Dodge Neon is gone now to be replaced by...
06-08-2005, 12:34 PM
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Dodge Neon is gone now to be replaced by... Dodge Neon is gone now to be replaced by...
The Dodge Caliber...... I kind of hate to see the SRT4 go, it was actually becomeing a pretty cool little pocket rocket in it's own right, now it seams to have been replaced by a "starter-SUV"
The Dodge Caliber...... I kind of hate to see the SRT4 go, it was actually becomeing a pretty cool little pocket rocket in it's own right, now it seams to have been replaced by a "starter-SUV"
06-08-2005, 12:37 PM
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Stupid move, I liked the SRT-4, just hate some of there owners
The Skittle has turned into a Baby Ruth
are you sure thats not replacing the PT Cruiser?
The Skittle has turned into a Baby Ruth are you sure thats not replacing the PT Cruiser? 
06-08-2005, 01:03 PM
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Shinkaze, do you have any pics? ... 
I don't find it odd that Dodge would do something like this at all. The neon has been around for a while and something new is needed. Hopefully this car will catch on as well.
In comparison GM would keep the neon around until no one left on earth wanted one then discontinue the line, shut down the only plant that makes them, not have a replacement lined up, keep promising the public that something is in the works and should be around in 2-3 additional years, throw some crap at the buying public, then go bankrupt. Keep the faith...
I don't find it odd that Dodge would do something like this at all. The neon has been around for a while and something new is needed. Hopefully this car will catch on as well.
In comparison GM would keep the neon around until no one left on earth wanted one then discontinue the line, shut down the only plant that makes them, not have a replacement lined up, keep promising the public that something is in the works and should be around in 2-3 additional years, throw some crap at the buying public, then go bankrupt. Keep the faith...
06-08-2005, 02:52 PM
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I think the rational is that the bread and butter sales of the Neon are folks looking for an affordable practical vehicle. By offering a entry level cross-over it makes it an affordable Toyota MAtrix (Pontiac Vibe). Probably beats out a Cavalier for practicality, and has some of the "prestige" of owning an SUV. Could be a good move for them. There is also some talk about Dodge making the Razor which would be a nice entry level two door coupe. I would particularly love it if they made the Razor concept (RWD with an SRT4 motor).
06-08-2005, 03:22 PM
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they dumped the SRT4 for THAT??? Were they only selling 6 srt4's per week or what? I was just starting to like them...
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06-08-2005, 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by DMNSPD
It doesn't make sense that Dodge would kill their entry-level sub compact. Ford has the Focus, Chevrolet has the Cobalt - the Caliber resembles nothing of that segment.
06-08-2005, 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by DMNSPD
I'll agree, but I don't know if people cross shop the Neon with the Vibe. Maybe they do though.
06-08-2005, 05:55 PM
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a post from a few months ago:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...=dodge+caliber
it's marketed more globally than the neon was......dodge has made a lot of money with it's bold styling the last few years, why stop now.....
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...=dodge+caliber
it's marketed more globally than the neon was......dodge has made a lot of money with it's bold styling the last few years, why stop now.....
06-08-2005, 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by DMNSPD
Although the Maxx has it's place, do you really think people looking at a Cobalt are interested in a Malibu?
06-08-2005, 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Shinkaze
I think they would be if the Malibu was priced the same as the Neon/Caliber
06-09-2005, 08:07 AM
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the caliber is just one of a few cars being built on this platform, it'll pry have a more "car-ish" look in a later model.......and it's not like the srt-4 has to die with the neon, i think most people bought the car for the drivetrain, not it's looks....
this is from edmunds.com:
"Power will come from three different four-cylinder engines displacing 1.8, 2.0 and 2.4 liters. According to the Dodge enthusiast site allpar.com, the engines will deliver 140, 150 and 170 horsepower respectively and may send their power through a continuously variable transmission. The prospect of a diesel engine in the U.S. lineup is also a strong possibility as is a turbocharged version of the 2.4-liter engine."
i would guess the 1.8(or 1.9 as stated on allpar i believe) would be the diesel, the 2.0 will be standard and the 2.4 will be a turbo srt4.......the pt cruiser is obviously dying on the same neon platform, so my feeling is that the caliber is gonna help with that gap(maybe even with a non-srt4 turbo 2.4, like the cruiser gt) and then maybe a sedan will pop up.....
edit: actually the 1.8 is one of the joint venture engines.....don't know why they'd need 3 different 4cylinders....maybe for the foreign market
this is from edmunds.com:
"Power will come from three different four-cylinder engines displacing 1.8, 2.0 and 2.4 liters. According to the Dodge enthusiast site allpar.com, the engines will deliver 140, 150 and 170 horsepower respectively and may send their power through a continuously variable transmission. The prospect of a diesel engine in the U.S. lineup is also a strong possibility as is a turbocharged version of the 2.4-liter engine."
i would guess the 1.8(or 1.9 as stated on allpar i believe) would be the diesel, the 2.0 will be standard and the 2.4 will be a turbo srt4.......the pt cruiser is obviously dying on the same neon platform, so my feeling is that the caliber is gonna help with that gap(maybe even with a non-srt4 turbo 2.4, like the cruiser gt) and then maybe a sedan will pop up.....
edit: actually the 1.8 is one of the joint venture engines.....don't know why they'd need 3 different 4cylinders....maybe for the foreign market
06-09-2005, 08:42 AM
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It looks like since the new Chevy HHR copied the PT Cruiser that DC copied the Vibe and called it a Caliber.
About the Malibu comments, I bought my wife one last year and it's a pretty good little car. We got this car because I didn't want to buy a Honda like everybody else does. We got the LT model and the only option we didn't get was the XM and the Onstar. I like the a/c controls because all you've got to do is set it at what temp you want and it automatically adjusts itself and slows as it gets closer to that temp. The manual shift button on the shifter is ok. I would've like it to have a different gate for the +/- shifts, but it's ok. I use it every time I drive the car.
About the Malibu comments, I bought my wife one last year and it's a pretty good little car. We got this car because I didn't want to buy a Honda like everybody else does. We got the LT model and the only option we didn't get was the XM and the Onstar. I like the a/c controls because all you've got to do is set it at what temp you want and it automatically adjusts itself and slows as it gets closer to that temp. The manual shift button on the shifter is ok. I would've like it to have a different gate for the +/- shifts, but it's ok. I use it every time I drive the car.
06-09-2005, 09:01 AM
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Originally Posted by jdustu
edit: actually the 1.8 is one of the joint venture engines.....don't know why they'd need 3 different 4cylinders....maybe for the foreign market
Just from a daily driver perspective, I kinda like it. My dad has a Matrix, and loves that, and quite frankly, it's a good car. The styling in this Dodge is a little edgy, but not off the wall. The 2.4 diesel engine is appealing because of lower emotions, longevity, better fuel economy, and more low end tq. If this thing knocks down 35 MPG+ with a 2.4 diesel (and for GOD's SAKE and a manual tranny) with different trim levels, you have a winner! Tons of cargo room, haul the kids, decent ground clearence for snow covered roads, and I'd be looking at it! Not everything has to be performance oriented, and boy does GM need to take some hints from dodge! Yes, market segment of the Malibu Max is the same, but if they are the same $ and roughly the same fuel mileage, I know I'd go for this over the MM, if I needed to haul a rug-rat or two, bags, beach chairs, and a grill!