[hockeyman]

I have been waiting for months to test drive the Nitro, and finally got my chance yesterday while passing a local Dodge dealership. I drove a 4x2 model with base features..............here are my immediate reactions:

- Extremely comfortable seats. Lower lumbar support a plus, not overly firm, but cushy for a long drive.

- Excellent head and leg room for a 6'2" 200 lb guy.

- Decent back bench seat and leg room for passengers.

- Good looking truck. People were giving me the doublelook while I was waiting at the stop sign. It was the orange color.

- No blind spots like the new Toyota FJ Cruiser had.

- We drove on a rough patch of road in hwy 24 (Layfayette, CA) and was surprised the squishy/floaty/rough ride. My wife is subject to motion sickness, and was ready to toss her cookies after the test drive. I inquired with the sales guy on suspension options; however, he admitted he is not "up" on the product.

- Side windows reminded me of the H3 (Hummer) windows. Not bad, just noticeable for the first time driving the Nitro.

Bottom line:

I liked it, but the ride was what I expected. Anyone have any feedback on Nitro suspension options to firm up the ride????

My wife's first reaction when she saw the base model with plastic trim...."this is what you get when a Honda Element and Hummer H3 have sex". Ha - we both laughed, but I knew what she was driving at. Overall all she liked it too; however, the vehicle pitch & sway has here worried about have to travel with a barf bag everytime we take a spin or a long road trip.

I want to but this vehicle......maybe I need to test drive the high end model.

Thoughts?

 

[UN4GTBL]

i know that the r/t at least has a "performance" suspension on it that might give the difference that you need, im not sure if you can order that option on any other model tho...

 

[Andrew]

i know that the r/t at least has a "performance" suspension on it that might give the difference that you need, im not sure if you can order that option on any other model tho...

You can get the performance suspension along w/ the 20-inch tires as an option on the SLT (about $1400). I'm interested in driving and SLT w/ this suspension, as I found the right w/o it a little soft as well. Not terrible, but I am interested to see the difference.

 

[brickyard1911]

We drove on a rough patch of road in hwy 24 (Layfayette, CA) and was surprised the squishy/floaty/rough ride. I inquired with the sales guy on suspension options; however, he admitted he is not "up" on the product.

I'm guessing you will find the R/T or the SLT with the upgrade package to your liking!

As far as the salesmen, no excuse. It's the guys darn job to know. I would have made him go look it up. It always amazes me how uninformed car salesmen are. It only takes about 10 minutes looking over the option lists and packages to learn about a car, yet these guys that are supposed to be doing this to make a living aren't "up" on the product. Go sell Big Mac's dude.

hockeyman, if you get to drive one with the upgraded suspension give us an update!

 

[Andrew]

hockeyman, if you get to drive one with the upgraded suspension give us an update!

Do you know if the upgraded suspension/20-inch tires are available yet on the SLT? I've not yet seen one equipped this way. I'm wondering if these won't be available on the SLT until the RT comes out (as this is the "standard" suspension on the RT). Anyone know?

Thanks