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Cool gadgets attract young car buyers

03/27/2006, 12:02 PM

By admin

Ask Patrick Carr, a 25-year-old Warren engineer, which feature he likes most about his new Dodge Caliber and you’ll get an interesting answer, explains Joe Guy Collier of Knight Ridder News. “Lighted cup holders,” Carr said without hesitation. “That was very cool. I couldn’t wait until it got dark so I could actually see them.” As it turns out, it’s the simple things that attract a lot of young buyers. Dodge enters the fray this month with the launch of the Caliber, a gadget-packed hatchback that hopes to reclaim some territory from automakers like Scion. The Caliber offers an iPod holder in the armrest, rear speakers that flip out when the tailgate is opened, a chilled storage bin in the glove compartment and a rear cargo light that pops out to serve as a flashlight.

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03/27, 12:21 PM

posted by:

Mike

It’s amazing what little things sometimes attract our attention. I thought the Caliber looked like a decent car for the money when I viewed and sat in one at the local car show. Now if it can only be more reliable than the Chrysler products of the past.

03/27, 1:44 PM

posted by:

junkie

Make it shiny.
They will come.

03/27, 2:09 PM

posted by:

Greg

thats pretty sad.

Neat little doo-dads wont make me want to buy a car, especially that ugly ass Caliber.

I’ll take a toaster-like Scion xB before I buy something that tasteless.

03/27, 2:15 PM

posted by:

BlaRo

The speakers are a great idea, along with the fridge glovebox (very useful on road trips, obviously) and the flashlight thing.

But lighted cupholders? How much horsepower do those add?

03/27, 2:59 PM

posted by:

Wayne

Very nice car……awesome seller too, people are flocking to this car.It is going to be big…we just ordered our 300hp awd srt-4

03/27, 3:28 PM

posted by:

Jerry

This is a car that was much needed in the Chrysler lineup – good looks – plenty of options – fuel economy – this car will be a big seller the way the original mustang was – you can order it the way you want it – fuel sipping 4 cyl or 300hp – front wheel drive or AWL – it’s about time someone starting thinking this way -

03/27, 3:41 PM

posted by:

manny

but… whats going to happen in 10 years when the electrical system starts failing? this just means more stuff that youre not going to use often but youre mechanic will eventually overcharge you to fix it anyways…

03/27, 8:04 PM

posted by:

Greg

I still say that thing is ugly. Reminds me of a Matrix/vibe with a Dodge fascia.

300hp awd is nice tho.

03/27, 8:20 PM

posted by:

Chris G

What attracts me, a 20 year old, is a car that goes exactly where you intend to go, has power in the low and mid range, and has solid build quality, not lit cupholders.

03/28, 1:13 AM

posted by:

r

People need to get their priorities straight. I think you should purchase a car for it’s: reliability, functionality, performance, and value… possibly after considdering the following you may want to look at all the “cool gadgets”

03/28, 8:42 AM

posted by:

Summerwolf

order a stripped down version, none of the gadgets with the awd turbo and have fun….Unless the gadgets are standard or something, and if they are…strip them out. I’ve never needed a cooler enough to have one as standard equiptment, I own a maglight, and I definitely don’t want to have highlighted cups to show me how thirsty I am on a long roadtrip….

03/28, 1:35 PM

posted by:

FU2

That rear is monstruously ugly

03/28, 8:42 PM

posted by:

Rocket Punch

“5. Very nice car……awesome seller too, people are flocking to this car.It is going to be big…we just ordered our 300hp awd srt-4
Comment by Wayne, posted on March27 at 2:59 pm”

Wow what crap!? How can you order a SRT-4 with AWD when they don’t even make them……

did they custom built one just for you????

04/12, 12:48 PM

posted by:

toyota sucks

if i wanted a scion i would buy a cardboard box thow on some lawnmower wheels and slap a weedeater engine in the front of it.at least the caliber stands out from the rest.

 
 
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