I'm looking for new work commuter. I'm turning over my sports sedan to one of my daughters. A few months ago, I bought my wife a brand new Saturn Outlook (41K, loaded). I love the heated leather, HIDs, Navigation, dual sunroofs, XM radio, it hauls eight ADULTS and luggage, and rides as smooth as a car. Most of all, I love the full-time AWD.

I only need a five-seater and have my eye on the Nitro. I took a look at a few at a local dealer this weekend and saw a leftover 2007, black, R/T, leather, sunroof, trailering, sticker 31K+ (no MyGig/Nav but everything else). They are trying to move all remaining 2007s, so they offered me the R/T for 26K. I almost pulled the trigger.

Here's my question. I want full-time AWD. What kind of system comes with the Nitro? I don't want part-time 4WD. I'm only interested in the R/T, by the way. Thanks in advance.

hello plainsman, well, i don't know anything about the r/t or the drive system. what i do know is that the first wave of nitros that were produced had very major problems which led to major recalls, alot of frustration, alot of trips to the dealership (maintenance), and a lot of what the heck is wrong with this thing. i have gravel roads, super bumpy roads, flooded roads, muddy roads, dusty roads to travel on to get to and leave my house. my 07 dodge nitro slt has been put through alot, 3 recalls, driver side door lock not working correctly, roof molding/rails flapping, they are currently not able to fix, will have to do it myself, engine failure while driving, no matter what the speed or where you are at or who is with you.

i will keep mine being i have the lifetime powertrain warranty on it. if i didn't then i may have been looking for something else. currently the plastic dash has a lot of rattles from the rough roads. the roof problem like i said earlier.
cracked and chipped windshield due to other reasons, but it's still running and i am still buying things for it to make it look better.

good luck to you on your quest! i don't know anything about the lease to own program but if the nitro was involved and you would not be throwing your money away too much, this would be ideal, that way if something goes wrong, they can deal with it.

mcnabb in louisiana.........

I appreciate the honesty. But I think you've frightened me into not buying one.

Plainsman I have the R/T but an 08. Zero problems with it to date. In fact very pleased .To answer your question regarding the full time 4 wheel/all wheel ,it's my thought that you must have the 6 speed manual tranny to get it .My R/T is a 5 speed auto tranny with 4 wheel on the fly. I gave 29 K out the door for mine .With everything but Nav. & leather .Both by choice .
Florida Roadie

I saw this black one (2007) at my local dealer, an R/T with everything but myGig/nav for 26K. It's new, not a demo. What do you mean by "4 wheel on the fly?" Does that mean full-time 4WD?

As far as I know there is no AWD Nitro. They are 2x4's. I do believe you can get what you want in a 08 Liberty. It is the same interior and exterior look as the Nitro but a better suspension and the Jeep name.

It also comes in a 5.7 model. I wish I had looked at them first. Oh well.

__________________

2007 Nitro R/T, Chrome Bug Deflector , In Channel Vent Guards, Stainless Bull Bar and Nerf Bars.

All wheel and 4 wheel can be confusing. All wheel drive is 2 wheel ,either front or rear wheel drive predominating until there is slippage. Then the other wheels engage in drive till the primary wheels catch hold. Full time 4 wheel is exactly that .All 4 wheels are always engaged in driving the unit. Partime 4 wheel is a two wheel drive till you engage the other two free wheels. 4 wheel on the fly is just that .You do not need to stop to engage the 4 wheel drive .It can be engaged any time while your driving the unit ,usually up to 45/48 MPH. No need to stop to engage anything .This is believed to be the most economical to operate form of 4 wheel use .I have had all wheel drive on Honda/Audi & Subaru. Subaru was by far the best performer from a traction stand point .But all wheel should never be confused with 4 wheel drive ."It ain't even close " traction wise .I chose the auto tranny Nitro with 4 wheel on the fly because I can engage it on an ,as needed basis. The Honda all wheel drive was a joke. When traction was lost you began counting to see how long it took to realize "Hey we're slipping here ". I tested my Nitro 4 wheel when I bought it ,haven't needed it since then .Why would I want to pay to drive 4 wheels and lose 2-3 MPG when I don't need it .If I run into inclement wheather or get bogged down in soft stuff I just turn the nob to 4 wheel position any time up to 45/48 MPH. I hope this is clearly explained. After owning 45 cars and trucks and operated them from coast to coast and north to south in all types of weather ,I think I have the best of both worlds. If your thinking that you can take an all wheel drive off road into the ugly ,your setting yourself up to a bitter disappointment .
Florida Roadie .

Thanks for the explanation, Florida Roadie. I don't go off road. I don't camp, I don't hunt, I don't fish, I don't hike. My experience has been with AWD. I had an AWD Dodge Grand Caravan when the kids were little. Had it for 10 years in Minnesota. It was excellent. It was more than 2WD until the other wheels engage. It was 90 front 10 rear, full-time, but would switch to 60 front 40 rear if needed without you doing anything. I had a few occasions in Minnesota where it was very useful.

I was hoping the Nitro would be similar, but with 4WD instead of AWD, although I now live in Pennsylvania. I've been thinking about the new Land Rover LR2 which is full-time 90-10 unless you engage terrain response to one of four different settings (snow, sand, mud and ruts, regular, but no low range). But I'm reluctant to speed 40K after spending 41K for my wife's loaded 8-passenger Saturn Outlook AWD earlier this year. 30K or less is more reasonable and I only need a five-seater.

But if you can only engage Nitro 4WD up to 48 MPH, that's not quite what I was looking for. In rainstorms, I want near-instant AWD without doing anything and at expressway speeds.

I'm disappointed because I love the way the Nitro R/T looks. It's badass.

Plainman maybe I left something out .Or maybe you missed it .If your running into the situation you stated just turn the selector know to 4 wheel and you have instant all wheel .NO WAITING FOR SLIPPAGE !

So, you're saying 4WD whenever I want it even at 70 MPH?