Crash7

As the title suggests has anyone driven or owned a Dodge Nitro? Are they any good? Are Dodge any good in general?

I'm interested in..,

Resale value
Economy MPG's
Reliability
Spares & repair

Any info appreciated :-)

Atlantic Xpat

Been a passenger in one on several occasions. My BiL is a Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler salesman and has one as company car. Reasonably roomy, quite powerful and you either like or hate the looks. Not 'trail rated' in the same way as the jeep liberty (with which it shares a platform) but some 4wd capability. Because it's a Dodge, build quality is likely to be so-so and fuel economy for the 3.7V6 not brilliant. (I used to get only 16l per 100km from a 3.7L Liberty.) If I wanted one I'd lease it over a short (36 mth) time period so I could give it back before things started to fall off!

Souvenir

We looked at one last year. The salesman told us it had been developed because the Liberty was viewed as a woman's car and they wanted something more masculine. It does indeed have many bits in common with the Liberty.

I was told by another dealer that its way better to buy a slightly used "Asian" car than a real North American one.

Atlantic Xpat

So you're saying I drive a woman's car? Bloody cheek coming from a Shitfire passenger!

Crash7

Hmmm, thanks, makes interesting reading.

I am basically looking for a mid-size SUV that is 4x4, it doesnt have to be awesome off road, but capable of dealing with the worst Alberta can throw at it during the winter and be able to get me up a snowy hill on a powder day. As well being able to tackle mountain roads and tracks for camping and mountain biking

Can anyone recommend anything?

I was leaning towards the American market due to value for money but if reliability etc is rubbish, perhaps German is the way to go? VW or BMW?

Comments?

Souvenir

How about a mule?

Souvenir

I'm only repeating what the Dodge salesman said.

My trips in the Shitfire are becoming less common. We don't use it for much other than grocery shopping these days. Souvette has taken to using the bus to go to work because of the gas price. She's not great at maths.

gryphea

We are Albertan skiers and IMHO you do need an AWD. We have a Mistibushi Outlander which we like a lot, but it may not do the off-road stuff you want to do. Gravel roads are fine , but its not a serious off-roader. It is 3.0L and is relatively fuel economic as far as canadian cars go. Has a good fold down back tailgate to sit on to do ski boots. As I understand VWs are made in Mexico and do not have the same reliability as German made ones. No idea about BMW, presume you are talking a lot more money?

How are you going to transport your bikes? On the roof? Is a Nitro extra high making that tricky?

Gryph

dbd33

I live in the Ontario snowbelt and drive a VW. It copes well with the weather but it's difficult and time consuming to get it serviced. I suggest a leased Ford Escape.

MikeUK

My experience is that snow tyres make a bigger difference than 4x4, I currently run two cars an Escape 2.0l manual with full 4x4 and a 2.0l manual focus.
In the winter in snow the focus will outperform the escape in all conditions except deep snow..
So if its the worst your expecting then go 4x4 and don’t forget to get the snow tyres
And a tip form my Canadian relatives only use 2 wheel drive, when your stuck then put it in 4x4 ……. ‘Cus if you get stuck in 4x4, nobodies coming in to help

Atlantic Xpat

Consider a Subaru Forester in lieu of a Nitro? Permanent AWD capability, better driving dynamics and economy. Seems cheap enough to lease/finance.

Surrey Expat

It's a Chrysler, enough said.
Get a copy of the Lemon Aid Guide, this will give you a run down.
Resale on domestic vehicles is not that great.

Rich_007

The title suggests it's an SUV. It's not. By Canadian standards, or at least BC standards, it's a ladies shopping cart.

R.

Crash7

Thanks for the replys, I was beginning to wonder if I could get away with not having an SUV/AWD but the last thing I would want is not being able to board due to not being able to get to the hill, particularly the smaller less commercial ones, Castle Mountain, Fernie, Golden etc – Thanks for confirming

The servicing of European SUV was also a concern, in regards to availability and cost, hence the initial lean towards an American wagon!

Cheers for the info on the VW, Focus and Escape and the recommendations - I will check them out!!

Any other suggestions?

Surrey Expat

Check out the Toyota Rav4, a crossover 4 x 4. You can also (and should) carry chains in mountain regions. Import vehicles don't cost more to service than domestics, parts are comparable. Insurance may vary between domestic and import. Depreciation is slower on most imports.