2008 Dodge Caliber Base 2.0

Summary:

Fun, comfortable, low purchase price

Faults:

One turn signal, Rear left. Not a big problem at all.

Oil change light, not the cars fault (turn key to ignition and pump the gas pedal quickly multiple times and it resets)

General Comments:

Like it, comfortable (I'm 6'6), awesome speakers even for the base models (I tested out my rap and electronic music) with no rattles at all. Bass is great, treble is excellent.

However the rear pillars make lane changing difficult. I'd recommend getting a wide view mirror attachment for it.

Love the looks, mileage is not too shabby for what it is. Tons of room, especially when you fold the seats flat and put blankets in there when your with that special someone ;)

Good for when you're with your friends and heading to a party (cooler in glovebox)

All in all, I loved it, it was just a rental (hence those two VERY MINOR problems).

It is what it is, test drive it yourself and make up your mind. I for one would not mind purchasing one of these (and I will once I finish school).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th September, 2009

10th Oct 2014, 15:58

We have a SLT 2008 Caliber and the transmission shutters a lot. And the dealer can't find the problem.

2008 Dodge Caliber R/T AWD 2.4L

Summary:

Lump of trash

Faults:

Transmission has been replaced (27,000km).

Main engine computer replaced once and reprogrammed twice due to stalling (12,000km, 18,000km, 42,000km).

Rear struts replaced because they were leaking (35,000km).

Two wheel bearings have been replaced (22,000km, 49,000km).

Left front headlight has blown out seven times!

Dealer doesn't know why! (Seems like I'm always driving with one headlight!)

Interior creeks and groans when its cold (since new).

Security system malfunctioned this morning so the car would just crank over and not start. Had to be towed to the dealer. (this morning - 57,500km)

Of course, all the quoted mileages above are approximate.

General Comments:

Too many issues. Will never buy another Chrysler product. I guess I should have paid more attention to all those anti-Chrysler websites, but I thought "they can't be that bad". I was wrong. It's a huge lump of garbage. Thank God I bought the extended warranty... I'm going to need it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th June, 2009

10th Jun 2009, 20:09

Your example is not typical of Chrysler products.

One of my longest-lasting vehicles was a 1990 Dodge Omni. It made 240,000+ miles with nothing but two timing belts, two brake jobs and one hose. The man who bought it from me now has over 300,000 miles on it. Granted, that is not as good as our Ford that made 325,000 miles with less than $500 in total repairs, but still, 240,000 miles is not bad for an inexpensive compact.

We also drove our Dodge Daytona 100,000+ miles before trading it without one single problem, and our Dodge truck never had a single problem in the 5 years before it was totalled in an accident.