My wifes Mazda Tribute is due to be replaced.Probably give it to my daughter.My neice has a Liberty and my wife fell in love with it after driving it a few times.Now all she wants is a Jeep.Perfect timing on our part.She likes the Patriot.

Yep. My wife likes the looks of the Patriot too. Right now, it's on the top of the list of small SUVs for us to look at next year.

*STILL* eagerly awaiting to see one in person... or any new information about it!!! :mad:

She more or less picked our Mazda.I was getting the Escape but the Mazda had the same drivetrain and all but a better warranty.But lately she has been the one that started talking about Jeeps.The Liberty impressed her.She likes the style of the Compass and thats where we part company.We are awaiting the Patriots debut.Doing all the research now.Thats why I am here.I have no experience with Jeeps other then an old USAF Gladiator

Well, let me give you a quick intro to the Jeep realm. Once you become a Jeep owner, you're a Jeep fan for the rest of your life, and it's great. I drive a Grand Cherokee and my wife drives a Liberty, which I really had to talk her into getting when we were only engaged. But funny thing is, she's slipped a few times here and there and says things like "yeah, Jeeps are my favorite" and now that we're talking about having kids she really digs all the Jeep baby gear. It's awesome to know that she is a true Jeep fan now.

Anyways, we love both of our cars. We feel safe in them whereever we are. Visit jeep.com, they have a lot of information, and although it's a business for them, they really do give you accurate info. Right now they have a big section called "Jeep Heritage" where they talk about every Jeep model ever built (definitly recommend it). Anyways, hopefully you can depart from the crappy Fords and join us.

Thanks.Yes,I can see that from the folks I know that have them.They are fanatics about them.We live on a snowy mountaintop so 4x4 is a must.The Mazda(and my other daughter has a Ford Escape)has served well.But little things are flimsy and not too sturdy on it.Very plasticy.From what we are reading we are leaning to the Jeep.The next question is Freedom Drive I or Freedom Drive II

Well, you should check out the thread "Freedom I vs Freedom II" in the patriot forum. there is a lot of info about the 2 systems in there. but, basically, the FDII is going to give you the option of doing some more rigorous offroading (what Jeep is better known for) or at least that is what is being said about it. the patriots with FDII will have the "trail rated" badge that supposedly means it can traverse the rubicon trail without any modification to the vehicle (another thread about that is also in the patriot forums).

Yeah,I been reading that.Deep snow is my main concern.Although by pricing the Jeep the FD II is not all that much more.I am leaning to I'd rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it.The only 4 wheeling I have ever really done was take my Frontier in the woods for firewood.Of course that dont count Humvees in the desert