Patriot

[stick]

Anyone on this board have a Jeep Patriot or willing to admit they have one :elkgrin: I'm looking for a replacement for my aging XJ for a daily driver in the near future. I really like the XJ, but it's getting up there in both age and miles. I've been looking a the Patriot and was wondering what your thoughts are. It gets a little better mpg, but is it too small? Anyone actually take one off road? :snorkel:

 

[cshontz]

Interesting thread here:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4086

I was interested too, but I test-drove one and fell out of love with it. My only two gripes were 1) the automatic CVT transmission, which was smooth, but made the vehicle feel lethargic and unresponsive (sucks the fun out of driving) and 2) the interior seemed cheap, and of poor quality. I went in curious, and walked away uninterested.

Exterior styling is okay. The model I tested didn't have any of the premium off-road options, which I am still curious about. Although its not big, its interior space was functional, and seems like it'd serve its purpose.

Good luck!

 

[stick]

Thanks Chris. The points you bring up are exactly what I've heard others say.

 

[Scott Brady]

It is one of the best "soft roaders" available today. Certainly not up to continuous trail abuse of even moderate rock obstacles, but you could easily run El Camino Del Diablo, or the White Rim, etc. with it. When I was doing testing with Jeep using the Patriot, we really pushed them and did some on-the-edge trails with it, but it would not be something I would do with one I had a payment on

Here is a Chrysler media shot with me driving. Fun stuff.

Here is a more detailed review I did on the Patriot, with FDII offroad package.

 

[goodtimes]

My g/f has one. Base model, smallest engine available, manual trans.

The interior feels kind of cheap. Perfect for a vehicle that moves long haired dogs that shed a lot (no, I'm not referring to me). It runs down the freeway at 85mph with no trouble, doesn't cry when you point it up a long hill, handles pretty well in the dirt and on the street...really, we have no complaints about it.

I wouldn't take it many of the places I take my wrangler, but for poking around the back roads of AZ, it is a great little vehicle. There is enough room inside for two adults, 3 dogs (40 - 70 pounds each), and 4 or 5 days worth of gear.

When you load it down and run down the freeway at 80 - 90mph, the mileage drops to the low - mid 20's, but unloaded commuting she averages in the upper 20's.

 

[MuddyMudskipper]

I rented a Patriot on one of my business trips and will echo the other posters assesment about the cheap feel of the vehicle. It seems like it was designed primarily for rental fleet sales. Good for fire roads and nothing too difficult (don't ask me how I know ).

 

[pete.wilson]

Hey

For what it's worth; I would spend a few thousand and repair any problems you have now, maybe repaint if needed and install any aftermarket parts you want; lift, tires, wheels, axles, bumpers etc. As long as the engine and trans. are in good shape. I would fix it up, overhaul what needs fixin and then keep on driving it. It sure beats a new car payment (not to mention depreciation on a new vehicle) and your vehicle would have a much better off-road capabilty than the Patriot any day, not to mention looks cooler and you could, if careful get an increase in gas mileage with some engine/tuning/ignition work. Aftermarket parts are readilly available for your cherokee, unlike the patriot. Just my 2 cents.

Pete Wilson

 

[goodtimes]

I rented a Patriot on one of my business trips and will echo the other posters assesment about the cheap feel of the vehicle. It seems like it was designed primarily for rental fleet sales. Good for fire roads and nothing too difficult (don't ask me how I know ).

Yup, but for an $18K price tag, you really don't get much more if you are buying new. :elkgrin: