2008 Dodge Caliber Consumer Reviews

Better then the Germans?!

Written by: Dana on 12/27/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

In many ways this is the best small car on the market. Wife bought one this summer. I found that it was more comfortable and fun to drive then my 2007 Audi A3 S-line (and almost as nicely appointed). So I'm trading in my Audi for one of my own.

Favorite Features

Gas pedal! Excellent power, brakes and handling. Most comfortable seats/sitting position of any small car.

Suggested Improvements

Leather interior and put some padding on the armrests! The 2009 SRT-4 has a leather option, but its not that great. I'll just have mine customized aftermarket.

Report inappropriate post

2008 Caliber SXT

Written by: hotrod85 on 10/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Caliber SXT 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The engine seemed pretty weak below 2000 rpm until I got a few thousand miles on it. Now at 6000, it does pretty good for such a small engine. I am a tall person and I still have to put the seat up a notch or two. I like that. Over all I find this car/wagon/whatever quite comfortable. The handling is very good with a very short turning radius. At first I thought I had made a mistake but now I am glad I bought it. The mileage could do better but, you do have to rev the engine to get the best out of it and the cruising rpm is high compared to other cars. Perhaps the 2.0 engine would have been a better choice but I am happy with this one.

Favorite Features

lighted cup holders, chilled glove box, handling and turning, drivers seat adjustability

Suggested Improvements

6 speed with a lower cruising rpm would help mileage, remote hatch release

13 out 14 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

cool 4 everyone

Written by: alvin on 10/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Caliber SE 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

having added theis 22 inch rims, i blew competition out the water fashion wise, black on chrome. if i wanted a too fast and furious on the show, i'd have a mustang in my driveway with turbo or something. I'm wheelchair bound and love the 60 40 folding seats four my wheel chair. Its room galore just like in my minivan but with tons more fun.

Favorite Features

the chill station is off the hook. the dodge stamp in the front, the ram... keep the beefiness that other dodges have...

Suggested Improvements

the interior is light gray and is dirty. way dirtier than my 93 honda civic ever got.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Driven 120MPH-- daily-- to work.

Written by: Big Mac-- Bavaria on 10/20/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Caliber R/T 4dr Wagon AWD (2.4L 4cyl CVT)

Review

I retired, live, and work part-time in a mountainous area of Germany. Hell, I've got two volcanoes in MY backyard. Anyway, at THIS writing, I put 110 miles a day on the car. The AWD is wonderful! I've TRIED to drive it off the road-- the ESP-thingie just won't let you kill yourself. I'm sorry to hear you CANNOT get an ALL-WHEEL- DRIVE anymore. I drive the car at over 100 MPH, all the time. While it IS true you cannot SPIN the tires, I've had NO PROBLEMS with the car, except, once, driving around 90, I slammed the brakes on to avoid a deer. The fellow in the PASSING lane HIT it, not me. The ABS went out, but the Chrysler dealer replaced it-- asking if I'd sell HIM my little beauty: NO!

Favorite Features

ESP

Suggested Improvements

Cannot see out over the back seats

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

A good little car

Written by: NorthwesternCat on 10/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Caliber SE 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought a Caliber SE Plus, with 17' wheels and 215/60/17 Firestone tires and the Touring suspension. It has A/C with the Chill-Zone Glovebox chiller. I installed a K&N Air Filter and the around town mileage runs 26 mpg, while on the highway, it gets between 34 and 37 MPG. I'm coming from a 1990 Plymouth Voyager minivan with a 2.5 L 4 cylinder/ AT. The Caliber rides on a slightly longer wheelbase than the van did. It is a very nice cruiser - it rides well and gets good mileage, and looks good too. The Surf Blue Pearl paint job looks really good with the black trim and gets lots of compliments. I plan to keep this car as long as they still sell gas.

Favorite Features

The Chill-Zone glove box keeps cold drinks cool. The seats are comfortable and hold you in place. The best part of them is that you don't sit on the road, low to the ground. You open the door and sit down. The base radio/CD player is the best factory radio setup I've ever had. Good gas Mileage.

Suggested Improvements

Thick A pillars and a small back window limit your view. It took some getting used to, and one must move his head to see all around. You get used to it.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Bad Transmission

Written by: Kerry on 10/13/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Caliber SE 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

We bought a new Caliber in April 08 and had to take it back in August because 3d gear went out. Took 3 weeks to rebuild the transmission. Two days later, back to tighten bolts and plug in sensor. 2 weeks later, dropping out of 5th gear. They drove it and said nothing is wrong. Still dropping out of 5th and am now afraid to put my children in for a drive.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

7 out 9 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

better than I expected

Written by: ljordan09 on 10/08/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Caliber SXT 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I'm more of a GMC/Chevy fan. And always had a negative idea about Chrysler. But i can't help but admit, I'm surprised. Mostly everything is solid. i love the stereo. It is small but doesn't feel small at all. drivers seat is pretty comfortable but the seat adjustments are awfully placed. Although i love how sporty the car looks, it looks like a chopped-top, its not good for tall people. and my biggest problem with this car: ROAD NOISE!

Favorite Features

odorless seats. sound quality. vehicle dimensions. 120V AC plug. I absolutely love how the rear seats fold down. The middle seat belt stays completely out of the way. You can disconnect it entirely!

Suggested Improvements

ROAD NOISE! 0-20 mph you faintly hear it. 21-40 MPH you know its there. 50-above mph drive with a bottle of Tylenol. I'm not even kidding.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great Car

Written by: joeslo on 10/05/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Caliber SE 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I love my new Caliber. It is fun to drive. I avg. 30 miles per gallon on the first 2 tanks of gas. The only neg. is the road noise you hear inside. I think the Firestone tire are very aggressive, causing the noise.

Favorite Features

Great gas mileage, fun to drive. Great transmission. You do not feel it shifting gears

Suggested Improvements

Better tires

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

2008 sxt dodge caliber 2.0 L 4door

Written by: William on 09/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Caliber SXT 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is an update to my experience as posted on 08/21/08 by William. Shortly after getting this car I began to notice a clanking (metal slapping metal) noise, it was believed that an lower control arm was the concern, then the passenger front strut, it was replaced but still is making this clanking noise. So thirty gallons of fuel 750 miles just to the dealerships within thirty days and the problem has Not been fixed with around 2,250 miles on the car. The dealership manager tells me they have to follow a repair process for my/your protection? Today they sprayed some brake cleaner type chemical on the brakes and area. Guess what? It still didn't fix it. I think my dodge buying is over.

Favorite Features

Still like the large dash, the outer body of the car looks really good (eye Candy). shifter,seats,and A/C is all a plus also the displays all in good locations. motor sounds great at this point good power, I like the cvt transmission for the most part.

Suggested Improvements

fuel mileage 25 MPG HWY, Dodge Service direction(s) needs to be restructured, this would be the greatest improvement to any car owner/ dealership. rear part of frame could use some deadening material to quiet road noise.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

SXT sport

Written by: Travis on 09/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Caliber SXT 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Have had this car for just over one month. Had a large Chrysler 300M and have been really happy and impressed with this car. Although the car is much smaller than the 300 it doesn't feel small. Mostly city driving and get 24 mpg. 17 mpg on 300. The CVT is great. I believe that complaints are from people who are not used to it. Plenty of smooth power. Premium radio with Boston acoustics is the best I have heard. Car is really functional and fun to drive. The gas savings is a great bonus and the car is great for the money. Looked at a Honda civic and felt the auto was underpowered, not smooth and felt small. This is a great bargain. Highly recommend this car.

Favorite Features

radio, cvt, gas mileage and functionality and design; the bright colored interior inserts and dash

Suggested Improvements

Report inappropriate post