Hey Guys,

I'm just wondering what you guys thought of the new Dodge Caliber?

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/01/DG007_008CA.jpg

and story here...http://aftermarket.autoblog.com/2006/01/10/dodge-caliber-official-specs-and-pics/

should be an interesting competitor and definately has a couple features I'd like(the drink cooler, iPod holder, and the liftgate speakers)

-wC

Ugly and gimmicky.

the windows look almost like a vibe

I kinda like it. Helluva replacement for the Neon.

the rear hatch looks very similar to another car ;)

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/01/DG007_011CA.jpg

-wC

Does it have a Hemi?

Lol! :D NO! There is supposed to be a turbo version though.

I think they should call it the Dodge "StinkBug." :D

Lol! :D NO! There is supposed to be a turbo version though.
Yeah the Version with the SRT-4 Neon motor(ugh) or a TurboDiesel version.

Well I'm in a bit of a quandry to tell you the truth.First I had my heart set on a PT cruiser that was about 4 years ago.Then I saw the HHR come out and thought that was better than a PT, (more cargo, better mileage, same retro look. Then the caliber just came out.Decisions decisions!! :-o, anyway I have driven all 4 including the Vibe, heres my observations so far;

The Vibe gets great mileage, it should 126hp and 118 hp for the awd, get up and go fair, fair cargo room less than the HHR and roughly the same as the PT and Caliber.

The HHR has a ton of rear cargo, 172 Hp, 4 sp auto, looks good, but priced hi (compared to Caliber actually all three are higher than caliber with similar options PLUS you get AWD in the caliber.

The Caliber is smaller cargo wise, 172 HP, CVT, compare to driving snowmobile or other CVT all-terrain, or Nissan Murano, and Ford Escape (I think), this is not bad, but could get a bit of getting used to.The caliber I tested was an SXT, 2.0 L, 158hp, cvt,around town the passenger wouldn't feel the difference between auto and CVT. The highway, different story. mash the throttle, pegs @6200 and stays there till you either reach maximum velocity or let off on the gas........no shift, you have to be wondering when the hell IS this thing going to shift??? Its not, a rush in a different way.!!!!
Very nicely appointed at around $17K ca.

Now the RT is a bit different. it comes standard with AWD, CVT but with a slap shift feature tha supposed to fool a person that it is a 6 speed, Boston accoustics 9 speaker, all the power options, no sunroof, security package ,convienience package (tire pressure compass, day night mirror) not leather $25K ca, same as a 2LT, but you get awd with the caliber. The RT is coming out with a fwd later this year, and probably about $23K ca.Also later an SRT4 edition 300 hp, fwd rumours with a manual.......

I like the HHR cargo room and looks, I don't like the price,

I like the caliber price and options, just low on cargo space........

This point I dunno.........:confused:

:barf:

Ng

:barf:

Ng

Speaker pop making that sick, poor fella..........:D:D

take one for a drive this well end any thoughts of owing a piece of ?

On looks the HHR wins hands down. That thing is ugly IMHO.

:thumbsdow

Gotta admit that the ad for the Caliber was a bit decieving, it looked bigger than it really is.

It was what got to me to start looking for a new car. Minivan was eating up gas like there was no tomorrow!

Did a little more research, remembered seeing an HHR several months ago and telling my wife my wanted one. Checked them out and compared them.....well, for me there wasn't any comparison. The HHR won, MPG, storage, looks, the whole package.

Especially when I saw the Spring Edition!

gotta agree with you Yeshua.:one:

I love your blue dot tailights! Unfortunately they're illegal in Arizona. Always had them in my younger days in N.Y. ('48 Plymouth and a '51 Ford)

I would have at least considered the Caliber if it had come out earlier. I'd never heard of it when I bought my HHR last August. It does look a little "Aztekish" unfortunately though. Side view anyway!

the Caliber, not so good, the new Charger, that i could live with.

:barf: :barf: :barf: :barf: :thumbsdow :nono:

the Caliber, not so good, the new Charger, that i could live with.

Gotta agree with ya...the Charger is nice!

I was looking at that and the 300 and Magnum, thing is though I was looking for better MPGs and none of them came with anything smaller than a 6cyl.

That's when I remembered seeing the HHR!:D

Came back from Japan, got outta' the Navy... I was so excited about the Hemi 300C and the HHR that I bought 'em both:

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/9088/cimg17285bn.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/914/cimg14901ge.jpg



About the Caliber: According to the British TV series Top Gear, Daimler-Chrysler is in a bit of trouble for dubbing a V-8 engine's sounds over the Caliber's I-4 in their commercials. I don't know if this is for the American commercials or those in the UK, but it's funny either way!

Dodge will be releasing their own version of the Jeep Liberty for the 2007 model year, the Dodge Nitro. With a 255HP 4L V6, it should scoot pretty well, except that it's a heavy muther...

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/4593/20511290011m4ie.jpg

Dodge will be releasing their own version of the Jeep Liberty for the 2007 model year, the Dodge Nitro. With a 255HP 4L V6, it should scoot pretty well, except that it's a heavy muther...

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/4593/20511290011m4ie.jpg

Damn that's ugly!

It looks like a Durango raped an xB. :confused: :nuts:

:rof: :laughabov :rof: :laughabov

It looks like a Durango raped an xB. :confused: :nuts:
Rofl... :nuts:

I don't know if somebody has done this before, but I thought they were a good comparison.

They both are versitile mini SUV/wagon's that are affordable and hip.

Been there Done that.... and truthfully not a good compairson

HHR positives : great cargo room, nice retro style, great for trips with great gas milage.
HHR cons: under powered, weak brakes,lack of aftermarket products.


CALIBER positives: more aggresive style,awd,4wheel diskbrakes,awsome sound system, awsome handling,ALOT OF AFTERMARKET GOODIES.
CALIBERr cons: tight fit for larger people.


both of these truck in my opinion are good automobiles but not a close compairsion,both are geared towards a diffrent target market.

Well the hhr wins hands down in looks,space,and quality but the caliber wins hands down with the srt-4 caliber which has 303hp.

HERE (http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=656)is a page that has more chatter about the HHR vs Caliber. :thumb:

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/4593/20511290011m4ie.jpg
looks a cross between a magnum and a jeep liberty

It is uglier when you see it on the road...

I cant find anything about the SRT with 303hp.

It's not on the market yet to my knowledge. It was in Car & Driver a couple of months back.

i see...thanks!

I cant find anything about the SRT with 303hp.
PNOY...I just did a quick google search and the only places I found that mentioned the SRT with a 303hp engine were all call forums...nothing actually from Dodge themselves. If it's out there...I certainly didn't see anything either.

HHR positives : great cargo room, nice retro style, great for trips with great gas milage.
HHR cons: under powered, weak brakes,lack of aftermarket products.

CALIBER positives: more aggresive style,awd,4wheel diskbrakes,awsome sound system, awsome handling,ALOT OF AFTERMARKET GOODIES.
CALIBERr cons: tight fit for larger people.

I'm a MOPAR guy at heart, and I really tried selling myself on the Caliber. The HHR feels like it has a lot more power than the 2.0 SXT automatic I test drove. I also think you are pushing it when you say the Caliber has "awesome handling". Better than the HHR? Yes, but far from awesome.

I also see a lot of people who are not getting the claimed gas mileage.

Now the SRT-4 Caliber might make me think a little different. It does/will exist. It's right on the Dodge website.
http://www.dodge.com/en/caliber/caliber_srt4.html

But notice it says late availability. I'm not doubting they exist, they are just not out on the road yet nor does Dodges website let you build one.

Has anybody seen a Jeep Compass? They are in my opinion a lot nicer looking than the caliber and they look better in styling with the interior than the interior. The only thing that it really took me by surprise was that it can come in 4wd which is the only area it beat the hhr in.

Here's a few pictures I found on google.

http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/jeep-compass-3.jpg

http://www.motiontrends.com/2006/m01/jeep1/jeep_compass_fs.jpg

i'm still trying to figure out why the hhr didn't come in 4wd for and option when a toyota matrix has a 4wd option and its smaller then the hhr and about the same price range

the windows look almost like a vibe

+1

it reminds me of the Vibe also... fugly..!!

well here is the thing the jeep compass maxes out at 28000. That is w/every accessory and option you can possibly get. I do not think that is worth it.

the Dodge website states the 2.4-liter DOHC dual VVT inline turbocharged 16-valve 4-cylinder engine in the 2007 Caliber srt-4 has 300 horse and 260 lb-ft of torque.


and as to the reguards in handling our Caliber R/T handles 1000% better then our hhr, it could be cause the HHR LS has 16 inch wheels and weak drums out back and the Caliber has 18's and AWD and disk brakes.
We have taken both of our trucks through the mountains out here and the HHR ISNT a cannon carver...its a highway cruiser.

HHR positives : great cargo room, nice retro style, great for trips with great gas milage.
HHR cons: under powered, weak brakes,lack of aftermarket products.


That last bit really pisses me off sometimes. Case in point: I work at a parts store that can get Valley trailer hitch products. I've been looking for ... oh, the last six months or so for a Class I hitch for my HHR, to no avail from Valley. Valley does, however, make a Class 2 hitch for the Caliber.:wtf:

Why are you not making hitches for the car that's popular for well over a year now, and yet making a STRONGER hitch for a car that a stiff breeze can knock over?!?! (yes, this is true: I was parked next to one and watched it rock in a 15mph breeze ... what business does a car like that have towing 4000 pounds?)

Another thing ... the aftermarket accessory manufacturers are quite biased against us. A while back when I was looking actively for accessories I was told the companies would not make stuff for at least three years due to fears that all the tooling would be wasted if the plug were pulled on the car. Popularity notwithstanding, why in the hell can I get about SIX TIMES the accessories for a Caliber than I can get for an HHR?:mad:

Hey, I would try other trailer hitch manufacturers. I saw an HHR going down the street with a small 2 dirt bike trailer behind it.

Also, if you look at the 2007 spy pictures, on another thread, you can plainly see trailer hitches on the rear of the HHR's. I know GM did buy "off the shelf" items like this, when I worked for them.

I recently had the pleasure of renting an HHR from Hertz and then logging 3700 miles in it over 2 weeks. I fell in love with the HHR hands down. I must admit that I was already leaning toward the HHR but on the fence with GM products after my '92 Blazer experience. The Blazer was clearly the worst vehicle I have ever owned period. The HHR caught my eye from day 1. I am a sucker for a panel truck anyway so that being said I love the HHR. I liked it so much I washed it before I took it back, polished the chrome and armorall'd the tires.

The day after I returned the HHR I picked up a Dodge Caliber as a loaner car while my wife's car was in the shop. The Caliber was equiped with the CVT transmission. I thought the trans was slipping on the drive home, I found out later that is the way it is supposed to drive. Basically it drives like a car with a bad transmission. Style : It looks like a "transformer", it should turn into something else. Maybe if wings folded out and it could fly I would like it more. The bottom line is the Caliber does not compare with the quality of the HHR. The road noise in the Caliber was terrible. The doors on the HHR close nice and quiet like a Caddy whille the Caliber is like a garbage can on wheels. I could go on but I think you get the point.

Anyone who owns an HHR should feel great when they see someone in a Caliber knowing that they made the right choice on every level. The Caliber's slogan says it all "There is nothing cute about it" The Caliber is a cheap car the HHR is an inexpensive car. If you drive both you will understand the difference.

Wow...nice write-up. You work for a magazine/paper???

:D I think a lot of the problem with the lack of after market parts for the HHR, while there is for the Caliber, is that Chrysler seems to be "In your Face" all the time with their TV ads,:eek: including the Caliber, while you never see anything from Chevy featuring the HHR. Maybe this gives some of the Companies that make this stuff the idea that the HHR is a minor player, and not to get too much money, and/or tooling, tied up making products for it!:confused:
I know I may be all wet on this, but it sure doesn't seem like Chevy goes out of their way to promote this little jewel like they did a year ago!!:roll: :2cents:

Hey, I would try other trailer hitch manufacturers. I saw an HHR going down the street with a small 2 dirt bike trailer behind it.

That's exactly what we did, and on Monday my hitch arrived via UPS. I wound up with a Reese Class I frame mount hitch, which weirdly enough had to be ordered from Draw-Tite's website. Go fig.

Here's the kicker, though ... if anyone wants a hitch from Valley for their HHR, THEY DO MAKE IT!! The whole problem is that whoever writes their catalog updates is giving himself a permanent self-administered rectal exam (read: has his head permanently shoved up his a**). They list a hitch made for the Cobalt: this hitch, if it's made the same as Reese's hitch, will also fit the HHR, the Saturn Ion and the Pontiac G5/Pursuit!! AAAACK!!:cussing:

While shopping i test drove the caliber as well as a vibe and hhr. Liked the caliber but The hhr won out finaly 'cause my wife has to have power drivers seat( arthritic hands can't work the manual levers). Neither the caliber or vibe offer power seats. We really love the HHR we bought ( 2lt loaded 'cept leather)
Put some 'X Bounds' seat covers on the fronts and there u go.

I sorta like the idea of not too many after market items, lets me MOD my Cruck my way, exclusively.

My brother recently bought a caliber. I have already made the challenge, so if he accepts......we shall see. Although...I just installed my CGS the other day. It may not be fair.:cool:

I was Hell bent on getting a Caliber from the day I saw it at the Detroit Auto show last year. It was all I could think about for months. I kept checking with my dealer for availability (never any in stock or none that I wanted). I did take a few test drives and thought that it could be a car I could drive for a few years. Finally I decided to look at the HHR, loved the styling and cargo room. A friend of mine got a Caliber last month, I took a ride in it, the next day I bought my HHR

AMEN Beaux66!!!
:nuts: :nuts: :nuts: :nuts: :nuts: :nuts:

I just finished writing how I considered an Element, and now I see a Caliber thread...

I cross shopped MANY vehicles to try to determine what was best for me. The Caliber was attractive, but once ordered with a/c and automatic, the price difference between it and an HHR became negligible. As well, all reports about the Caliber indicated that its interior smacked of cost cutting to a level that would make a Chevette blush! ;) Another negative (and this applies to many of the new hatchbacks) is the rake of the rear of the vehicle that cuts into the cargo area AND decreases the size of the cargo opening.

The HHR should be considered better than the Caliber simply on the fact that it doesn't come across as an el-cheapo entrant into this growing automotive segment.

Oh, and my dealer is installing a class-1 hitch onto my HHR...

No available power seats in the caliber , at least in DEc when we were shopping.
We went and selected the HHR and are not sorry.

I rented a Caliber for a week in Spain in October while at a cousins wedding and I thought it had a lot of room and that it handled well and got great gas mileage, the only drawback seemed to be the transmission, it seemed like it wasn't up to snuff. Even though the Caliber is a small car here, in Spain everyone commented on how large my American car was . I would say that both cars are fun to drive but I like my HHR much better.

The word Dodge was all I needed to see.

We were driving behind a Caliber yesterday and wow, it was really ugly. I kind of liked the profile until then. And in white, it really showed all that angular stuff going on from behind. WAY too huge on the back lights too, I thought.

We looked at them too and most of them on the lot didnt have cruise control. From the back all you see is the giant silver gas tank. When we test drove one, the engine felt weak and noisy. I felt too cramped in it and had to keep my seat too far forward to have my kids site in the back comfortably. Electronics were next to nothing. Very basic. I'm gald we went HHR....

I was actually looking at a Caliber SRT4 and the HHR SS.
I like the styling of the SRT4 and the wheels.

But the HHR SS has the added room I like in the back, (I haul new car parts for World Pac and need the room.)

The SS and the SRT4 looks great, but between the standard models like the R/T and the LT, The HHR looks far better IMO.

Kimmyskunk

What is it with Dodge and no cruise. My sister in law bought a new Nitro....no cruise!

My girlfriend just bought a caliber. To get the same options you have to move up to the sxt, and it still has a less powerful 2.0 and with the cvt auto seems underpowered. The interior isnt as nice, and has more road noise.
Still a decent car though as they can be a couple thousand cheaper than the hhr.
From what i have seen of the srt vs ss, they are more powerful (2.4 turbo) but still less refined.

I looked at both. HHR looked bigger & I had stumbled onto a car web site that compared both. They said the HHR was the better buy. I've had Dodges before, Shadows & Sundances. After I got my HHR I know why I like those cars, I like upright seating position. My last car was a '98 Saturn SC2. Got great mileage & had enough power for a 4 banger. Seemed Chevy was making a good quality car since they are looking for business, gave them a serious look, & this site helped me a lot! :bow:I haven't been this thrilled to drive a car since my 1986 Starion. Hollywood Hot Rod fits like a glove. Braking is very good compared to my BMW, considering HHR has rear drum brakes. Better than my ole Saturn which had all disc! Rides great even over the rough surface of the Belt Parkway construction. If Chevy promoted the car more, they would probably sell more of 'um. Guys at work admire the way the chrome dresses up the car. I love the Chevy chrome wheels. People think I bought custom wheels. Cargo space is perfect fit when I transport my Garden Railway trains for public displays. The guys in my club what to trade in their 4wd because of the benefits of a truck without the weight. Caliber would not have fit the trains as well. I very happy I went Chevy this time around.:nuts::nuts: