I'm torn in my decision between the Patriot and the Outlander. I've test drive them both, and both feels nice and similar.

How is the Patriot reliability? Is there any issue out there that I should look for? Will the Patriot last me 4 years if I take care of it? Maybe it's a hard to cuantify question, specially since no one has had it for 3 or 4 years.

I keep vehicles for a long time and put on a lot of miles. If I didn't believe it would last, I wouldn't have bought it. It's a pretty simple design mechanically and those usually last the longest.

I have a long history with Chrysler vehicles and I have not yet had one that didn't go at least 150k miles.

They haven't been around long enough to say for certain, but heck, with a lifetime powertrain warranty its not like they're built to run only 100k miles and then break.

I'm hoping mine will last 7 years. 5 years paying, and 2 glorious years without a car payment.

I've had mine for 10000kms without a problem. I have a 5 year bumper to bumper warrenty as well. In the USA you get lifetime powertrain I think. No one will really know how long the car they buy will last. I put my trust in the Jeep and Chrysler name and hope for the best. Seeing all the old Cherokees around is a confidence booster too.

Just for the record, I love my Patriot.

The Patriot and the Outlander shares engine, transmission and a lot of suspension and chassis components so reliability would be similar.

The Outlander has better quality interior and also seems to have a better fit and finish in general, so maybe you should expect a bit more annoying small problems with the Patriot.

But then again the Outlander is substantially more expensive (at least where I am), so it's quite possible that the Patriot will prove to be the most economical choice in the end.

Or in a shorter version, I have no idea.. :)

I have 16,500 on my 07 and so far done nothing but basic maintenance it runs and drives great!

They are the same vehicle.

It would come down to personal preference and dealership to me. Mechanically they are almost identical. Same Engine, Same Transmission. Reliability would not come into play.

I'm right there with CADAVEV, just about 16k miles and no problems. As for the 'cheap' interior, I personally don't mind all the plastic, especially with a puppy and 75% off-road miles. It's easy to clean and I really don't notice that it's plastic so much. Guess its personal preference. I drive the Legacy with leather now anyway.

Wait, is there even a question here?!?!?! GET THE JEEP, DUH!

I'm right there with CADAVEV, just about 16k miles and no problems. As for the 'cheap' interior, I personally don't mind all the plastic, especially with a puppy and 75% off-road miles. It's easy to clean and I really don't notice that it's plastic so much. Guess its personal preference. I drive the Legacy with leather now anyway.

Wait, is there even a question here?!?!?! GET THE JEEP, DUH!

I thought that you unloaded your Patriot?

Although Mitsubishis have a reputation for being reliable cars, I don't think the Patriot has any mechanical issues. I can't remember reading in these forums any widely-extended problems concerning engine, suspension, transmission and so. Only some isolated cases have been reported occasionally. The only common problem has to be with the car's hood/bonnet, that flaps when driving in strong wind conditions. Try to test-drive the car you're gonna buy first and check if it happens. Several users have had problems with rain water leaking through the sunroof, but this issue appears to be rarer.

Overall, for the moment it seems that Chrysler made a very reliable car. I'm sure it will last 4 years if you take care of it, as you wrote.

Go for the Patriot! It's pretty, utilitarian, good off-road, fuel efficient (especially for us lucky diesel owners), and affordable. Chrysler has announced a redesign of the interiors, so maybe you want to wait for that to arrive.

I have 8500 miles which isn't much considering some guys have 10,000 to 15000 on theirs already. But I have had absolutly zero issues with mine. No leaks, no sqeaks, no faults, nothing! It's a solid purchase as far as I am concerned.

I thought that you unloaded your Patriot?

In a way I did. My girlfriend (Jeep's co-owner) drives it now and I drive the '08 Legacy. Works out as she only has about a 10 mile RT drive to work every day, mine is almost double. Trying to keep the miles down during the off season. We got the 60k/5yr warranty (purchased two months before the lifetime). Hope to upgrade by the time warranty is up.

In a way I did. My girlfriend (Jeep's co-owner) drives it now and I drive the '08 Legacy. Works out as she only has about a 10 mile RT drive to work every day, mine is almost double. Trying to keep the miles down during the off season. We got the 60k/5yr warranty (purchased two months before the lifetime). Hope to upgrade by the time warranty is up.

Cool, glad you are still part of the group for a while longer.

now at 18,955 mile and i must say no issues love this jeep!!

In a recent poll here, 90% of those who responded claimed that their experience with the Patriot was "excellent" or "very good". In another thread, dozens of owners stated that they've had no problems at all. My Patriot, at 11,000 km. has been completely trouble-fee. Best car I've ever owned.