Dodge Nitro Owners.......
Discussion
I ran a nitro petrol V6 for about a year back in 2007 when overseas- it was reliable, comfortable and has bags of presence. It is closely related to the jeep cherokee of the same vintage but some pennies were saved in the 4x4 system - although I think this got updated about 2009.
I test drove a diesel one in 2009/10 when back in he UK but wasn't keen on the diesel power delivery, and surprised by the poor mpg that was noted on the trip computer. Ended up buying a cherokee V6. I have been scouring the classifieds again recently as the jeep is now getting old and a newer low milage petrol V6 nitro is cheaper than the equivalent jeep....
I test drove a diesel one in 2009/10 when back in he UK but wasn't keen on the diesel power delivery, and surprised by the poor mpg that was noted on the trip computer. Ended up buying a cherokee V6. I have been scouring the classifieds again recently as the jeep is now getting old and a newer low milage petrol V6 nitro is cheaper than the equivalent jeep....
Yes...I have had many 4x4's and used to be in the trade..I run a Shogun and Nitro. Its a bargain basically.
Good Points
Cheap as chips and almost the same vehicle as Jeep Cherokee of the same year.
Engines go well and have previously owned the Wrangler 2.8
Looks different
Banging stereo
High geared
Good on fuel around 35-40 mpg on a run. ( Manual )
Simple layout and tough compared to most modern 4x4 / crossovers of similar size.
Comfortable and a great mile muncher.
Great owners reviews on the autotrader.
I have the base model as I don't like stupid low profile tyres on 4x4, plus they cost twice much and the big alloys peel the chrome,and they do nothing for the ride.
Bad points loading space is not massive in boot.
Interior quality on the cheap side....however it is cheap.
Handbrake can be poor however there is mod for this..easy
The do rust on the underside like most vehicles today due to the lack of protection.
Manual can be ponderous, however oil change made all the difference at 30k miles although the book says 100K !.
No low box, however when its in 4 wheel dive its in, no mickey mouse/crossover style like it deciding switching between 2/4 on its own accord, simple old fashioned 2 or 4 but works and does have traction control brake lock. There is no centre diff so the front and rear are locked when in 4 wheel drive so you will get windup if driving around in 4 wheel on dry tarmac but system is simple and effective and works well offroad, again old school.
Some of the year of reg can be deceptive as some early car were late registered. The later models had slightly different wheels on the top spec and lower spec cars. Better loading with tray and improved suspension so the year of build is more important than reg.
Conclusion you will not find a better VALUE 4x4, Grand Vitara comes a close second in terms of value.
I was surprised on the my first drive that it was much better than I thought it was going to be. Worth have a drive if you get chance.
I have had mine 18moths purchased from what was the main dealers,( Still jeep ) 26k miles 4 new tyres, mint, totally original £6.9k as said superb value. Most folk think it s 20k car.
Good Points
Cheap as chips and almost the same vehicle as Jeep Cherokee of the same year.
Engines go well and have previously owned the Wrangler 2.8
Looks different
Banging stereo
High geared
Good on fuel around 35-40 mpg on a run. ( Manual )
Simple layout and tough compared to most modern 4x4 / crossovers of similar size.
Comfortable and a great mile muncher.
Great owners reviews on the autotrader.
I have the base model as I don't like stupid low profile tyres on 4x4, plus they cost twice much and the big alloys peel the chrome,and they do nothing for the ride.
Bad points loading space is not massive in boot.
Interior quality on the cheap side....however it is cheap.
Handbrake can be poor however there is mod for this..easy
The do rust on the underside like most vehicles today due to the lack of protection.
Manual can be ponderous, however oil change made all the difference at 30k miles although the book says 100K !.
No low box, however when its in 4 wheel dive its in, no mickey mouse/crossover style like it deciding switching between 2/4 on its own accord, simple old fashioned 2 or 4 but works and does have traction control brake lock. There is no centre diff so the front and rear are locked when in 4 wheel drive so you will get windup if driving around in 4 wheel on dry tarmac but system is simple and effective and works well offroad, again old school.
Some of the year of reg can be deceptive as some early car were late registered. The later models had slightly different wheels on the top spec and lower spec cars. Better loading with tray and improved suspension so the year of build is more important than reg.
Conclusion you will not find a better VALUE 4x4, Grand Vitara comes a close second in terms of value.
I was surprised on the my first drive that it was much better than I thought it was going to be. Worth have a drive if you get chance.
I have had mine 18moths purchased from what was the main dealers,( Still jeep ) 26k miles 4 new tyres, mint, totally original £6.9k as said superb value. Most folk think it s 20k car.
Edited by Rum Runner on Sunday 25th January 16:50
Missingbadly said:
Looks a bit nondescript to me.
Do you have to wear a hat driving it?
Dont really give two monkeys about that when it comes at that price...in the metal it looks similar to a Disco 3 but works. Lets put it another way ,its different... Maybe I should buy a full fat Rangie for me and Evoke for the Mrs (If White with black wheels I would have to take a gun to my head),(Sheep are white and they like follow) but I dont do wasting money on run around working cars. That probably stems from being born in the motortrade...so value wise you will not do much better.Do you have to wear a hat driving it?
I will probably get some flack for this, but I was not impressed by it at all and passed real quick on it too. I would rather go with a 2001 Cherokee in great shape, which was originally what I had set for before I got to this forum.
I don't have one but know somebody who has it. It was one of the first cars I test drove when I decided to look for an off road. As I expected based on the looks of it, real off road it is not. Unless for those who think a proper off road just needs to be 4x4.
I drove it at the farm a weekend. I would put it together with the class of SUVs I call posers. Not expensive, refined or has cache enough to be a Chelsea Tractor, but not good enough to be a proper off road. It's basically your run of the mill crossover.
But I agree with the good value comment. Price is very good considering how new they are. But it is cheap and was taken off production probably for a reason too. So consider that too.
If you like the style, which for me was another put down, you get a semi new vehicle for not much money. But for me, before I would go with any of these 4x4 SUVs which are basically as low as cars, with car sport tires and based on car platforms etc, at that rate I might as well go for a good 4x4 Tourer/Station Wagon. And the design is also horrible in my opinion, but this is very subjective of course.
I don't have one but know somebody who has it. It was one of the first cars I test drove when I decided to look for an off road. As I expected based on the looks of it, real off road it is not. Unless for those who think a proper off road just needs to be 4x4.
I drove it at the farm a weekend. I would put it together with the class of SUVs I call posers. Not expensive, refined or has cache enough to be a Chelsea Tractor, but not good enough to be a proper off road. It's basically your run of the mill crossover.
But I agree with the good value comment. Price is very good considering how new they are. But it is cheap and was taken off production probably for a reason too. So consider that too.
If you like the style, which for me was another put down, you get a semi new vehicle for not much money. But for me, before I would go with any of these 4x4 SUVs which are basically as low as cars, with car sport tires and based on car platforms etc, at that rate I might as well go for a good 4x4 Tourer/Station Wagon. And the design is also horrible in my opinion, but this is very subjective of course.
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