What's the general consensus on Dodge Nitros?

[matlee]

Im currently driving a 3.0 Z4 and having the itch to change it. Im really liking the idea of a 4x4, i have no need for one what so ever but just feel like a complete change.My budget would be around the £8.5k mark. I had narrowed it down to the following

X5 - horror stories about £3k gearbox replacements have kinda put me off those
Range Rover - Would be at the bottom end of the market with a million miles on the clock
Jeep Commander - Some days i like the styling, others i don't
Dodge Nitro - Love the exterior styling, not too keen on the interior from the pics.

Anybody here have first hand experience of the Nitro? Any reliability issues or concerns? Ive read many reviews and most of them dont give them the best of ratings. Are they really that bad?

[Roo]

Get a Cherokee instead. At least you'll have the option of running it in all wheel drive.

[Fleckers]

to be honest if you dont need a 4 seater I would go for something like this

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3923289.htm

[matlee]

I dont think i could live with a left hand drive. Also i dont 'need' a 4x4 i just want one. Im not bothered about its capabilities off road or whether or not the 4 wheel drive is switchable, i just like the whole image of them and the high driving position etc

[PascalBuyens]

Went to look for a Nitro, but decided against based on a few things:

- fuel consumption was said not to be that great
- interior just looked too plastic for me

I bought a RR Sport instead...

[chryslerben]

PascalBuyens said:

Went to look for a Nitro, but decided against based on a few things:

- fuel consumption was said not to be that great
- interior just looked too plastic for me

I bought a RR Sport instead...

3 thinks about this post, first 2

-fuel consumption I agree is higher than you'd expect
- interior trim is a tad plastic

And thirdly pascals is minted lol

But as a "budget" 4x4 their a good option however I'd go for the lighting too

[300bhp/ton]

PascalBuyens said:

Went to look for a Nitro, but decided against based on a few things:

- fuel consumption was said not to be that great
- interior just looked too plastic for me

I bought a RR Sport instead...

Is an RRS really in the same price category though? And they are hardly the pinnacle of mpg either..

[PascalBuyens]

300bhp/ton said:

Is an RRS really in the same price category though? And they are hardly the pinnacle of mpg either..

Compared to my other cars, the RRS has good mpg LOL (but seriously, the Nitro gets worse mpg)

Like for like, the Nitro is indeed in a lower price category.

[LuS1fer]

I think they look a bit cack but that is subjective. Have you looked at the Kia Sportage?

[sawman]

I ran a petrol one in canada for a year. It was reliable & comfortable, the interior trim was a bit plasticky, but no worse than the equivalent jeep cherokee. I test drove a diesel one a couple of years ago but didn't like it as much as the petrol, and I don't think the fuel cost is that much between the two when you factor in the extra cost of derv.

Not sure if they have changed with regards the transmission, but the one we had was essentially RWD with the option to switch in the 4X4 when needed up to 30mph. In my hands this feature was mainly used in snowed over car parks etc