Dodge vs. Ford Engine/Tranny

[outoforder]

Spinoff of my post yesterday. I've narrowed my car search down to a 2011 Dodge Caliber with 481 miles ($12,200) and a 2006 Ford Focus Wagon with 33,000 miles ($10,200). What engines and transmissions are in these two and how do they compare? The Ford has a 4 speed auto and the Dodge is a 5 speed manual. I appreciate everyone's input.

 

[bigjl]

You will need to give a bit more info because both are available with several petrol engines in the UK so apart from not getting the diesel versions in the US I assume there are a couple of options.

The manual box in the Focus is a decent gearbox, long lived and easy to use, clutch is light.

Not sure what engines you get in the Focus in the US but there is a 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 in the UK, 2.0 isn't much more powerful than the 1.8 so most go for the smaller engine for better economy.

Don't know anything about petrol Calibers.

If you are going to keep the car for a few years it may be better to go for the newer car as it will have a warranty etc. and has already lost a lot of value.

$10000 for a 2006 Focus? Sounds expensive if it is the earlier shape but not so bad if the newer model which is also the underpinnings of the S40, C30 and V50.

My own car is a Volvo V50 and I have had no issues with it.

In four years time the Caliber will have been on the road for four years, the Focus for 10.

Focus is a better car, I assume by wagon you mean estate, rather than five door hatchback?

 

[outoforder]

Correct, the focus is the wagon (estate) and not the hatchback version. Both the Focus and the Caliber have 2.0L four cylinder engines. The Focus is in excellent shape. Probably sat around some old person's garage considering it has been driven an average of 5,000 miles a year. I've owned Fords in the past and have been happy with them. I have never owned a Dodge and don't know much about their engine and transmission durability. I'm aware that from a style and interior standpoint, the Caliber sucks. However, I can overlook these features for a quality engine and tranny.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: outoforder
Spinoff of my post yesterday. I've narrowed my car search down to a 2011 Dodge Caliber with 481 miles ($12,200) and a 2006 Ford Focus Wagon with 33,000 miles ($10,200). What engines and transmissions are in these two and how do they compare? The Ford has a 4 speed auto and the Dodge is a 5 speed manual. I appreciate everyone's input.

My mother has a caliber with the 4 cylinder engine and the cvt tranny. My mustang gets better mileage.
Personally I'd buy the ford

 

[SwampSurvivor]

The 5 speed manual in the Caliber is about the only appleaing thing.

The 4 speed auto in the Focus isn't the most reliable.

I think I'd rather take my chances with a Ford automatic than the general, overall, complete unreliability of a Chrysler product.

 

[Spazdog]

I haven't really driven a newer Caliber. The one I drove was a gutless, slow steering mess but I'm to understand that Dodge improved the interior significantly and discarded the GEMA 1.8. Maybe they grabbed the rack and pinion out it's sister car the Lancer while they were at it.

If you can get past the Aztek/Malibu Maxx styling, it may be a good car.

I haven't driven that vintage of Focus in quite some time. I have driven a few of the 2nd generation Foci. The money that they saved cheaping out on the interior (mismatched grains and colors of plastics, no rear headrests...etc...) they put back into driveability. It was a good driving car. On paper it's down a few horsepower compared to the Cobalt but don't tell the Focus that. It feels much stronger. Handling is actually quite good. Surprisingly good. Cruises well on the interstate. Brakes felt weird at the pedal but they worked well.

If I needed a cheap four cylinder car, the 2nd Gen Focus would be at or near the top of the list. Unfortunately, they ceased to make the 5-door and wagon for that generation.

 

[Dakota1820]

my mom bought her 09 focus brand new for 10.500 plus her trade which was 3000 for trade. so i would say that particular focus is to much. i would only pay around 6000 or so for it. the caliber is by far the better deal and is practically new. if you take care of it it could be a very good car. my family on my dads side only bought Chrysler and they were always good cars. mopar isn't as awful as some keyboard mechanics say they are. i personally wouldn't be afraid of the caliber i mean its almost new. i would probably be more interested in it. and its a 5 speed.

 

[AuthorEditor]

I agree that the price on the Focus is high, but I think it is a much better vehicle. My father is nearing 200,000 on an older Focus wagon, and he has had no major problems though he maintained it strictly by the book at the dealer. The interior is a bit noisy, but surprisingly roomy, comfortable, and agile. The automatic works well on his car and he has had no mechanical problems with it.

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: AuthorEditor
I agree that the price on the Focus is high, but I think it is a much better vehicle. My father is nearing 200,000 on an older Focus wagon, and he has had no major problems though he maintained it strictly by the book at the dealer. The interior is a bit noisy, but surprisingly roomy, comfortable, and agile. The automatic works well on his car and he has had no mechanical problems with it.


+1 Heard good things about the Focus

 

[dishdude]

The Caliber is essentially a brand new car for only $2k more. Why buy something 5 years older with 33k miles to save $2k?

If I were to bet, I'd put my money on the manual in the Caliber being the more reliable drivetrain.

 

[Dakota1820]

i can tell you in the time my mom has owned her focus it now has 48,000 on it and it has rear end squeaking. not sure why. door squeaks. car had to be updated once, had to have some wiring fixed for the rear reverse lights and the passenger side window regulator. overall not a bad car but it doesn't live up to the hype imo.

 

[Dakota1820]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
The Caliber is essentially a brand new car for only $2k more. Why buy something 5 years older with 33k miles to save $2k?

If I were to bet, I'd put my money on the manual in the Caliber being the more reliable drivetrain.


THIS!!

 

[outoforder]

It isn't so much a money saving issue as a quality issue. If the Caliber transmission and engine is just as good as the Focus Wagon, then there really isn't much debate. My concern is the quality of the Caliber. My gut feeling is that Dodge cannot match Ford in the quality and durability department. However, I'm open to be educated on why thinking that way wrong.... Also, I'd like to have a roof rack on the car so I can mount a turtle shell for extra storage. The focus already has the rails. Can this be added to the Caliber?

 

[Dakota1820]

what engine is in the caliber

 

[Brons2]

How long are you planning to keep it? Surely the Caliber has some factory warranty remaining with such low mileage. If you're only planning on keeping it a few years, you may have a few years of warranty on the powertrain remaining.

Normally I'd say go for the Ford but a basically brand new car for such a low cost is hard to ignore, even if it is a Dodge Caliber. And I'd much rather have a manual. I vote Dodge, this time only.

 

[Texan4Life]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
The Caliber is essentially a brand new car for only $2k more. Why buy something 5 years older with 33k miles to save $2k?

If I were to bet, I'd put my money on the manual in the Caliber being the more reliable drivetrain.


+1

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Rear end squeaking on the Focus is a baking plate for the drum brakes rubbing on the cable or something I think.

 

[outoforder]

My plan is to keep the car until the wheels feel off, or situation dictates a different car. No planning for kids in the immediate future and I'm not the person who says "I'm sick of driving this car, I want a new one".

 

[tig1]

My 07 Focus has been outstanding. The 2.0 is a stong, long lasting engine that gets 27-29 local and 34-36 hyw MPG. The only repairs I have done is the alternator and heater fan switch. As I change oil every 10K, the oil level never drops below the full mark. As for the trans, it shifts great up and down, summer or winter. Very consistant car.

 

[cb_13]

Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
i can tell you in the time my mom has owned her focus it now has 48,000 on it and it has rear end squeaking. not sure why. door squeaks. car had to be updated once, had to have some wiring fixed for the rear reverse lights and the passenger side window regulator. overall not a bad car but it doesn't live up to the hype imo.

The squeak in the rear is probably the parking brake cables rubbing on the metal eyelets they are routed through. Seen it a time or ten.