Possible Nitro Buyer Here

[rickaren]

Florida Roadie QuoteAt least according to my manual page 267 they discuss using the MP 140 full time 4 wheel drive


Reply: No, manual is out of date and has been revised on some pages like 256 & 257 with stick-overs. It's a crime that they have not up-dated many of the errors in the original 07 manual for 2008 let along mine built in July of 07, one year after production was started, on the Nitro.

I don't think you will ever see a FT 4X4 Nitro produced for the US or Canada and the Company has said so in published reports and interviews I have posted here. As far as Europe that could happen, I guess.

I have activated my 4WD in the rain and it does cut down wheel spin or eliminates it taking off. Don't know that it would help much at 70 MPH unless you left the road! As far as not being much of a benefit that is true when driving on ice, but on snow I would think it would be a real benefit as with all my other 4WD trucks and SUVs previously owned (PT & FT). We have not experienced any snow in Indiana yet but I plan to report back when it does and give this R/T a real test in the snow.

To me PT 4WD seems mickey-mouse (have had it in two Ford Explorers and a Ford truck) and JEEP has the best systems and that market and plans to keep it and won't even share it with our Nitros!

My Wife has had both of her last Ford Explorers checked by Dealers since that both jump, if in 4WD, when parking. Service Department even drove both and said this was to be expected and was normal. She told them that her Husband's Jeep didn't do that, and their replay was that this was not a Jeep, and yes they have a much better 4WD system.

They have alway been very honest, and we like their Service Department.

Also the 6 speed trans has never been available with the 4.0 engine as used in the R/T Nitro, exclusively. It was also used in the Pacifica, but since that is being discontinued the 4.0 engine may disappear too. The new Phoenix engine are still planed to replace all present V-6 in around 2010 I think.

More here.


http://www.allpar.com/mopar/phoenix-engines.html

[ThePlainsman]

Originally Posted by rickaren

I have had several posts on the subject but if anyone really wants a FT 4X4 (as I did and had in my old Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited) it will never be available in a Nitro from the factory! They want to protect the Jeep Brand and have said so, and that is where it is only going to be available. Saying that, it is available now in the 2008 Jeep Liberty that is built at the same plant as the Nitro. For me I don't like the styling of the new Liberty even if it is about the same as the Nitro. I waited to see the styling of the 2008 Liberty FT 4X4 and also to see if there was going to be a FT 4X4 option for the 2008 Nitro before my purchase. I wanted the styling of the Nitro R/T and will make due with their PT 4X4 system that I'm sure will be viable. Most didn't understand why I wanted that option, but that is what I had before in my Jeep and was very pleased with that system, but did reduce MPG.

Again if you want the looks of the Nitro it will not be avaiable in FT 4WD. If that is really what you want or require check out the new 2008 Jeep Liberty.

If you want 260 HP, 5 speed AT and 20 inch rims and some other exclusive options and that Nitro R/T look that some hate, it is presently not avaiable as a Jeep. Do your homework before making a purchase. I sure did.

Good Luck and enjoy......

I"m the person who started this thread. I want to thank all of you guys for educating me about the Nitro. I finally went to another Dodge dealer on my way home from work last night. I'd never been to this one. Outside were about 70 Nitros, mostly 2008s but about 20 2007s. The dealer is having trouble selling them.

Anyway, inside the showroom was the most drop dead gorgeous SUV I've ever seen. An electric blue Nitro R/T with a small "Kicker" emblem on the rear windows. The sales guy said "kicker" means a sound system with speakers that could knock down a building. He opened the rear hatch and there was this speaker system that ran across the entire width of the car. It was hooked to the backs of the rear seats, all the way across. It was removable too. He turned it on and it almost shattered the dealership's windows! OMG!
The sales guy tells me it's something that appeals to the younger crowd because you can hear it from half-mile away. It was dealer installed. I'm an older, going through mid-life crisis guy, but I was impressed. And that color. OMG. All cleaned and waxed, I've never seen a vehicle in any color more beautiful. The thing had the 20 inch chrome clad wheels, chrome side view mirror covers, chrome fuel door cap, and beautiful two-tone blue cloth seats that were comfortable as hell. I thought: If my neighbors saw this in my driveway, I could sell tickets. I almost bought the dang thing right then and there.

Here's what stopped me. I've never been in a car/vehicle where the foot room up front was narrowed in half! There was a big hump in the center between the driver and front passenger that made foot room (width) disappear. I'm used getting in a car with FWD or AWD and spreading my feet wide, especially when using cruise control on long drives. There was no room to do that! I'm not a pickup truck driver, never have been, so discovering this huge hump that robs me of the ability to spread my legs was a shocker. Just when I was getting used to the prospect of part-time 4WD, I get inside the most beautiful vehicle I've ever seen and discover I've got about half the space for my feet. I gotta tell you, it was like letting the air out of a balloon. I was so disappointed.

I still haven't driven one, but that hump thing, I don't know if I could get used to that.

[fcsallan]

Originally Posted by ThePlainsman

I"m the person who started this thread. I want to thank all of you guys for educating me about the Nitro. I finally went to another Dodge dealer on my way home from work last night. I'd never been to this one. Outside were about 70 Nitros, mostly 2008s but about 20 2007s. The dealer is having trouble selling them.

Anyway, inside the showroom was the most drop dead gorgeous SUV I've ever seen. An electric blue Nitro R/T with a small "Kicker" emblem on the rear windows. The sales guy said "kicker" means a sound system with speakers that could knock down a building. He opened the rear hatch and there was this speaker system that ran across the entire width of the car. It was hooked to the backs of the rear seats, all the way across. It was removable too. He turned it on and it almost shattered the dealership's windows! OMG!
The sales guy tells me it's something that appeals to the younger crowd because you can hear it from half-mile away. It was dealer installed. I'm an older, going through mid-life crisis guy, but I was impressed. And that color. OMG. All cleaned and waxed, I've never seen a vehicle in any color more beautiful. The thing had the 20 inch chrome clad wheels, chrome side view mirror covers, chrome fuel door cap, and beautiful two-tone blue cloth seats that were comfortable as hell. I thought: If my neighbors saw this in my driveway, I could sell tickets. I almost bought the dang thing right then and there.

Here's what stopped me. I've never been in a car/vehicle where the foot room up front was narrowed in half! There was a big hump in the center between the driver and front passenger that made foot room (width) disappear. I'm used getting in a car with FWD or AWD and spreading my feet wide, especially when using cruise control on long drives. There was no room to do that! I'm not a pickup truck driver, never have been, so discovering this huge hump that robs me of the ability to spread my legs was a shocker. Just when I was getting used to the prospect of part-time 4WD, I get inside the most beautiful vehicle I've ever seen and discover I've got about half the space for my feet. I gotta tell you, it was like letting the air out of a balloon. I was so disappointed.

I still haven't driven one, but that hump thing, I don't know if I could get used to that.

I agree, the hump in the middle was a shock to me as well. Surprisingly, I don't notice it while driving. I guess it is more ergonomic than you expect from the looks of it. I am one who is not afraid to cut up a new vehicle to customize it, if it can be done better. However, after crawling around this thing, there is very little that could be done. The hump is there to get around a rather odd shaped trans. So, until I am ready to pull the 4.0 and put in the drive train from a Magnum or Charger (5.7,,, can you say hemi nitro? I can) I will live with the large tunnel.

I have to admit I will not be taking any long trips in this thing anyway but, I truly don't notice the cramped space up front while driving.

[rickaren]

Glad to see a progressive Dealership that modifies new Nitros. It is a way to make more money up-front. I see it more at Ford Dealership around Indianapolis than any other makes. My Nitro was fully loaded with every option available from the factory in 07 except the engine heater. As most I have added or modified inside and out. The best modification I feel is the addition of an interior 71 piece wood grain dress-up dash and door kit. Dealers would be smart to add this item on some of their new Nitros to help sales.

I drove a R/T seven months before I bought one and did not have an issue with the seating as some have have made reference to, and I'm 6' 2". I enjoy the ride and handling but with only 2,000 miles on it I have not taken any long trips with it, but would not consider the seating an issue. Take a test drive, and you might be surprised, Fcsallan!

Good Luck!

[Florida Roadie]

Originally Posted by ThePlainsman

I"m the person who started this thread. I want to thank all of you guys for educating me about the Nitro. I finally went to another Dodge dealer on my way home from work last night. I'd never been to this one. Outside were about 70 Nitros, mostly 2008s but about 20 2007s. The dealer is having trouble selling them.

Anyway, inside the showroom was the most drop dead gorgeous SUV I've ever seen. An electric blue Nitro R/T with a small "Kicker" emblem on the rear windows. The sales guy said "kicker" means a sound system with speakers that could knock down a building. He opened the rear hatch and there was this speaker system that ran across the entire width of the car. It was hooked to the backs of the rear seats, all the way across. It was removable too. He turned it on and it almost shattered the dealership's windows! OMG!
The sales guy tells me it's something that appeals to the younger crowd because you can hear it from half-mile away. It was dealer installed. I'm an older, going through mid-life crisis guy, but I was impressed. And that color. OMG. All cleaned and waxed, I've never seen a vehicle in any color more beautiful. The thing had the 20 inch chrome clad wheels, chrome side view mirror covers, chrome fuel door cap, and beautiful two-tone blue cloth seats that were comfortable as hell. I thought: If my neighbors saw this in my driveway, I could sell tickets. I almost bought the dang thing right then and there.

Here's what stopped me. I've never been in a car/vehicle where the foot room up front was narrowed in half! There was a big hump in the center between the driver and front passenger that made foot room (width) disappear. I'm used getting in a car with FWD or AWD and spreading my feet wide, especially when using cruise control on long drives. There was no room to do that! I'm not a pickup truck driver, never have been, so discovering this huge hump that robs me of the ability to spread my legs was a shocker. Just when I was getting used to the prospect of part-time 4WD, I get inside the most beautiful vehicle I've ever seen and discover I've got about half the space for my feet. I gotta tell you, it was like letting the air out of a balloon. I was so disappointed.

I still haven't driven one, but that hump thing, I don't know if I could get used to that.

If you think the Nitro is a little tight or pressed for space take a test ride in an Infinit G35 coupe . The nitro will seem spacious. On a recent trip to Central America I saw a family of 3 living in something smaller than my Nitro.
Seriously I had to go out into my garage and look at my Nitro to see what you found difficult to adjust to. I'm a pretty wide guy having played 7 years of football and my Nitro is anything but tight. The footwell is directly in front of the drivers seat as it should be .If there is any space issues with the Nitro it's entering and exiting. With the drivers seat all the way back I still need to stick my head in first and bring my body along after. You just don't hop into a Nitro.
Roadie.