[Guest]

I am 90 percent sure that I will buy a Nitro. I really love everything I have been able to find out about it so far. I have checked out some on the Nerw Car Lot too.
I am very interested in getting the 6 Speed Manual Transmission Model.
Does anyone have one that they can tell me if they like it?
Does anyone know what Gas Mileage the Manual Transmission gets?

I also would like to get the Sunroof. Can anyone tell me if they have it and do they like it?

What Options are really good to have? I definately want a full size spare and a roof rack. Somebody told me that there is some option that helps with Engine Cooling?? Anyone know about that? I live in Southwest Florida where it gets HOT!!

Any info or advice is Appreciated!... Thanks.. Jake

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

Hey Jake,

There are quite a few members here that have the manual box and are far as I know they all love it. I wish I had it too but the misses wanted an auto. Anyway you wont get any of the transmission issues with the manual so that's a bonus for starters. I don't know about mileage but I'm sure it will be better than the auto box.

I have the sunroof and it works fine, no problems there. I'm getting the deflector for it this week.

I have the tow package which includes a full size spare as well as all the electrics, hitch, power steering cooler and heavy duty engine cooling.

I upgraded the radio to the 6 disc plus a few minor things here and there.

Also welcome to the forum, it's good to see you here and I hope we can be of assistance to you for all your Nitro needs.

 

[TXNitro]

Hey Jake! Welcome - and I drive the 6 speed manual/standard transmission on my Nitro and I love it! Gas mileage depends on how you drive - I don't pay much attention to it because I like to be first off the line when the light turns green, I jockey for position in traffic and I basically drive as fast as the law permits, accelerating to that speed as quickly as possible That's the main reason I wanted the manual transmission!

Can't speak on the sunroof - don't have one on my Nitro!

Welcome and HAVE FUN!!!

 

[dk1677]

Welcome Jake! Glad you joined us! I have the full size spare ( I hope I don't need it but its there) Enjoy the forum and I am sure you would like the Nitro I love mine! :Racing:

 

[KenCary]

I am 90 percent sure that I will buy a Nitro. I really love everything I have been able to find out about it so far. I have checked out some on the Nerw Car Lot too.
I am very interested in getting the 6 Speed Manual Transmission Model.
Does anyone have one that they can tell me if they like it?
Does anyone know what Gas Mileage the Manual Transmission gets?

I also would like to get the Sunroof. Can anyone tell me if they have it and do they like it?

What Options are really good to have? I definately want a full size spare and a roof rack. Somebody told me that there is some option that helps with Engine Cooling?? Anyone know about that? I live in Southwest Florida where it gets HOT!!

Any info or advice is Appreciated!... Thanks.. Jake

I have a black SXT 6-speed with the sunroof.

The 6-speed is great, and feels like a different car than the 3.7L auto I test drove.

It is hard to find a 6-speed, but well worth the wait.

I also added 2-tone leather installed by the dealer as you can't get factory leather with the 6-speed.

Ken

 

[LBZSXT]

i got a 6 speed love but shifting from 1st to 2nd is'nt right it clunks out of 1st and slightly grinds into 2nd any ideas

 

[KenCary]

The main reason I bought the Nitro was that it was one of the few mid-size 4X4's available with a Manual trans and a 6-speed.

The 6 speed is a smooth shifting German unit and I am quite pleased with it. In contrast the 4speed auto has been plagued with problems.

If you can shift for yourself, get the 6-speed. You will be very happy.

In my opinion must have options:

1. "C" package- this gives you 17" alloy wheels, tinted glass, power mirrors, universal remote and a bunch of other options

2. 4X4 (go for it it is an SUV after all)

3. Sunroof

4. Dealer installed leather Katzkin seats (can't get OEM leather on an SXT)

5. Trailer tow package -(only if you plan to tow)

If you want the painted fenders and bumper, order the appearace package. This depends on your personal tast as well as color choice. The Dark gray fenders blend in very nicely with black and contrast nicely with gray, but some people don't like them.

Ken

 

[KenCary]

I have none of the problems you mention.

Mine shifts smooth as silk. Keep in mind that this is a truck and the shift is a direct linkage not a cable like a FWD sedan. With that in mind you need to slam the shift a little harder than you would with a small sedan.

I am used to a mucie 4speed behind a 500ft pound big block, so maybe I have a different perspective on shifting.

On the other hand your linkage may be out of adjustment.

 

[rwelte]

I'm driving a diesel Nitro here in Switzerland with the 6-speed manual transmission. Clutch operation and gear selection works very nice, you will like it. Before buying, my concern was the relatively narrow foot well of the Nitros, considering that the manual needs room for 3 pedals and both of your feet will have to work in there. But this is no problem at all. I have always owned cars with manual transmissions and the Nitro's is definitely one of the best ones I have had.

Regards,
Roland

 

[KenCary]

I'm driving a diesel Nitro here in Switzerland with the 6-speed manual transmission. Clutch operation and gear selection works very nice, you will like it. Before buying, my concern was the relatively narrow foot well of the Nitros, considering that the manual needs room for 3 pedals and both of your feet will have to work in there. But this is no problem at all. I have always owned cars with manual transmissions and the Nitro's is definitely one of the best ones I have had.

Regards,
Roland

That's a great combination. I wish the had a Diesel and 6-speed here in the States.

What is the redline on the Diesel?

What RPM do you turn at cruising speed? The Gas 6speed does about 2,000RPM at 65MPH

 

[TaninFeb14]

I am 90 percent sure that I will buy a Nitro. I really love everything I have been able to find out about it so far. I have checked out some on the Nerw Car Lot too.
I am very interested in getting the 6 Speed Manual Transmission Model.
Does anyone have one that they can tell me if they like it?
Does anyone know what Gas Mileage the Manual Transmission gets?

I also would like to get the Sunroof. Can anyone tell me if they have it and do they like it?

What Options are really good to have? I definately want a full size spare and a roof rack. Somebody told me that there is some option that helps with Engine Cooling?? Anyone know about that? I live in Southwest Florida where it gets HOT!!

Any info or advice is Appreciated!... Thanks.. Jake

I drive the 6speed and absolutely LOVE it! Manual trans are soo fun to drive. 3-4 gear are pretty close so sometimes you can gear strait from 3rd to 5th but no biggy. My hiway mileage is between 28m/g going about 110km/hr but if I go 120km/hr+ it drops down to low 20s. (sorry about the confusing conversion) I take off pretty easy from stop but my husband has a heavy foot and we see a difference then as well.
Mine has a sunroof and I did had an issue with it leaking but it was a simple dealer fix. The sunroof is really enjoyable in warm weather flying down a hiway! My kid in the back seat loves the fresh air blowing. I have a roof rack as well that I really don't use and where I live we in Northern Alberta, Canada it gets bloody cold and since winter hit the rack is lifting so they have parts on order to bolt it down better cuz whatever is holding it on now, cant handle cold weather. So in that you should be safe. Uhm, I guess last thought is make sure you have a good repport with your dealer cuz I have had quite a bit of small troubles and a few bigger ones with my Nitro and my dealer has been really helpful and I think that if I hadn't built a bit of a relationship and I never shopped around, it was no question I would buy a dodge from them over any other dealer, my service may be different.
Well good luck and I hope your into your Nitro Soon! Cheers.

 

[rwelte]

@KenCary

Here are the answers to your questions:

According to my tachometer, the redline is at 4000 rpms, although the tachometer would go up to 6000 rpms. I really do not know at which rpm figure the ECU would cut off the engine. I do not want to try this one yet .

When I cruise at 65 mph in 6th gear, the engine turns at 2100 rpms.


This is a 4-cylinder, 16-valve, turbo-charged, 2.8 Liter, common-rail diesel, rated at 177 hp and 410 Nm torque (with the 5-speed automatic transmission it is actually rated at 460 Nm. I guess the clutch of the manual transmission can't take all the torque). It is made by VM Motori in Italy http://www.vmmotori.it. As far as I can tell it is their RA 428 DOHC engine.

Best Regards,
Roland

 

[IMWhisper]

Welcome to the forum Jake!
Good luck on your purchase - you will enjoy the Nitro!

 

[KenCary]

Sounds like a great diesel. I think there is some HP and Torque that can be unlocked with the right ECM program.

Ken