It has been 2 months since I picked up my Inferno Red R/T in Ottawa and I have to say, for the most part, I'm pretty damn happy (knock on wood) with it.
Ride:
The ride is surprisingly smooth and it really suits the way I'd like the vehicle to be. The only thing I've encountered (and probably due to inexperience with this type of suspension), is hitting some rail crossings, really wants to kick the back end out and haven't experienced this in other vehicles. I'm probably jittery after my truck wreck in February, so maybe this is a mental thing...
Engine:
Responsiveness has been great and punchy when required. I love the "throaty" sounding exhaust on the 4.0L Best gas mileage I got was on an 8 hour trip up north where I was 20.9 mpg (couldn't crack the 21). I can't say if it was great or poor, but it is okay with me. The only thing I've encountered with it is when I first start it up in the morning and back out of the driveway, it will feel like it wanted to stall and then wants to "take off" in reverse until I brake to cancel it. Weird, but nothing I can't live with. I'm not part of the recall and haven't had any stalling issues, so that I'm thankful for. I've used the autostick feature a couple of times to "goof around" but can't say that I've used it as part of my normal driving. Not sure if using that would improve my gas mileage at all. I'm also curious if the ESP would affect gas mileage, haven't tried disabling it. I feel like the vehicle will not coast and wants to bog down and curious if the ESP is causing that (my apologies if this has been discussed, but haven't gone deep into the gas mileage threads).
Interior:
I have the R/T leather interior. Some of the seats are cracking on the front edge but that has been there since the day I picked it up and it isn't any worse. Again, minor. I like how the dash is compact and gives you more leg room getting in. Trust me, on my wife's Caliber.. i've racked my shins more than once trying to get in and taken a chunk of skin away. My only complaint is the plastic which is used for the back seats. It is too soft. I loaded a stove into the back of it and when we slid it back using the load n go, it gouged the plastic. I figured it would have taken a bit more abuse but learn to live with my mistakes. As I haven't had a sunroof before, I'm really enjoying it in nice weather.
MyGig:
I was pretty adamant that I wanted the MyGig and I'm really glad I have it. The NAV system is simply fantastic and has helped me find my way to places that normally I would be the lost tourist. The Bluetooth UConnect is a great feature as well. Having the stereo mute out and answering the phone through the car stereo hands free while traveling is a great feature. I can't seem to get the other person's voice loud enough, but not sure if it is my phone or the UConnect, but again, minor issue, just turn up the volume with the wheel controls. I'm really a fan of the Sirius radio and have listened to it considerably. I haven't tried transferring my MP3's, partially due to the great music on Sirius and the fact that I'm re-ripping my CD library, so that will have to go to a follow-up review. I think the bass could be a bit stronger in the sound system, so that was a bit disappointing considering there is "supposed" to be a sub in the back. This is a great unit overall.
Exterior:
This vehicle is a monster to look at and is really getting some attention around town with the 20" tires and the stock rims. I was camping on the weekend and one of my family members heard a fellow camper state "man that is a sweet ride" and I couldn't agree more. I've had the typical "police tail" due to it being a different vehicle. I have had a lot of compliments from people I've never met and it is really sad that Dodge didn't ride the wave of this interest with higher production levels. I'm glad I'm lucky enough to have had one.
Nice To Have(s) for Audio:
I'm patiently waiting for some updates to the MyGig gracenote database, NAV system, etc. As stated on this site, the web links do not work and I hope that they will eventually release something. I still think an IPod interface to this unit would be a great feature, which would allow navigation of the unit and wheel control, etc.. I settled for an aftermarket rear dvd system, but would really like Mopar to release a unit for the Nitro that is built for the sunroof. I'm missing out on some functionality to control the rear unit from the front MyGig screen and split the audio output in the back which would have been handy.
Let's hope the R/T owners in Ottawa are out "loud n proud" in their R/Ts and hopefully see you on the road.
P.S. i've seen another Red Nitro with 20"s, but not sure if it is an SLT or R/T as I've only seen it parked from the side as I couldn't get a glance at the Grill.. i'm disappointed that I'm not the only one in town, but on the other hand, glad that other people dig this vehicle like I do...
R/T fan...
Bryguy
Ride:
The ride is surprisingly smooth and it really suits the way I'd like the vehicle to be. The only thing I've encountered (and probably due to inexperience with this type of suspension), is hitting some rail crossings, really wants to kick the back end out and haven't experienced this in other vehicles. I'm probably jittery after my truck wreck in February, so maybe this is a mental thing...
Engine:
Responsiveness has been great and punchy when required. I love the "throaty" sounding exhaust on the 4.0L Best gas mileage I got was on an 8 hour trip up north where I was 20.9 mpg (couldn't crack the 21). I can't say if it was great or poor, but it is okay with me. The only thing I've encountered with it is when I first start it up in the morning and back out of the driveway, it will feel like it wanted to stall and then wants to "take off" in reverse until I brake to cancel it. Weird, but nothing I can't live with. I'm not part of the recall and haven't had any stalling issues, so that I'm thankful for. I've used the autostick feature a couple of times to "goof around" but can't say that I've used it as part of my normal driving. Not sure if using that would improve my gas mileage at all. I'm also curious if the ESP would affect gas mileage, haven't tried disabling it. I feel like the vehicle will not coast and wants to bog down and curious if the ESP is causing that (my apologies if this has been discussed, but haven't gone deep into the gas mileage threads).
Interior:
I have the R/T leather interior. Some of the seats are cracking on the front edge but that has been there since the day I picked it up and it isn't any worse. Again, minor. I like how the dash is compact and gives you more leg room getting in. Trust me, on my wife's Caliber.. i've racked my shins more than once trying to get in and taken a chunk of skin away. My only complaint is the plastic which is used for the back seats. It is too soft. I loaded a stove into the back of it and when we slid it back using the load n go, it gouged the plastic. I figured it would have taken a bit more abuse but learn to live with my mistakes. As I haven't had a sunroof before, I'm really enjoying it in nice weather.
MyGig:
I was pretty adamant that I wanted the MyGig and I'm really glad I have it. The NAV system is simply fantastic and has helped me find my way to places that normally I would be the lost tourist. The Bluetooth UConnect is a great feature as well. Having the stereo mute out and answering the phone through the car stereo hands free while traveling is a great feature. I can't seem to get the other person's voice loud enough, but not sure if it is my phone or the UConnect, but again, minor issue, just turn up the volume with the wheel controls. I'm really a fan of the Sirius radio and have listened to it considerably. I haven't tried transferring my MP3's, partially due to the great music on Sirius and the fact that I'm re-ripping my CD library, so that will have to go to a follow-up review. I think the bass could be a bit stronger in the sound system, so that was a bit disappointing considering there is "supposed" to be a sub in the back. This is a great unit overall.
Exterior:
This vehicle is a monster to look at and is really getting some attention around town with the 20" tires and the stock rims. I was camping on the weekend and one of my family members heard a fellow camper state "man that is a sweet ride" and I couldn't agree more. I've had the typical "police tail" due to it being a different vehicle. I have had a lot of compliments from people I've never met and it is really sad that Dodge didn't ride the wave of this interest with higher production levels. I'm glad I'm lucky enough to have had one.
Nice To Have(s) for Audio:
I'm patiently waiting for some updates to the MyGig gracenote database, NAV system, etc. As stated on this site, the web links do not work and I hope that they will eventually release something. I still think an IPod interface to this unit would be a great feature, which would allow navigation of the unit and wheel control, etc.. I settled for an aftermarket rear dvd system, but would really like Mopar to release a unit for the Nitro that is built for the sunroof. I'm missing out on some functionality to control the rear unit from the front MyGig screen and split the audio output in the back which would have been handy.
Let's hope the R/T owners in Ottawa are out "loud n proud" in their R/Ts and hopefully see you on the road.
P.S. i've seen another Red Nitro with 20"s, but not sure if it is an SLT or R/T as I've only seen it parked from the side as I couldn't get a glance at the Grill.. i'm disappointed that I'm not the only one in town, but on the other hand, glad that other people dig this vehicle like I do...
R/T fan...
Bryguy