Caliber SRT-4

[gti_7]

I just wanted to share that my wife and I went to a local Dodge dealer today to take a look at the PT Cabrios. She had mentioned having an interest in them, and to my suprise they had a white SXT Caliber on the lot. I have to say that its very presentable in person, much more than on paper. The first thing that came to my wifes mind was that it looked like a smaller Magnum, and that you sit very close togther [side by side]. After i told her it replaces the Neon, it then made sense. [the close seating arrangements.] My wife also mentioned she liked the placement of the shifter, which i have to agree is quite functional and different.

To me however it looked spunky, and much better than the vibe. It reminded me of a revised and smaller looking Dodge Lancer [H body] as it has a mini looking trunk lid which is actually a lift gate, like the Shadow [p body] and lancers [h body]

I think its going to do quite well. I would like to see the SRT model in person. 2d doesnt do the car justice. The front and rear ends do not look as bland in person as they do in picture. its really a neat little package. Id definetly consider one, but without the CVT personally, i like to row the gears myself.


bernard

[1QK4DR]

I was reading and they want to price it around 26,000. I know the SRT-4 neon's were hard to negotiate the price down because I tried couple of years ago and that is why I ended up buying a new Mustang. I also know that you can get into a new Impalla SS which is a full size car with a 303HP motor for 26K. So hopefully it will be closer to 20,000 dollars because there is a lot bigger and nicer cars you can get for 26,000 dollars. Heck you can pick up an 2005 Magnum RT for around that price if you keep your eyes open,lol.

Joe

1990 volvo 240
1991 Spirit Rt
2003 Mustang Cobra

[sandy2.5]

the allpar site doesn't give me the information i'm looking for at all.

what kind of materials are in use in the new motor? i've heard it's got cast pistons, is this true?

the current SRT-4 engine is EXCEPTIONAL. forged pistons, special rods, extremely strong crank, oil-cooled pistons, etc etc. i hear this new motor is really nothing all that special. 70 more hp than the SRT-4, and only 10 more lb-ft? lame.

too heavy, too gaudy, too expensive... no thanks!

[blackbird]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandy2.5 the current SRT-4 engine is EXCEPTIONAL. forged pistons, special rods, extremely strong crank, oil-cooled pistons, etc etc. i hear this new motor is really nothing all that special. 70 more hp than the SRT-4, and only 10 more lb-ft? lame.

Actually it has cast eutectic pistons, forged rods, and a pretty strong cast crank. Not much tech info on the new engine yet. Hyundai supposedly did most of the development work on the bottom end. Since it holds that torque rating over a 4k rpm range it means they're more than likely torque managing it, but for what reason remains unknown. Also since it revs out higher it's making that horsepower rating up top where the current engine is already done. Sounds like a nice power band but I'll reserve final judgment until I can see a dyno and get more specs on the powertrain.

[04SRT4]

This looks good.

[spiritmadness]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandy2.5 the allpar site doesn't give me the information i'm looking for at all. what kind of materials are in use in the new motor? i've heard it's got cast pistons, is this true? the current SRT-4 engine is EXCEPTIONAL. forged pistons, special rods, extremely strong crank, oil-cooled pistons, etc etc. i hear this new motor is really nothing all that special. 70 more hp than the SRT-4, and only 10 more lb-ft? lame. too heavy, too gaudy, too expensive... no thanks!

I read in the Car and Driver release that the pistons are Mahles, rods, and crank all forged. All aluminum block with a Garrett TD04 turbo and 50% bigger IC. The engine is basically the same design as the older SRT-4 engine (still has the oil squirters) except for the beefier internals and slightly different boreXstroke making compression 8.6:1. These few changes are due to the combined GEMA effort. It also has dual VVT making the same fuel economy as its predecessor yet the vehicle is just under 200lbs heavier than the neon SRT-4. 200 lbs heavier and a 70 HP increase to me means a slightly faster vehicle if the old estimate of 10 lbs/hp durring a weight reduction is close to accurate. All that and the C&D price estimate is 22K. For me it sounds good, really good. And since my wife is pregnant, I will probably be trading in my 04 SRT-4 for a new Caliber SRT (my only reason is the larger cargo space, hehe ). By the way, if anyone is interested in a stock 04 SRT - black with 30,100 miles in just about mint condition for $16,500 let me know.

[blackbird]

Haven't picked up the newest C&D yet, but I've seen mention of the Garrett TD04 from a couple people. Well unless Mitsu happened to buy Garrett from Honeywell recently, I'll hold off on believing every spec they throw out. Even with the weight gain it should be slightly quicker. But I can't wait to see some independant dyno's and more improtantly, track times. With 12" front rotors and calipers off the bigger cars it's going to be hard to fit a decent set of slicks on it.
Eric

[spiritmadness]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackbird Haven't picked up the newest C&D yet, but I've seen mention of the Garrett TD04 from a couple people. Well unless Mitsu happened to buy Garrett from Honeywell recently, I'll hold off on believing every spec they throw out. Even with the weight gain it should be slightly quicker. But I can't wait to see some independant dyno's and more improtantly, track times. With 12" front rotors and calipers off the bigger cars it's going to be hard to fit a decent set of slicks on it. Eric

New SRT Caliber is supposed to have 19" rims (225/45/19). I am thinking about it as a new style PT GT that comes with a stage 2 stock.

[88jbody]

for 2006 they are available 1.8 FWD, 2.0 FWD and 2.4 AWD the AWD is currently only available with a CVT transmision, but for late 06 will have a manual option the srt4 version has not been given a release date, but that is how they look, I work at a dealership and went to the ride and drive for the release of them they are quite a good car, I was very impresed and once the srt4 hits production I just may get one. especially becuase mopar performance is going to put out upgrade packages as well like they did for the srt4 neon

[blackbird]

One of the Chrysler guys on the srtforums has unofficially hinted that it should arrive spring '07 and it might start around $22k. If we're lucky it might be a little sooner, but nothing is set in stone yet. I've already driven one of the base cars and it wasn't too bad. Smooth engine, reasonable power, nice chassis, but styling is going to be subjective.
Eric

[Dean Stillie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andre' Parker There is a picture of a blue coupe floating around that doesn't look bad at all. I hope that they make it like that instead of the Caliber that we all see. We'll have to see what pans out. I am sure in the future we will see the Evo with the same motor we will be stuck with. The open deck "world motor". It has some good points and bad points just like everything else. AWD would be a plus as our SRT4's have horrible traction problems. I hope that now since they have the SRT V8 versions out there, we don't get shafted when it comes to SRT versions of a turbo 4 cyl. Looks like rwd is making a comeback in a big way.

I mentioned the open deck to the parts guy at a local dealler he pulled up the pic of the short block and in the pic is was not an open deck!
(and it wasn't a pic of the neon 2.4 motor)

[88jbody]

I really like the fact that the reas seats are reclinable on some models...I had one in the shop the other day for a Check engine light, bad O2 from the factory had 300kms