Andrew Revering
EF3
I bought a 07 Dodge Caliber, finally put my 97 purple dakota to rest.
I like the vehicle for several reasons. Here are its chase-worthy features:
1) It gets about 32 MPG on the highway from what I've been able to measure so far. Only about 700 miles on it though, so we'll see how it goes.
2) its pretty comfortable inside (heated seats even)... once you get in. I'm used to pickups so dipping down into a car is going to take some getting used to, although it's not sitting as low as most cars I don't think.
3) It has a built in 150 watt inverter with 2 prong AC outlet.
4) Has a 4 can/bottle beverage cooler built into the dash that is suppose to act as a mini fridge.
5) Passenger seat folds down almost horizontally for napping on the way home. Rear seats recline 35 degrees or so for more comfort in the back.
As with most cars rear seating isn't outstanding for leg room, however I found that if I set my front passenger seat to be comfortable for a 6 foot person (me), and get in the back, I can sit in the back seat without my knees touching the seat in front of me... given normal manly leg separation.
6) Rear cup holders, front cup holders are lighted
7) Built in thermometer, MPG, compass, and tire pressure readings in dash.
8) Has a sunroof which I think may be nice for viewing clouds above and perhaps sticking out any sort of anemometer or hygrometer on the fly. Downside is if you like to play with big hail, which I've never been a fan of. I always try to avoid hail at all costs.
I have some questions about the car that I'm addressing on other forums regarding this particular car, but figured I'd post here in case anyone had any ideas.
1) I wonder the range of the thermometer. So far I saw one person from canada post he saw it get to -16 f. I'd like to think it would be capable of measuring in the -40 range, but that may be unrealistic to ask for in a digital thermometer.
2) I intend to use a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter to use the 150 watt inverter built into the car for powering my laptop. I wonder what the consequences would be regarding risk of shock without grounding by using that, or if I should jump through some hoops to ground the 3rd prong.
3) There is limited room to mount a ham radio, however I'll probably end up doing it. There is a nice cubby hole below the radio that fits my 2 meter ham pretty snugly. If I take the center console apart I can probably cut the back of the cubby hole out, set the ham in there more snugly and then run wires to the battery. My question here would be what the proper way to power a ham is... I have never run my ham to the battery before, I always sliced into the DC plug, but was always lacking enough power to go to 50 watts. What size wire/fusing, etc. would I need?
4) Also does anyone know of a good way to drill a permanent mount for the antenna, or know of someone or some company to do it professionally, so I can hide all wires and not worry about leaks?
5) I'm also considering one of those small amplifiers that you can get to attach to your stereo for better am/fm reception. Does anyone have any experience with these devices. Are they are worth it, and what is their performance in big city and out in the country?
I should have my personalized plates within 2 months... look for a black caliber with minnesota plates that say "F5DATA".
I like the vehicle for several reasons. Here are its chase-worthy features:
1) It gets about 32 MPG on the highway from what I've been able to measure so far. Only about 700 miles on it though, so we'll see how it goes.
2) its pretty comfortable inside (heated seats even)... once you get in. I'm used to pickups so dipping down into a car is going to take some getting used to, although it's not sitting as low as most cars I don't think.
3) It has a built in 150 watt inverter with 2 prong AC outlet.
4) Has a 4 can/bottle beverage cooler built into the dash that is suppose to act as a mini fridge.
5) Passenger seat folds down almost horizontally for napping on the way home. Rear seats recline 35 degrees or so for more comfort in the back.
As with most cars rear seating isn't outstanding for leg room, however I found that if I set my front passenger seat to be comfortable for a 6 foot person (me), and get in the back, I can sit in the back seat without my knees touching the seat in front of me... given normal manly leg separation.
6) Rear cup holders, front cup holders are lighted
7) Built in thermometer, MPG, compass, and tire pressure readings in dash.
8) Has a sunroof which I think may be nice for viewing clouds above and perhaps sticking out any sort of anemometer or hygrometer on the fly. Downside is if you like to play with big hail, which I've never been a fan of. I always try to avoid hail at all costs.
I have some questions about the car that I'm addressing on other forums regarding this particular car, but figured I'd post here in case anyone had any ideas.
1) I wonder the range of the thermometer. So far I saw one person from canada post he saw it get to -16 f. I'd like to think it would be capable of measuring in the -40 range, but that may be unrealistic to ask for in a digital thermometer.
2) I intend to use a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter to use the 150 watt inverter built into the car for powering my laptop. I wonder what the consequences would be regarding risk of shock without grounding by using that, or if I should jump through some hoops to ground the 3rd prong.
3) There is limited room to mount a ham radio, however I'll probably end up doing it. There is a nice cubby hole below the radio that fits my 2 meter ham pretty snugly. If I take the center console apart I can probably cut the back of the cubby hole out, set the ham in there more snugly and then run wires to the battery. My question here would be what the proper way to power a ham is... I have never run my ham to the battery before, I always sliced into the DC plug, but was always lacking enough power to go to 50 watts. What size wire/fusing, etc. would I need?
4) Also does anyone know of a good way to drill a permanent mount for the antenna, or know of someone or some company to do it professionally, so I can hide all wires and not worry about leaks?
5) I'm also considering one of those small amplifiers that you can get to attach to your stereo for better am/fm reception. Does anyone have any experience with these devices. Are they are worth it, and what is their performance in big city and out in the country?
I should have my personalized plates within 2 months... look for a black caliber with minnesota plates that say "F5DATA".
