Why you should buy this car: Some people still care about buying American, and maybe you're one of those people. Even if you're not, the Caliber is a solid all-around people- and cargo-hauler for a pretty affordable price. Plus, it will keep your fitness water cold for when you get back from that killer mountain bike or kayak trip, brah.
Why you shouldn't buy this car: It's not really that much fun to drive. There are nicer interiors at this price point. For the price of the R/T AWD you can buy a fun car like the Civic Si.
Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: No
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: Yes
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No
Also Consider:
· Nissan Versa
· Mazda3 5-door
· Volkswagen Rabbit
Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Dodge
· Model tested: Caliber R/T AWD
· Model year: 2007
· Base Price: $19,985
· Price as Tested: $22,050
· Engine type: 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve inline four
· Horsepower: 172 hp @ 6000 rpm
· Torque: 165 ft.-lbs. @ 4400 rpm
· Redline: 6500 rpm
· Transmission: continuously variable
· Curb Weight: 3308 lbs
· LxWxH: 173.8 x 68.8 x 60.4 in
· Wheelbase: 103.7 in
· Tires: P215/60R17 Firestone Firehawk GTA 03
· Drive type: all-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 10.2 sec.
· Fuel economy city/highway: 23 / 26
· NHTSA crash test rating: front: 5/5 (driver/passenger); side: 5/5 (front/rear); rollover: 4 (FWD model)
[by Mike Austin]
Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Dodge Caliber R/T, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]