Saturday, March 08, 2008

Dodge Caliber


For the last week while my vehicle has been in the body shop I have been driving a Dodge Caliber. The Caliber has a mini quassi-SUV look. Its dash is nicely designed. The two glove compartments on the passenger side provide spacious storage. The vehicle has a built in converter between the two front seats that will accept a power cord from a laptop or other small appliance. That said, the vehicle only has one power plug which means I cannot run my GPS and XM-Radio at the same time.

Its maneuvering is not spectacular but adequate. Though the engine provides the vehicle with passable power for maintaining highway speed and moving are the city, it is a little sluggish on the pick-up. Its sound system does not have speakers in the back.

The vehicle’s thinly padded seats, both front and back, are uncomfortable. The back of the front seats do not adjust. The rear seats are at a 90 degree angle which Josh has found to be extremely uncomfortable. The rear wiper is a little on the small size.

This vehicle cannot be driven above 40 mph with only the two back windows down. When the two windows are down, then angle of the back window causes the wind to thump around the back creating a loud base drum affect. Above 45 the thumping on the ear is unbearable. One front window down changes the airflow and the thumping disappears.

Overall, the Caliber would not be a vehicle I would buy.

5 comments:

Christian said...

The Caliber is one of those new Chrysler vehicles that was poorly designed. Most of the line that has been designed in the last couple of years have some serious design flaws as you mentioned, thin seats, etc.

Joanne said...

I still say I'd take my corolla any day over the others.......even with gas prices climbing, it still only costs $38.00 a week to fill up (and I drive a minimum of 110 km a day), its got great pick up, it manouvers great, and it's comfortable. What more could I need!!!!

Christian said...

If I were in the market for a small car, the Corolla or Civic would be my first choice for the reasons you list Joanne.

Evie said...

The Caliber sucks. It's also ugly as sin.

Jenn said...

i agree with aunt evie - it IS ugly...sorry...