Used 2007 Dodge Caliber Consumer Reviews
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Try One you might like it!
I purchased my 2007 AWD R/T used with 11,000 miles. I enjoy the slap shift tranny and it's great in bad weather. Simply downshift instead of breaking and it stays straight and stops well. Interior is very compfortable for four adults. Reclining rear seats a plus. Can't hook up my Ipod - bummer! Add the shock tower support for a more solid feel - it works great and reduces cowl shake on bumps plus improves cornering. Over all I am enjoying the call a lot. Average mileage for city is 22 mpg on the highway over 27. Not bad for all wheel drive. If I shift manually it is great fun to drive as well. I recommend the 2.4L engine for improved performance. Enjoy your Caliber.
Best comparable vehicle
Before I purchased this vehicle I drove the matrix and other comparable vehicles also I compared them for saftey and found that caliber was by far the best buy, now that I've owned it for 3 years and have friends that have over 100,000 miles with no problems, I'm convinced that my next vehicle will be another caliber I like the hard quality interior it stands up much better then the soft plastic. All about the car gives it high rating in my books. and unlike the others I feel safer driving it. I'm glad I didn't listen to the so-called experts that judge a vehicle for interior trim.
Can't wait to get rid of it.
If you are considering this vehicle make sure that you check out all of the competition first! My main motive for purchasing this car was price as I was eligible for the employee discount. I got the 1.8 with manual trans, because I just don't trust CVTs to hold up for the long run. After 28k miles the exterior plastic is fading, the mileage is awful, and it still has a problem stalling at random (not driver induced, it often happens in neutral.) Perhaps all these problems are due to it being a first run year, but either way I would be weary.
The middle of the road SXT.
The interior is very thoughtfully designed and of good quality materials (thanks MB). I traded in a 2001 Volvo V70 on this and am happy with the exchange. I can't comment on reliability yet, but have high hopes. I have the CVT and must point out that many people hate them, thinking they're sluggish. They take an entirely different behavior to drive properly, first and foremost being: do NOT feather the gas! It gives decent acceleration performance once you understand its behavior. My only complaints are some wind noise above 35 and the seat is a bit high for me - I'm 6'7", so anyone can fit in this.
Tires!!!
After reading quite a few of these reviews, the common theme is tire issues. I, too, have been told that my tires need to be replaced. I have been told that it could be because of my alignment, suspension, tire pressure, you name it!! It just seems odd that a lot of people seem to have this issue. Chrysler won't do anything, sent me to Firestone, who sent me back to the dealership. Not good!! Very poor customer service. When are they going to take the hint and look into what is causing the problem?
Can't beat it for the money!
I bought my wife a Caliber this week, and we both love it. The CVT takes some getting used to, but it is very smooth. It's a compact car, so you have to expect it's not going to be as roomy as a Durango. The standard stereo performs very well, and the aux. jack is perfect for the Ipod. Side airbags, 17" wheels, and foglights. I paid cost for the car which was $17K, and you can't find another car with the capabilities and features for the money.
This is your "MOM's" car
Read the Edmunds review that said was going to be a 20 something vehicle. Don't believe it. Traded in a '99 Eddie Bauer Expedition for 2.0L 4cyl SXT. The styling is phenomenal and is very roomy inside. All the comforts you need and more if you want to add them. Very reasonably priced. Been driving for over a week and love everything about it. Smooth ride, great acceleration for a small engine, well designed interior. For someone who is used to driving a tank to love a small vehicle this much it has got to have something. Check it out - driving it is believing.
Watch out Honda and Toyota
Just traded my 2005 Jeep Wrangler X on this great little car. Makes the Jeep look like a dinosaur. They put their thinking caps on for this one. I have greatly anticipated its arrival. I have already sold a friend on getting one. My neighbor also. I get looks as if I were in an Aston Martin??? Rack one up for the USA and Dodge!
Good Value
We decided to "downsize" from a Pacifica. Decided on the R/T AWD with a few extras like the driver convenience package (which we like -- compass, outside temp, etc.). Even with the extras, a great value. CVT takes a little getting used to, but the autostick is kind of fun. We like the exterior styling, with a higher stance than most cars its size. Only criticism is that the 6 disc CD changer doesn't have the MP3 mini- jack, so I'll have to get an FM modulator.
One great car
I liked this car from the moment I saw it in the show room. We decided to test drive it. They only had an SXT with the middle engine. A little underpowered for me since I already owned an Intrepid R/T. We next test drove the Caliber R/T. We bought it that day. Every day I drive it I like it better. It took a little getting used to the CVT transmission but now that I understand it, I like it even more. Power is there when I need it. The interior is really nice. Different. The exterior is funky. But a nice funky. I have a red Caliber and I am literally a driving bill board for this car. Everyone wants to know more about it. Great job, Dodge
Love My Car
I'm 5'2" and sit high in the seat and don't feel like I'm sitting on the ground. I don't have a problem seeing out of the car. I've always preferred small cars (Ford-pinto/escort & Hyundai-excel). I wanted a larger car but not a large car. This has a lot of room but drives like a smaller car. My Dad who is 6'2" thought it had a lot of room in the back seat. My mom who drives a large SUV thought I had more cargo room that she does. My children are grown but I think it would make a great family car. I think it would be great for anyone even teens because of the safety features and visibility.
What?? Why did i buy this?
I bought this car from enterprise. After the 1st week i needed a new transmission.(miles 34,000) 2 weeks later i need another transmission. Now i need a new engine because some rod broke. Worst car ever. Engine stalls when im on the highway. I bought it for $12,000. I tried to sell it back to enterprise and they will only give me $5,000. They said the Cailber doesn't hold its value. So after 2 months it lost $7,000.00. Im stuck with it. I should have bought the charger!!!! STAY CLEAR FROM THIS CAR!! DO NOT BUY!!!
Regret
I traded in an SUV that I LOVED for this thing. It has a very weak AC. There is a drink "cooler" in the glove box that is cooled by the AC. Pretty pointless if the AC doesn't even get cold. You'd be better off taking your cold drink and rubbing it on your face because that is the only way you will cool off in this car. The interior is too cramped and there are blind spots everywhere I look. I hate driving this car.
Not bad
Now I'm a fussy car guy and this is the wife's car. I like the smooth CVT. It is a crossover so it's higher with all that that brings to handling. The car feels big on the road which is good, and bad. Previous car PT Cruiser. This has a smaller engine, more pep, and better gas mileage - what's not to like? It doesn't have as much storage or clever nooks as the Cruiser. It is very smooth around town and is great for running errands but Firestone tires are noisy - can't wait to change them out. Good gas mileage. Overall - funky new design. Are there better dynamics out there - yes, but this is crossover. Is it better than a SUV - yes. Bang for the buck = excellent.
better than a vibe
Planned to get another Vibe. Not when I saw this Caliber. Love all the options and at a much lower price than the Vibe. Even got heated seats. Got things you can't even get on a Vibe. So many more safety features too. Really get looks when driving it. This is not just a car for the twentysomethings.
Want to drive this one off a cliff!!
I bought the car brand new. I regret this purchase everyday. Since it's purchase I have had nothing but problem. It's needed new struts, tie- rod ends, has electrical issues, tires are shot after 20,000 miles, and at 30,000 the starter and relay is bad! This is just a bad car!!! If it would do me any good....I'd park it right in front of the bank!! No need for the repo man....I'm giving this one a special delivery!! Big ticket item with BIG PROBLEMS! Dodge went wrong on this one!
Great Car
After months of looking and test driving several cars, I found this lovely delight. I would not change anything about this car, it is a great family car and my husband loves to drive it. Dodge did a great thing.
Ping
I love my Caliber (still). It now has 21,000 miles and I enjoy its exterior appearance and interior comfort. It's drivability is alright. My Caliber was recalled for the "flash" that was supposed to have taken care of the brief pinging noise the engine makes immediately after shifting into gear and accelerating. My car still makes the pinging noise and I am concerned this will eventually cause damage to some engine component. My service man at the dealer told me I should try running the car with premium unleaded to see if the ping goes away. I just looked at him and laughed as I had already tried this. Seem Mopar doesn't know how to fix the product it designed.
Love/Hate My Caliber
My 2007 Caliber has just 48,000 miles and it's crap. Tires are expensive to replace and wear out quickly. Interior is cramped. Blind spots everywhere. Turn signal comes on randomly (without using blinker) and won't go off. Front suspension is shot. AC only works well on high. It has been plaqued with one problem after another. I know many people who own Calibers and have yet to find anyone who is even remotely happy with theirs. Tried to trade it in but will only get about half of what I owe. They don't hold their value at all and depreciate quickly. Looks great, fun to drive, but very unreliable car.
Bang for your Buck
This is the most comfortable car to drive in its price range. Believe me before my purchase I had test driven them all. I love the design and the fact that this car looks different from everything else on the Market. I was between this car and the Mazda 3, to get the Mazda with the Same features it would have cost me $2000-3000 more!
"SK's" SXT
I took the car for a test drive and before I went 1/4 of a mile I told the salesman to make me a deal on the car. I loved everything about it. The only draw back to me is the high step over getting in & out of the car and that is minimal. I love the car. Dodge has a winner
Fun To Drive
Before I bought car I read reviews here n got alitte nervous. But I really like this car fun to drive. And not bad gas mileage about 26 mpg steady. I hope this review don t jinkx me. I bought an extended warranty direct because of what I read here. I plan on keeping car 4 a while. So bought a 5 yr 100 k mile hope I don t need it but I have in just in case. I'm 6 ft 285 and the car is comfortable 4 me easy to get in and out of too.
Sunburst Orange Baby!
I've had the car for about 2 weeks now and I absolutely love it! I went all out and got the chrome, sunroof, Boston Acoustics, Driver Convenience Group, etc. It's very comfortable. I feel like I'm driving an SUV so I feel more in control over the road now. The acceleration is very smooth. I can't even feel a change. It's a great car for the money. It's almost too good to be true! Everyone stops me and asks me about it. I of course recommend it! It's a safe car, well priced, and definitely fun to drive!
Rockin' little Dodge
I had a great Blazer, but too many miles and a guzzler. Was looking at the Matrix and Vibe- then I saw the commercial [one sick puppy]. I'm now the proud owner of a black SXT 2.0, CVT, fully loaded, sunroof, MusicGate, and tinted windows-black in the back. I've seen reviews suggesting lackluster speed-Not mine! I'm always first off the line, and passing is a breeze. It's no race car-after all it is a 4cyl-but it does its job well. No excessive wind noise-ofcourse I've got the Vault on Sirius blasting! I can haul my compressor, airbrushes, paints, tools, and more. If you're ever in Texas and you see a Dead-Head sticker on the back of a Black Caliber, well-that'd be me-Say Hi!!!
Never Again
I purchased a dodge caliber used with only 19,000 miles in Feb. 2008. In June 2008 i noticed my car makeing a knocking noise when accelerateing or slowing down at this time the car only had 33,000 miles on it so it was still covered under warranty. So I took it to a dodge dealer here in this area and they checked it out and told me there was nothing wrong with it. I didn't agree so i took it to another dodge dealer the next week and they said nothing was wrong with it. So i gave up and of course the warranty went out and it is still making that noise well i took it to another mechnic and he told me that it was the transmission. And I'm a single mother and i cant afford $2500 to fix it!
Love it
Bought the 2 litre turbo-deisel model and getting the promised 6 litres to 100km. The motor is 100% reliable and I still have the original tyres at 46,000km (approx 29,000 miles. Maybe we got the export quality version, but everything looks good and goes well, only standard servicing costs spent, and we are about to travel across Australia in it with complete confidence. I did test drive the 1.8 petrol and found that wanting in power, but I can assure you that this one has plenty of go. I'm a 6 footer and am very comfy. I can't understand why some complain so bitterly about it. Hey, and I'm an Aussie supporting the US motor industry!!
Love My Caliber
I love the gas mileage and the performance of my 2007 Caliber. Get all kinds if looks and comments on how sweet it looks. Not your average little car, that's for sure, it's sporty, zipy and great looking.
Great Value
This car has been awesome so far. The interior is extremely comfortable and versatile. Love the reclining rear seats and how the rear seats as well as the passenger seats fold flush to the floor for more cargo space. Also, the floor of the cargo hatch is plastic and removable for easy cleaning. The car has decent, but not great acceleration. Caliber provides an extremely smooth and comfortable ride.
Big Small Car
A remarkably adaptable little car. Seems far more spacious inside than it appears from outside. Really, what most SUV drivers actually need. Handles great on the many dirt roads in the Southwest. Perhaps a little underpowered with the 2.0 liter 4cyl and the automatic trans, but don't opt for the 5 sp and the 1.8 liter (a bad match and very sluggish). Smartly designed interior. The story, my wife was rear-ended in a Caliber she had as a rental car. The Lincoln Town Car that hit her left the inpression of the front license plate frame in the rear bumper and that was roughly the extent of the damage done to the Caliber. Needless to say, we were sold.
Nice Dodge Car
This car is great on gas mileage. It is an inexpensive car, so that explains the lack of interior and exterior quality. However, I think that this car gives the college student or small family car person a great choice. I've previously owned a Lexus and a Trans Am. If you want the quality of a Lexus you are going to have to pay the high price. If you want power the go buy a car that gets 10 miles to the gallon. If you're looking for medium quality, excellent gas mileage, and a low cost then this is a great buy.
A perfect fit
I have a 60 mile daily commute so fuel efficiency is mandatory. However, since that commute is through Wisconsin it is also necessary that my vehicle is able to handle rough roads/weather. Being the mother of 2 very active boys I refuse to sacrifice on interior space, this car is roomy enough for my 2 kids and the family dog (shepherd & collie mix) to sit in the back seat together comfortably. Even though it's a 4 cyl, it could easily keep up with my 3.2 V6 Intrepid. Its safety features put it in a class of its own for a lower priced car. This car looks sporty but is still a great family car. I didn't think I could find a car that met all of my needs and this one met and far exceeded them.
Not for families
Got this because of the hatch back, the outer appearance, & at the time the reviews for this car were high-praising. Now, though, this has been my biggest regret. The back seats have absolutely no room. It is difficult to install my sons car seat properly without having the front passenger eating the dashboard. I've had to replace tires 8 times now, brakes 4 times, and windshield washer fluid "sprayers" twice. The high-beams turn on by themselves, the "drink cooler" doesn't cool anything, replacement parts are expensive, drives terrible in the winter, & the value diminishes so quickly that you're basically stuck in the sale. Don't buy it! Definitely not family-friendly.
Classy little fun car
I have had this car for a week and its great! It has the feel of a mini SUV but drives very smoothly. Good gas mileage and creates quite a lot of attention. Very fun car.
Awesome! I love it!
Traded in my 2004 Ford Mustang GT for this car. I'm now the proud owner of a black SXT CVT, fully loaded, sunroof, MusicGate, and (after market) tinted windows-black in the back. At first, my friends thought I was totally insane until they rode in it one day on the way to lunch. Much more room on the inside and more practical! Even my husband likes it because of the room. Not very good on acceleration, but hey, I'm used to an 8-cylinder Mustang! I absolutely love this car! Inside and out, she's awesome. I had wanted to eventually trade in my Mustang for an SUV and this car will tie me over for a couple years hopefully.
Great Car
I completely LOVE this car. I don't really have a bad thing to say about it. It has tons of room inside. My husband is a bigger build and he fits in our Caliber better than any other car. The seats in the front as well as the back are VERY comfortable. It has lots of great features and storage space inside. My 3 dogs love it as well.
Caliber R/T ... A Bold Crossover
I've had nothing but imports my whole life. I've loved the design and reliability that Japan could offer me. When looking for a new car, I had a list of features that I needed. 4WD or AWD, a peppy engine, good handling, good styling, and around 20 Grand. I tested a lot and after testing the Caliber R/T I was convinced. It has alot of value in these catagories. The ride and acceleration are ultra smooth. The autostick and CVT feel generous and ready when accelerating, but jerky when breaking and downshifting. The handling is crisp for the size of the vehicle. But sharp cornering shows its high center of gravity. The end wants to wiggle loose. But the AWD system corrects minor over steer.
Worth every penny
Most of the views I read talked about how unhappy everyone was with the "cheap" feeling of the interior. This is an economy car, not a BMW. I feel that my purchase was worth every penny when I compared what I got on the Caliber compared to the Fit, Yaris and Focus. I just needed a great car to get to work and grad school, but also be able to take a canoe trip with friends.
Poor service
We bought this car because of the size and as a winter driver thought it would be safer than the PT Cruiser I had previously. After having the car a month I had to have the front end worked on. At 24,000 miles I have been told I have to replace all 4 tires as the make is not a "good tire for the car." 18 inch tires are $200 each. Also I purchased the extended service for oil changes for the life time of the car and the dealer has gone out of service. Dodge will not honor the contract. My review is: the car is a waste of good money and as a Dodge product I find it sadly lacking in comfort, gas mileage and most of all service through the Dodge dealers. SAD CAR!
Great Vehicle
This car reminds me of the Volkswagon Jetta, people kept them for years. The only difference is that the Caliber is a lot bigger and roomier. If you get the 5-speed, manual transmission and the 1.8L engine, you won't have any acceleration problems and you'll get great milleage. I get over 400 miles per tank (13.5 gallons) city and highway average. If you get the fold-down front seat option you've got a vehicle for car camping. The car has a lot of front leg room; I'm 6'5" tall and I am very comfortable (when the seat is all the way back, there probably isn't a lot of rear leg room. The only noise I hear is when I'm on old, degraded pavement.
1 Year of ownership
After 1 year and 8000 miles, No problems. averaging 26 miles to the gallon. Fun to drive. Still turns heads. I like the comfort of the car, and all of the bells and whistles. I have the 17 inch wheels, which look better on this car. also have cvt transmission and love the silent shift. probably the best car I have ever owned.
WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED
After I discovered I was pregnant + realized that a 2 dr vehicle was no longer an option, husband + I started looking for a nice looking, fuel efficient 4 dr, went lots of places, read lots of reviews that talked so highly of the caliber we were roped in + decided to buy. THAT WAS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE WE COULD HAVE EVER MADE !!!!! I do commute 90 mi. 4 dys/week + expected a little wear + tear boy was I ever wrong. I've now had this car for 3.5yrs + have had to have new tires put on (x4), new tire rod ends (X2), brakes, struts, alignments up the wazoo, + now I have the very costly transmission problem that will cost 6k to fix. R U KIDDING ME, Dodge needs to scrap the CALIBER!!!!I miss my chev
Dodge Caliber R/T AWD
I factory ordered this and it took 7 weeks. When I showed up to pick it up 13 offers had been made on the vehicle. It is a real looker with the 18 inch tires, wheels and sports seating package. Have owned it for 2 weeks. I get a lot of looks from other drivers. The Pearl Coat Orange is very snappy. My first two fill-ups were 16.9 mpg and then 18.9 mpg. All driving has been city so far.
Blind Spots--Front & Rear
The bulbous styling of the 2007 Caliber makes it impossible to see narrow objects that are shorter than the bumper's height. Furthermore, the bumper does not "bump" but crumples. Resulting in major damage to the car's integral components (engine, alignment). This is because Dodge uses as a shock absorber behind the exterior frame in order to achieve the high MPG.
I love my Dodge Caliber
I love my Caliber. Great fuel economy, styling, and cool features. I'm getting about 38 mpg going back and forth to work. I get a lot of looks and comments where ever I go. There are some real cool features that make the car special; lighted cup holders (I don't have to guess where to put my coffee cup, the glove box cooler can hold four cans or bottles of pop and keep them cold (the other day I had a candy bar that was melting... so I put it in the glove box cooler and it was good to eat by the time I got home), there's a detachable rear dome light that doubles as a flash light (I used it to fix a friends car one night), and the rear speakers can be detached for parties.
i love my caliber
i bought mine with 15miles on it. i bought it 3 days after it first came out and have had no problems with the car. i personally love my car. if u keep up with the actual maintenance recommended then it shouldnt be bad at all. i have had the car for 3 years now and love it to death.
nothing but problems
I bought my Caliber in June last year. The first 60 days I had it, it was in the repair shop for 42 of those days with electrical problems. They had to replace the "Cluster" in the dash. The car had 8,000 miles on it!! Drove it till winter. No heat. Back to the dealer. Wire not hooked up. Now it has 18,000 miles on it. Bad bearings in the rear end. Just found out there was a recall in 2007 for that. It's possible the car could go out of control and cause a crash. Warranty is done, recall hopefully is good.
2007 Dodge Caliber SE 2.0L CVT
This car is the most fun and functional vehicle i've ever purchased. Great on gasoline, a real attention getter, and a blast to drive!
Unhappy In Michigan
I purchased this car in Jan 08 w/ 18000 Miles on it. It now has 52000 miles and even with regular maintenance I've had to replace the front suspension, Multi Function Switch, and multiple tires. I only get 15 MPG(Highawy), constant problems with vehicle alignment and tire air pressure, and sometimes the vehicle gets stuck in gears. I didnt think of the plastic interior when I bought it but Ive grow to hate it it is so hard and uncomfortable. The vehicle looks amazing, if dodge does one thing right it exterior appearance. But the interior looks and feels cheap and utilitarian. Thank God I'm not upside down on what I owe on the car, I am trading it in this week. HUGE BLINDSPOTS!!!
Great Value and Performance All Around
This car is so much fun to drive, rides and handles very well with the 17" tires. Once I got used to the CVT it has good acceleration for the small engine. If you're looking for a mini suv/wagon/sedan for about $20,000, check this vehicle out.
Dodge Caliber SE
I purchased my Caliber two months ago, and I am in love with it! It handles very well both on the street, as well as the freeway. The only complaint I have with the Caliber are the driver and passenger headrests because they aren't very comfortable. Other than that, the Caliber is flawless. It is very easy and fun to drive, and surprising easy to clean and maintain. I'd recommend this car to anyone who is in the market for a new car.