After months of fighting with myself, I finally traded my Hemi Ram for a Dodge Caliber SE. Not what I ever thought I would do, but EXXON made sure I would suffer enough to do it. Ram 15 mpg, Caliber 30 mpg. The car is amazing though, and it is an excellent substitution. The CVT needs to be felt in motion. Dodge did a great job matching midrange power to the ratios 30mph to 55mph is nice and responsive, no trans hesitation, no gear shifts down, no clunk, just silk smoot accerration. Don't get me wrong, its by no means fast, just responsive where you need it. The ride rivals my wifes full size R/T in quiet and ride quality as well.
Roomy too. It will take a while to get over the Hemi, but I belive the Caliber will be the long term right decision.
FreeLantz
05-14-2006, 09:37 PM
Congrats on the Caliber! :tup: People are really loving these cars and I'm sure you will too.
And you still have a Hemi Charger for when you feel the need for more power. :D
hemi_dakota94
05-14-2006, 10:42 PM
Nice gas saver! My parents are considering trading in their Grand Caravan for a Caliber this summer.. They really don't need the space of a van anymore and they would obviously like the fuel economy increase as well.
Nice car! Any modifications planned?
TradedBenz4Hemi
05-15-2006, 05:38 AM
I can't imagine any one driving one not being amazed with the CVT, and ride of f the Caliber. I do want to put some wheels on it, and mulling ideas over for some sort of stripes.
mileshuff
05-21-2006, 12:21 PM
I'm not sure I could call the ride quality of the Caliber amazing. The ride is rather harsh. I can feel every little bump and ridge in the road. I suppose it depends on what you are used to. I have a 2001 Ram and a 2004 Durango. When I started driving the Caliber I felt small highway seam joints that I just never knew even existed before.
I am assuming much of it is from the rather lousy OEM Firestone tires. They have quite a bit of road noise. I'll replace them in a few months.
Don't get me wrong, I love my new Caliber. It's a really fun vehicle that looks great. I just think the ride quality is very harsh but then again it depends on what you compare it too. It's not a $35,000+ vehicle!
TradedBenz4Hemi
05-21-2006, 12:35 PM
Mine has 15'' Dunlops 70 series. This probably helps the ride with the tall sidewalls. I had Dunlops on another small car (Sundance) and liked the ride. Also, my first tank of gas averaged 27mpg. hat was nice. Cut my fill up in half over my Ram.
john.colorado
05-21-2006, 12:42 PM
welcome to DT
deathscripture
05-21-2006, 04:42 PM
I agree 100%
My caliber is awfully harsh too, and The tires suck ass.
My CVT isn't very smooth either, it is a bit jerky in the low range. Especially when stopping. It feels like it is gradually slowing you down along with the brakes, and then it seems to cut into neutral, stopping the car suddenly.
The Damn check engine light comes on for awhile, and then goes off. Then comes back on for a few weeks and goes off again.
I don't know what the hell. But all in all, I highly reccomend the car :thatfunny
TradedBenz4Hemi
05-21-2006, 05:11 PM
What kind of tires do you have?
deathscripture
05-21-2006, 05:54 PM
the firestone bricks.
mileshuff
05-21-2006, 09:42 PM
If your light is going on and off check to make sure your gas cap is tight. It's common.
At first I thought the CVT was a bit jerky at times too. I've adjusted to it and now find it very smooth. Now the Firestone tires, they are anything but smooth!
Elvisator
05-22-2006, 01:51 AM
I wonder how harsh of a ride the R/T will be with a stiffer sports suspension.
deathscripture
05-22-2006, 05:04 AM
If your light is going on and off check to make sure your gas cap is tight. It's common.
At first I thought the CVT was a bit jerky at times too. I've adjusted to it and now find it very smooth. Now the Firestone tires, they are anything but smooth!
Yeah I considered that the first time, but I am so paranoid abot losing fuel to evaporation that I alway, always follow the "at least 3 clicks rule" with the gas cap, so I had to rule that out. I haven't made it to the dealership to get it scanned, for everytime I get a chance, the damn thing goes off. Perhaps the cap isn't getting a good seal...
No noticeable performance issues though.
TradedBenz4Hemi
05-22-2006, 09:46 PM
My fuses were loose under the hood. I wiggled and pushed two days in a row and seem to be on track.
mileshuff
05-22-2006, 10:43 PM
I traded my very much liked 2001 Dodge Ram Quad Cab for a Caliber. It's only been a week and I miss it! Kinda. It was a great reliable vehicle I drove for 76,000 miles. I couldn't take the $80 fill ups. I love my new Caliber. I'm still on my first tank and the dash display is showing 24mpg after 200 miles mixed highway/city and thats with the A/C on.
If I feel the need for power I also have a 2004 Hemi 4x4 Durango that I'm keeping. Great in the snow and towing my trailer to the mountains.
