2009 Dodge Caliber User Reviews

Pros

All kinds of room, Peppy with 1.8 L and 5 speed manual transmission, handles great.

Cons

Noisy Firestone Tires

Purchased As New

I really, Really, REALLY like this car!. It feels very substantial, gets great gas mileage (30+ MPG) , its very comfortable and I got it at a great price thru the Cash for Clunkers program ($9,300 out the door brand new). Its a total mystery to me why some of the professional rating car services offer less than a stellar review for this car. My Wife and I test drove the Honda Fit, Scion Xd, Nissan Versa, Chevrolet HHR, Nissan Cube and KIA Soul before deciding on the Caliber. There were points I liked about those other cars (Except the Soul, it just did not do it for me). But as an overall package we kept coming back to the Caliber and after several test drives went ahead and bought it. I have not been disappointed, in fact the more I drive it the more I like it!.

Strong points:

1) Very roomy. I have the SXT model and with front seat fold down I find that I can carry a load of 2X4X8 no problem it's almost like having a pickup truck!
2) Great Mileage. I average about 27 in town and about 33 in Hwy ( 5 speed manual)
3) Very comfortable, great adjustment on seats. It's the only car I've ever driven where I don't have to push the drivers seat all the way back to be comfortable
4) Lots of room in the back seat even with the front seats way back
5) I find the car very peppy and with good acceleration with the 5 sp manual
6) Looks very nice. Several people have come up to me and commented on how nice the car looks! Several have asked me whether its a new VW or Beemer?
7) I service my own cars and oil and filter change is really easy.
8) Low maintenance. Basically change oil and rotate tires every 6k miles
9) Great sound system with Sirius 1 year subscription
10) Feels "tight" no rattles. This turned me off on Nissan models I test drove

Weak points:
1) Noisy Firestone tires. I really dislike these