Mother Proof's view

Despite the fact that stores are quickly stocking up for the Christmas holiday, Halloween is first on the list. Anticipation in our home is coming to a head as my children are planning their matching Tinker Bell costumes. I myself plan to get decked out in my usual camouflage: A little concealer for the bags under my eyes (only because I’ve been traveling and have jet lag, not because I’m getting older or anything like that). I’ll add some lipstick and blush for a little healthy color, since my lips and cheeks have chosen not to do it themselves. Maybe I’ll put on some mascara to accentuate my best feature, and my best-fitting jeans to make me feel just a smidgen taller.

We all do it. In some way, shape or form we make up for the things we like least about ourselves, whether it’s makeup, clothes, personality or any other myriad tricks or treats. A perfect example of this is the 2007 Dodge Caliber, dressing up as Inspector Gadget for Halloween. This car has all kinds of fun, innovative features: The rear overhead cabin light doubles as a rechargeable flashlight (simply push on it to remove it from the holder); the glove compartment doubles as a chilled bottle holder (with little grooves to fit water, juice or soda bottles; the air conditioning vents through it to keep drinks cool); the tailgate doubles as party central with boombox-esque speakers that flip down; the cupholders are lit from within, making them easy to locate at night; and a cell phone/iPod holder flips out from the armrest/center console.

Other good news for drivers of the Caliber is that the view of the road is very good, feeling almost SUV-like. The benefit of good vision without paying for it at the gas pump (the Caliber can get up to 26 mpg) or without the additional insurance cost is always a bonus. The optional all-wheel drive, standard side curtain airbags and good National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash-test ratings are fantastic for drivers of any age.

With the Caliber’s life-of-the-party gadgetry and extremely low base price, I envision this as a great car for college kids, perfect for fall tailgating or going to Homecoming bonfires. However, when driving it on the highway with my family in tow, my husband asked, “What’s wrong with this thing? Are you sure you have it in gear?” With that, I begin to wonder if the real purpose of the plethora of gadgets in Dodge’s Go Go Gadget Car is to disguise the fact that it lacks oomph – and that’s putting it nicely. With its continuously variable transmission, the rpm rev without getting much reaction in the form of increased speed. A teen won’t get into too much trouble with the Caliber, as I was beaten off the line by more than one granny during my test drive.

I was also frustrated with the overly plastic interior, despite the addition of a $910 leather package in my test car. I know they have to keep costs down, but the interior surfaces of this car scratch so easily, and those permanent marks are haunting, to say the least. Maybe the young drivers in your family won’t mind.

I’m the first to admit that I love convenience features in cars. The Caliber is laden with them (including all sorts of nooks and crannies to store my essentials). Despite my excitement in discovering these, the ugly truth is that without them, the Dodge Caliber has a hard time impressing me. The lack of power in this vehicle is too overwhelming to overlook – even for those of us who’d rather swap potty training techniques at the neighborhood Halloween party than gloat about our vehicle’s horsepower.

*For more information on the 2007 Dodge Caliber and its safety features, visit www.cars.com.

LET’S TALK NUMBERS

LATCH Connectors: 2

Seating Capacity (includes driver): 5

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT

Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample

Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample

SENSE AND STYLE

Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Fair – Great

Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Some – Good Times