Dodge calibre?

[deejaycee_2000]

Hey guys, I'm not all clued up on American cars, as we mostly get German, Japanese and Frence cars here in South Africa, they have recently launched the Dodge Calibre (Dodge is american right?), it is big and looks like an SUV but they say it is in the same class as a normal hatchback 5-door car .... I am looking into buying one especially because I drive alot of gravel road when going boating .... does anyone have any experience with this vehicle? My current car can't handle the gravel road anymore .....

 

[xtraham]

Re: Dodge calibre?

it's on the dodge neon chassis, prob. Mitsubishi also available in deisel

http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/caliber.html

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Dodge calibre?

Dodge is actually owned by Mercedes now.......

Caliber is small.....

If you need something that will hold up to dirt and gravel what about a truck.

 

[Daddy O]

Re: Dodge calibre?

The Caliber is an all new car made by Dodge. It does'nt have anything to do with the Neon. They no longer make the Neon. I've driven one and I liked it. You might like the AWD version. Which will hold the road better, and better traction.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Dodge calibre?

It's just a standard POS economy car. With that wonderful Dodge economy car reputation behind it. I'll never understand why anybody would pay new retail prices for any brand of economy car. If you need cheap transportation get a used Honda. Otherwise buy a quality low mileage vehicle used for the same price as any new beer can on wheels...

Just because they raise the roof line on a car a few inches doesn't make it an SUV either...there is nothing sporty, nor utilitarian about that vehicle.

 

[boatsource]

Re: Dodge calibre?

I'd personally have a lot of trouble recommending any new line of vehicle. It typically takes a few years to work out the kinks (ala Ford Focus!).

That aside, I'm a big fan of the Dodge/Chryslers, mostly because of exterior styling but I also find most of their products as good driving vehicles. The Neon was actually a nice little car to drive. Drawbacks to Dodge/Chrysler has been the interior quality and historically bad transmissions. The interior on the Caliber is looking pretty nice so maybe those days are over. I can't comment on the recent transmissions though.

What is the price range of the Caliber in South Africa Deejaycee?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Dodge calibre?

The Caliber is the smallest Dodge available in the US.
Towing capacity is 1000 pounds maximum.

 

[JB]

Re: Dodge calibre?

Nice looking econobox. Has a rough and tumble suv look to it.

A sheep in wolf's clothing.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Dodge calibre?

Here in SA you can't buy second hand cars, as most of them have been tampered with (km's, in accidents etc.) the Dodge Calibre is cheap and nice looking, and fits into my budget, I can't really afford a big SUV at the moment and the Calibre's nice Big wheels looks like they can handle a bit of dirt road (I'm not going to tow anything) .... I can buy a double cab pick-up truck for the same price (NISSAN) but then it has no luxeries like the Calibre, and I really mean no luxeries ... no air-con, no CD player, no electric windows, no maintenance plan ... no nothing, only power steering, that is it ....

 

[roscoe]

Re: Dodge calibre?

I wish I could buy a truck with no "luxuries."
It might fit my budget.

Here is a photo of what Chevrolet is offering.

Let us know how you like the Calibre when you get it.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Dodge calibre?

Will do rosco .. thanx ... the chevrolet looks nice, probably very pricey, Chevrolet here in SA sucks big time, we only have 4 models all normal cars ....

 

[Firestar]

Re: Dodge calibre?

Maybe we could start a new import bussiness, importing good slightly used cars to SA. God knows they are plentyful here.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Dodge calibre?

Are you talking about a Nissan Titan? Double cab Titan doesn't come in a stripped down package. Unless they do thing different over there. Caliber is designed to be market toward the younger crowd who can't afford high price but want a high "cool factor" i.e.. big chrome wheels, drop down speaker on tail gate. Every car ever made is specifically marketed toward a certain buying group.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Dodge calibre?

In my opinion no north american made car will stand up very well on gravel road.They are just not made to take it.Thats just my opinion.
pj

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Dodge calibre?

Are you talking about a Nissan Titan? Double cab Titan doesn't come in a stripped down package. Unless they do thing different over there. Caliber is designed to be market toward the younger crowd who can't afford high price but want a high "cool factor" i.e.. big chrome wheels, drop down speaker on tail gate. Every car ever made is specifically marketed toward a certain buying group.

No, I am talking about the Nissan Navara, Nissan is different here ...... very nice, but pricey ..... I geuss I will just go have to test drive the Calibre to see for myself ....

 

[Firestar]

Re: Dodge calibre?

Are you talking about a Nissan Titan? Double cab Titan doesn't come in a stripped down package. Unless they do thing different over there. Caliber is designed to be market toward the younger crowd who can't afford high price but want a high "cool factor" i.e.. big chrome wheels, drop down speaker on tail gate. Every car ever made is specifically marketed toward a certain buying group.

No, I am talking about the Nissan Navara, Nissan is different here ...... very nice, but pricey ..... I geuss I will just go have to test drive the Calibre to see for myself ....

That would be the best thing. Take it out on a gravel road. I believe it was designed to attract the young first time buyer though. I don't think it would hold up long to unimproved roads.