Which Small Crossover???? Dodge Caliber? Nissan Versa? etc.

[Wishing on a star]

We are beginnng to think about a new vehicle... We are looking at a small crossover/hatchbacks (for luggage, our big black Lab, etc...) Something affordable, and without the 16-18 mpg of an SUV.

We have looked at the Nissan Versa and it is a very very NICE vehicle... the interior is sweet!! leather wrapped wheel.. etc... The body style just doesn't have the looks... Now I am really loving the looks of the Dodge Caliber... But, I don't think that there is any way that the mechanical quality (or the interior styling) could begin to compare to the Nissan.

Anybody have a smaller hatchback/crossover vehicle???

Any thoughts are appreciated!!!
You can reply by PrivateMessage too, that is fine.

Thanks!

 

[Golf4food]

I'd be hesitant to buy any Chrysler (Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep) product right now because their company is not in good shape financially at the moment. One financial analyst group estimated that if they don't make changes to improve they could become insolvent within a year (heard on the Clark Howard radio show). Not a good thing.

That said, we have a 1999 Nissan Altima that is still running strong with almost 100K on it and has only ever needed minor mechanical repairs, all of which would be expected on any older car due to wear and tear. I would be more than willing to give another Nissan a look when we replace it.

BTW, not all SUVs get bad mileage. Our 2008 Ford Escape averages a little over 24 mpg and is rated for 20 city/26 highway.

 

[Patch'sD]

I thought the Nissan Versa is a Small Sub Compat. Are you confusing that with the Rouge.

 

[juligrl]

I'd be hesitant to buy any Chrysler (Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep) product right now because their company is not in good shape financially at the moment. One financial analyst group estimated that if they don't make changes to improve they could become insolvent within a year (heard on the Clark Howard radio show). Not a good thing.

...yeah, but 2.99 gas and lifetime power-train (which I believe they still may be offering) are pretty tempting.

 

[ndelaware]

http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/escapehybrid/

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks everyone!
Including the private message.

We are leaning towards the Caliber.
I LOVED the nissan, well, because it is a Nissan. That interior is very nice! And, I am sure that the Nissan engineering beats the American Dodge...
Just a note... the Versa is a little bigger than one might think... it is compact, but not a sub-compact. It is the exterior styling that looks like more like the regular compact... That is what holds me back. As a man, my husband, I am sure, feels much better about driving the aggressive styling of the Caliber.

The EPA sticker on the Calibers rates up to 27-28 miles per gallon. Just a very very small fraction difference from the Versa. Which surprizes me!

The biggie is this... we are trading a Jeep Liberty, which is closing in on 100,000. miles! We have loved our Jeep... It was still more a JEEP when we bought it... Now they look like the mediocre Dodge/Chrysler engineering... (but I digress....) If we trade our Jeep in now at the Dodge/Jeep dealership, they can still offer a SWEET deal for out trade in. Much more than we could ever get on any Nissan lot.

We looked at a Caliber that had a package with the nice leather wrapped steering wheel, fog lights, satellite radio..

I know it's not a Nissan, but I think it is winning out.

It does have a really cool looking back facade.

 

[livie1205]

I rented a caliber not so long ago and it had great gas milage and it drove pretty good..

 

[Golf4food]

...yeah, but 2.99 gas and lifetime power-train (which I believe they still may be offering) are pretty tempting.

A lot of good that deal is if the company goes bankrupt next year and ceases to honor the warranties or the $2.99 gas deal...

 

[wvjules]

I had a Dodge Caliber and liked it. It was a decent amount of car for the money. It had sunroof, power windows, MP3/CD/IPOD stereo, foglights, liftgate speakers, etc. The MPG was close to 20. Oh, the tires are EXPENSIVE! I had to get a new one and it ws $190. After it was stolen I ended up with a Nissan Sentra...not the crossover you're looking for but I think the overall quality of Nissan vehicles is much better than the Dodge/Chrysler vehicles.