I'll get in on this. I have a 96 Nitro, small one, 16ft with a 75 Merc and absolutely love the boat. This combo has been the most reliable boat I have owned or even been in for that matter. Most of that could be because of maint though. It's garaged and well cared for. I will say that I feel Nitro got a bad rap for a couple of reasons. One, the finish and detail could be a little better, but your going to pay for it...go buy a Ranger. Second, I honestly feel there is a little sour grape syndrome that goes on here. Guys that spend 45-50K on a Ranger or Triton see some chump in a 12K Nitro place higher than him in a tourney, well that's gotta hurt. I can't help but feel some, not all, guys in Rangers and Tritons look down on folks in Nitros, even though it's not the boat that catches fish.
It's like when I go to the 5 stand club with my $600 Lanber and shoot better than guys with $2500 Berettas and Brownings.
And please don't get me wrong. If I were loaded I'd love to own a Ranger as they are fine quality boats. I'm just saying a Nitro is a great boat for the money and will put you in the same spots as anything else.