I saw my first patroit on ebay today, it had a buy it now price of 18,500. It was the 4x4 model. It was cheaper than alot of the compass that were on there. I built one on the jeep site with the offroad package and it was only a little over 20,000. They don't seem like a bad value, they seem to be cheaper than the somewhat worthless compass. I'm trying not to talk bad about another jeep, I don't want to be like some of the other forums, but you know what I mean, worthless as in offroad. Anyhow, I think they may have a hit with this one, it does have some offroad capability at a great price. I paid 25,000 for my 01 escape without any kind of offroad package and the no boundries edition was 28,00 and it still had no low range, even if it is suedo. I wouldn't mind having a patroit to drive to work, or take camping, hunting and such, A decent 4x4 with good mpg for under 20,000, thats a pretty good deal I think.

P.S. sorry if this is the wrong place for this.

_________________
06 jeep liberty 4x4 65th aniver edition

04 ranger xlt sc 4x4, 4.0 sohc, 5-speed, gibson dual sport, cai, udp, bama tune, BFG's, and tru-trac

07 redfire mustang GT, 4.6 3V, 5-speed

What worries me about the direction of Jeep with these cheaper to make, less capable vehicles-- is that they have no upgrade path, and thus a lower resale value than older Jeeps.

As for value, you can get 4x4 07 Libbies for the same money (20,000) all day long. I paid 23,000 for a CRD, so I don't see $20,500 for a much less capable 4x4 as much of a deal--even if it looks better (which is subjective). Jeep is going to take a bath on the Patriot this year-- they are not going to move the 4x4 "Trail Rated" version at all if they don't sharply discount the whole line-- because it is too close in price to a 4x4 Liberty.

Of Course, they will try to fix that next year by doing away with the KJ and by replacing it with something bigger, more expensive, and that sucks more gas. When that happens, their sales are going to go even further down the crapper-- as the demand for bigger vehicles like the KK are not what they used to be. Existing KJ customers who are looking for something the same size as the KJ are not going to be happy with the Patriot at the same price-- or the more expensive KK.

Meanwhile, Japan, China and the Koreans will keep sending cheap cars that will keep getting better and better. The Kia Sorrento and the Suzuki Grand Vitara both already have 4-Low, are cheaper, and I would bet you that they are as good or better off road as this Patriot thing. Jeep just does not seem to realize a good platform when they have it and worse, they don't know how to make new vehicles that have value. The Patriot and Compass are very lack-luster, to say the least. I am not a fan of the "namebadge" platform engineering that is going on at Jeep. Sorry.

I think we might entering a dark age for Jeep. There are some bright spots in the line but it seems like DC is "dumbing down" their offerings. Why not just sell these "not-quite-trail-rated" things under the Dodge badge and leave the Jeep legacy alone. I understand that they have to answer to shareholders, but if you put out products that say "tough off-road" but are watered down wanna-bes, you are going to water down your image with the general public and enthusiasts. Would Porshe come out with a minivan? No. It would ruin their image. (Cayenne does not count...it is the real deal, especially the S)

A Jeep based on the Caliber platform? That's just wrong. IMHO.

_________________
Scoobybri
2007 Sport 4x4 Offroad/Towing/C Packages
Homelink EVIC
245/70-R16 Grabber ATs
Rusty's 2.5" Coil Lift with Rancho RSX rears
Roof Basket w/home-made cross rails and 4x55watt lighting
Super Skink Sliders
Spidertrax 1.25" Aluminum Spacers
Front Receiver hitch with Warn D-Shackle
Cobra CB Radio with spare mounted antennae

I think offroad capable is in the eye's of the user, I use to wheel a ford escape for pete's sake, no boulder bashing or anything, but it would do the mountain trails in W,Va, just wouldn't make any new ones ha ha. 90% of 4x4 vehicles never go offroad, 5% do light offroading, that leaves 5% for the hardcores. Now if you were jeep, how would you market your vehicles to stay in business, to the 90%. Were actually lucky to have the models that we have. Other suv's are going not only ifs, irs as well. Jeep is a business, it has to make money to survive. The compas I feel is an experiment and probobly won't pan out for jeep as it's to far left feild for the brand. The patroit however is on the mark, it caters to the crossover tree hugging gas sipping crowd and still offers some rugged offroad ability true to the heritage. The test I read on the patroit sounded very promising for it's capabilites. Even the flat fenders had drawlbacks in thier offroad capabilites with weak drivetrain componetes that would break. Even the sfa wranglers need to have upgraded diffs for hardcore wheeling except the rubicon with it's front and rear 44's. But just for wheeling and having fun all the jeeps fit the bill except for the compass which is a highway machine. Lets not be to hard on jeep, at least thier trying to stay true to thier heritage and also stay in business. As far as liberty price, they must of saw me comming, all I got were rebates and such, still paid 23. The kj wasn't meant to be a 20,000$ vehicle, gas prices are pushing the sticker south. The patroit won't have that problem. It's only march and gas is all ready back to 2.50 a gallon, what will they look like by july? The patroit might start looking more appealing to alot of us by summer. I" ld give up a tuff trail or 2 in order have a vehicle I could afford to drive, on or off the road, don't sell the patroit short just yet.

_________________
06 jeep liberty 4x4 65th aniver edition

04 ranger xlt sc 4x4, 4.0 sohc, 5-speed, gibson dual sport, cai, udp, bama tune, BFG's, and tru-trac

07 redfire mustang GT, 4.6 3V, 5-speed