Jason E
10-31-2006, 09:06 AM
I know I don't post around here much anymore, but still manage to lurk at lunch. As I've watched each of our new models roll through, I am always wondering...how would GM have attacked these various segments if they had a new model hitting right now? To wit:
Dodge Caliber:
I know I've talked about this one before. Its doing great in sales, dealers can't keep them in stock, and its surpassing sales expectations. But, when you look at the core car? The CVT sucks (when you let off the gas sometimes, it feels like you're lurching and hitting the brakes, too) and the interior screams injection molded plastic. Otherwise though, its not too shabby. The doors sound like a piece of tin when you slam one, but otherwise the car is ok. However, seeing as how new launches are more crucial for DCX than ever before, the above items seem unacceptable IMO.
Dodge Nitro:
We just got our first one in yesterday...a basic SXT with cruise, tinted windows and an AT for $22,945. Great price point. Extremely solid ride. Nice interior design, with a substantial feel to the console, center stack instruments, nice two-tone cloth seats. IMO, it seems very well equipped for the money, and the 3.7 seems to be mated to the AT well. But when you walk around to the front of it, IMO the nose is just AWFUL. Also, with the SXTs, you don't get body color bumpers and wheel flares, which scream cheap and in certain colors I've seen, simply UGLY.
Jeep Compass:
The Compass seems to go over better than the Caliber IMO. The interior, while more bland, is at least a relatively decent design...but its still plasticky as hell. This is an even more glaring problem with the Compass than the Caliber, because the Compass is a significantly more expensive vehicle. It bases $2,000 higher, and its not uncommon to have a $24-25k Compass when you have an AWD Limited model. The doors are much more solid than the Caliber, and its nice because the 2.4 is the only engine (gutless 1.8s and 2.0s are in the Caliber, too), AND you can get it with a 5 speed and AWD. Overall, the Compass is selling better for us, but nationwide it appears the Caliber is selling at a much faster rate. I will say, the handling and ride seems excellent for its intended market.
Jeep Wrangler:
:bow: I've always liked Wranglers, but never wanted to live with their flappy tops, awful ride and cheap interior. The '07s are amazing...the ride is phenomenal, the cloth tops don't flap AT ALL, even at 80, and the interior, while still plasticky like every other DCX launch, is much more functional, attractive and usable. Its great seeing a Wrangler with PW, PL and a GREAT Infinity stereo for under $25k in the Sahara model. So what sucks about it? Its kind of like comparing a 4th gen to a 3rd gen...sure, its smoother, quieter, more comfortable and has much better ergonomics and build quality, but somewhere along the way it lost charm. The torquey I6 has been replaced by a minivan 3.8. You feel less of the road and the elements. Its like a double edged sword...what made the old Wrangler elemental and fun also made it annoying. No annoyances in the new one, but it seems less endearing...and I've noticed many Wrangler owners agreeing. I've sold 2 $30k Rubicons since my '07s showed up. Both customers waited until our '07s showed up, then ripped the new models a new a**hole, and bought the old style. Go figure...for me, despite this, I'd still buy an '07 in a heartbeat. They're so much more livable, and the price point is far better than the old ones...the old ones were at least $3-4k overpriced for what you got, across the board...
Chrysler Sebring
Haven't driven one yet, but we just got our first one in this morning. Being a car guy, I'm very interested to take it for a spin and compare it to a G6 and Aura. More news after lunch ;)
Dodge Caliber:
I know I've talked about this one before. Its doing great in sales, dealers can't keep them in stock, and its surpassing sales expectations. But, when you look at the core car? The CVT sucks (when you let off the gas sometimes, it feels like you're lurching and hitting the brakes, too) and the interior screams injection molded plastic. Otherwise though, its not too shabby. The doors sound like a piece of tin when you slam one, but otherwise the car is ok. However, seeing as how new launches are more crucial for DCX than ever before, the above items seem unacceptable IMO.
Dodge Nitro:
We just got our first one in yesterday...a basic SXT with cruise, tinted windows and an AT for $22,945. Great price point. Extremely solid ride. Nice interior design, with a substantial feel to the console, center stack instruments, nice two-tone cloth seats. IMO, it seems very well equipped for the money, and the 3.7 seems to be mated to the AT well. But when you walk around to the front of it, IMO the nose is just AWFUL. Also, with the SXTs, you don't get body color bumpers and wheel flares, which scream cheap and in certain colors I've seen, simply UGLY.
Jeep Compass:
The Compass seems to go over better than the Caliber IMO. The interior, while more bland, is at least a relatively decent design...but its still plasticky as hell. This is an even more glaring problem with the Compass than the Caliber, because the Compass is a significantly more expensive vehicle. It bases $2,000 higher, and its not uncommon to have a $24-25k Compass when you have an AWD Limited model. The doors are much more solid than the Caliber, and its nice because the 2.4 is the only engine (gutless 1.8s and 2.0s are in the Caliber, too), AND you can get it with a 5 speed and AWD. Overall, the Compass is selling better for us, but nationwide it appears the Caliber is selling at a much faster rate. I will say, the handling and ride seems excellent for its intended market.
Jeep Wrangler:
:bow: I've always liked Wranglers, but never wanted to live with their flappy tops, awful ride and cheap interior. The '07s are amazing...the ride is phenomenal, the cloth tops don't flap AT ALL, even at 80, and the interior, while still plasticky like every other DCX launch, is much more functional, attractive and usable. Its great seeing a Wrangler with PW, PL and a GREAT Infinity stereo for under $25k in the Sahara model. So what sucks about it? Its kind of like comparing a 4th gen to a 3rd gen...sure, its smoother, quieter, more comfortable and has much better ergonomics and build quality, but somewhere along the way it lost charm. The torquey I6 has been replaced by a minivan 3.8. You feel less of the road and the elements. Its like a double edged sword...what made the old Wrangler elemental and fun also made it annoying. No annoyances in the new one, but it seems less endearing...and I've noticed many Wrangler owners agreeing. I've sold 2 $30k Rubicons since my '07s showed up. Both customers waited until our '07s showed up, then ripped the new models a new a**hole, and bought the old style. Go figure...for me, despite this, I'd still buy an '07 in a heartbeat. They're so much more livable, and the price point is far better than the old ones...the old ones were at least $3-4k overpriced for what you got, across the board...
Chrysler Sebring
Haven't driven one yet, but we just got our first one in this morning. Being a car guy, I'm very interested to take it for a spin and compare it to a G6 and Aura. More news after lunch ;)