Alright well I was checking out the new dodge caliber and I was somewhat disappointed due to the "utility" theme of it, I am quite sick of that crap between toyota matrix's, protege wagons, mazda 5 doors etc etc just wish they would have made the SRT-4 a CAR type car. So the advertising from auto mags says 300hp/260ft lbs but this is discouraging because if you wanted to buy the car I am SURE that you won't be picking it up for the original SRT-4 pricing of $20k, not with that type of HP so that is a big bummer but how much is it really? Dodges web site has AWD and FWD, but the R/T isn't available in FWD and it IS a 2.4L but says nothing about TURBO, the price of the R/T is $19,999.00 I am hoping this is turbo because with coilovers this could still look sweet once it grows on ya not to mention the blissfull exhaust note and modability.

http://www.dodge.com/caliber/index.h...pe=vehicleLink

 

I think the Dodge Caliber SRT-4 will be a nice car, but I don't expect as far as performance wise for it to be much better than the Neon SRT-4 (in which it replaces). With 300HP and 260TQ you expect better numbers, but we all know the Neon SRT-4 was underrated and really made like 270-280HP. Unless the Caliber is also severly underrated it will not be making much more power over the Neon SRT-4. Plus you have to add on the weight. The Neon SRT-4 weighed just under 3000Lbs, the Dodge Caliber SRT-4 looks like it's gonna weigh about 3200Lbs or more. The R/T weight is at 3150Lbs, and I expect the SRT-4 to weigh more. But there is some good, such as the 6-Speed manual that will be standard with the Caliber SRT-4.

 

I am actually thinking about pushing my plans aside to get one, I missed out on my oppurtunity to get an SRT-4 the first time around and I've been kicking myself since, I love the car... I don't care about build quality I just love so much about them, this car wouldn't be bad either with coilovers, a similar hatch theme of a GTi I guess.

 

It's a Dodge.

 

It just looks like a baby Durango and I can't get past that.

Tom

 

That car looks like it will weight a lot more than 3200 lbs. Probably pushing closer to 3500. Take a look at it. The car is not anywhere near the size of what the Neon was. The Neon SRT-4's performance numbers will not be matched by this car without significant HP and TQ increases over the REAL numbers on the Neon version.

Plus HPF Tom is right, that car is fugly!

Eva01

 

+1 Ugly

 

LOL the looks grow on ya. Ya just like a wart. you cant wait to get rid of it. That car is hidious. But I cant say that for the srt-4 as I have not seen pix of that car yet. just the ones from the dodge site.

 

+1

 

You're very perceptive...

 

Someone Kill It!!!

 

I think that it is ugly too

 

 

Wow, what a huge step BACKWARDS. This Caliber thing looks absolutly horrid - especialy the interior. The entire center console section is so ugly. Even the steering wheel is hidious. The exterior is just plain disgusting with the pickup truck front and Pontiac Aztec rear.
Dodge had a good thing going with the Neon SRT4. It was a small compact car that looked pretty good with a powerfull turbo engine and a low price tag. I don't know what possessed the higher ups at Dodge to go ahead with this Caliber project but I don't think it's going to go over as big as the Neon SRT4 did. America just seems dead set against making a fun car for a decent price. This Caliber makes me sick because I know this country could build something much better. Instead they keep churning out garbage like the Caliber.

 

it shares the chassis with the new lancer, what huh yeah i said it, dont believe me go look it up