I just turned 16 a few days ago, and am getting my license shortly after Thanksgiving. My parents and I have been looking for cars. I've always liked the look of the traditional Jeeps, such as the Cherokee. I wanted a Commander, but it gets pretty bad gas mileage and is a really big car. I discovered the Patriot and decided it was the perfect car for me. It gets fairly decent gas mileage, it's safe with all the airbags, and it has the same look as the Commander and Cherokee. I did some research online awhile back and read that the Patriot would be released in late 2006 which was perfect because i would have my license by then. However, I went to the Jeep Dealership a few weeks ago and was disappointed when the man told me that it will be released in February of 2007. Last weekend, my mom and I went to a different Jeep Dealership because she's interested in getting a Commander for herself and wanted to test drive it. We asked this man about the Patriot and he said they've moved the release date back to MArch of 2007. I really need a car to get to school and work, and I don't understand why they keep moving the date back. I was wondering if anyone knows for sure when the 2007 Patriot will be released...

Thanks.

I think you should settle for the Commander.

Welcome!

February/March unfortunately sounds about right....

My advise... Get a used Cherokee. It was my first vehicle and it served me very very well. Sure the MPG well be in the 15-17 mpg range but there are other things to take into consideration. You can get a decent XJ for around $5000. Mileage doesn't matter. My XJ had 176,000 miles on it when I bought it. It was still running when I sent it to the big junk yard in the sky with 294,000 miles. All you have to do is change the oil every 3,000 and it will go for years and years. Insurance... I'm sorry, you are 16, even on your parents plan.... Its a brand new vehicle, the cost to cover it will more than make up for the difference in fuel economy. Then there are taxes. While we are on the age subject. You will hit/ding/dent/bend your vehicle more than once. I hit a Corolla going 25mph. The corolla was totalled. I had a bent front bumber. Repairs are, for the most part, easy/inexpensive. Which brings us to the best/worst part about being a Jeep owner. It starts with tires or a 2" lift. Then bumpers. Then a winch. It keeps going from there. Anyway with the money you save getting a used XJ, you have more money for modifications and whatever else 16yo do now adays. By the time you drive your XJ into the ground a few times, the Patriot will be around for a few years. All the bugs will be worked out. And a diesel will be available.:D

Again welcome and I hope I helped.:confused:

Darn, xjtke611! ~ You've just about convinced me to get an XJ...

patriot1202,
I'm frustrated too. I've looked around again, and considering my requirements, the Patriot is by far the best fit. I'd probably buy one tomorrow if it was available.

Darn, xjtke611! ~ You've just about convinced me to get an XJ...

patriot1202,
I'm frustrated too. I've looked around again, and considering my requirements, the Patriot is by far the best fit. I'd probably buy one tomorrow if it was available.

Ditto. This is extremely frustrating.

thanks for the help ya'll.

so, did you mom end up test driving the commander? if so, what did she think? my wife and i are kind of newly weds, and we're planning on having kids soon. so, we'd like to upgrade either our JGC or liberty to a commander. i test drove it once and i really liked it. anyways, just curious.

also, i agree about just getting the XJ, especially as your first car.

My mom decided to test drive the Commander with the smaller engine. The car barely moved. It's such a heavy car, and she refuses to buy the Commander with the Hemi, because she doesnt want a big engine. The visibility is poor with the third row of seats up, and I'm sure with kids you would have them up. There's a ton of space though, which is a plus. The 3 sun roofs are really cool. Also, side airbags are standard. Gas efficiency is pretty bad. The paper work said about 14/18 mpg. I loved the car, but my mom decided not to get it though. I would probably be driving it until I get my Patriot in February or whenever it's supposed to be released. My mom actually really likes the Patriot, and we might end up getting two of them.

I still love the old Jeeps. For my first car though, I don't think theyre practical. They don't have all the airbags and safety features. So my parents won't get me one. Plus, the Price for a Patriot is quite affordable. I read the starting price will be $14,900-$25,000.

My wife was set on the Patriot, but we could not wait for the new release date either. We test drove the compass and an 05 cherokee over the last month. This weekend, we bought a 2005 grand cherokee. I found that we could get a fairly loaded grand cherokee w/ under 30k miles on it for much less than a loaded (obviously new) patriot. The 4.7L is very quick and you can tow quite a bit and it is nearly as efficient as the V6 in the cherokee. The safety rating is 5-stars all around on the JGC. We love this car and feel it is an upgrade from the patriot in many ways except fuel efficiency.

My '98 XJ Cherokee at 234,000 plus miles is still going strong. You'd be amazed at what this stock vehicle will do. Go XJ.

I say go ZJ and never look back :D