CSRT4 anyone?

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Was thinking about adding another car to our fleet. I'm looking for something that is larger than a standard car and has a little performance (preferably turbo). I've gravitated towards the Cabliber SRT4 because it seems to meet those requirements plus it isn't depreciating very well (similar to my SRT6) which makes it a good buy used, with low miles.

Any feedback on this vehicle? I spoke with Rob on the phone (from Needswings) he said they had one with Mopar Stage1 ecu, intake, and exhaust put down 330whp and 320wtq. Pretty impressive!

I'm especially looking for feeback from people that own them:
- How much did you pay for yours (new/used)?
- How are they to insure? (keeping in mind I'm 31 and married)
- Is it comfortable for long rides?
- With those 3 aforementioned mods what numbers should be expected in the 1/4 w/ good driver?
- Anything else I should know about it in regards to reliability, drivability, aftermarket, cargo, etc?

TIA everyone

[DaBombDiggidy]

iv herd nothing but positive besides the small aftermarket (coming from a honda fan) but check out http://www.caliberforums.com/ for all your info

[ThePrimerSuspect]

im interested too as a former SRT neon owner. i still cant figure out if i like the way it looks enough to buy one or if i should just get a wrx wagon (have a kid on the way)

[ViperDom]

i could list the many advantages the MazdaSpeed3 has over the calibur but it would be more beneficial for you to Test Drive it back to back with a Calibur. DO it then get back to us...

http://images.motortrend.com/features/112_0706_06z+2007_mazdaspeed3_gt+passenger_side.jp g

[OMGz Turbo]

Okay well ill chime in since i own a NSRT, i actually looked at the CSRT as my next car because i liked the way the silver sat with the front end tucked looks nasty. The aftermarket is much similar to the NSRT most of the parts are interchangeable minus electronics. Stock form they have put down 280whp so i see them numbers not that far off from what you were told

[Eclipse GSX 61]

I'd buy a Mazdaspeed3 over the Caliber SRT4 anyday. Other than the weak motor mount which can obviously be replaced it is a much better car.

[Fireman]

MazdaSpeed 3 FTW. I think you will notice a substancial difference in the way it drives. Overall its your preference. Test drive and see how it goes.

[OMGz Turbo]

id rather get the caliber, i think the mzdaspd3 is too long

[ViperDom]

Yea, it is longer: 103.9" wheelbase for the M3 vs 103.7" for the Calibur.

That .3" is a world of difference between looking like a SportHatch(M3) or a like a miniSUV(calibur)......




FYI:
the high center of gravity of the calibur is what deceivingly makes it look shorter then the lower sleeker sportier Mazda3 :)

[vdcoff]

buy a turbocharged cobalt. They smoke the csrt4's. The csrt4's are heavy as hell, nothing like the neons were, don;t waste your money on them.

[OMGz Turbo]

Eh good point i still think the CSRT is better off, staged mods from factory, high availability not only cheap to mod and gain tons of power and still have the ability to comfortably fit 4 people and a decent size trunk

http://www.vroomin.de/files/uploads/uploads/2007/04/dodge-caliber-srt-4.jpg

[ndubz]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

The Caliber is on my **** list. Get something else so that children wont point and laugh at u as u drive past.

[Eclipse GSX 61]

Also I think something that will help your decision is by just sitting in a Caliber. You get the feel that you are sitting inside the cheapest car ever. Mazda has a nicely styled interior while the Caliber is a typical cheap big chunk of plastic Dodge interior. I was appalled by the interior.

[Scapegoat]

i got a chance to flog on the csrt-4 at an srt track experience...

i hated it.

From a family stand point, it wouldn't be a bad car to haul groceries or kids in. but from a performance stand point, it just doesn't have the umph that the neon did/does.

The seating was too high, i felt like i was in a mini van... while it handled relatively well and would probably out handle the neon srt-4, i felt disconnected from the vehicle and on the autocross course i was more comfortable taking the srt-8 jeep around the turns.

On the road course... it wasn't thaaaat entertaining. boost was quick and smooth, but obviously it being fwd meant less fun around the corners.

as far as looks, it has grown on me... a little bit, but i still prefer the appearance of the neon srt-4. the caliber is a bit more... grown up in appearance? still aggressive... but doesn't really have a personality.

If i was in the market for a new entry level turbo vehicle, i'd probably sniff around the MS3 or WRX.

total fun factor of the csrt4 just wasn't there for me. I was excited to drive it and it would make a decent daily... but it just doesn't hold up to the bare bones punky neon srt-4

[OMGz Turbo]

i got a chance to flog on the csrt-4 at an srt track experience...

i hated it.

From a family stand point, it wouldn't be a bad car to haul groceries or kids in. but from a performance stand point, it just doesn't have the umph that the neon did/does.

The seating was too high, i felt like i was in a mini van... while it handled relatively well and would probably out handle the neon srt-4, i felt disconnected from the vehicle and on the autocross course i was more comfortable taking the srt-8 jeep around the turns.

On the road course... it wasn't thaaaat entertaining. boost was quick and smooth, but obviously it being fwd meant less fun around the corners.

as far as looks, it has grown on me... a little bit, but i still prefer the appearance of the neon srt-4. the caliber is a bit more... grown up in appearance? still aggressive... but doesn't really have a personality.

If i was in the market for a new entry level turbo vehicle, i'd probably sniff around the MS3 or WRX.

total fun factor of the csrt4 just wasn't there for me. I was excited to drive it and it would make a decent daily... but it just doesn't hold up to the bare bones punky neon srt-4


Finally something i will agree with ken on, lol

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Everyone, everyone- keep in mind I owned a 2008 Mazdaspeed. I did a Motor Mount, Cobb Intake, and STS. Still wheel hopped like hell! I actually really enjoy that car and would re-buy one if it weren't for:
1. It holding it's value better than the CSRT4 (I'm looking for a performance/practicality/value)
2. My wife wants an SUV but there aren't any in the price range we are looking that interest me (I'd love an SRT8 Jeep or Trailblazer SS but they are in the high 20's-low 30's used w/ low milage!)
3. It had more space. Plenty of space for the driver but not remarkable space for cargo. My oooold Protege5 had more cargo capacity.

From a performance standpoint I've done some research and found the CSRT4 to be a better platform to mod. It uses a larger (Mitsu Evo sourced) turbo and doesn't cause all the tuning headaches direct-injection does. I got sick of hearing the Cobb guys offer excuses for the paltry performance gains from their AP tuning. Meanwhile RealTuning offers a staged kits producing over 400ft/lbs at the wheels. Granted on a FWD vehicle that has to be a b*tch to handle.

One thing I have to agree on, the looks of the Mazda are sleeker, both inside and out. However I do kind of like the utilitarian approach the CSRT4 has. I don't mind the upright/high seating position- I sit low anytime I want to get into my SRT6.

It's mainly going to be used as a DD for my wife and a vehicle to haul my video/photo gear around, w/ an occasional trip to Atco for fun. I have no plans on attempting any autocrossing lol. For that I'd bring the 6.

PS One thing that always bothered me about the MS3 was the fact the turbo runs out of steam wayyyy before redline. It hampers the overall driving experience when on spirited full throttle runs.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

im interested too as a former SRT neon owner. i still cant figure out if i like the way it looks enough to buy one or if i should just get a wrx wagon (have a kid on the way)

It's grown on me- I think it looks great.....then again this is coming from a hatch-lover who thinks the Toyota Matrix is "cool"

http://www.msprotege.com/members/LazerBlueP5/CSRT-4.jpg

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

The Caliber is on my **** list. Get something else so that children wont point and laugh at u as u drive past.

lol I'm a previous owner of an STi- the only things I liked about that car were performance oriented (and sound). I hated the over-the-top looks, particularly the mile high picnic table wing. Remove that and apart from the ridiculously large hood scoop it looks completely pedestrian (ie boring). However I know this is blasphemy on this forum!

[OMGz Turbo]

Than what are you waiting for...Go on SRTForums.com and ask their opinion... This is probably the most BIASED website besides honda tech and nasciso or wtf it is...

Or say **** it and go buy it

[Scapegoat]

lol I'm a previous owner of an STi- the only things I liked about that car were performance oriented (and sound). I hated the over-the-top looks, particularly the mile high picnic table wing. Remove that and apart from the ridiculously large hood scoop it looks completely pedestrian (ie boring). However I know this is blasphemy on this forum!

despite the low user number, i assume you're not around here much based on me not recognizing your screen name.

but you should know, there is 100% no need to respond to ndubz with anything even remotely resembling a thought out response.

[WRXD]

haha I was going to chime in if nobody else did about how the OP got rid of a MS3 for the SRT-6.

Personally I would say that if you were dissapointed w/ the performance of the MS3 the Caliber won't be much better and it has an even smaller aftermarket than the MS3 though it does have GM factory support.

Spacewise it would probably be a better choice, though I have yet to find anything that I needed to haul that I couldn't fit in my MS3-- including:

2 full sets sets of wheels and tires
10 40lb bags of top soil
a wheelbarrow four shovels and a rake (at once)
an EJ20 longblock (never hauled it, but it would fit!)

[Scapegoat]

um, i'd get rid of an MS3 for an SRT-6 any day

[OMGz Turbo]

i LOVE how everyone thinks there is a small aftermarket for this car...That is completely FALSE, its the same thing as a NSRT motor wise and MAJORITY of the parts are interchangeable meaning YES it can go big turbo, 3" TBE, wastegate,bov, CAI, pretty much whatever was made for the neon will fit minus intercooler and little stuff

heres a 500WHP caliber....but oh yes there is such a tiny aftermarket..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwalgqZAmq0

[Scapegoat]

i LOVE how everyone thinks there is a small aftermarket for this car...That is completely FALSE, its the same thing as a NSRT motor wise and MAJORITY of the parts are interchangeable meaning YES it can go big turbo, 3" TBE, wastegate,bov, CAI, pretty much whatever was made for the neon will fit minus intercooler and little stuff

heres a 500WHP caliber....but oh yes there is such a tiny aftermarket..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwalgqZAmq0

nooooo much different motor than the 2.4l in the neon SRT-4. the csrt4 is using the world motor. same basic block that is shared in the evo x and genesis 2.0l

[OMGz Turbo]

nooooo much different motor than the 2.4l in the neon SRT-4. the csrt4 is using the world motor. same basic block that is shared in the evo x and genesis 2.0l

block is different yes, but performance wise they have still adapted parts from the nsrt over with minimal work but the vvt offers super wide powerband, and it has the better tranny

[slow_spool]

heres a 500WHP caliber....but oh yes there is such a tiny aftermarket..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwalgqZAmq0

that was done on the stock fuel pump.

look for around 700hp to be done shortly on the stock short block reliably.

the motor's are very stout, but the electronics are alot different then the neon, the pcm is very similar to the genesis

[vdcoff]

It's grown on me- I think it looks great.....then again this is coming from a hatch-lover who thinks the Toyota Matrix is "cool"

http://www.msprotege.com/members/LazerBlueP5/CSRT-4.jpg

i think it looks like a wannabe subaru wrx sti

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

i think it looks like a wannabe subaru wrx sti

Or the STi is a CSRT wanna be- this design was out way before the hatch STis. Besides I think the MS3 and STI are more alike. They are much more akin in body lines and proportions. However I think the Mazda is beautiful.

[WRXD]

i LOVE how everyone thinks there is a small aftermarket for this car...That is completely FALSE, its the same thing as a NSRT motor wise and MAJORITY of the parts are interchangeable meaning YES it can go big turbo, 3" TBE, wastegate,bov, CAI, pretty much whatever was made for the neon will fit minus intercooler and little stuff

heres a 500WHP caliber....but oh yes there is such a tiny aftermarket..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwalgqZAmq0

there is a difference between small aftermarket and no aftermarket. I didn't say you couldn't put a big turbo on the CSRT4 and make it a monster. Nobody said it couldn't be done. The aftermarket and support for the MS3 and CSRT4 is nothing compared the 'new' civic (AKA wrx) and the Evo. Not to mention that I have seen maybe 5 ms3s and 2 CSRT4s on the road in the last year. Less people are driving them = less demand for parts.

[DaBombDiggidy]

csrt is a very nice car and i have seen only one in my life on the road. the space in the car is nice and is better then other hatches in its class. also with stage 1,exhaust, and intake you can make 300hp easy on stock psi, which means the car is completly retaining stock drivability and reliability.

i would only buy it in black though http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d6/polykarb/IMG_2483.jpg

[Tires2theSky]

i have to say i like the looks of the csrt...if i were to pick i would have black, not sure of the suspension setup but i would def drop it with some coilovers....i think it would mean as hell sittin low

[slow_spool]

i have to say i like the looks of the csrt...if i were to pick i would have black, not sure of the suspension setup but i would def drop it with some coilovers....i think it would mean as hell sittin low

they do look really mean dropped on co's. and they ride amazing!

ill see if i can dig up a few photo's of the realtune shop car off my old cell phone

[OMGz Turbo]

Heres on slammed on BC coils can you say 3" DROP

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o276/xtremegm/CSRT-4%20BC/l_f93024f9be504d1390482987ecb9c84d.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o276/xtremegm/CSRT-4%20BC/l_b90712ad0274414e853956ecfa77a5e7.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o276/xtremegm/CSRT-4%20BC/l_b454d33ec1054ad3bf03b299722cad02.jpg

[slow_spool]

i didnt feel like transfering pics off my cell to transfer so i pulled these of the net.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9720/39989278cx1.jpg (http://img9.imageshack.us/my.php?image=39989278cx1.jpg)

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4613/41767074ji7p.jpg (http://img9.imageshack.us/my.php?image=41767074ji7p.jpg)


stock height
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1362/27423501564cf7763af9b.jpg (http://img9.imageshack.us/my.php?image=27423501564cf7763af9b.jpg)

the Realtune Caliber:
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1138/realtunecaliber.jpg (http://img9.imageshack.us/my.php?image=realtunecaliber.jpg)

[CSRT4]

I have a 2008 caliber srt-4 and personally I love it! It is one of the most comfortable cars I have ever been in and my friends have all said the same. As far as performance goes I just have a stage 1, filter, mounts and it rips! There are people putting out 500 plus on the stock blocks already! As far as the mazdaspeed 3 goes I think they are nice but I hear once you try to up the boost the motor pops. I have raced a mazdaspeed 3 with a cobb stage kit and we were dead even. The caliber has so much more potential than the mazda in the long run tho! As far as the interior goes it does not feel cheap at all! The seats are amazing and everything is really comfortable. My last car was an audi and honestly I like the interior on the caliber better. Only thing I miss from the audi was the temp control!

[DaBombDiggidy]

^bold ass statement coming from an audi owner... but their interior is very under rated the seats reminded me of the ones in the charger.

[CSRT4]

^bold ass statement coming from an audi owner... but their interior is very under rated the seats reminded me of the ones in the charger.

I was not very happy with my Audi lol it broke down to often. However it was nice when not broken down although not fast by any means. But yeah the seats seem to be the same as the other SRT models. They are like I said before though very comfortable, they form to your body as they are designed as racing seats. I agree with you though I think alot of people do under rate the interior of the car. Then again when aren't any srt-4's under rated.

[JSpecV03]

i like the way the front end looks, but i have to agree with the statements about the interiors. and the car itself looks heavy. just my .02

[vroooom]

i like the neon a lot better.. the caliber is heavy as **** and i just dont like the look.. plus you can pick up a nice used srt neon with low low miles for like 12g's and for another 10gs you throw the awd conversion on there and you're outty

[SpEcRv9]

i like the neon a lot better.. the caliber is heavy as **** and i just dont like the look.. plus you can pick up a nice used srt neon with low low miles for like 12g's and for another 10gs you throw the awd conversion on there and you're outty

seriously do people ever read OP's or do they just suggest what they would get in that situation?

he needs more space, and wants to retain performance as much as possible....I'd say the CSRT4 is a great choice!

[downsmustang]

The only advice I can give is to shy away from the first production year of the SRT4 calibers. My buddy use to work at a dodge dealership and they had nothing but problems with the first few they got in. Two came back with completely destroyed motors. The others had assorted little problems. I'm sure they have been taken care of under warranty, but I wouldn't want to tempt fate with a car that has had problems in the past.

[RuSSo-29]

The only advice I can give is to shy away from the first production year of the SRT4 calibers. My buddy use to work at a dodge dealership and they had nothing but problems with the first few they got in. Two came back with completely destroyed motors. The others had assorted little problems. I'm sure they have been taken care of under warranty, but I wouldn't want to tempt fate with a car that has had problems in the past.

Lol, there was only 2 production years.... and only like 1k made in 2009. So that would be a little hard to do for him.

[jpalamar]

They are fugly at best. There are many cars out there that are better.

[CSRT4]

I LOVE HATERS and I love my Caliber SRT4! I really don't know why they get trashed so much. I have 23k miles on mine so far with no major problems to date.

My mods:

Mopar Stage 1
MPX Catless Downpipe
Mopar BOP
MPX Street Motor Mount Inserts
Green Drop in Filter (P#7117)
Magnaflow Muffler
5% Tint in the front 2.5% in the back
AGP Intercooler (Black)
Eibach Lowering Springs
MPX Black Headlights
MPX Antenna
MPX Dual Pillar with aem wideband and aeroforce scan gauge.

I need a get a map clamp and adjustable wastegate asap cause it runs real rich with the stage 1 and it will knock off the 300 ft/ib limiter. Should see well over 300 with that. Mazdaspeed3's are nice but they can't take the additional power! PTP has made 600 hp and 600 ft/ibs so far on an entirely stock caliber engine.

[ThePrimerSuspect]

Its the same mentality everyone had when the original srt4 came out. Calling it a pice of **** when its a proven performer. I guess its just destined to be hated on. Because its a dodge. I don't care what everyone thinks. I loved my neon and still haven't found a more fun car for the money.

[jnr5005]

As far as performance goes I just have a stage 1, filter, mounts and it rips! I have raced a mazdaspeed 3 with a cobb stage kit and we were dead even.

I think that was me haha. St. Rd.? That was fun as shyt!! I only had the intake at the time actally, but u pulled on me pretty hard that one run at 140+. The fuel cut I had at the time is gone now cuz of the tune but I see u upped your mod game too lol. Hope to see ya around again sometime! I <3 CSRT

[Felix 08CSRT-4]

idk What all you guys are talking about caliber srt4's are fast if you buy the right performance parts and they come with bucket seats,refrigerator,and kicker sound system. 19" rims from factory you guys got look into this car there is a guy running 10's on the track with one so minivan all the way lol.

[Chris B.]

Was thinking about adding another car to our fleet. I'm looking for something that is larger than a standard car and has a little performance (preferably turbo).

When I read this a few things came to mind....
How about one of the Subaru 2.5 turbo wagons?

If you want something with more space, good gas mileage, and is useful for hauling sh*t around, why not a used 2007 3.5 V6 RAV4? Yes, I know its not a great handling vehicle compared to a performance car, but its still 270 HP and has plenty of interior room. It gets the same gas mileage as the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder model. Also it can tow 3500 lbs, which means it probably can tow some of your other vehicles on a tow dolley.

[mcperson2k]

Thread is 2 years old, hes driving a 335.

[Chris B.]

Thread is 2 years old, hes driving a 335.

I didn't notice until after I posted. Why did felix bring this up from the dead? :lol:

[mcperson2k]

I didn't notice until after I posted. Why did felix bring this up from the dead? :lol:

Cause its the only thread on the entire forum about his car :lol:

[Felix 08CSRT-4]

Cause its the only thread on the entire forum about his car :lol:

lol yea its true tried searching csrt4 and nothing ppl dont like csrt4's i guess :banned:

[gtsr100]

just going to say a new cobalt ss turbo very quick cars even with easy stuff done

[fitftw]

it's an American Mopar, of course it's capable of being fast, but it's an absolute turd in the corners. Can't take onramps at 70mph in a CSRT4...

If I didn't care about turning sharply and feeling the road through the wheel and shifter, then I'd care about things like SRT's (I do of course love the Viper though)

[Higu]

Again. 2 year old thread. You are all stupid

[ohfivegoat]

i would say get whatever is the safest since you have a kid on the way.

[jpalamar]

Felix, you didn't happen to pass a yellow 05 Mustang vert on 422 around the Oakes exit at 4-430 going west yesterday did you? Figured I would ask before I don't see many CSRTs and a silver one did pass me.

[jesus_ralliart]

Next lets bring up the thread where fred flintsone wont stop banging his wife all night. what a guy.... works hard and works his wife all night. I suppose living in the time of dinosaurs is tough... might as well live life like you plan to live past 25

[Felix 08CSRT-4]

Felix, you didn't happen to pass a yellow 05 Mustang vert on 422 around the Oakes exit at 4-430 going west yesterday did you? Figured I would ask before I don't see many CSRTs and a silver one did pass me.

yea dat was me lol :bigeek:

[SpEcRv9]

i could list the many advantages the MazdaSpeed3 has over the calibur but it would be more beneficial for you to Test Drive it back to back with a Calibur. DO it then get back to us...

http://images.motortrend.com/features/112_0706_06z+2007_mazdaspeed3_gt+passenger_side.jp g

except they blow up if you look at them wrong.

[Hotshoe77]

I think its funny with all the hate coming to the csrt4. People are posting things that are blowing my mind. People are saying that a turbo cobalt ss blows the csrt4 away. From being a csrt4 owner i raced a friends turbo ss with my car all stock and was dead even. with my ms1k flash you can run with evo, sti and etc. And performance wise they keep coming out with more and more every month with performance. I just bought a big turbo kit for mine and wasnt that exspensive. Realtune is working everyday to come out with more aftermarket parts for the caliber

[daewoo]

it looks like these things are good for a mid 13 second 1/4 mile with some simple mods

[Hotshoe77]

it looks like these things are good for a mid 13 second 1/4 mile with some simple mods

Yea they are the problem is hooking up..There not bad..now can agree with the interior not being the best..the seats and everything are very nice just there is alot of plastic inside the car..but performance wise more and more keep coming out..an they are easy to mod if you do your research and buy the right stuff

[Felix 08CSRT-4]

Yea they are the problem is hooking up..There not bad..now can agree with the interior not being the best..the seats and everything are very nice just there is alot of plastic inside the car..but performance wise more and more keep coming out..an they are easy to mod if you do your research and buy the right stuff

yes sir!!!!!!!!!!!!!:supz:

[OMGz Turbo]

Coming from a nSRT i looked at the cSRT and if i found one i liked i would have done it. I wanted a silver cSRT slammed on coils