[TechMan]

Yeah i haven't figured out what I want to do now. I'm really interested in this car, but uninterested in a purchase in the middle of winter. It would stay clean for like 1 week, if that. I was looking at other hatchbacks. It's near the limit I want to spend, but I was thinking about the Audi A3. I haven't looked into it or seen any reviews though.

The Caliber SRT4 is a performance car. If that is what you are looking for, the season should not make a difference. Would it be much better to get a car like this outside of winter months for those of us in the north . Absolutely.

But really, anyone purchasing this car is soon going to have to live with it outside its optimum seasons. I can understand the disappointment but on a decision this big, the season of release would not be the deal maker for me.

 

[Ironside]

The Caliber SRT4 is a performance car. If that is what you are looking for, the season should not make a difference. Would it be much better to get a car like this outside of winter months for those of us in the north . Absolutely.

But really, anyone purchasing this car is soon going to have to live with it outside its optimum seasons. I can understand the disappointment but on a decision this big, the season of release would not be the deal maker for me.

It's a HUGE deal breaker... who wants to buy a performance car that you can't even test out to it's full potential until spring rolls around.

Would YOU be able to sit around with the car in your snow-filled drive way without going BONKERS... ??? I know it would drive ME nuts.

Anyway... we should stop being so hard on Dodge, if we all play our cards right.. maybe our grandchildren will get to own one of these badboys.

 

[slamdintrepid]

as i sit here reading this thread im lmao in had a blast in my 350z all weekend..bolted on some new wheels,waited for the brown truck,bolted on some parts ,waited for the white truck,bolted on some more parts ......then had a blast at a few local spots with some sideways antics and one pretty nice top speed run ..blew up one bose subwoofer roasted a set of yokos and glad i didnt wait for dodge.....still curious though im a mopar guy .but very pleased with my decision.theres a few new wrx rolling around town they look like corollas but if you get tired of waiting for an srt8 they maybe an option

 

[TechMan]

It's a HUGE deal breaker... who wants to buy a performance car that you can't even test out to it's full potential until spring rolls around.

Would YOU be able to sit around with the car in your snow-filled drive way without going BONKERS... ??? I know it would drive ME nuts.

Anyway... we should stop being so hard on Dodge, if we all play our cards right.. maybe our grandchildren will get to own one of these badboys.

It seems you are a live in the moment kind of guy. Right now is what matters to you and forward thinking / planning not considered in your day to day lifestyle.

Whatever it is, you want it now, now, now.... or the hell with it. You get so upset having someone say you can't have it yet that it becomes necessary to start dissing the same thing only a short time ago you had the hots for.

I could wait with a car for the right road conditions to push it. I can wait until I get what I really want even though no one likes to wait. Some folks won't wait, make hasty and usually bad decisions, and regret not having the composure to tough it out. We have a lot of choices to make in life. It helps to look beyond the moment and the blurred reality of instant gratification.

Good things are worth waiting for.

 

[Ironside]

It seems you are a live in the moment kind of guy. Right now is what matters to you and forward thinking / planning not considered in your day to day lifestyle.

Whatever it is, you want it now, now, now.... or the hell with it. You get so upset having someone say you can't have it yet that it becomes necessary to start dissing the same thing only a short time ago you had the hots for.

I could wait with a car for the right road conditions to push it. I can wait until I get what I really want even though no one likes to wait. Some folks won't wait, make hasty and usually bad decisions, and regret not having the composure to tough it out. We have a lot of choices to make in life. It helps to look beyond the moment and the blurred reality of instant gratification.

Good things are worth waiting for.

Ok, hold on there Mom.

First of all... I waited over a year for the Caliber and THEN said 'to hell with it'.

Second of all... the reason this car would have to come out during the warm season is because I would have wanted to see what it could do BEFORE buying the thing... (since I had an SRT4 already and I wanted to compare to see whether or not it was worth upgrading to).

Lastly... if i'm in the market looking to buy a NEW car, I want to see what all my options are; so yeah, i'm a little upset that I would have to put off buying a car (which I need to buy now) because Dodge is ****ing around and taking their sweet time ... (what was the saying? you snooze you lose?)

Dodge failed to capitalize on what would be a PERFECT summer to release this baby, and they have already lost TONS of would-be SRT Caliber owners, yet they still hope to have smashing results releasing a summer sports car (more or less) in the beginning of Winter???? Gimme a break.

Someone needs to be fired for this... IMO.

...Not to mention the fact that these comments I am making are based on the fact that this car was SUPPOSE to be a late availability model for the 2007 model year.

Just cause you like to bend over and kiss Dodge's ass doesn't mean all customers have to.

(and by the way... i'm not "dissing" the car because I can't have it "now now now"... i'm "dissing" the car because it sounds like Dodge is making it a P.O.S.)

Prove me wrong Dodge, and i'll be MORE than happy.

 

[TechMan]

Ok, hold on there Mom.

First of all... I waited over a year for the Caliber and THEN said 'to hell with it'.

Second of all... the reason this car would have to come out during the warm season is because I would have wanted to see what it could do BEFORE buying the thing... (since I had an SRT4 already and I wanted to compare to see whether or not it was worth upgrading to).

Lastly... if i'm in the market looking to buy a NEW car, I want to see what all my options are; so yeah, i'm a little upset that I would have to put off buying a car (which I need to buy now) because Dodge is ****ing around and taking their sweet time ... (what was the saying? you snooze you lose?)

Dodge failed to capitalize on what would be a PERFECT summer to release this baby, and they have already lost TONS of would-be SRT Caliber owners, yet they still hope to have smashing results releasing a summer sports car (more or less) in the beginning of Winter???? Gimme a break.

Someone needs to be fired for this... IMO.

...Not to mention the fact that these comments I am making are based on the fact that this car was SUPPOSE to be a late availability model for the 2007 model year.

Just cause you like to bend over and kiss Dodge's ass doesn't mean all customers have to.

(and by the way... i'm not "dissing" the car because I can't have it "now now now"... i'm "dissing" the car because it sounds like Dodge is making it a P.O.S.)

Prove me wrong Dodge, and i'll be MORE than happy.

Do you think Dodge is trying to drive away potential sales by delaying release? Maybe they heard you are in the market and have decided to screw Ironside.

I have had my fair share of issues over the years with Dodge and those in the local dealership would disagree with your thinking I kiss their ass. On occasion, its its more like kicking some.

I'm sure Dodge had best intentions but remember, projections do not always come off as planned. Your frustration is probably shared by many, including Dodge.

You are impatient and quick to diss a car that already has proven itself on tracks and in competition. Your posts continue to be blatantly negative seemingly based only on the fact it was not released on time to meet your schedule. If you want to diss the car, go for it on faults of the car not because its late. The only "sounds" that I've heard / read were flattering from those that have driven one. The other "sounds" here are youthful whining.

If you can't wait any longer, move on, buy something else. **** happens. Really. Get over it.

 

[DaveMcd]

I received this note from the Mitsubishi dealer that I had purchased my 2005 EVO from, sounds like something to look at!

"The EVO from what we are told is suppose to start around $28,000 for a base model.
Mitusbishi is also producing a Lancer Ralliart (AWD, single turbo) that puts out over 230 HP to compete with the Subaru WRX. This is suppose to start at around $24,000 well equipped and it will be out just before the EVO. "

I agree about buying a new car and not having good weather to enjoy it before it has to sit in a snowbank. Winter in the northeast is not the best time of year to buy a new vehicle (except for a plow truck).

Dave

 

[Unoriginalusername]

Do you think Dodge is trying to drive away potential sales by delaying release? Maybe they heard you are in the market and have decided to screw Ironside.

I have had my fair share of issues over the years with Dodge and those in the local dealership would disagree with your thinking I kiss their ass. On occasion, its its more like kicking some.

I'm sure Dodge had best intentions but remember, projections do not always come off as planned. Your frustration is probably shared by many, including Dodge.

You are impatient and quick to diss a car that already has proven itself on tracks and in competition. Your posts continue to be blatantly negative seemingly based only on the fact it was not released on time to meet your schedule. If you want to diss the car, go for it on faults of the car not because its late. The only "sounds" that I've heard / read were flattering from those that have driven one. The other "sounds" here are youthful whining.

If you can't wait any longer, move on, buy something else. **** happens. Really. Get over it.

If Dodge was to launch in the (this past) spring it would be competing against the MS3, the new Golf R32, and the new Impreza WRX at full hype. Competitors were dominating the magazine covers and other press activities and dealers were in full swing with inventory.

Comming into that market (semi saturated) with a new product is hard to stand out in besides the few enthusiasts that watch its every move... by coming out in the fall Dodge gets the final word if you will on the hot hatch market press and is likely to get some more attention. it also reduces the demands on the supply chain and discounting trends on the new product as they can control demand throughout the winter and ramp up into spring when all the R32's are accounted for, the 08 MS3 is running out of inventory and won't be extended into 09 etc.

It really only has the hhr ss to deal with which shouldn't be much of a problem in terms of sales from next spring forward... it's hard to explain but if you launch a product into a market that doesn't have alot of momentum as described in the scenario above it's difficult/if not impossible to recover that momentum, whereas delaying a little bit can actually in the long run be a better thing for the product/comany

 

[chrisoefer]

Thank god the weather never gets too cold down here.

So coming from a potential new owner when it does come out... I don't care when it comes out, if it's a decent car, i'll still buy it.

 

[mcdonae101]

as i sit here reading this thread im lmao in had a blast in my 350z all weekend..bolted on some new wheels,waited for the brown truck,bolted on some parts ,waited for the white truck,bolted on some more parts ......then had a blast at a few local spots with some sideways antics and one pretty nice top speed run ..blew up one bose subwoofer roasted a set of yokos and glad i didnt wait for dodge.....still curious though im a mopar guy .but very pleased with my decision.theres a few new wrx rolling around town they look like corollas but if you get tired of waiting for an srt8 they maybe an option

because the 350z is the greatest car ever made...

 

[Unoriginalusername]

because the 350z is the greatest car ever made...

My speed 3 can roast a z... sure the srt4 will do the same both for under 25k new, what was the point in that post again?

 

[TechMan]

If Dodge was to launch in the (this past) spring it would be competing against the MS3, the new Golf R32, and the new Impreza WRX at full hype. Competitors were dominating the magazine covers and other press activities and dealers were in full swing with inventory.

Comming into that market (semi saturated) with a new product is hard to stand out in besides the few enthusiasts that watch its every move... by coming out in the fall Dodge gets the final word if you will on the hot hatch market press and is likely to get some more attention. it also reduces the demands on the supply chain and discounting trends on the new product as they can control demand throughout the winter and ramp up into spring when all the R32's are accounted for, the 08 MS3 is running out of inventory and won't be extended into 09 etc.

It really only has the hhr ss to deal with which shouldn't be much of a problem in terms of sales from next spring forward... it's hard to explain but if you launch a product into a market that doesn't have alot of momentum as described in the scenario above it's difficult/if not impossible to recover that momentum, whereas delaying a little bit can actually in the long run be a better thing for the product/comany

Uhh...that's quite creative thinking. That logic could apply if they thought the car would not compare well and suffer media criticism on comparo's of the cars you mention. On the other hand, current info indicates quite the opposite and it would have been way more advantageous for Dodge to get it out, dominate the comparo's, and enjoy the early exclusivity and market demand. I can't agree with your scenario. More likely a supply / logistics, or last minute engineering tweak is causing the additional delay.

It sure would be nice to get the car released so we can all move forward on this and get to the fun stuff.

 

[TechMan]

because the 350z is the greatest car ever made...

I can appreciate you diggin your 350Z but that's a little over the top. It sure is a beauty to look at, one of my favorites in that regard, but its expensive and not all that quick out the dealership door. Very nice car though.

Edit: I just reread that post and now think the intention was sarcasm to the post of the slamdintrepid member.

 

[Unoriginalusername]

Uhh...that's quite creative thinking. That logic could apply if they thought the car would not compare well and suffer media criticism on comparo's of the cars you mention. On the other hand, current info indicates quite the opposite and it would have been way more advantageous for Dodge to get it out, dominate the comparo's, and enjoy the early exclusivity and market demand. I can't agree with your scenario. More likely a supply / logistics, or last minute engineering tweak is causing the additional delay.

It sure would be nice to get the car released so we can all move forward on this and get to the fun stuff.

Glad you appreciate the theory, take it for what it is but in my line of work I am responsible for new product introductions, revenue & market share for a several hundred million USD annual business in a non automotive sector and you'd be suprised at the strategies behind demand generation.

I don't believe the srt4 will dominate the comparo's as you've suggested, but that is just my personal opinion... we'll have to wait and see on that one

 

[TechMan]

Glad you appreciate the theory, take it for what it is but in my line of work I am responsible for new product introductions, revenue & market share for a several hundred million USD annual business in a non automotive sector and you'd be suprised at the strategies behind demand generation.

I don't believe the srt4 will dominate the comparo's as you've suggested, but that is just my personal opinion... we'll have to wait and see on that one

Ahhh.....the conspiracy dark side of marketers. I take your experience in these matters at face value but doubt the SRT4 Caliber delay is that sophisticated.

 

[Unoriginalusername]

Ahhh.....the conspiracy dark side of marketers. I take your experience in these matters at face value but doubt the SRT4 Caliber delay is that sophisticated.

Very true, the actual delay as you said like originated as engineering, material contraints and or union labour agrements however i am sure at some point, somewhere in a boardroom somebody is trying to assign a spin strategy to it lol. and unless you work there we'll never know the real reasons behind the delays

 

[TechMan]

Very true, the actual delay as you said like originated as engineering, material contraints and or union labour agrements however i am sure at some point, somewhere in a boardroom somebody is trying to assign a spin strategy to it lol. and unless you work there we'll never know the real reasons behind the delays

Anyone in the know on the latest delay? Throw us a bone on this.

 

[mcdonae101]

I can appreciate you diggin your 350Z but that's a little over the top. It sure is a beauty to look at, one of my favorites in that regard, but its expensive and not all that quick out the dealership door. Very nice car though.

Edit: I just reread that post and now think the intention was sarcasm to the post of the slamdintrepid member.

u r correct, and have the same thoughts as me on it, too much money for too little performance

 

[slamdintrepid]

wait A MINUTE i never said the 350z was the greatest car ever made ...its a damn cool car and fun as hell to drive...but the greatest car ever made ....it is not......that title is held by none other than the 08 dodge viper coupe oh and another thing as far as the ms3 or srt4 smoking a 350z maybe with a profesional driver launching the car .but i think not without some modifications and a sleepy driver in the z seeing both the srt4 and the ms3 race regularly on the street(NOT THat I SUPPORT OR INCLUDE MYSELF IN STREET RACING) AND stock for stock the srt4 has the ms3 byt the 60foot .
ive raced slightly modded srt and havent been beat but won by doors and bumpers because they cant launch