My New Car!!

[THE COLONEL]

No, it's not the Challenger.  That is what it was going to be, but with a  $40,000 price tag, and it was an automatic, when they said it would most likely be manual...........my wife and I decided against it.  Even though I had money down, they tore up the check, which I knew they would.  We are all close at the dealership like family. 

But anyway, I finally got rid of my 2000 Dodge Stratus.  When we got it, it was my wifes car.  Now I knew within the next few years or so, we would be getting a minivan, due to the family, and that the Stratus would be my car. :roll:   I wanted an Intrepid, and did not want silver, but.......guess what we got.  A silver Stratus.  It's been a long 8 years!

I will pick up our 2008 Dodge Caliber R/T AWD on Wedensday. Yes I will post pictures!!     Here it is:
 
    2008 MODEL YEAR
DODGE CALIBER R/T AWD
Exterior Color: Sunburst Orange Pearl Coat Exterior Paint
Interior Color: Pastel Pebble Beige Interior Color
Interior: Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats
Engine: 2.4-Liter 4-cylinder DOHC 16-Valve Dual VVT Engine
Transmission: Continuously Variable Transaxle II

STANDARD EQUIPMENT(UNLESS REPLACED BY OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT)
FUNCTIONAL / SAFETY FEATURES
Advanced Multistage Front Air Bags
Supplemental Side Curtain Front and Rear Air Bags
AutoStick(R) Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Anti-Lock Disc Brakes
Rear Window Defroster
Sentry Key(R) Theft Deterrent System
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
Speed Control
Speed-Sensitive Power Locks
Sliding Sun Visors with Mirrors
Soft Tonneau Cover
12-Volt Auxiliary Power Outlet

INTERIOR FEATURES
Air Conditioning with Chill Zone(TM) Storage
Air Filtering
Illuminated Cupholders
Illuminated Entry
Tilt Steering Column
Heated Front Seats
Front-Passenger Fold-Flat-Forward Seat
Driver's Seat with Height Adjuster
Rear Fold-Flat-Forward Seat
Rear 60/40 Split Recline Seat
Power Windows with Driver's One-Touch-Down Feature
Sliding Armrest with Cell Phone/MP3 Holder
AM/FM Stereo w/CD Player & Auxiliary Input Jack
9 Boston Acoustic Spkrs w/ Subwoofer & MusicGate
2 Articulating Liftgate Speakers
SIRIUS(R) Satellite Radio
1-Year Service Provided by SIRIUS(R)
For More Information, Call 1-888-539-7474
Steering Wheel-Mounted Audio Controls
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
Power Mirrors
Tire Pressure Monitor and Warning Signal
Full-Length Floor Console
Outside Temperature Display in Odometer
Folding Flat Load Floor Storage
Interior Removable/Rechargeable LED Flashlight
Tachometer
Luxury Front and Rear Floor Mats
Color-Keyed Instrument Panel Accents
115-Volt Auxiliary Power Outlet

EXTERIOR FEATURES
18" x 7.0" Aluminum Wheels
P215/55R18 BSW All Season Performance Tires
Fog Lamps
Chrome Bodyside Molding
Bright Exhaust Tip


OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
Sunburst Orange Pearl Coat Exterior Paint $ 150
Customer Preferred Package 26X
Leather Interior Group $ 595
Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats
Manual Driver Lumbar Adjuster
Satin Silver Instrument Panel Bezel
Satin Silver Shifter Bezel
Driver Convenience Group $ 760
Tire Pressure Monitoring Display
Vehicle Information Center
Automatically-Dimming Rearview Mirror
Universal Garage Door Opener
UConnect(R) Hands-Free Communication
Power Express Open/Close Sunroof $ 795
California Emissions
18" x 7.0" Aluminum Chrome Clad Wheels $ 700

[greenpigs]

  Looked at a RT very similar other than fwd, you know the SRT is only about 2K higher than the RT. The wife has a 07 Compass that has the same drivetrain and AWD plus the "lock up" 4 wheel drive. The small gas tank will be your biggest complaint.

[THE COLONEL]

  Looked at a RT very similar other than fwd, you know the SRT is only about 2K higher than the RT. The wife has a 07 Compass that has the same drivetrain and AWD plus the "lock up" 4 wheel drive. The small gas tank will be your biggest complaint.

I looked at the SRT, but it didn't have AWD, and being in PA in the winter, that is good to have.

As far as having one of the worst reviews, they have a 5 out of 5 star rating with frontal, and side crash testing, and a 4 star for rollovers?

here is the link I have from fuel economy.gov

http://www.safercar.gov/Index2.cfm?myYear=2007&myMake=Dodge&myModel=Caliber

[69charger2002]

well congrats. wouldn't have been my first choice but to each his own.. after havng a stratus for 8 years, i wouldn't imagine getting myself a small 4 cylinder econobox. but you will surely get good gas mileage. and it's a dodge.. so that's positive!
trav

[greenpigs]

I looked at the SRT, but it didn't have AWD, and being in PA in the winter, that is good to have.

I didn't get one either for the same reason and the wife will only drive an auto. If they come with an autostick next year I will give the truck marching orders.
 

[my73charger]

We are going to purchase a new Dodge Avenger this summer.  I want an R/T but we shall see.

[Orange_Crush]

The cars are tinny. I've worked on a few of them for body repairs, dented way to easy in my mind. I seen a car test review on line somewhere and they were awful, crash testing was rated as well. You seam to have found other info. good luck.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (who performs a tougher test than the federal government) rates the caliber "Good" (highest rating) in frontal offset impact, Marginal in side impact, and Marginal in rear impact.  Howevewr, the head restraint rating rated "Good" in rear impact....there are a WHOLE slew of cars that have done WAAAAAY worse.