[Vision67]

I invested my career in New Product Development at Hewlett-Packard. We used to always evaluate new products as soon as they were introduced, listen to feedback from customers, and use it to hone future improvements to the products. So, if the Dodge Development guys are lurking, lets give them some ideas for future features.

My ideas:

1. Light turbo. I don't need 300hp, but 200hp would equal the power from the VW GTI and light versions of Saab, Subaru, Volvo.

2. Factory Roof Rack

3. Dealer or customer i-Pod interface kit. Control i-Pod from steering wheel controls, display shows up on radio.

4. One higher HP version with a stick shift.

5.Fix the console. Level where cup holders are located is too close to the floor. Seems to me it will quickly become a basin for detritus. Re-design the console to make it flatter and more integrated with the center stack.

6. That sliding armrest needs a detent.


Other ideas???

 

[Ironside]

6. That sliding armrest needs a detent.


Other ideas???

It doesn't have one? Is that much of a problem? How easy is it to slide the damn thing forward and backwards... can't be THAT big a deal.

 

[Ramsport47]

Ironside....it slides very easily...I was using the armrest to reposition myself in the seat, andit slid forward...kinda hurt myself, but you'd get used to it and stop using it that way

 

[Harley]

... How easy is it to slide the damn thing forward and backwards... can't be THAT big a deal.

I'd say it is TOO easy to slide forward/backward.

It slides back and forth practically all by itself, just with the force of the vehicle's movement (no, I'm not doing "jackrabbit" starts and stopping on a dime, though! ).

I have noticed the same thing. It needs to be able to be secured - to a certain point - in whatever position is desired, instead of rolling back and forth like a hooked earthworm trying to escape a hungry trout.

 

[Ironside]

BAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.... wow.. i had NO idea it would be that easy to have it slide around.

Sounds kind of crappy... but then, i'm sure having an adjustable armrest is still an awesome feature, whether it slides on its own or not.

 

[OUWxGuesser]

It slides easily, but I've got accustomed to it so it isn't much of an issue (it requires physical contact to move). Unlike the other poster, mine doesn't move just by vehicle motion alone.

I like the idea for a factory roof rack...

Few other ideas:
-Plastic backed seats for the rear (to match floor)
-Opposing cubby hole in the rear (to match where the sub/storage goes on the RHS)
-Indent the front dash a bit so you can store additional things
-Rubber inserts for the cubby holes/cup holders so you can clean easily
-Adjust center armrest so it "notches" into place

Dan:
What's the best way to send comments and suggestions to the design team?

 

[Xtreme Thunder]

How about having the "Silver" rings around the gauges match the interior color as well (red if red and so on...) to kind of carry the center stack over to the driver side, I think that would look cool.

Body Color Mirrors, PLEASE!!! in the future have that an option!!! I painted the ones on my Neon to match the color of the car. Makes the fit and finish look alot better IMO!

 

[nygiantzz1]

How about having the "Silver" rings around the gauges match the interior color as well (red if red and so on...) to kind of carry the center stack over to the driver side, I think that would look cool.

Body Color Mirrors, PLEASE!!! in the future have that an option!!! I painted the ones on my Neon to match the color of the car. Makes the fit and finish look alot better IMO!

That's a pretty good idea, If the rings clip or screw into the dash, they could probably be removed and painted, the mirrors should come off easily regardless. I think I'll be bugging the body shop for a pint of Inferno Red Crystal Pearl after my SXT comes in.

 

[was98strat]

Re: What's Missing; Future Features( move the Ipod holder)

How a bout moving the Ipod holder to a spot that actually makes sense.

1) if you buy the MTX the ipod holder is always in the way
2) don't like having to look that far down to play with the ipod

Really there must be space ontop of the center stack for a flip iup tray/holder

And fix the sliding armrest

 

[caliber4whoosh]

Wow, I never knew the armrest was that easy to move.

Good ideas everyone!

 

[Xtreme Thunder]

As you all can see I am for "fit and finish" sooo....

Caliber SE - Black Door handles (current)
Caliber SXT - Body Color Door handles
Caliber R/T - Body color with chrome inserts (current)

Caliber R/T - R/T badge in the grille! maybe gold grille not chrome??

"Gold" badges? >>Mopar aftermarket

How about having a feature, able to view in the read out under the center gauge, either the stock way they designed it, and push a button and able to display the radio information. Time, station, song, volume etc. and able to toggle between the stock (whatever it displays now) and ratio readout. Don't have to look at the radio while driving.

Just thinking!

 

[caliber4whoosh]

Good ideas Joe, I like the grill emblem!

 

[Satellitedriver]

Factory Limo tint on rear windows would be nice like on my Caravan

 

[GOT]

Four-wheel disk brakes on the SXT.

Roof mounted antenna (those flat shark fin type).

And yeah having the iPod on he dash would be VERY helpful.

Body color door handles on the SXT

Side mirrors with turn signals

 

[GOT]

More:

Dual-tip exhaust.

Chrome-tip exhaust for the SXT.

 

[sonicman]

insulation. the doors close cheaply. i swear it's worse than the neon.

 

[Silverfox]

My armrest has remained in the stowed position since the day I bought it and it has never, ever moved without me moving it. I don't usually rest my elbow on it due to the way I drive but when I do, it hasn't moved forward without my consent. Though it would be nice to have it lock into place, I'm not bothered by it.

A R/T emblem in the grille would be nice, but not a gold one. Gold on any vehicle looks tacky, in my opinion. Chrome or body color only would look much better.

Am I the only one that doesn't think that A.) the interior is cheap and B.) the doors close cheaply? I swear, every argument everywhere I've seen (besides the look of the vehicle) is the "cheap" interior. I think it's perfect, and much better than the Neon in terms of quality. I damn sure know I didn't get s "special" Caliber that had better quality from the factory.

If I did, well go me.

 

[GOT]

The interior doesn't seem cheap to me. Of course it's not leather clad and gold plated... it's affordable. We're not going to get diamond-studded-carbon-fiber-and-titanium here. It's fine by me.

Didn't notice the doors. But I would've if they were unusually cheap. Will have to pay particular attention next time I try it out.

 

[calibered]

Am I the only one that doesn't think that A.) the interior is cheap and B.) the doors close cheaply? I swear, every argument everywhere I've seen (besides the look of the vehicle) is the "cheap" interior. I think it's perfect, and much better than the Neon in terms of quality. I damn sure know I didn't get s "special" Caliber that had better quality from the factory.

If I did, well go me.

I agree with you SilverFox, the doors on mine shut quite solidly. I don't see the interior as cheap, it looks and feels like standard issue stuff for a vehicle in this price range.

I do have some minor suggestions for future models though;

1.)Switch the climate controls with the little storage bin that is currently located above it. It is a little difficult to get your hands on the right two controls when the vehicle is in park.
2.)Make the center console narrower and rounder to better fit larger legs without the edge digging into your leg. It would be great to move the cup holders a little more forward as well. It is hard to get to the rear cup holder when the armrest is not all the way back.
3.)Make all models have the fully adjustable front seats with the passenger seat that flips forward and flat.
4.)Add some kind of lip the the handles on the inside of the liftgate so you can get a better grip when closing it.
5.)Add additional storage places like in the doors and dashboard or maybe a net on the seatbacks like my neon had. I like the previously mentioned idea about putting another storage area on the drivers side like the one one the pasenger side in the rear cargo area.
6.)I think it would be a good idea to move the rear window wiper to the top of the glass. I think this will look better and give a larger field of view with a smaller blind spot.

I think most of the other ideas everyone has mentioned are good. I don't think gold emblems look good on anything but black though.

 

[ghoticov]

One small feature would be having a change holder. Right now, since I don't smoke, I am storage all my change in the ash tray and storing that in the center console. I was shocked to see a vehicle now-a-days not have somewhere to store change (even something that just held quarters, nickles and dimes). LOL It's the simple things...