Dodge Caliber / Jeep Compass Opinions

I am looking for what people think of the the Dodge Caliber and Jeep
Compass.
I am looking at ordering a Jeep Compass, early in the new year, and am
looking for opinions from those that own either the Jeep, or the Dodge
Caliber. I know that both are very simular, and I have seen alot of
Calibers, but very few Jeeps.

I tend to avoid purchasing a first year vehicle, however, my current
car is on its last legs, and will more then likely not make it till
next year.

Any opinions on the new transmission in these vehicles? I personally
would rather the manual, but being that my wife will be driving this
more often then not, I don't get much say.

Any problems with these vehicles?

Thank you,

Mike
mlawrenc(at)gmail.com

 

I'm wrestling with exactly the same decision, with exactly the same timing.
Like you I've always preferred manuals, but I love that CVT on both
vehicles. I suppose I'd get blasé about it, but that 6-1 ratio range does
great things, especially 2100 rpm on the highway, which is amazing for a
4-cylinder car.

Haven't seen any indication of problems yet, but since both the engine and
transmissions are brand new only time will tell. Of course, variable valve
timing is not really new (and neither are CVTs) so it may not be that risky.

I'm also looking at the HHR, which has the advantage of being in the second
year of production and having established a good record for reliability and
quality in its first year.

One problem the HHR and Caliber share (and the Compass too in a lesser
degree) is rather poor visibility due to thick pillars. I especially dislike
the rear view on the Caliber, although few owners complain about it on
forums, so maybe I'm worrying for nothing.

I just love the way the seats fold on all three vehicles, particularly that
forward-folding front passenger's seat. Why didn't anyone think of that
before?

Another thing that appeals to me is the colors available on all three. I
think the Caliber looks great in white, the Compass in that smashing Jeep
Green, and the HHR really classy in beige. You have to see them in the
metal; pictures don't do them justice.

If your car is on its last legs, one way to give it a rest and find out what
you like is to rent each one for a week or two. It'll cost a few bucks but
it may be a good investment to be sure what you like.

 

If this is a Jeep then do you intend to sell it used at some point and try
to recoup some money out of it? If so, the CVT transmission will
not carrythe same resale value as the manual.

Ted

 

Ted Mittelstaedt wrote:

Well, its not REALLY a Jeep, its a little station wagon with a Jeep name
on it. So I don't think the CVT is going to be an issue as it would be
if this were a Wrangler or a (wish they still made them) Cherokee.

 

Why is that? I am not a traditional jeep owner and presumably neither would
be the next buyer.

 

Traditional Jeep people are attracted to a "Jeep".

 

Having been burned a few times I always wait a few model years on a new
mechanical design.
Everything mechanical is new with the Caliber.

The CVT also interests me, but I'm wondering why we see auto
transmissions going up to 6 and 8 speeds.
I would definitely rent any car before I buy, as I've done for my last 2
cars which I've been very happy driving.

 

So far the reliability has looked really good for the Caliber and there
shouldn't be any reason to expect the Compass to be different. That
said, I hate everything about the Compass and I wish it didn't exist.
Rather soon, the Patriot will come out on the same platform and it will
be a bit more Jeepy than the Compass with possibly more interior room
and better sightlines.

 

It has nothing to do with that. I kind of wonder if you have ever bought
a used car you don't think like the typical used car buyer.

A used car buyer is going to prefer a manual since manuals are simpler
and have less to go wrong, and when they do go wrong, they are
less expensive to fix.

Ted

 

A very small percentage of people still want to change gears. Doesn't
matter if they are buying new or used. Hell, nobody under the age of
40 even knows how to change gears anymore. If you are buying for
resale get the CVT.

Steve B.

 

True for most car models. Not true for offroad or economy
vehicles.

Not true. But, my statement earlier was too simplistic anyway, just as
yours is,
so I'll clarify it.

If your NOT buying for resale, get whatever you want. But, if you are,
what matters is WHEN you are going to sell it.

If your going to sell it in 2 years then Steve is probably right, people
will
go for the CVT. But if your going to sell it in 10 years that's a different
story. Used vehicle buyers of 10 year old vehicles are going to go for
the most reliable vehicle that somewhat matches what they are looking
for, and a simpler transmission is worth more.

Ted

 

I think you meant to say nobody over 40 - baby boomers didn't shift gears.

That preference might be true, but there's no reason to speculate about
whether there's any value there. I would certainly trust somebody like NADA
on this question. I wouldn't even ask it on usenet. Why listen to mindless
crap when data are available? It just doesn't make sense.

Anyway, the automotive press has been saying that the CVT is not very
likable.. You (OP) will need to really drive it and see just how good/awful
it is. That'll matter too, a lot. When you go to resell people will be more
aware of all the flaws.

 

I agree.

 

I like the Compass over the Patriot but both vehicles need a decent
turbo diesel or even (gasp!) the 2.7 v6 mated to the CVT and the
uprated 4x4 system/suspension with the whole drivetrain tuned for
performance.

No one is going to take that platform seriously until it can compete on
the road rallye circuit.

 

I would tend to disagree with this statement.
This may depend on your location, but I have noticed that the majority
of people ages 18 - 30 would rather a manual transmission. The major
factors for this is fuel savings and performance.
I do not understand however, how the CVT transmission can be beat by
the manual 5 speed. In theory, the CVT, if designed and configured
correctly, should be better on fuel, and still out perform a manual.
There is always 100% power to the road when accelerating (no pause
between gears), and the computer can maintain optimal RPM/Gear ratio
for either best performance or fuel economy.

I would love to see this transmission in a SRT4 Neon environment. With
a good computer program, this would be a fast car, and still get good
gas mileage.

This is just my thoughts.

Mike
mlawrenc(at)gmail.com

 

I would think that maybe the 2.4l SRT4 engine, but the engine size may
lack on the torque needed for the much heavier body.
Mike

 

I literally can't think of any person I know under the age of 35 who
owns a manual transmission car. I love driving manuals, but I don't even
own one any more.

Most 4- and 5-speed conventional automatics ALREADY get better gas
mileage than a manual 5-speed or 6-speed in the same vehicle with the
same gearing, so a CVT should be better still. When the computer
controls the shifts, EVERYTHING can be optimized, unlike when the driver
short-shifts or long-shifts and the engine management system has to play
along. Back in the pre-electronic days, a good driver could ALWAYS get
better mileage out of a manual transmission, but those days ended in the
late 80s and early 90s.

 

If the above is the case, why do EPA mileage stickers on new cars
almost always show a 1 to 2 MPG advantage for the car with a manual
transmission?

Doug

 

Being under 35, I would have to disagree with you steve. This may be
all depend on where you live too. I know that in most Canadian Cities I
have lived in (or have friends in), alot of the people I know would
prefer a manual transmission. Most settle with a auto for one of two
reasons (both of which I am guilty of);
1. Take what you can get. Needed a car, got a good deal on an auto.
2. Have to pre-order the car, and wait approx. 8 weeks for it to
arrive. (manual transmission is a special order)

This is just my 2cents.
Mike
mlawrenc(at)gmail.com