Hello, Jeep enthusiasts. Ruger here. I'm the former owner of three Jeep Cherokees and one Grand Cherokee. I was at first very interested in the Patriot, but Jeep's decision to offer the off-road package only with CVT has cooled my interest quite a bit. I'm hoping that Jeep will expand the transmission choices with FDII to include a manual, but I don't really expect them to. If they haven't done this by the time the '08 Liberty hits the showrooms, my buying decision will have been made for me.

At least welcome to the site! :)

At least welcome to the site! :)

I didn't mean to sound so negative. But Jeep has a habit of busting my bubble. When it showed the Gladiator pickup concept based on the Wrangler, I really was looking forward to getting one. Then, nearly two years later, DCX announced that the kewl little truck would not see production.

Again, with the announcement of the Patriot, I've been anticipating getting a trali-rated small SUV with a 5-speed manual and a 4-cylinder diesel. So Jeep announces that the diesel is intended only for Europe, and if I want a US trail-rated Patriot, I have to get the CVT.

Sorry, I don't like automatics of any stripe, so I'm waiting to see if Jeep includes the 5-speed manual in the trail-rated package next year. If not, I'll spring for the next-generation Liberty.

This thread is really bringing me down man.
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