Hi,
I'm going to most likely purchase the 2007 limited in either June or July. This would be the 4th jeep in the family: '94 cherokee (RIP), '99 Cherokee Sport (got it from parents at 16,current daily driver with 100,000 miles that will be given to younger brother) and the 2000 cherokee sport (just about 100,000 miles by mom). I graduated college in May and starting a job next week and I need something that can handle the snow and is large enough to haul clients around in. I have everything picked out that I want in it but I don't know if I'm going to get freedom drive 2 or not, to handle the snow of New England (not for off-roading).

Your mom's and your XJs should be good for at least another 130,000:-) Mine is still strong at 232,000 miles--and it's a 98. What a great vehicle.

I don't know your situation, but I would go with the Freedom II. Even though you may never take your vehicle off-road, if you need to, it is comforting to know it has the capabilities. Heck, you might even want to impress a client or two . . .

Go sit in a Caliber or Compass to see if it is big enough for you, if not sit in a Nitro and see if thats a better fit. The 08 Liberty is the same platform as the Nitro and may be ready around your time frame. Heck, as long as your at a Jeep dealership you may even want to test drive an 07 Wrangler Unlimited, they have a lot more room then the 06 and the ride will probably surprise you, the price is pretty good too.

Im sure the FD2 wont be needed for most snow situations the base 4x4 or even the FWD model should do just fine. FD2 though would probably be nice to have if you get stuck in a snow bank.

I graduated from college in May and need my own car bc the 99 has parents name on title and other brother needs it.I need something that is big enough to go around town with clients for work a lot (real estate) and that can handle the snow of Connecticut. I hate the Jeep Compass and the Nitro doesn't get good enough gas mileage and don't like the interior. I don't like the 07 liberty, CRV or rav4(looks too much like a soccermom like car). The Wrangler is too small for what I need.

I am very happy that jeep has brought back the original cherokee in some form, though it is car-based. i hope the horse power is enough.
I will be getting the FDII limited model, just because it will be nice to have the capabilities if needed, though I probably wont use it. Plus, I want that one inch, to make it less like a car. I just hope it looks as good in person as in the pictures.
I planning on a purchase ASAP, im on a few dealer waiting lists.

The Wrangler is too small for what I need.

Not the 2007 Wrangler unlimited -- 4 doors, plenty of room. It's comparable in size to a Grand Cherokee. But anyways you wouldn't be happy with gas mileage, plus I would argue that the Patriot would probably be safer on a slippery road since it acts more like AWD than 4WD.

I would agree that you shouldn't need FDII. FDI would suffice. From what I gather the only real difference is the FDII is geared lower -- better for off-roading, but I don't think you would notice a difference on a slippery road between the two. Plus if you like a manual tranny, I think you can only get it in the FDI or FWD.

The 4 door Wrangler is ugly. The Commander seems ok, but costs too much.