[mdk]

Hi, I don't own a Nitro. I'm interested in owning one, which is why I joined the forum... Gotta learn from you guinea pigs first

I won't buy new... Notta chance. Someone else gets to eat the depreciation for the first year or two, then I'll buy in...

I've been wondering what kind of economy you get with a manual trans, what the economy difference is between 4x2 and 4x4 versions, and why I can't seem to find a 4.0 + manual anywhere...

Anyway, I need a work rig, and these actually look kinda like a worthy option... I need roof racks for ladders and stuff, a nice big storage place in the back, the ability to go offroad, get decent milage, as I have to travel a LOT and be able to tow a travel trailer, too.

The Nitro fits that bill far more than does the Liberty. i am currently using a Caravan, but replacing the oil pans when I smash them off-road isn't a lot of fun. However, Caravans are cheap and parts are plentiful, and I currently drive oen with a four cylinder and 5 speed. 22 mpg loaded and topped with ladders longer than the rig, even though I tend to keep my foot buried to the floor and see the far side of 70 regularly, even here in hilly country.

So, I stopped by to read your owner comments and experience... And perhaps this will be a worthy replacement for my 203K mile Caravan...

Has anyone autocrossed in one?

 

[cowboytruckn]

Welcome to the forum and glad to have you. I am a member of a lot of the (Z) forums and I don't own any of their vehicles except the Nitro.

We have a 2007 (bought new - don't plan to get rid of it - lifetime powertrain warranty) SLT 4x2.

We have actually carried a 60" standard bookcase with the back seats folded down so I know they fit a lot of items. I have never pulled anything with ours that is what my pickup is for.

The Nitro is my wife's daily driver approximately 50/50 city/highway and she gets 22-24mpg. I myself can get about 24-28 as I don't have as heavy as a foot as she does.

Again glad you joined us and if you have any questions feel free to let us know and I am sure others will be giving their opinions as well. Feel free to PM me also if you have any direct questions about our experience.

:rep: to a possible Nitro owner!

 

[Scar0]

Hello and welcome mdk, :wavey: to the best forum on the net.
The Nitro does not come with the 4.0 in a manual transmission. I can't tell you why. Neither does the Liberty.
I have an all stock 07, 3.7L, 6 speed manual, 4X4, until today. Just started to do the intake and exhaust mods that should increase the mileage a little.
I have not kept accurate fuel mileage. But it is not good! I'd say about 15 MPG. mostly in town, and I am a lead foot. I Never drive 70 unless there are Police around either. Others have reported much better mileage from theirs. That is why I am adding a CAI and Magnaflow exhaust.
As for a rack, I was not happy with anything out there, either because of cost or because of design. So I made one. Here It can handle anything I want to put up there.

The thing I miss the most is the Low lock of my Cherokee. Hard to go slow off road.
Pulling our trailer 5 X 12 X 2 loaded with firewood it pulls fine.
Enjoy the forum.

 

[dk1677]

Welcome mdk! I love mine 13k now , not a lot of mileage but no complaints. I know there are some here that use them for work so you should be hearing more soon. Enjoy the forum! :wavey: ( oh yeah get ORANGE) :smileup:

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

Welcome mdk.......The mpg's really do vary from vehicle to vehicle. Do some searching and you will find that there are many threads devoted to this touchy subject. Personally I get about 17 mpg and that is not driving hard but i do spend a lot of time in slow traffic. Apart from that the Nitro is great. But do some real thinking first because at $4.00 a gallon you could be spending a lot on gas.

 

[NitroCharger]

Welcome from SoCal. Just replaced a GC with the Nitro last month.
It was the wife's daily driver. Just hauled the kids and their stuff,
not much else. So far the Nitro is getting a little better MPG.

 

[rbnsal]

Wuddup mdk. welcome to the forum. Hope you find all the info you're looking for. We've owned ours three months short of two years now. Have about 22k on it.
I've only driven it about 1500 of those miles. Its definately a head turner.

 

[MeanGirl]

welcome to the nitro-mania!! hope you will report soon that you have yourself one!!

 

[mdwcalif]

Welcome, mdk! You definitely need to hear from some members here that do use their Nitros as work rigs. There are some firefighter types, bountyhunters and other emergency response type folks that have talked about added light rigs and such, so I know they use them under heavy loads, difficult conditions and so on.

I WISH I could use my Nitro as a work rig, but I don't have the right job for it, so mine is mostly because I love the look of it. I have a 4x4 and have not even managed to drive it off-road at ALL yet, which is sad because I have a kayak and need to get more exercise .. but that's all my fault, not the Nitro's. I gotta say though, if I were to get serious about offroading or motocross, I would want a heck of a lot more underbody protection and probably more lift. And I wouldn't want to chip my pretty new rims....

I'm one of those Nitro owners that is not getting great gas mileage ... I'm only doing about 15 mpg in heavy city traffic and hilly roads, with just now 3k total miles on. Lots of folks say the mpg improves over time. I'm running 89 fuel, have always done that. I use the tiptronic trans in my R/T a lot. (heck 'tiptronic' is prolly not the right term for us, but you know what I mean right -- I can downshift whenever I want with my auto trans; I use it OFTEN)

I also have not yet managed to use my tow package, but from the comments of other Nitro owners here, the towing capacity ROCKS. Look around and you'll see the raves -- they'll tow even more than they're supposed to.

 

[mdk]

I can't believe it. No manual with the 4.0? I have driven a Commander with the 3.7 and was NOT impressed at all. The 4.0 is based on the 3.5, which is a darn awesome engine. Why is it that the dorks chosing the option availability seem to think that the stick is some kind of nasty low-dollar option. I'd pay more for it.

But no way do I want an auto... Manuals are just worth that much more in economy and ALWAYS perform in spades better. I prefer shifting myself, especially when towing or off-road.

 

[mdwcalif]

I hear you mdk on the preference for manual trans. Depends on the kind of driving you have to do, though. I love stick shift, but I hate the wear and tear they have to take in city driving, and so do they. I'm good with smooth shifting and am not overly hard on clutches, but in-city driving hurts them and wears them out.

So, I use my shift-override to allow downshift-slowdown brake-saving on downhills, and to give me extra power when I see something coming that my auto trans doesn't know to anticipate. That all works for me just fine. On average, I let the auto handle things, when I'm on the flat.

 

[davidryder]

mdk, I too would pay more for a manual transmission. I mean, 6spd? It's awesome. And the wear and tear depends on how you shift simple as that. You can easily go the life of any vehicle without replacing the clutch if you are shifting properly.

As far as the topic goes, I use my Nitro for work and have put 26k miles on it in the past year. I have had it stall twice (first 10k miles) and the emergency brake had to be readjusted (did it myself last night!). Other than that, no problems (knock on wood)! Oh, I get 20mpg mixed driving.

You will see complaints about the auto transmission and the best advice I can give you is to get the manual and you will never have to deal with any of that crap.

Had the R/T come in a 6spd - which I am still dumbfounded that it doesn't - I would have got it lickity split.

 

[IMWhisper]

Welcome to the forum Mdk!
Let us know what you decide on!!

If you have any question please don't hesitate to ask!

 

[300 Addict]

Welcome to the forumz! Glad you joined us! Good luck on your decision!