I think all my Jeep obsession has rubbed off a little on my wife and now we will be trading in her 2008 Honda Civic and getting a 2011 Compass or Patriot. Leaning toward the Patriot for a little more interior and cargo room. Not sure about 4x4 since I ran by the stealership today and they had zero 4x4's in either.

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2008 White KK Sport 4x4 Factory Tow and Skids 235/75/16 Mastercraft At2's
2.5" rusty's spacer lift

From what I was told the patriots 4x4 is a joke in the sense that is real 4x4. it's some sort of weird active four wheel drive that decides when it wants to turn on/ you can turn it on..but it's still not real 4 wheel. Ialmost got one and some times wish they had more ground clearance so o would have. But yea, still very nice vehicles!

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2010 Jeep Liberty 4x4 Sport
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1.5" OME springs
SkyJacker shocks
General Grabber AT2 tires 245/75/R16
6x E3.48 Dimond fire spark plugs

The new Patriot come with more clearance. I own a 2009 for my girlfriend. It has done very well in the snow and overall. I say go for it if its 4X4

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2008 KK Liberty
Inferno Red
Daystar 2" Spacer Lift With SkyJacker Hydro Shocks
JBA Gen 5.5 Upper Control Arms
Rokmen Riddler 8.25 Differential Cover
2 KC Slimlite 100 Watt Driving Lights on JK Light Bar
245/75/16 All Terrains
Mopar Front Tow Hooks
Mopar Rear Tow Hook
Mopar Skids

I'm glad some one clarified that! I saw a newer one yesterday after I posted that foment and wondered if they got a bit taller

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2010 Jeep Liberty 4x4 Sport
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1.5" OME springs
SkyJacker shocks
General Grabber AT2 tires 245/75/R16
6x E3.48 Dimond fire spark plugs

The Freedom Drive systems in the Patriot and Compass are really a computer controlled AWD system tuned more for off road use. FD2 uses an extended range CVT to supply a lower "crawling" gear and a bunch of other computer controlled stuff.

AWD systems aren't that bad really, they're great in snow and perform well for trail exploring.

The main problem with the MKs is the CVTs. I've read several stories about the CVTs failing with relatively low miles.

Until Jeep gets the bugs works out of the CVT or offers a normal automatic, I'd only get the 5 speed manual.

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Aaron

A vehicle isn't yours till you learn to wrench on it yourself.

2002 Jeep Liberty Sport (Eugene, I am the Passenger, And I ride and I ride.)
1999 Chev Astro 2WD (Green, Daily Driver)
1997 Chev Astro AWD (Grumpy "The Heep", $250 Rally Van, 335k miles, 2" lift, 31" tires)