How similar are the Patriot and Dodge Nitro? Are they basically the same with different sheetmetal? I would like to drive something as close to the Patriot as possible to get a feel for how they drive.

No, the patriot and Nitro are not at all the same. The nitro is a bit bigger, it has a rear axle vs the patriot's independant suspension, and it has a completely differant engine and transmission just to name a few differances. If you want to drive something that is essentially the same as the patriot, drive the Compass. They are basically the same with different sheetmetal. They are built on the same platform with the same engine, transmission, and suspension, the interiors are nearly identical, they have nearly the same options except the patriot can be equiped for off road whereas the compass cant. They should drive pretty much the same.

The nitro and the new Liberty both use the same platform. As superdave said drive either the compass or the caliber which are both on the same platform as the patriot. Those two would be alot closer in driving feel than the Nitro would be.

I have driven the Compass with the CVT. A little wierd, but not bad. I'll probably be ordering a Patriot Saturday.