Jeep Patriot

[Grant Lamontagne]

It looks like our poor Sunfire may have finally given up the ghost (still waiting to hear for sure) so my wife and I are searching for a decent replacement.  So far we've looked at the Jeep Patriot, and she really likes it.



We may trade in both the Sunfire and my Wrangler on it, depending on how badly they rape me on a trade in for my Jeep, which will put us down to one car, which isn't a huge problem as my wife rarely drives anywhere. 

Does anyone own a Patriot, or know anyone who does, and what do you (they) think of it?  I know it's not an off roader, so if I give up my TJ I will give up playing in the mud too- a pain in the arse, but not the end of the world since I rarely have the time to do much muddin' anyway.  We are looking at the North Edition, which I think may be a Canada only version, and of course it will be a 4x4- I won't buy a 2WD Jeep, and if I do give mine up, I won't give it up without getting another 4WD.

The price is right on both versions of the North Edition and the North Edition All Season, with about $10-15/month difference between them, and they both come nicely loaded with things like air conditioning, heated seats, remote start, automatic transmission with the shifter, roof rack and some other fanciness.  I find it a little gutless on takeoff, but then I am used to a smaller truck with a bigger engine and a manual transmission, so that makes a world of difference.

Anyways, just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the Patriot or other suggestions I should look into.  We aren't sold on a truck, but since my wife doesn't drive much, we are looking for something decent at a low price point, and the Patriot seems to offer a lot of benefits over some econo-boxes, but without a significant increase in price.

Def

[Pacu]

not the Wrangler!

I'm 6'5 and i couldn't fit in a Patriot or a Liberty. Nice ride though. Not as nice as......




 

[Pacu]

it will go won't it?  Our neighbors have one in silver. Good looking ride and it's trail rated.

[jzmtl]

depending on how badly they rape me on a trade in for my Jeep,

Oh come on, do you really need to ask? I went to look at dodge caliber right after I got mine, and asked them what it would be worth trade in, they gave me 60% of what I just paid for it. 

I'm pretty sure it doesn't have a transfer case, the so called "low range" is actually just transmission locked in 1st gear.

it will go won't it?  Our neighbors have one in silver. Good looking ride and it's trail rated.

From what I heard on jeep forums it was towed through most of the rubicon trail to get that trail rated rating.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have to wonder how valuable that Trail Rated emblem is really?  I mean, sure, there are vids of it online rock crawling and doing other off road stuff, but then I used to go off roading in my Firebird.... admittedly that's a big reason why I don't have the Firebird anymore, but there are drivers out there with enough skill to get a Suzuki Swift through Moab, and other drivers dumb enough to try a river crossing with a Dodge Caravan.

Besides, the Trail Rated badge is only on certain models I think, with the Freedom Drive II option.

I'm sure I will get screwed on the trade in value of my Jeep- it's simply a matter of how bad.  Car dealers aren't in business to lose money....

Def

[Gareth]

The important question is; does it come in yellow?

[Grant Lamontagne]

The important question is; does it come in yellow?

No, but the wife wants it in red, which it is available in! 

Def

[jzmtl]

I have to wonder how valuable that Trail Rated emblem is really?  I mean, sure, there are vids of it online rock crawling and doing other off road stuff, but then I used to go off roading in my Firebird.... admittedly that's a big reason why I don't have the Firebird anymore, but there are drivers out there with enough skill to get a Suzuki Swift through Moab, and other drivers dumb enough to try a river crossing with a Dodge Caravan.

Besides, the Trail Rated badge is only on certain models I think, with the Freedom Drive II option.

I'm sure I will get screwed on the trade in value of my Jeep- it's simply a matter of how bad.  Car dealers aren't in business to lose money....

Def

Theoretically it have to be able to drive through rubicon trail to get the badge, but guess they don't tell you whether it had a tow strap and a wrangler in front when driving through it.

Funny thing I just saw a patriot in the parking lot, it doesn't look like an SUV, more like a boxy car. It's about the same height as the passenger car parked next to it.

[Blackout]

Don't trade it in.Seriously you will be better off selling it to an individual and using the
money as a down payment.Car dealers don't actually give you anything for a trade in.
I read an article some time ago,were a guy went under cover at several different car dealerships
and it told how you basically just give your trade in to them for free.


PS hope this makes sense as Ive had a few Shiners.cheers

[Grant Lamontagne]

Jie- I think just about any vehicle can make it through the Rubicon provided you don't care what shape it's in when it gets to the other side.  Let's face it, bolt a skid plate on so you don't destroy the engine, and stick a winch on the front and you could probably do it in a Suzuki Swift.  Sure you are going 100 feet at a time with the winch, and the body panels will take on a whole new look, but it could be done!

Blackout- I know several car dealers personally, and I know how the business pushes trade ins.  Check out a movie called Suckers:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0199054/

It's basically a documentary about how car dealers work, with some lame story wrapped around it.  It's surprisingly accurate, although I'd avoid it if you don't care for foul language and the occasional naked person. 

The Patriot is reasonably enough priced that I will probably keep my TJ as well, but I'm not sure I want to pay for two Jeeps- gas, insurance, maintenance etc.  I'll have to see how the numbers work out, but it looks like the Patriot may be a lot more practical for me than the TJ anyway.

Def

[jzmtl]

I agree for people who live in the city like us, a wrangler really doesn't make much sense, something with better gas mileage and room is much more practical. I've been thinking about get rid of mine for something else too, but nothing really catches my eye (in the ones I can afford anyway).

[WhichDawg]

okay, we have one here (her brother in law) and he luvs it Grant.

he has the "Sport" same dark-green color 2008.
I asked him to give me some "cons" for you and he said:

1. it is lower (profile) than other Jeeps which is good and bad,
bad for off-road, good for handling and gas mileage which he says is great.

2. smaller engine which is good and bad too! and you know why.

3. some people have complained about "road-noise" but he says it's
fine, especially if you listen to music lol (he's 26)

but overall he says the "pro's" way out number any cons (that I had to
push him on).

the interior is a cloth like material but is very easy to clean (almost like a
nylon type of fabric) because i know you have doggies and that may be
important to you, also the door panels are easy to clean too.

plenty of room for the doggies inside especially if you fold down the seats.

please if you have any specific questions boss I will be more than glad to ask
him  

Get It! it is really nice

[Pacu]

Im keeping my Jeep Wrangler until it falls apart then im gonna put it back together and keep driving it.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Well, as of today it looks like this:

1.  Go down to one car and get a Patriot, meaning I get rid of my TJ as well.

2.  Keep my TJ and get a Kia Rio 5

Guess which way I'm leaning? 



Def

[Pacu]

Keep TJ +Rio?

Don't kias come with 100,000 mile warranty?

[Grant Lamontagne]

100,000 or five years, whichever comes first.  Bumper to bumper and it's reasonably well outfitted with all kinds of gadgets I don't have in either car now, like heated seats, air conditioning, remote keyless entry etc.  Especially since it means I keep my Jeep, I think I'd be quite happy with this one.  My wife doesn't drive much, so it's not likely she'll hit the 100,000 within five years, so that should be good.

We haven't test driven it yet, but I am expecting it to be very gutless.

Def

[Pacu]

My parents had a Kia Rio for several years motoring around east texas. Great gas mileage and a good all arounder.....plus i could fit in the back seat

[jzmtl]

I had a Kia as loaner once, don't recall the model but the one same size as civic. The engine is louder but pulls about the same as my parents' civic so not bad.

[Woz]

KIA are great rides, I had an old Sportage and loved it. I thought of getting a Ceéd but went for a Nissan Note instead. Still, KIA are great.