"Steve Stone wrote: "I looked at one and saw lots of them at 3 different dealerships while shopping for a PT Cruiser. In one place the sales people were hyper about it. Trying to make it out as the hot "Gotta Have It" car of the year. It has lots of neat toys for the money. Lots of gizmos. The 110 volt AC plug in the center console and places to put toys, cellphones, etc. The factory drop down from the tailgate ghetto blaster speakers for those that just have to share their favorite sounds. What tuned me off was I don't think it would haul as much stuff in one shot as the PT Cruiser (not a fault, just my needs) and that CVT tranny. New technology is great but I don't want to be paying for a rebuild every couple of years because I bought into version 1.0 CVT in the DCX stable."
One reason they are being pushed so hard is there is a competition amongst salesman across the regions dealerships for a chance to go to a test track and drive one wide open around the track.
CVT technology is not version one but two. It has been around in other applications for a while. I have them on variable speed equipment I operate inside a large chemical plant. Never had a CVT mechanical failure but have had other failures with the equipment (process side).
I don't work for DC but have do contract on my off days to a local Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealer on occasions to transport vehicles. I have had the opportunity to drive just about every model out there. My services have also been obtained by a Ford and Chevy dealership so I get to drive a lot of different makes and models.
When I drove the Caliber it was not the RT model but the midrange model. It had plenty of pickup when pulling out in traffic and was not very uncomfortable for a 6 hour drive. It handled well except when I was on a bridge crossing a lake and the wind was blowing across the highway. The car was pushed in the same direction as the wind was going. It was not much worse then my Chevy 1500 when I have no weight in it. Only my Chevy 3500 or Dodge 2500 hold the road in strong winds and that is only due to weight and being a dolly.
Sarge