Anyone drive a Dodge Nitro? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

bigtmac19 · 01-26-2009, 05:11 PM

Was looking at one of these today. It's a 2007 with 40,000 kms. I don't know anyone who owns one, and just was wondering if anyone has an opinion on this vehicle. It's 2 wheel drive, and I have only driven front wheel drive for years. Thanks for any possible help.

missdpuck · 01-26-2009, 05:29 PM

My boss has one and says it's the best vehicle she's ever owned. She's had it about a year and a half...her previous cars were mainly Toyotas.

Cliche · 01-26-2009, 05:49 PM

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/...st_cars/5.html

Ranked as the 5th worst vehicle to own...so YMMV. Should also consider driving style of the user, and if possible, see if they can take it out for an extended test drive.

Edmunds:
http://www.edmunds.com/dodge/nitro/2...merreview.html

Basically... Appearance above all else type of vehicle.

(Note: I have never driven said vehicle so my opinion should not matter, however, reputable reviews should list what on average you should be getting)

TheDragon · 01-26-2009, 06:20 PM

My dad is leasing one, and he loves it. He's pretty sure he wants to buy it out at the end of the lease.

It was actually on the receiving end of a hit from behind on 16th last spring. The driver who hit him took full responsibility for the accident, citing he just didn't stop. He was driving a Toyota SUV, and pretty well destroyed his front end, and took what my dad expected to be about $3000-$4000 worth of damage. Meanwhile, the Nitro took about $140 worth of cosmetic damage, and the spare tire under the rear bumper had to be readjusted.

The 4WD has been a blessing this winter, too... but even without, I've found it handles pretty decently.

It does "feel" a lot bigger than it is when you are driving it, though. It's hard to explain.

Dion · 01-26-2009, 06:31 PM

From consumer reports....

Initial impressions. The Nitro has eye-catching looks, with a huge Dodge brand-signature crosshair grille and a tough-looking, boxy shape. (The wide front-fender flares might remind some people of the old Dodge Power Wagon or recent concept vehicle of the same name.) Beneath the squarish sheet metal, the Nitro has Jeep-sourced components that include a 210-hp, 3.7-liter V6 and live rear axle. That setup never impressed us with its performance or ride in the Liberty, and it doesn't work better here. It only takes a few miles of driving to uncover flaws, with the most obvious being the relentlessly noisy engine and a stiff, bumpy ride. On the highway the ride becomes floaty. Engine power is adequate, but a driver must prod it to keep up the pace. Vague steering and notable body lean leaves the handling less than agile.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...odge-nitro.htm

enthused · 01-26-2009, 07:10 PM

Worst. Vehicle. EVER.

My mom is leasing one, and it is absolutely terrible. She can't wait until her lease is up. I've driven it a few times, and I really didn't like it. It feels very unsteady, like it could tip over at any moment when you're going around corners, it has terrible steering, and overall it feels very... cheap.

Dion · 01-26-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enthused

Worst. Vehicle. EVER.

My mom is leasing one, and it is absolutely terrible. She can't wait until her lease is up. I've driven it a few times, and I really didn't like it. It feels very unsteady, like it could tip over at any moment when you're going around corners, it has terrible steering, and overall it feels very... cheap.

I remember taking one for a test drive and getting similar results. Ended up buying a Ford Escape instead.

bigtmac19 · 01-26-2009, 07:24 PM

Thanks everyone for the input. That helps.
I really hate car shopping and I'm pretty much on my own in this decision, which I am very bad at making up my mind.
Price is a big consideration of course, and this vehicle is definitely in my price range.

missdpuck · 01-26-2009, 07:26 PM

Good luck! It's a pain.

HotHotHeat · 01-26-2009, 07:27 PM

Wait a couple months...Dodge is going to have a killer going out of business sale.

bigtmac19 · 01-26-2009, 07:39 PM

Wow, read a bunch of those review pages. Almost all negative.
Thanks, I guess I will have to re-think this.
I took an Avenger out for a drive as well, it's very nice but a lot more money of course.

missdpuck · 01-26-2009, 07:47 PM

Dion's right about the Ford Escape it is pretty cool. Hate to admit I'm a sucker for Dodge

bigtmac19 · 01-26-2009, 08:12 PM

My last 3 cars have been Chrysler, mainly because my Dad worked there, I do feel a certain loyalty.

QuadCityImages · 01-26-2009, 08:22 PM

I think you've just got to drive one.

I rented an 08 Escape in Florida last Spring, and I loved it. After I read some of the negative stuff linked to about the Nitro on this thread, I looked up some stuff about the Escape. A lot of negative stuff that I didn't notice while driving one for a week. I think everyone has their own things that they want from a vehicle.

I always liked the look of the Nitro, but they seem slightly smaller and more expensive than the Escape, which I also like, so there's little chance I'd ever get one.

Nancy · 01-26-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliche

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/...st_cars/5.html

Ranked as the 5th worst vehicle to own...so YMMV. Should also consider driving style of the user, and if possible, see if they can take it out for an extended test drive.

Edmunds:
http://www.edmunds.com/dodge/nitro/2...merreview.html

Basically... Appearance above all else type of vehicle.

(Note: I have never driven said vehicle so my opinion should not matter, however, reputable reviews should list what on average you should be getting)

Interesting that there are 2 Toyotas on that worst 10 list.

Dion · 01-26-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy

Interesting that there are 2 Toyotas on that worst 10 list.

Toyota's quality is slipping

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...a_quality.html

MRCboicgy · 01-26-2009, 09:42 PM

Nah to the Avenger. We had one for two weeks rental, with only 6K on it. we put another 5K on it in that time and it may be the most uncomfortable car ever. I hate it.

kevman · 01-27-2009, 08:22 AM

According to all consumer reports unless you own a Corolla or a Civic your vehicle is garbage. Take one out for a test drive and decide for yourself! If you like it, who cares what everyone else thinks? Consumer reports says "it's stiff, noisy and vague with body lean" well of course it is, it's an SUV. Despite what these reports lead you to believe any new vehicle is going to handle pretty good...

bigtmac19 · 01-27-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevman

According to all consumer reports unless you own a Corolla or a Civic your vehicle is garbage. Take one out for a test drive and decide for yourself! If you like it, who cares what everyone else thinks? Consumer reports says "it's stiff, noisy and vague with body lean" well of course it is, it's an SUV. Despite what these reports lead you to believe any new vehicle is going to handle pretty good...

Yes, I agree to a point about Consumer Reports. I drove it about 1/2 hour last night, I did not have a lot of issues with the driving. The side view mirror is huge and disrupts my line of sight when turning. That may be due to my height (short), but you can't adjust the seat at all. The thing that concerns me is the large number of mechanical problems people were reporting. I don't need that kind of headache. I owned a lot of POS cars when I was younger and I don't want to go there again.