boys to order some parts for my dads truck today and we talked about this car and they said I better check the dealer in Ozark because they had an SRT Caliber in their showroom. I am gonna head over there tomarrow and talk to them, I am gonna see if I can order a black one and black it out with some black faced solo-baric kicker l7 subs.
Re: Know how things grow on you? (tangerine)
Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:54 pm
by ToolGuy
I just very well may end up with one once my PT lease is up in Sept. However from the Dodge site, I can only get the 2.4L engine with AWD. I really do not want the AWD but may be stuck with it. It would end up being the R/T version. The SRT sounds sweet but without AWD, can you say lots of wheel spin and torque steer! I already get enough of that in my PT Turbo! And with gas always climbing, I think I will pass on the SRT version. I also am going to look at the Jeep Compass too...
Re: Know how things grow on you? (MiVibe-ToolGuy)
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 2:06 am
by ZubenElGenubi
Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »I just very well may end up with one once my PT lease is up in Sept. However from the Dodge site, I can only get the 2.4L engine with AWD. I really do not want the AWD but may be stuck with it. It would end up being the R/T version. Maybe not. The FWD R/T will likely be available by September as well.
Re: Know how things grow on you? (ZubenElGenubi)
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:19 am
by POLO
I found some reviews on quebec tuning
http://www.quebectuning.qc.ca/22.0.html?&nid=125 With some great pictures. I admit that they have been inspired by are Vibe.But,i liked.
Re: (tangerine)
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:30 am
by Sputnik
Quote, originally posted by tangerine »Well, i went to see my boys to order some parts for my dads truck today and we talked about this car and they said I better check the dealer in Ozark because they had an SRT Caliber in their showroom. I am gonna head over there tomarrow and talk to them, I am gonna see if I can order a black one and black it out with some black faced solo-baric kicker l7 subs.Weren't you just talking last year about ordering a Nissan 350Z? I can't keep track of all these cars and who's got what anymore!!Anyways you know I'd actually consider getting this vehicle if it weren't a Dodge! Blech! My friend has a Dodge vehicle and she's spent over $5k on it and that was while it was supposedly under warranty.
Re: (Sputnik)
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:35 am
by Mrizzle05
All cars now are beefed up versions of something else...From the back it looks like a malibu maxx!From the front it looks like minivan! Im in-between on likin this thing... i mean its nice but i wouldnt buy it (if i had the money) its almost too convienent. An Ipod holder and a lil water storage compartment!!! I understand convienence like a (outlet) in the dash, hint hint. but theres too much stuff to it.Ok the end!
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 3:33 am
by josholiver1
can u get an 8in sub in it?
Re: (josholiver1)
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 10:11 am
by denvette78
I just had the chance to sit in those new dodge caliber and from the outside it does look great but i was not very impressed with there interior at all. Too much plastic for me. Dodge have nice cars but all there interior look terrible.
Re: (josholiver1)
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:46 pm
by ZubenElGenubi
Quote, originally posted by josholiver1 »can u get an 8in sub in it?Look in the right side of the cargo area:
Re: (ZubenElGenubi)
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:53 pm
by ZubenElGenubi
That picture above also points out one of the Caliber's flaws: the rear seatbacks are cloth-covered. If I was an AM manufacturer, I'd be offering a plastic cover to fit over those seats when folded down. Kinda like the rubberized mats we already have for the Vibe:
Re: (ZubenElGenubi)
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:01 am
by ZubenElGenubi
AND ANOTHER THING! I was looking at side-by-side specs @ Kelley Blue Book's site and noted that the Caliber SXT weighs 339 pounds (153.8kg) more than the base Vibe.With the dimensions almost identical, one has to wonder where the extra weight is coming from. And with only 22 more horsepower, I can't imagine the SXT outperforming the Vibe in any regard (mpg or acceleration).
Re: (ZubenElGenubi)
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:16 am
by Mrizzle05
That extra weight is probably cuz it looks bigger than the vibe and maybe also the engine is bigger... not for power but just bigger.Metal is heavy!!! All-in-all i dont really like the car. But Thats just me!
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 10:39 am
by tangerine
well all dealers say alteast a year, so yet another car choice blown out the window. I found a Yellow and Black Charger R/T for $23,480 carryover I may look into when i get my money for customizing someones vehicle next month. I had my finaly surgery on my back yesterday and feal absolutely great so now its time to get my **** back.
Re: (tangerine)
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 3:02 am
by ToolGuy
A year? Wow! They are missing the boat, dealers have some on the lots here in Mich...
Re: Know how things grow on you? (tangerine)
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:09 am
by 1badvibe
that thing got a HEMI,
First Caliber commercial
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:04 am
by ZubenElGenubi
Saw a commercial for the Caliber last night...pretty funny, in fact.Had this "Tinkerbell"-like fairy changing things around a city to look real pretty, then it tries to do the same to a black Caliber. Magic spells just bounce right off it, and then one backfires and knocks the fairy silly.I like that they showed a black one instead of the usual Dodge "red" (or their funky version of Fusion we've been seeing).Still, the only way I'd ever get interested would be the SRT-4.
Re: (ZubenElGenubi)
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:54 am
by joatmon
Quote, originally posted by ZubenElGenubi »AND ANOTHER THING! I was looking at side-by-side specs @ Kelley Blue Book's site and noted that the Caliber SXT weighs 339 pounds (153.8kg) more than the base Vibe.With the dimensions almost identical, one has to wonder where the extra weight is coming from. And with only 22 more horsepower, I can't imagine the SXT outperforming the Vibe in any regard (mpg or acceleration).that site says the base vibe is 126 HP and 2700 lbs, the base caliber is 148 HP and 2966 lbs. That means the power to weight ratio for the Vibe is 0.0467 HP/lb, and the caliber is 0.0499 HP/lb. THe caliber SXT is the same HP, but 3039 lbs, for 0.0487 HP/lb.So the caliber has more power per pound
Re: (joatmon)
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 12:02 pm
by jeffgtx
i was starting to get nervous that i might like a dodge, but the MPG isnt as good as the vibe and i already have a plan to chill the cupholders... now i just gotta get em to glow.i wonder why companies arent making a crossover wagon hybrid version...
Re: (joatmon)
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:27 am
by ZubenElGenubi
Quote, originally posted by joatmon »that site says the base vibe is 126 HP and 2700 lbs, the base caliber is 148 HP and 2966 lbs. That means the power to weight ratio for the Vibe is 0.0467 HP/lb, and the caliber is 0.0499 HP/lb. THe caliber SXT is the same HP, but 3039 lbs, for 0.0487 HP/lb.So the caliber has more power per poundYou're correct! I guess I should have done a little more math when I made my first rant.So, I did a little more math this time and note the following;The Caliber is rated at 148HP @ 6500 rpm; the Vibe is 126 @ 6000 rpm. Both use 1.8 L engines. Not quite apples:apples here, but I would imagine that the Caliber runs 140-145 HP @ 6000 rpm. Still puts it slightly ahead of the Vibe in HP/lb.BUT, the drag coefficient of the Caliber is 0.38 compared to the Vibe's 0.32. That's 18.75% more resistance than the Vibe.So, while my first post was a little short on the logic, I stand by my point that the base Vibe will outperform the SE & SXT Caliber on both mpg and acceleration.
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:34 am
by tangerine
I asid to hell with it tuesday night and baught the SS Silverdo back. Yesterday I unstalled 2 JL 13 W7's under teh back seat and a 10w3 in the center console, put the new JVC DVD headunit with a 3inch screen in it, ordered 2 Corsa exhaust systems, a Radix s/c, and a ground force dual compressor bag setup. No new vehicles inspire me anymore...
Re: (MiVibe-ToolGuy)
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:40 am
by tangerine
Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »A year? Wow! They are missing the boat, dealers have some on the lots here in Mich...Dealers have the none SRT's here, i only want the SRT. Dealers have SRT Calibers already where you live?
Re: (tangerine)
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:12 am
by jeffgtx
i think he has the SRT and the R/T confused.
Re: (josholiver1)
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 7:43 am
by jeffgtx
we just test drove a 2.0L caliber. for the wife, not for me. she wont drive a vibe because its too wagon-y. teh caliber is apparently not wagon-y.nice car. it is assembled 20 minutes from my hometown.the front of the dash goes on forever and you cant see the front bumper from teh seat. chill zone is cool. feels pretty solid. engine is loud under hard accel but really quiet cruising.we are considering replacing her VUE with it. better MPG and a little less $$$.all because of this dang post
Re: (jeffgtx)
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 8:01 am
by BlueCrush
I'll be taking the R/T for a test drive when one shows up at one of the local dealers. This the only one that would be worthwhile for me to test out because it is the AWD A/T 170hp version.
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:06 am
by tangerine
heh i wonder if i could buy Mopar parts and just build an AWD SRT from the R/T.