2008 Dodge Caliber SXT Reviews

I've rented this car twice now; the first time, in the spring, wasn't too bad - it was during one of those relapses into winter where the roads were terrible, which kept me on my best (read: most granny-like) driving behaviour.  However, during this second rental stint, in a very mild, dry November, ideal driving conditions have uncovered the serious flaws in this car's character.
The car accelerates decently, with the optional 2.0L, 158-hp engine pulling with some strength and a CVT that lets the engine rev to its power band and remain there.  However the CVT is as much a problem as a benefit - transitions between lift-throttle (idling, coasting) give you the directness (or choppiness) of a manual, but the hesitation of an automatic - the worst of both worlds.  Braking is adequate but pedal feel is vague and non-linear - finding the right amount of pressure to stop from 70-80 km/h without passengers falling out of their seats takes some trial and error.  The car's handling is among its biggest downfalls.  It starts off badly, being tall for a compact car (seating positions are at a similar height to vehicles like the Toyota RAV4) and heavy.  Body roll is moderate, but controlled and fairly predictable.  It's when you hit a bump that the car really bites back.  Taking corners too quickly, especially loop ramps onto or off the freeway, can be dangerous as each axle will 'hop' if you hit a bump, effectively making your car side-step into a wider turn.  Also, being front-wheel drive the natural handling state is understeer, but it arrives with no warning.  If this ever happens, let off the throttle and let the Stability Control do its thing - because the car needs it to stay on the roads sometimes.
The entire inside of the car, aside from the seating surfaces, windows and roof, are made of cheap, low-rent plastics - worse than in my 1996 Camaro.  Thankfully this car had the leather-wrapped steering wheel option, so my hands weren't as badly off as my right knee, which kept banging against the side of the centre console.  This isn't a car you want to bang your elbow in, because it WILL hurt.  Also detracting from perceived build quality were the squeaks and rattles emanating from somewhere in the rear of the car over certain bumps at certain speeds.  At least the doors don't feel completely hollow, as they close with a hint of that solid 'thunk' you hear in better cars.
The car's not a looker, to be honest.  It could, of course, look worse - most anything from the 90s comes to mind.  But, Civic, Corolla, Cobalt, G5, Sentra... they all look better.  Even the Ford Focus is hard-pressed to look uglier than the Caliber.
On the upside, the 2.0L engine is decently efficient - though not so much so as the 2.0L offerings from Nissan and Mazda, or the 1.8s from Honda and Toyota.  Part of that is due to the weight it's forced to lug around.
Overall, not a car I'd buy, and not a car I'd rent again, given the choice.

Fully loaded Stacies new car and even comes with a built in cooler for roadies.

Very nice! Black and red interior and seats. Seats four very comfortably. Handles very nice. Illuminating cup holders. Sleek red paint job.

I wish i had my company van back thats how much I hate this thing.  Low performance, takes forever to get from 0 to 40.  NO power,  the sh, ift gets stuck so u can't get the keys out u have to hit the shifter