Most websites suggest that the 2008 Liberty will have a diesel option (late availability) ....I'm thinking the only disadvantages to getting a 2008 Liberty over the Patriot is:

1) the extra cost
2) a longer waiting period for the vehicle

However, for the extra cost, you get a larger vehicle (more cargo space), nicer interior, better options (i.e., MYGIG), better towing capability....and since I am in no rush to get a vehicle....I'm leaning toward the 08 Liberty....

....I would also like to test drive the diesel VW Tiguan when it comes out in Nov. 07 to see what it is like...

....with respect to the Patriot, I am just not sure that I am going to like the CVT, the smaller interior space (after driving a Grand Cherokee), and the cheaper interior...

...I may have to wait until I can test drive them both (or I suppose for now, test drive a Jeep Compass and Dodge Nitro back to back to get some idea of the differences between the Patriot and 08 Liberty)

I think the CVT will be one of those things you really love or really hate. After having a CVT Caliber for a rental car for a week, i didnt want to go back to my grand Cherokee with the 4 speed. It is so much smoother and refined than a standard auto and gets better mpg.

I see the diesel as being a nice option if gas prices ever sky rocket but I remeber the 2004 Liberty CRD was about a 3000 dollar option. Also, from what i've seen, the Nitro has a similar interior to the Patriots as far as feel.

To me as a former Cherokee owner, i'm leaning toward the patriot, just because its a compact Cherokee and the price cant be beat, fully loaded for under 25 grand and a ton of options for around 20.

Well, when I test drove the Compass, it was kind of weird when I stepped on the gas (to simulate passing) and the tach went to 6000rpm and stayed there, until the engine caught up in speed...I'm used to having plenty of power for passing and I don't know if I want to give that up, that's all....( I have a 5 speed with my G.C. and it is pretty smooth)...

I can definitely see the mileage benefits and value in the pricing....and diesel pricing around here is up and down (sometimes it's less than gas and sometimes a little more)...

...I still can't decide really....it may be a good idea to actually rent a Caliber for a week to test out that CVT for a longer period of time to see if it can grow on me...

what if "late availability" means spring of '08? Wasn't the Patriot supposed to be out in late '06?!?!? early fall... no wait... mid fall... maybe Thanksgiving... maybe Christmas... oh wait maybe Easter '07!

Ya, that's true...let's say for example that the 2008's start production in July 07 and you order a gas model which would probably be in by Sept/07....late availability for a 08 diesel Libby probably would mean Winter/2008 (sometime after Christmas, maybe even early Spring....

....just like the 07 G.C. diesel...starting production Feb/22 and on lots in March 07...though you can apparently order one now (in the U.S. only)...Canadian pricing lags behind as usual...

My next vehicle will be a Jeep with a diesel under the hood!!! Depending on price, preformance, and availiblity my first choice is a CRD Patriot. I will consider a CRD WK or even a CRD KK (08 Liberty).

I think that CRD WK with the Mercedes Diesel is going to be sweeet! I hope they put a Mercedes Diesel in the 08 KK...I wasn't impressed by that Italian diesel in my 06....way too noisy!

I am having the same debate...Patriot or Liberty. If the Patriot had a slightly stronger engine, there would be no contest. I think the Liberty is going to be too big to take on the trails I have in mind. One of the things I like about the Patriot is its size....nice and small. Not exactly Wrangler small, but small.

However, it seems like everyone is saying this vehicle doesn't have enough power to make the average driver feel comfortable. If that's the case, I've got to consider the 2008 Liberty, or the H4 (should it ever come out).

OK lets talk power in a 4 banger....172hp 165 ft. tourque. hmmm thats better then the 4 bangers in the old cherokee and CLOSE to the I-6's in the 90's (number of 190ish HP.)

Not to mention the SRT Caliber is getting 300 hp+ with the 2.4 liter world engine + turbo charger. Granted theres probably a lot more then just slapping a turbo system in it but that should mean performance parts a plenty for the 2.4L.

The question of power is the CVT. Which seems to rob peter (power) to pay paul (mileage). But if your talking slightly better performance you should be albe to after market what you need.