[JohnC]

While I have not yet bought a Caliber, I have sat in them and looked it over pretty well. So here are some thoughts on changes that should be made.

1) Make "Cool Zone" an option rather than standard equipment.
2) Offer dark tinted back windows.This will help keep the car cooler.
3) Offer colored seat inserts as options. Their ugly. The beige color is should be avaliable on ALL models in the base fabric.
4) The rear luggage cover should be standard on all models.
5) The AWD should have a part-time feature so you can get the best MPG when it is not needed.
6) Does the AWD have a limited slip feature between the front and rear? If not ,it should.
7) Offer a Turbo on the 2.4 liter engine.
8) Increase the warrenty to 5/50,000 for the AWD cars for the drivetrain.

 

[caliber4whoosh]

Good ideas dude. Email Dodge with em!

 

[holeydonut]

Projector headlights...... the caliber needs a xenon option!

 

[caliber4whoosh]

I second that.
Different tire options would be nice too...ugh..Firestones..

 

[Germaneon]

Yes, Xenon-headlights as option are inevitable.

5) The AWD should have a part-time feature so you can get the best MPG when it is not needed.

Isn´t the R/T-AWD supposed to be FWD until slippery is detected and it changes to AWD?

 

[Ramsport47]

While I have not yet bought a Caliber, I have sat in them and looked it over pretty well. So here are some thoughts on changes that should be made.

1) Make "Cool Zone" an option rather than standard equipment.
2) Offer dark tinted back windows.This will help keep the car cooler.
3) Offer colored seat inserts as options. Their ugly. The beige color is should be avaliable on ALL models in the base fabric.
4) The rear luggage cover should be standard on all models.
5) The AWD should have a part-time feature so you can get the best MPG when it is not needed.
6) Does the AWD have a limited slip feature between the front and rear? If not ,it should.
7) Offer a Turbo on the 2.4 liter engine.
8) Increase the warrenty to 5/50,000 for the AWD cars for the drivetrain.

Cool Zone is an option as I've been in several that don't have it
aftermarket tint isn't that hard or expensive, and YOU choose the percentage
the colored inserts are an option, and only on certain colors of exterior
AWD is part time, the car is FWD when AWD is not needed
all FWD based cars have limited slip, or you'd chirp around corners
the Turbo is coming with the SRT4
and finally...extended warranties are always a good idea

 

[caliber4whoosh]

Yeah, I think the AWD is part time....

 

[JohnC]

Its my understanding that FWD turns into AWD when speed goes over 25mph
so if you are driving 65 mph on a highway, you are in AWD which uses more gas. So in theory, a 2 wheel drive will get better mpg in driving when AWD is not needed. Instead of 26 mpg highway, maybe get 28-30 mpg.
What I propose is to make AWD part time like the Jeep Select-trac. It will save gas,save wear and tear on tires and drive-line componets.

 

[caliber4whoosh]

But then it wouldn't be AWD, it'd be 4WD..there's a difference

 

[Walter Tedman]

Re Caliver R/T AWD -- full time v part time.

Someone writes that Caliber AWD is really FWD until vehicle speed reaches 25 MPH (40 KMH) when it morphs into AWD and assuming this is correct backs off into FWD once the vehicle slows to this speed.

This is not good news is you're buying for winter driving and counters every understanding I have.

Hope Dodge or others will clarify this ASAP. VIP issue.

 

[GOT]

Here's something that MUST be changed.

Make it easier to put the oil-dipstick in that little spout. It’s impossible to put it in without trouble. One can't even see the hole opening because of that lawnmower-cover... and the spout doesn't extend far enough to see it.

I'd also like body color door handles.

And break-away side mirrors (that's a no brainer).

 

[Harley]

...and finally...extended warranties are always a good idea

Ram,

Generally I agree with this, but mostly after considering some factors.

As discussed (and I presented) in another thread, a lot depends on how long a person either tends or confidently expects to keep the same vehicle.

If it's someone who usually keeps a car about as long as the factory warranty and then trades in/sells, I would mostly disagree. However, if that trend DOES change with a particular vehicle, the owner can often buy an extended warranty later (just before the factory one expires).

It also depends on what the extended coverage includes versus the price for it.

Other considerations include if the vehicle is a first-year or innovative design with a relatively unknown service history; the Caliber mostly fits this category, with emphasis on the transmission.

I'd speculate that you may have intended implying this to a certain extent - just wanted to clarify because of your wording being "......extended warranties are ALWAYS a good IDEA" VERSUS "... extended warranties are ALWAYS a good THING TO CONSIDER (or "weigh out",etc)."

 

[MrTyke]

Re Caliver R/T AWD -- full time v part time.

Someone writes that Caliber AWD is really FWD until vehicle speed reaches 25 MPH (40 KMH) when it morphs into AWD and assuming this is correct backs off into FWD once the vehicle slows to this speed.

This is not good news is you're buying for winter driving and counters every understanding I have.

Hope Dodge or others will clarify this ASAP. VIP issue.

My understanding is that the Caliber AWD vehicles use FWD from 0 to 25. Beyond 25 through 50 MPH, the AWD can kick in. Beyond 50 MPH, the vehicle is only FWD.

Tyke

 

[caliber4whoosh]

That makes no sense....

 

[Germaneon]

Its my understanding that FWD turns into AWD when speed goes over 25mph

AWD depending on driving speed makes no sense to me. I read the current "Road & Track" issue:

... it can be had with an ... electromagnetically controlled all-wheel drive, which drives only the front wheels until slip is detected."

Just what I said on the Page 1. They do not mention any speed necessary to switch to AWD.

 

[DodgeInfoCenter]

Re Caliver R/T AWD -- full time v part time.

Someone writes that Caliber AWD is really FWD until vehicle speed reaches 25 MPH (40 KMH) when it morphs into AWD and assuming this is correct backs off into FWD once the vehicle slows to this speed.

This is not good news is you're buying for winter driving and counters every understanding I have.

Hope Dodge or others will clarify this ASAP. VIP issue.

The AWD system used in the R/T is an AWD On-Demand system controlled by a electromagnetic coupling. To improve fuel efficiency, only the front wheels are driven between 0-25mph. between 25-65mph the rear wheels are powered as required to enhance handling during "spirited driving". At a regulated speed, the rear wheels will be disengaged to provide ideal fuel efficiency.

At anytime the system detects wheel slippage, AWD mode is automatically engaged to provide added traction without having to be manually switched on/off.

To me it seems like the Caliber's setup is better then a traditional AWD system because it allows you to negate the driveline loss associated with typical AWD systems when it’s not needed. Overall I assume the decision to engineer the powertrain in the way they did was to increase overall fuel efficiency. Think of it as the powertrain’s version of the MDS system.

I hope that clarified matters for those who asked.

PS. The Caliber was added to the Mopar website today. Check it out.

 

[holeydonut]

^^ Dan,

How fast does the "coupling" take place below 25 mph when you need the AWD for traction? I thought the primary advantage for 99.99999% of normal drivers was to have traction for slippery starts from a standstill or when doing slow-navigation on unclean roads (like dirt roads, and snowy bridges).

While I see the "savings" of having the FWD system in place for below 25 mph - this also seems to negate the benefits of AWD as a traction system. I guess less understeer at 45mph is cool and all - but that advantage seems rather miniscule to the majority of the road-going public.

While a low-end TCS system that utilizes engine throttle and ABS seems sufficient for most aspects - I think anyone who's gotten stuck in the snow even with TCS will vouch for the fact that AWD will be necessary to get you out of those bastardly snowy conditions up North.


-- ---------------
But as an extra bonus.... I hope somebody in DCX will be convinced to put one of these bad boys in the SRT4

http://www.quaife.co.uk/products/atbdifferentials.htm

-- ------------------

Here's another link to the Caliber catalog on MOPAR in case DodgeInfoCenter's link doesn't work for you (it didn't load for me)

http://www.mopar.com/MoparControlle...e=accpackage&vehicle=caliber|PMXXXX&year=2007

 

[pacerman]

The AWD system used in the R/T is an AWD On-Demand system controlled by a electromagnetic coupling. To improve fuel efficiency, only the front wheels are driven between 0-25mph. between 25-65mph the rear wheels are powered as required to enhance handling during "spirited driving". At a regulated speed, the rear wheels will be disengaged to provide ideal fuel efficiency.

At anytime the system detects wheel slippage, AWD mode is automatically engaged to provide added traction without having to be manually switched on/off.

To me it seems like the Caliber's setup is better then a traditional AWD system because it allows you to negate the driveline loss associated with typical AWD systems when it’s not needed. Overall I assume the decision to engineer the powertrain in the way they did was to increase overall fuel efficiency. Think of it as the powertrain’s version of the MDS system.

I hope that clarified matters for those who asked.

PS. The Caliber was added to the Mopar website today. Check it out.

Great info, the first thing I would do is find the wires for the electro-magnetic clutch and install a disable switch.........off for summer.........on for winter.......

 

[caliber4whoosh]

Haha...that'd be a good idea..:

 

[Walter Tedman]

Sharp idea....but DCX might frown on this when it comes to warranty claims....in any event, it ain't a full time AWD system as advertised in DCX sales info material, at least in the material obtained from a Canadian dealer.

WBMT.

Great info, the first thing I would do is find the wires for the electro-magnetic clutch and install a disable switch.........off for summer.........on for winter.......