Hey all,
Just went to check the build and price to see if had changed to 2008 yet and got a pop up saying there is employee pricing available on select models! I checked it out and the patriot isn't there, but the grand cherokee is coming in at around 35,000 and you can lease for 1.99% or buy for 0%! This could damn near put it in the same category as a 30,000 patriot at 6.9%, oh and you save 20cents a litre on gas for a year too!
So I go to price up a grand cherokee laredo and check the lease payment, but there is no lease option in the drop down menu, so I figure I'll price up a patriot to about 35,000 if I can and type in the 1.9% lease, and the patriot drop down box doesn't have a lease option either, what the dang hell!?
Anyway, now I'm torn cause I feel like I've already bought the patriot I wanted one so bad, but if I can get a cherokee for the same price, I'm all over it

You'll "suffer" the consequences of its poorer gas consumption down the road though.

And GC is not terribly reliable too...

Hopefully, Patriot will be good. Does anyone know how new is the factory in Illinois where JP is built?

The Belvidere factory in Illinois has been around since the 60's but was converted in the 90's to make the Neon.

You can check out the history on Wikipedia. Its and interesting history of the plant. Before making the Caliber, Compass, and Patriot they made the Dodge SRT-4. The SRT-4 was a specialty performance vehicle for Chrysler.

According to the Wiki website, Chrylser recalled 1,000 laid off workers in 2006 to build the Caliber and Compass. That, the specialty vehicle history of the plant, and the good sales of Caliber I hope makes for a happy, and dedicated workforce! I hope they're proud to make this car, as for me it defines a new direction for the Jeep brand.

Salesboomer:

I had a similar dilemma only between a new fully loaded Limited at 33K CDN and the dealer trying to off a loaded 2006 Commander for 39K CDN. I have bought neither so far. The Commanders are still on the lot and they already have a 2006 Commander used car on the lot.

With the Cherokee and Commander getting bad mileage, it's little wonder why folks are staying away. I doubt you will see gas below a buck a liter again.

You REALLY gotta wanna GC to offset the gas. I read somewhere that the 07 Cherokee is the worst of all Jeeps for mileage. Not sure mind you.

Yep, low prices and incentives are available on the Commander. I considered it until I read down the list of specs to see the EPA 10 MPG city rating. Ouch.
Plus, I prefer a smaller trailie...those big beasts are too big for the tight trails.