Dodge caliber srt4

I'm going to look at one of these after work today. Anything I should look out for. Is the srt build quality better than regular dodge cars? Thanks Dan

Same. Its rebadged dodge neon. Monstrously hideous (my opinion...) who owned it? I know I would never buy a srt4 neon because every teenage turd will destroy that car in a hurry with the cooking of the oils, the "hyper power shifting" technique all young men know, and the inherent "bald tire syndrome" unless owned by an old guy and it's an autotragic- be wary.

Trackmouse wrote: Same. Its rebadged dodge neon.

Well, no, not really. Some carryover in the platform, but a lot of new stuff too, like the rear suspension. Big, tall, top heavy (too heavy really), and pretty hideous looking IMO, I'll grant you. Doesn't handle nearly as well as the Neon did.

It's closer to a Jeep Compass/Patriot than a Neon, so I would expect to see it behave like an SRT4 Compass. Whether that's good , or bad you'll have to judge and let us know.
Also, some years (maybe all years) came with a CVT automatic transmission. I'd avoid those.

I went and test drove it. It had 134k miles and was in really good condition considering the higher mileage. I like the styling but I'm looking for a car with more cargo space than my mazda2 but this car didn't really have much more.

TTAC said: Stepping into the (Caliber) SRT4 feels like commandeering a bite-sized tank, a sensation as well-suited to a sport-compact as diarrhea is to dating. You sit high off the floor, peering over a tall half-acre of dash through a mail-slot windshield. Military-grade plastic fills your peripheral vision. Ever tried to autocross with A-pillars the size of ham shanks? Cones will tremble at the sound of your name.

TTAC said: Yep, this Dodge’s got an attitude, all right: understeer.

DeadSkunk wrote: It's closer to a Jeep Compass/Patriot than a Neon, so I would expect to see it behave like an SRT4 Compass. Whether that's good , or bad you'll have to judge and let us know. Also, some years (maybe all years) came with a CVT automatic transmission. I'd avoid those.

SRT's had 6sp manuals last I checked. They're better build quality than the neon, but its still a Caliber.

It has the 6 speed. I liked sitting higher up in the car. And yes the dash and interior plastics were cheap looking but nicer looking than the interior in my bil's mustang.

I chuckle whenever I hear all the Caliber hate. I kind of like them, but I've never owned one or driven one. That might would change my attitude. I know I do not like CVTs.

In reply to spitfirebill:

They're an OK place to be inside, but my "OK" range starts at an Amish buggy and ends at C5 Vette.

They never came with a real LSD, instead using that silly ABS-managed system that pulsed the brakes and I recall hearing that it was extremely crude, jerking the steering wheel around in your hand and not managing to do much for controlling wheelspin.

NickD wrote: They never came with a real LSD, instead using that silly ABS-managed system that pulsed the brakes and I recall hearing that it was extremely crude, jerking the steering wheel around in your hand and not managing to do much for controlling wheelspin.

The steering wheel did seem to move around a fair amount. I thought it was maybe worn suspension parts but could have been this. I was expecting much worse when I checked it out. I was pretty let down with the rear hatch space.

with age comes familiarity .

When they first came out, I thought, "Boy they are ugly".

No when I see one, "Eh, they are not too bad">

iceracer wrote: with age comes familiarity . When they first came out, I thought, "Boy they are ugly". No when I see one, "Eh, they are not too bad">

Yeah. I remember thinking, "For this, you killed the Neon??? Heathens!"

Now, I can look at one and just feel vaguely sad.

Think about it like this . . . All of the SRT4 Neons have been modded and hooned to within an inch of its life . . . SRT4 Calibers . . . more than likely no. You'll probably stumble across a relatively clean one for peanuts.

Of the 13 Calibers listed on Saskatoon Kijiji, 2 are SRT4. One "Tuned", the other appears clean and stock.

There's also 2 AWD versions. I was unaware.

As to unhooned SRT4 Neons, I bought one from salvage that had a cold air intake and nothing else. Based on the evidence I found in the car, it was a one family car, and the teenaged daughter failed to yield right of way rather badly. I swapped the powertrain and suspension into a 02 RT, and now I am in the process of hooning it.

Unhooned and nearly unmodded SRT4 . . . Unpossible!!

I still would like to get my hands on 1st gen Neon or a cloud car and do this swap . . .

I have the remains of enough 2.4 turbos to put together a longblock, and I figure I can track down a GM3800 supercharger somewhere. Build a 3 speed automatic with van internals, gut a first gen Neon, run 12's for $2k. I already own a Neon roadrace car, and a Neon ministock, so why not own a drag car too?

I've been waiting for some combo of srt4 and first gen neon yo hit the challenge. I remember the awesome pucker as a friends srt would change lanes ala torque steer when shifting hard into 3rd...

84FSP wrote: I've been waiting for some combo of srt4 and first gen neon yo hit the challenge. I remember the awesome pucker as a friends srt would change lanes ala torque steer when shifting hard into 3rd...

Once that was my dream. These days my wife has a "no more neons" policy. I'm fine with that.

In reply to neon4891:

Good for you, you can get a Caliber!

Salesmen are shady.lol. A saleman from a different dealer but in the same network as the one I was dealing with listed the srt on craigslist for a $1000 less then the guy I was dealing with. Original saleman didn't even know. Doh!

RossD wrote: In reply to neon4891: Good for you, you can get a Caliber!

I cant tell if it's intentional or not but that was hilarious.

84FSP wrote: I've been waiting for some combo of srt4 and first gen neon yo hit the challenge. I remember the awesome pucker as a friends srt would change lanes ala torque steer when shifting hard into 3rd...

Fellow board member wae took a 97 Neon with an SRT4 turbo (attached to a stock 2.0 DOHC engine) to the 2006 and (I think) 2012 challenge.

84FSP wrote: I've been waiting for some combo of srt4 and first gen neon yo hit the challenge. I remember the awesome pucker as a friends srt would change lanes ala torque steer when shifting hard into 3rd...

A friend and I had the same idea. We were going to put an SRT-4 drivetrain in a 1g Neon coupe, leave the steelies on it and make it a bit of a street brawler. Unfortunately, I had no place for it and his woman refused to let a Neon on their property, so it was doomed before it began.