Archive for the ‘Autos’ Category

I recently financed the new Dodge Caliber Sport edition. I’ve only had this car for 4 months, but I love it and hope to drive it for many years to come.

The 2.0L engine has the kick I’m looking for (I opted not to get the 2.4, but for those with a heavy foot and want a quick start, I’d opt for the 2.4). The new CVT transmission is wonderful. You don’t feel the change in gears as the car increases in speed.

I opted for the FWD (Front Wheel Drive) which is great, but the vehicle I test drove had AWD (All Wheel Drive) and I regret not paying extra to get the AWD (on the icy roads the AWD would have been much safer). The ABS are great also. I’ve never driven a vehicle with ABS braking before, so it startled me the first couple of times, but I do notice the difference in stoping and sliding.

Cruise control is optional. I opted for it and I love using it on the highway. It’s easy to use and responds well to the road and the speeds I want to go.

The exterior colours are numerous (I believe there are 10 different colour choices). Also, depending on the variation you choose (SE, SXT, Sport SXT, R/T) the handles and wheel-rims are decorated differently.

The interior is spacious and I find the seats very comfortable – the rear seats lean back a bit to give more comfort to those riding in the backseats. The interior comes in a variety of colours (for the Sport and R/T edition there are different choices for the seat inserts). The drivers seat moves up and down, back and forth. I opted for the heated seats, which I find to be one of the best features of the car, as on those cold days, they come in very handy!

The stereo is great. It’s loud and adjustable. There is an MP3 hook up and a iPod holder in the arm-rest (the armrest itself slides forward and back to make for more comfort). I opted for the rear fold-down speakers which are attached to the hatchback (rear door) of the car.

The cooler installed infront of the passenger seat is a great option to hold smaller water and cola bottles.

The cup-holder lights are great at night. They make finding and replacing your drink easier.

The dashboard controls are well placed and easy to find. The reflective rear-view mirror is great (but not needed if you’re getting tinting on the hatchback window).

In the Sport and R/T editions everything comes powered: power windows, power locks, power mirrors.

Some of the problems or downsides of the car are the lack of space in the glove compartment. I find that the car doesn’t come equip with much of a glove compartment and therefore things tend to end up on the backseat or on the floor (the arm-rest does pop up and hold some items, but it’s not large enough to hold maps and whatnot).

I’ve also found that I tend to run out of windshield washer fluid rather quickly. I am unsure if the windshield washer fluid container is smaller or that more fluid is squirted out when I need it, but I do find that I was going through windshield washer fluid much faster than I used to.

I also find that the cooler doesn’t keep drinks refrigerator cool, but it does keep drinks cooler than the outside temperature. Also, another downside of the cooler is that it doesn’t hold larger bottles.

The cigarette lighter is also in a bad spot. It’s right under the heating control and when you plug in a phone charger to the cigarette lighter it takes up space and with differing adapters you can no longer use the first cup-holder.

Overall I love this car! Most of my concerns are cosmetic or spacial in nature. I would, and have, recommended this car to everyone I know!

The Best Automotive Electronics and Accessories

The number one item on the list of automotive accessories this year would be the car GPS navigation system. This little device no longer requires you to sign up for monthly GPS service and the prices for the equipment have become much cheaper. They have also become very user friendly and they are very accurate. Enter your destination and the system will take you right to the doorstep. The Garmin, Magellan, and Tom Tom name brands are rated as some of the best on the market. Just like the personal computer and the cell phone, this auto accessory is becoming the new can’t live without’ device.

A relatively new auto accessory that is gaining popularity, and is now being offered in some new car models is HD Radio, meaning Hybrid Digital Radio. This technology allows AM and FM radio stations to broadcast MP3 quality digital audio. HD Radio provides multi-casting ability, which allows radio stations to broadcast multiple radio programs using the same frequency. Not only will you have higher quality audio to listen to, but you will also have more listening options to choose from, with no monthly costs.

XM and Sirius radio provides another car audio listening option. There is a monthly fee for these services, but they will provide you with more listening freedom. These services send broadcasts via satellite, so you’re not limited to just the local radio stations in your area; find your favorite program and you can listen to it anywhere nationwide. These services have become the Cable’ of radio, meaning they are free from the regulations and censorship of the FCC.

The DVD video entertainment system has become another must-have electronic accessory for your car, especially for families with one or more young children. Adding this system to your car will greatly reduce the number of times you hear the question Are we there yet?’. These systems come available in multiple forms and with one or more screens for viewing. Choose from simple portable units that will plug into your cigarette lighter to more sophisticated units that combine your radio CD player and provide multiple screens mounted in the back of each headrest.

The last of the best electronic accessories on this list may not be considered an automotive accessory, but should certainly be included. The Apple iPod and personal MP3 players in general have broadened the entertainment value available from your car audio/video. This nifty little device allows you to plug-in and listen to your favorite music at a very low cost. This is a plus for the budget consumer that can’t afford expensive car audio equipment. MP3 players are now able to carry more songs that can be held on a CD, so you can save on the cost and time involved with burning CDs.

Finding all of these items at reasonable prices is very easy. There are many local and Internet distributors, as well as wholesale suppliers that are competing for your business. Regardless of your budget there is a product to meet your needs.