Post your Dodge Nitro Review
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Even though the Nitro is undergoing some adjustments,as with any new model, it still exceeds any expectations for its class. The style, ride, and performance surpass anything else out there for under $30k. Here in the Mid-west, models are selling fairly well with only one draw back. The dealers are ordering only the common colors and standard packages. Guess they do not want to take any chances for slow sales. The loaded Sunburst Orange is really an eye catcher and has been approached by many passer-byer's wanting to know more about it. After owning for only 2 weeks, we have been approached a dozen times so far. The most common positive comment is on the style and color.
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55 Posts
back from trip
just returned from mid tenn. trip (1600 miles round trip)the SLT drove great,no problems,windy-handled well. Had a lot of stop and go traffic on I-75 no problems with the Nitro,just my nerves!! Cruise control set on 78mph averaged22 to23 mpg even in the mountains.Seats were comfortable.GOT lots of looks.Saw three other Nitro's on the road between fl and tenn.BE HAPPY!!:beerchug:
just returned from mid tenn. trip (1600 miles round trip)the SLT drove great,no problems,windy-handled well. Had a lot of stop and go traffic on I-75 no problems with the Nitro,just my nerves!! Cruise control set on 78mph averaged22 to23 mpg even in the mountains.Seats were comfortable.GOT lots of looks.Saw three other Nitro's on the road between fl and tenn.BE HAPPY!!:beerchug:
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233 Posts
I'd agree on this one. One of the main attractions for me (other than the awesome style) was the price and WHAT I got for that price. Under 30k, I get a NEW SUV with all the safety features and towing ability? I couldn't see how I could go wrong. Definately was a good purchase.
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9,544 Posts
Just got back from a 350 mile round trip from Columbus, Ohio to Pittsburgh PA. Nitro ran like a top. SMOOOOOOTH. Good on gas. People in PA. were digging it. All is good...:Racing:
My Nitro R/T review
Hey gang:
Here goes with my week 1 and 600 mile review. This is my first brand new vehicle since 1989. My prior car was a 1997 Dodge Dakota with a 5.2L V-8 with 124,000 miles which I liked alot.
I picked up my 4wd Inferno Red Nitro R/T last Monday, got it with the 28L package, remote start, sat radio, fog lights and the standard radio/speaker set up. Since picking it up I have have driven it alot compared to my normal driving habits (I get an assigned company car)
Other then the inital shock of the radiator steam issue which has been explained on other threads and the stares and questions from people in parking lots and on the roads
everything has been excellent. It rides great compared to my truck, haven't noticed an unreasonable amount of road noise or vibrations etc.
A few minor issues in my mind would be things that have been mentioned elsewhere, no light in the glovebox, no passenger side "oh my god" handle and I'm kinda wavering on the "load and go" (this is due to wanting to be able to pack up my bicycles and get to various races, they fit but not as good as I had hoped, though there is plenty of room for the son child's hockey gear). The heat doesn't seem to be as strong down low (read my feet are cold, but I also have loosy circulation there). I probably would have gone with the 8 speaker system in hindsight.
All in all I have been greatly impressed and my wife thinks I'm in love with it since I'm always smiling after I get done driving it.
As a side not as of today Mother Nature has been very helpful with the snowy/crappy roads testing with the approx 1 foot of wet snow we are getting. Love the 4wd
Cheers
Opieos
Hey gang:
Here goes with my week 1 and 600 mile review. This is my first brand new vehicle since 1989. My prior car was a 1997 Dodge Dakota with a 5.2L V-8 with 124,000 miles which I liked alot.
I picked up my 4wd Inferno Red Nitro R/T last Monday, got it with the 28L package, remote start, sat radio, fog lights and the standard radio/speaker set up. Since picking it up I have have driven it alot compared to my normal driving habits (I get an assigned company car)
Other then the inital shock of the radiator steam issue which has been explained on other threads and the stares and questions from people in parking lots and on the roads
everything has been excellent. It rides great compared to my truck, haven't noticed an unreasonable amount of road noise or vibrations etc.A few minor issues in my mind would be things that have been mentioned elsewhere, no light in the glovebox, no passenger side "oh my god" handle and I'm kinda wavering on the "load and go" (this is due to wanting to be able to pack up my bicycles and get to various races, they fit but not as good as I had hoped, though there is plenty of room for the son child's hockey gear). The heat doesn't seem to be as strong down low (read my feet are cold, but I also have loosy circulation there). I probably would have gone with the 8 speaker system in hindsight.
All in all I have been greatly impressed and my wife thinks I'm in love with it since I'm always smiling after I get done driving it.
As a side not as of today Mother Nature has been very helpful with the snowy/crappy roads testing with the approx 1 foot of wet snow we are getting. Love the 4wd
Cheers
Opieos
yeah, that's what I had after the first ride, a big smile . Funny thing is, I did not even take the Nitro for a test drive, I just bought the one they had in the showroom, he he.
Myself I wish that the Nitro had some other features, like dual settings assigned to each key, radio, seat and mirror, some other little things that are present on the 300M. Totally like not having light in the glove compartment, that thing has screwed up my battery (as per Crappy Tire) once on the said 300, ended up replacing it. Then after the new battery would not start the car they found that switch bad at the garaje, they just disconnected it to fix it.
But yeah, I love driving it with a smile.
. Funny thing is, I did not even take the Nitro for a test drive, I just bought the one they had in the showroom, he he.Myself I wish that the Nitro had some other features, like dual settings assigned to each key, radio, seat and mirror, some other little things that are present on the 300M. Totally like not having light in the glove compartment, that thing has screwed up my battery (as per Crappy Tire) once on the said 300, ended up replacing it. Then after the new battery would not start the car they found that switch bad at the garaje, they just disconnected it to fix it.
But yeah, I love driving it with a smile.
G
Guest
·My SXT !!
Wind noise on passenger side of the vehicle
Transmission clunks a lot in lower speeds
Steam comes out of the front every time I do a quick drive through car wash.
Otherwise I think it's great ! Nice ride, comfortable, perfect height, lots of room and if you don't do 85 or more every day to and from work, the gas mileage would be very reasonable !
By the way, I'm somewhat new to the forum - although I joined months ago, I lost my PC and just got it fixed again. So if anyone has quick answers to my little problems above I'd love to hear them.
Thanks !
I really like my Nitro Sunburst Orange SXT. I've got 9300 miles on it and only minor problems that I really haven't looked into yet -
Wind noise on passenger side of the vehicle
Transmission clunks a lot in lower speeds
Steam comes out of the front every time I do a quick drive through car wash.
Otherwise I think it's great ! Nice ride, comfortable, perfect height, lots of room and if you don't do 85 or more every day to and from work, the gas mileage would be very reasonable !
By the way, I'm somewhat new to the forum - although I joined months ago, I lost my PC and just got it fixed again. So if anyone has quick answers to my little problems above I'd love to hear them.
Thanks !
Joined
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541 Posts
One is good, Two is GREAT!
Review of the Nitro ........ Well, my wife needed a new car, as her 1998 Honda CRV AWD with over 190k miles, damage from being rear-ended, and paint that doesn't match from the various repairs over the years and has faded at differing rates. We started looking at what models were available and the Mitsubishi Outlander was the strongest contender in our initial search, with the new Honda CRV a close second. Then, completely by accident, I stumbled onto the Dodge website and showed my wife the Nitro. She loved it instantly and we were at the dealer within a week for a test drive and had purchased her Black SLT, loaded with 4WD, Entertainment system, 6 DVD Satellite Radio, Hands-Free Bluetooth phone, Engine Block Heater, Running Boards, Moon-roof, upgraded wheels & tires and heated leather seats. I always do 100% of the driving when we are together, so I was able to evaluate (and enjoy) the Nitro on several long and short drives. I was so impressed by the handling, the features, the "Fun Factor", the styling, that I traded in my 2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited for a Sunburst Orange R/T two weeks ago. I have not had so much fun in a new car since I was 20 years old and had a brand new Mazda Rotary Engine pick/up. Having my R/T now, I look for opportunities to drive it somewhere. It handles even better than my wife's SLT and I have also had several chances to test the 4WD with this years snow (more yesterday, which is late for this area of the country). The amount of plastic is not the best, but it should be easy to keep clean and maintain, and does not look bad. I am very happy with my Nitro and would highly reccomend it to anyone looking for a mid-size SUV. One side note is that I am actually getting better gas mileage with the 4.0 liter R/T than with the 3.7 liter SLT.
Review of the Nitro ........ Well, my wife needed a new car, as her 1998 Honda CRV AWD with over 190k miles, damage from being rear-ended, and paint that doesn't match from the various repairs over the years and has faded at differing rates. We started looking at what models were available and the Mitsubishi Outlander was the strongest contender in our initial search, with the new Honda CRV a close second. Then, completely by accident, I stumbled onto the Dodge website and showed my wife the Nitro. She loved it instantly and we were at the dealer within a week for a test drive and had purchased her Black SLT, loaded with 4WD, Entertainment system, 6 DVD Satellite Radio, Hands-Free Bluetooth phone, Engine Block Heater, Running Boards, Moon-roof, upgraded wheels & tires and heated leather seats. I always do 100% of the driving when we are together, so I was able to evaluate (and enjoy) the Nitro on several long and short drives. I was so impressed by the handling, the features, the "Fun Factor", the styling, that I traded in my 2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited for a Sunburst Orange R/T two weeks ago. I have not had so much fun in a new car since I was 20 years old and had a brand new Mazda Rotary Engine pick/up. Having my R/T now, I look for opportunities to drive it somewhere. It handles even better than my wife's SLT and I have also had several chances to test the 4WD with this years snow (more yesterday, which is late for this area of the country). The amount of plastic is not the best, but it should be easy to keep clean and maintain, and does not look bad. I am very happy with my Nitro and would highly reccomend it to anyone looking for a mid-size SUV. One side note is that I am actually getting better gas mileage with the 4.0 liter R/T than with the 3.7 liter SLT.
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9,544 Posts
about the wind noise on the passenger side, I had that happen yesterday and all it was was that the passenger door wasnt shut all the way. even though the computer didnt read it and give me a warning light, thats all it was. Im not sure if that would be your problem or not, but if it is not, then you might have some sort of seal leak that is causing wind to get in. just a thought
Go out and get one!!!!
The thing I was most pleased with was the size. I had this feeling that it was going to look small like the Liberty, but it really has a presence to it, and I feel sizes u closer to a Honda Pilot, and the fact that you can fold all seat flat gives you more cargo room.
I have an R/T and the giddy up and go is awesome. Now my last car was a Maxima, and it had 230,000 miles on it, so maybe I just don't know what it's like to have a new car, but this thing moves.
Turning radius is fantastic, and it corners beautifully.
U Connect is fantastic, but I do have trouble getting my phone to connect on a consistant basis. Being in sales, and on the road all the time, this feature has been a huge time saver. I actually enjoy talking on the phone while in the car.
Also the fact that there isn't much you can't do via either voice coommand or the steering wheel control, I've never been so focused on the road, while still controlling my vehicle enviroment.
The plug also enabled me to stay on the road longer. I no longer have to stop to charge my laptop, and I didn't have to by the expensive spare battery I've been dreading.
I thought visibility may be a problem with the smaller windows, and larger side mirrors, but have not had any issues thus far.
Can't wait to start adding things. I think the first will be a roof rac, then maybe, just maybe side steps.
Also the amoutn of storage for your stuff in this car is fantanstic.
I can't say enough, how much I truly love this truck. It is well worth the wait, if you order. I also think it is a great opportunity to support american manufacturers. I never thought I would own one, but this truck has exceeded all expectations.
CON: It is a police trap. They love to pull you over in this thing. 3 times in 2 weeks. No tickets, but be careful. Pay attention to your speed.
Go out and get one
I just wanted to thank everyone with your help, getting me through the grueling 12 week ordering process. But once I received the car I am so pleased that I waited.
The thing I was most pleased with was the size. I had this feeling that it was going to look small like the Liberty, but it really has a presence to it, and I feel sizes u closer to a Honda Pilot, and the fact that you can fold all seat flat gives you more cargo room.
I have an R/T and the giddy up and go is awesome. Now my last car was a Maxima, and it had 230,000 miles on it, so maybe I just don't know what it's like to have a new car, but this thing moves.
Turning radius is fantastic, and it corners beautifully.
U Connect is fantastic, but I do have trouble getting my phone to connect on a consistant basis. Being in sales, and on the road all the time, this feature has been a huge time saver. I actually enjoy talking on the phone while in the car.
Also the fact that there isn't much you can't do via either voice coommand or the steering wheel control, I've never been so focused on the road, while still controlling my vehicle enviroment.
The plug also enabled me to stay on the road longer. I no longer have to stop to charge my laptop, and I didn't have to by the expensive spare battery I've been dreading.
I thought visibility may be a problem with the smaller windows, and larger side mirrors, but have not had any issues thus far.
Can't wait to start adding things. I think the first will be a roof rac, then maybe, just maybe side steps.
Also the amoutn of storage for your stuff in this car is fantanstic.
I can't say enough, how much I truly love this truck. It is well worth the wait, if you order. I also think it is a great opportunity to support american manufacturers. I never thought I would own one, but this truck has exceeded all expectations.
CON: It is a police trap. They love to pull you over in this thing. 3 times in 2 weeks. No tickets, but be careful. Pay attention to your speed.
Go out and get one
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541 Posts
Side Step-Boards - NOT!
@Backlash,
Take some advice from a two Nitro owner (wife's & mine), pass on getting running boards on your Nitro. They detract from it's good looks and are always dirty. The wife wants me to remove hers, but is worried that the kids will scratch the door sills (can't remember proper auto term) getting in and out, so we will probably keep them on for a while.
R/T's are awesome, I must agree. My friend is the General Manager at the Dodge Dealership even drives a Nitro and is looking forward to getting his mileage quota on his SLT, so he can get another Nitro, but an R/T this time.
Anyone interested in buying a Nitro in the Southern Calif. area, please contact me and I will refer you to the best Dodge Dealer for a great, no nonsense price. (and no, I do not get any referral fee)
@Backlash,
Take some advice from a two Nitro owner (wife's & mine), pass on getting running boards on your Nitro. They detract from it's good looks and are always dirty. The wife wants me to remove hers, but is worried that the kids will scratch the door sills (can't remember proper auto term) getting in and out, so we will probably keep them on for a while.
R/T's are awesome, I must agree. My friend is the General Manager at the Dodge Dealership even drives a Nitro and is looking forward to getting his mileage quota on his SLT, so he can get another Nitro, but an R/T this time.
Anyone interested in buying a Nitro in the Southern Calif. area, please contact me and I will refer you to the best Dodge Dealer for a great, no nonsense price. (and no, I do not get any referral fee)
Joined
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541 Posts
Joined
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2,138 Posts
Thanks to everyone, so far, that has taken the time to express their thoughts on their Nitro. Remember, lots of people read these reports and base their purchases on feedback from real live owners.
Often feedback, and owner reviews give more insight and real life experiences then can be found in the latest car or truck magazine. What you say means a lot and again, Thank you everyone who has taken the time to put some words down.
Often feedback, and owner reviews give more insight and real life experiences then can be found in the latest car or truck magazine. What you say means a lot and again, Thank you everyone who has taken the time to put some words down.
G
Guest
·Red R/T review
Just put the first 1000km on it cruising the Okanagan!
It is a genuine show stopper. People eyeball it everywhere. As for ride, it sounds wicked off the line with the tectronic shiftkit. I can't believe the snap it has through all gears. Everything feels solid and I have not experienced any quirks related stalls or shifting. Fit and finish is very good. The feel of the ride id unlike any vehicle I have driven over the last 25 years owning cars. The kids pull for us to take the nitro any chance they can. Now I just have to wait for my loaded Nissan Altima 3.5 SE to get in from the dealer. My old Mazda MPV ( 2002 ) ain't gettin it done anymore!
Get a Nitro, it kicks ass and takes names:4-jump2:
Just put the first 1000km on it cruising the Okanagan!
It is a genuine show stopper. People eyeball it everywhere. As for ride, it sounds wicked off the line with the tectronic shiftkit. I can't believe the snap it has through all gears. Everything feels solid and I have not experienced any quirks related stalls or shifting. Fit and finish is very good. The feel of the ride id unlike any vehicle I have driven over the last 25 years owning cars. The kids pull for us to take the nitro any chance they can. Now I just have to wait for my loaded Nissan Altima 3.5 SE to get in from the dealer. My old Mazda MPV ( 2002 ) ain't gettin it done anymore!
Get a Nitro, it kicks ass and takes names:4-jump2:
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29 Posts
I agree with other R/T owners, love the vehicle. Smooth, stable, quiet at highway speeds. Seats and other interior ergonomics are fine. Steering response and handling are crisp. An auto volume control on the radio would be nice. Ford and GM have this feature and it really works well.
I would buy another, but would like a 2-speed final drive for better mileage when not towing anything. ( or mabe just a 7 speed transmission )
My vehicle is 2WD with all season tread on the 20" tires, which ride and handle a lot different from the 4WD mud tread on some models.
I would buy another, but would like a 2-speed final drive for better mileage when not towing anything. ( or mabe just a 7 speed transmission )
My vehicle is 2WD with all season tread on the 20" tires, which ride and handle a lot different from the 4WD mud tread on some models.
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15,667 Posts
Seats
I am not a small guy ( 6' 1' and about 210) but the seats are very good for me, my last ride a Honda Element was ok but on a long trip i needed to get out and stretch and the 99 and 96 jeep GCs I had before that the seat would dig in to my right leg but last week I did a trip (220mi round) and didn't get out till 110 mi destination and felt good ! :Racing:
I am not a small guy ( 6' 1' and about 210) but the seats are very good for me, my last ride a Honda Element was ok but on a long trip i needed to get out and stretch and the 99 and 96 jeep GCs I had before that the seat would dig in to my right leg but last week I did a trip (220mi round) and didn't get out till 110 mi destination and felt good ! :Racing:
cross country trip
I moved from kissimme florida to las vegas towing a three thousand pound trailer.. The trailer was a 6x12 foot that u-haul claimes weights 1800 plus about 1500 pounds of my junk in it. towing was great could not ask for a better towing dodge. set cruise control at 75 with tow/haul mode on no problems. Gas milage on the other hand was junk lowest was 13.2 mpg highest was 16.8 which is lower then I wanted but at 75 mph and towing I guess it is not that bad. Seat comfort is not good at every gas stop had to get moving around felt like a bad case of roids. Left leg cramped because of not enought leg room for it I am 6'2 . But overall it is the best towing truch I have ever owned. left on friday may 18 drove 840 miles that day saturday drove 1100 miles and the last 700 on sunday. So for the time driving seat comfort got nasty . But overall great
I moved from kissimme florida to las vegas towing a three thousand pound trailer.. The trailer was a 6x12 foot that u-haul claimes weights 1800 plus about 1500 pounds of my junk in it. towing was great could not ask for a better towing dodge. set cruise control at 75 with tow/haul mode on no problems. Gas milage on the other hand was junk lowest was 13.2 mpg highest was 16.8 which is lower then I wanted but at 75 mph and towing I guess it is not that bad. Seat comfort is not good at every gas stop had to get moving around felt like a bad case of roids. Left leg cramped because of not enought leg room for it I am 6'2 . But overall it is the best towing truch I have ever owned. left on friday may 18 drove 840 miles that day saturday drove 1100 miles and the last 700 on sunday. So for the time driving seat comfort got nasty . But overall great
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