Dodge Nitro opinions needed

[wnaplay1647545503]

They seem to be a no frills cheap suv under/around $10k for a 2007/08. I assume the are basically a jeep and probably ride like one. Any first hand opinions or info?

[nurkvinny]

Spent a lot of miles traveling in one. VERY small on the inside, to the point that it is difficult to get out of the back seats. Actually rides ok.

[buelliganx1]

I test drove one a few years back and really liked it, I still really like the looks BUT for whatever reason at least on the drivers side the foot well is really narrow. Trying to stuff 2 size 13's in that small space was not something I wanted to do daily.

[wnaplay1647545503]

Our oldest will be 18 in less than a year so no more 3rd row vehicles needed. We need a new car for the wife and not working for 4 years has made money very tight. Fairly newer car for under $10k, and my wife really likes the slide out rear section. I like the looks but assume they are under powered even for a v6. Whats some good/bads about the available engine options?

[GRN96WS6]

They are ok not great but not bad IMO. I wouldn't buy one but that is mainly because I feel they are cheaply put together and the chrysler stigma is still kind of overhanging with me.

[BigOxley]

i averaged 9 mpg in a rental one

 

Any particular reason? They say expect 16/21

[Mr. Jones]

Buddy of mine has one and really wishes he had bought a minivan now.

 

Cons:

 

Horrible gas mileage.

Rough suspension.

Loud Rattly engine accompanied by slow acceleration.

Relatively small inside, especially in rear seats.

 

Pros:

4X4

[Berto]

No.

[Buck531]

Co-worker that sits next to me at work has one. I'll talk to him tomorrow about it and get his thoughts.

[copperhead]

Its a rebadged jeep liberty

 

I test drove one, and went for the grand cherokee instead, waaaaaay better suv

 

the one I drove handled like shit, was underpowered, way too narrow, same shitty gas mileage as my grand cherokee with two less cylinders, and I don't remember for sure but I think the 4x4 was strange, like it didn't have low range or something.

 

My GC is still for sale btw, for a bit less now than before if you are interested. I want a BMW.

[Mallard]

Awful interior, very tight on space, I hated the seating position and the dash design (my shin hits the dash when I put my foot on the gas pedal), the 20" wheels ride really poorly, poor gas mileage, and poor NVH.

 

You're lucky if it doesn't roll over while parked in your driveway. lol

[BloodRed]

My wife has an 2011. And it seems like I am the only one that will say it is a great ride. Yes it is a Jeep Liberty with Dodge badges. It is about 4" longer in the rear cargo area than the Liberty, so it is a bit bigger. Both the wife and I are small people, so there is plenty of room for us. As for the engine, don't get one with the 3.7L. Very underpowered v6. Ours has the optional 4.0L V6 (not the old I6 4.0L). Much more power and very responsive. Mixed driving we get around 18 mpg but have seen as high as 24 mpg on long highway trips. 4x4 is only 4wd high, so no low option. But it can be activated on the fly. We got it last year, so we really didn't get to test it out much in the snow. I did make a trip up to Mansfield one of the few snowy days last winter and it did great, only put it in 4x4 once, and it pulled just fine through the snow.

[Lauren]

the ex-wife wanted one when we were married. glad i stayed away from the nitro and even happier i got rid of her.

[ImUrOBGYN]

Please, do your family a favor and find another vehicle. This is coming from someone who's always had a soft spot for Jeep/Chrysler products. I don't know anyone who has really been happy owning one and this includes average joe/non-enthusiasts.

 

Also, it is NOT a Jeep and the 4x4 system is NOT equivalent to many other Jeeps.

[ForeverMaker]

Co-worker's husband had one. Tranny problems among others. They traded it in since they were sick of dealing with it.

[Littleguy]

I would say that they aren't bad cars but that's only if you compare them to other Chrysler products. If you start comparing them to anything else they are crap.

[zeitgeist57]

Since 2006, the only three Jeeps worth anything are the Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, and Patriot. Compass, Liberty, Commander, and all other Chrysler platform variants DIAF. I'd almost say the Liberty CRD would be cool but it wasn't available in a stick and you would still be driving a Liberty.

 

Yes, drove a co-workers on a long trip, as well as a couple of rentals over the years. Shockingly small amount of interior room. Only use for Liberty/Nitro is for poor soccer moms that insist in form over function, wanting to own an SUV at any price though they can't afford a better ride.

 

Minivan FTW.

[OSUGT]

you can't buy it cheap enough. If you think it's a good deal, the seller will take less. haggle your ass off if you feel like you really want it.

[dq driver]

My co-worker is reluctantly selling his wife's Nitro, because she went out and bought a new daily driver.

2 drivers, 4 cars, Short North #firstworldproblems

 

He said it's been a great car, good in the snow, and great for trips to Lowes.

 

Here is a link to his ad on Craigslist:

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/3273308755.html

 

PM me if you want more details or his direct contact information.

[wnaplay1647545503]

Seen it, not a fan of the color options or the way the designed that manual drive. He seems to be using it as a selling point but I dont know.

[dq driver]

Worth a shot, at very least you now know that it's not a scam and the seller isn't going to knife you down in some alley. HA!

[wnaplay1647545503]

What about a dodge journey, same opinions?

[copperhead]

A Journey is a minivan for someone that doesn't want, but needs, a minivan. I read they were crap up until the last redesign but I have no experience with them.

[Mr. Jones]

What about a dodge journey, same opinions?

 

Had one as a rental once.

Second worse vehicle I've ever driven, second only to a PT Cruiser.

[zeitgeist57]

The Journey is a better vehicle...much better than a Nitro.