http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/caliber.html

It is certainly better than I was expecting, but I'm still not sure how much I like the interior.

Looks overly SUVish, from some of those profiles. And this is the time to have hot hatch looks. edit: Damn, I was trying my damndest to be one of the first nine members....

Edited August 18, 200520 yr by LosAngeles

They seem quite taken with the Jatco CVT transmission. Ford is droping their CVT in the 500! Saturn got rid of theirs (almost). The discussion boards at Just-auto.com had a conversation between two CVT transmissin manufactures. They implied that owners that wanted the step transmission feel programed in were fools and the manufacturers that supplied it dishonest.

Hmm...I'm going to have to sit in it to get an idea of that inside...

They seem quite taken with the Jatco CVT transmission.  Ford is droping their CVT in the 500!  Saturn got rid of theirs (almost).  The discussion boards at Just-auto.com had a conversation between two CVT transmissin manufactures.  They implied that owners that wanted the step transmission feel programed in were fools and the manufacturers that supplied it dishonest.

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I can understand the comment about the owners who want the 6 speed feel as being fools :lol: , but why does it make the manufacturers dishonest?

I can understand the comment about the owners who want the 6 speed feel as being fools  :lol: , but why does it make the manufacturers dishonest?

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Dishonest was perhaps not the best choice of words. The engineers point of view is that the manufacturer should not allow/aid the coustomer to be so decieved. By the way I think the mini uses this same silliness and the automotive press love it. Go figure!

PS I like the interior!

Edited August 19, 200520 yr by haypops

I think that 90% of the reason I don't like it is because it's to replace the Neon. The Neon is a small car; this is a small SUV. Maybe I just need to see it in person...

Edited August 19, 200520 yr by NOS2006

I was under the impression the entire point of a CVT was to eliminate any shifting effect one ahd with a normal step gear transmission. Just one, smooth motion of acceelration.

I was under the impression the entire point of a CVT was to eliminate any shifting effect one ahd with a normal step gear transmission. Just one, smooth motion of acceelration.

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That is the point, but apparently some people can't get over the feeling of the transmission "never shifting"......so they have a button the driver can push to make the CVT "feel" like a 6 speed that is shifting.

I don't have a problem with that.....just as long as it's the driver's choice. I still don't see how anyone would have a problem with giving the driver the choice of feeling fake shifts or not. :(

That is the point, but apparently some people can't get over the feeling of the transmission "never shifting"......so they have a button the driver can push to make the CVT "feel" like a 6 speed that is shifting.

I don't have a problem with that.....just as long as it's the driver's choice.  I still don't see how anyone would have a problem with giving the driver the choice of feeling fake shifts or not.  :(

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yup that is the point.

I still am aghast at how GM gets ripped so badly for interiors but Chrylser's interiors lately are horribly cheap miserable trash! this thing is pathetic!

Gross interior... Too grey and drab. If this is supposed to be a "youth-oriented" car, why not throw in exterior-matching trim pieces, a-la PT Cruiser? Or how about some blue or red threads in the seats, like in the Mazda3? Furthermore, this interior is pretty much a clone of every other Chrysler interior out there. If I was going to spend $30,000+ on a new 300C, I wouldn't want the same centre stack that can be found in a $15,000 Dodge Caliber! All things considered, the Caliber does little to impress me. The engine lineup is impessive, but it feels as though that is all they spend their money on. The exterior resembles a bulked-up Caravan, and the interior, as I said, is a boring transplant. I bet it will sell well, though, because this is where the market is heading.

as i re-read the nformation at the link provided, I get the impression that there will be no manual transmission. That is a little strange/restrictive in this price range. It appears that the standard ingine will be the CVT transmission with 6 fuel-wasting steps progamed in, and the optional transmission will be the same but with paddle shift capabilities to control the 6 imitation/power robbing steps. Is that what you understand the setup to be?