Posted on 02/26/2013 1:23:27 PM PST by 1rudeboy
I'm thinking of buying one with the Freedom Drive II 4WD package. Seems a little underpowered, though.
But I won't be hauling, or doing any serious off-roading.
I should have added “currently offered”. There are many models from history that were clearly Jeep/Willys.
Is yours auto or manual? I am a manual type unless the Jeep 6 speed sucks.
Gotta buy American, sorry . . . or the car won’t survive the employee parking lot.
I bought an FJ and it’s the best 4-wheeler, SUV, I’ve owned.
Made in Belvidere, Illinois.
Jeep Patriot is based on the Dodge Caliber platform. It seems to have at least average reliability. Doesn’t seem to be well-liked, but if the price is right it *may* be a good value.
This small SUV class is a sweet spot in the market, loaded with outstanding vehicles: Ford Escape, Toyota Rav4, Honda CRV, Mazda CX5, Subaru Forester, and Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, etc. Unless the Jeep name is desired, it would have to be at a bargain price.
The Patriot and the Compass were pseudo-Jeeps cooked up by DaimlerChrysler as low cost vehicles trying to cash in on the Jeep name.
Both vehicles are based on a Mitsubishi platform, as was the Dodge Caliber.
It is a front wheel drive vehicle (when not in four wheel drive.) The Freedom Drive II is a CVT transmission.
As long as you understand you’re buying an AWD Mitsubishi with a continuously variable transmission, it’s an OK vehicle.
Jeep Patriot with Freedom Drive 4WD? Sounds like somebody in the corporate board room decided to pander to conservatives. Does it come with a red, white, and blue gun rack factory installed too?
Well, the Patriot ain’t American, unless you count the UAW guys in Chicago bolting the wheels on the chassis. Last time I checked they were owned by Fiat, with parts manufactured in Mexico and final assembly in Illinois.
It’s about as American as a Maryville Honda.
That may well be true, but the people I’m afraid of aren’t that smart.
My brother-in-law has a 2006 Grand Cherokee / Wagoneer thing ... LOTS of small problems like ALL of the interior door handles breaking off ( bad quality plastic ) ,, my neighbor had a RAM 1500 where the dash (cracked like the grand canyon) and all the interior plastic fell apart ... these little things will cost a fortune to fix over time if you intend to keep this new car in like new condition.. His car has the new high efficiency 4.7l V8 which is actually pretty good.
Bottom line Chryslers ALWAYS have TERRIBLE resale value because they fall apart and the owners become disgusted with them and let them fall apart even more...
I’d look at USED trucks that CAN get the job done ...
I don't think the Wrangler is at the head of the model list for introduction, but should they ever make one with a manual, I'd be in line for the second year of production.
2013 Wrangler Rubicon has Dana 44s with electric lockers;-). My 2007 Sahara has 44s...no lockers;-(
I have the Wrangler Sport with the 5 speed automatic, although it does allow you to select the “top gear” by moving the gear shift to the left or right. Black/black with soft top. $25,400 out the door including taxes and license.
I’m looking at a TD 4x4 manual RAM 3500.
General Patton, now THERE is a Jeep patriot!
Jeep sells a diesel Patriot in Europe, believe it or not.
I’ll second the TRANSMISSION complaints in post #13 ,, the car you mentioned has a CVT which doesn’t sound like a good match for a 4wd vehicle except in the easiest of conditions ,( Ford says absolutely NO TOWING with theirs and theirs is considered one of the better ones) , I have heard it said that Chrysler keeps the tranny shops in business ... I know one person who uses her Dakota for commuting and drives gently .. tranny needed replacing at about 60,000 miles , this was a traditional auto ... but that CVT is engineered by the same crew ... it ain’t a 727 torqueflite..
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