Caliber in the flesh. So yesterday I was bombing around on some errands when what should
04-19-2006, 01:52 PM
#1
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Caliber in the flesh. So yesterday I was bombing around on some errands when what should
join the freeway but a new Dodge Caliber:
In black the front end isn't bad looking at all, but the rear looks waaaaaaaay too much like a Tonka toy meets the A$$tek if you know what I mean.
(all the press pics are orange, and not many pics of black ones - sorry)
<img src="http://spanish.autoblog.com/images/2006/01/caliber2.jpg">
I've got to ask how this is going to look after a few cargo missions?
<img src="http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/naias_2006/0602_dodge_caliber_03_445.jpg">
In any case, the hottest 300hp turbo version will be front wheel drive and stick only. I sure hope they figured out what to do with the torque steer that is already evident in the lessor models. The higher center of gravity with this van-let styling most likely limits the ride/handling abilities. Anything else in the lineup won't present a performance challenge to an A3 and fit and finish appear to fall below VW levels.
0-60 for the SRT-4 version appears to be around 6 seconds - if you get the launch just right with the clutch. That means a DSG A3 (for best results use V6, but 2.0 chipped should do nicely) is close enough in the ballpark without shifting skillz.
Anyway, just figured I'd comment on it, since I saw one yesterday. If anyone test drives one, please report.<ul><li><a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/previews/10762/2007-dodge-caliber-page2.html">torque steer</a></li></ul>
In black the front end isn't bad looking at all, but the rear looks waaaaaaaay too much like a Tonka toy meets the A$$tek if you know what I mean.
(all the press pics are orange, and not many pics of black ones - sorry)
<img src="http://spanish.autoblog.com/images/2006/01/caliber2.jpg">
I've got to ask how this is going to look after a few cargo missions?
<img src="http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/naias_2006/0602_dodge_caliber_03_445.jpg">
In any case, the hottest 300hp turbo version will be front wheel drive and stick only. I sure hope they figured out what to do with the torque steer that is already evident in the lessor models. The higher center of gravity with this van-let styling most likely limits the ride/handling abilities. Anything else in the lineup won't present a performance challenge to an A3 and fit and finish appear to fall below VW levels.
0-60 for the SRT-4 version appears to be around 6 seconds - if you get the launch just right with the clutch. That means a DSG A3 (for best results use V6, but 2.0 chipped should do nicely) is close enough in the ballpark without shifting skillz.
Anyway, just figured I'd comment on it, since I saw one yesterday. If anyone test drives one, please report.<ul><li><a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/previews/10762/2007-dodge-caliber-page2.html">torque steer</a></li></ul>
04-19-2006, 02:02 PM
#2
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plastic crapola inside
body not bad, but handling will not be there. but I must say, they are heading in the right direction. I wish my standards weren't so high :-)My wallet would be heavier.
04-19-2006, 03:19 PM
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Re: Caliber in the flesh. So yesterday I was bombing around on some errands when what should
There's a silver one next door to where I work, it looked better in person then in the pics I've seen...but it's still nothing I'd ever want to own.
04-19-2006, 10:32 PM
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Re: Caliber in the flesh. So yesterday I was bombing around on some errands when what should
Well,, looks like an updated version of the Lebaron GTS, which I used to have back in 1987. For the price,, does everything I need. Do I want one,, no. Would I buy one? ... god it would have to be cheap cheap cheap.
Honestly, my perfect car is the A3 with a TDI (like I had in the UK). Its not the fuel economy,, can do much better investing the price difference, its just that I LOVE the TDI engine. So, if Audi reads this,, common,, TDI me.
Honestly, my perfect car is the A3 with a TDI (like I had in the UK). Its not the fuel economy,, can do much better investing the price difference, its just that I LOVE the TDI engine. So, if Audi reads this,, common,, TDI me.
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04-19-2006, 10:39 PM
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one more thng to add
it loosk very angular. OK, thats what they went with,,, but it looks very very cheap.
So,,, Angular,, yeah,, should appeal to me,, very eficient (like the TDI), but just dosent. or
Well,, GM, Ford and Dodge just dont know how to do it.
I see the future, VW (audi, scoda and the rest), honda(...) and Toyota(...). nothing else.
So,,, Angular,, yeah,, should appeal to me,, very eficient (like the TDI), but just dosent. or
Well,, GM, Ford and Dodge just dont know how to do it.
I see the future, VW (audi, scoda and the rest), honda(...) and Toyota(...). nothing else.
04-20-2006, 06:07 AM
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terrified of "hatchback" label ...
... is my guess about why the Dodge Boys are trying to "disguise" that aspect.
The US market still thinks hatchbacks are cheapo junkers, or at least that's what the corporate bean counters believe. BMW's ill-fated foray (though it was arguably a matter of timing, not design), reinforces that for them.
-dan
The US market still thinks hatchbacks are cheapo junkers, or at least that's what the corporate bean counters believe. BMW's ill-fated foray (though it was arguably a matter of timing, not design), reinforces that for them.
-dan
04-20-2006, 07:05 AM
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No wonder you don't see any views of the rear in the commercials...
The Neon SRT-4 had an LSD straight from the factory so I'd assume this would as well. That should help limit some of the torque steer. That's the great thing about Servotronic.