need a little help makeing a decision

[hunter_21]

i am in the market for a new or semi new vehicle and i am liking the jeep patriot my concern is im not sure if its enough power i live in michigan so it has to be able to drive in horrible conditions also ive have not had a chance too drive one either so i guess my question is are they worth buying or should a bigger suv should be in my future

[Brohio]

Power is fine from the 2.4, and with 4WD you'll be fine on Michigan roads. I love my pat! You should get one

[BondiBlue]

It's not going to win any drag races. It will however get you through some pretty crappy weather. If it's bad enough out that you get the Patriot stuck, you probably shouldn't be out.

[hunter_21]

Nice im thinking of getting the pat 4x4 trail rated

[Coppertrailer]

Trail rated is fine but you are giving up mpg for that badge. You have to be off road a lot to make that a wise purchase

[hunter_21]

Originally Posted by Coppertrailer

Trail rated is fine but you are giving up mpg for that badge. You have to be off road a lot to make that a wise purchase

How many mpg we talking here...???

[Ignatz]

You are likely to get lots of positive feedback here, since this site is mostly frequented by Patriot enthusiasts.

Mine is a FWD 2.4 and I have no power issues. This is not a tow vehicle, but I've loaded the back with a dozen bags of coal = 600 lbs + me + usual junk -- I figure I was approaching its official capacity and frankly I'd hardly know it was carrying a load and there were even a couple hills involved.

Nor is it a racing car, but if you're late, it won't be your vehicle's fault. This has no problem cruising at 65+ and it can easily creep higher if I'm not using my cruise control. 175 horses can get you away from a light fast enough, though some complain the CVT is sluggish. Not in my experience.

I don't know what you mean by "horrible conditions" but with FWD only I'm fine in New England snow, and we get plenty in all varieties: powder, slush, and ice. I've had several other FWD cars and this is better. You know your topography better than I, but I'm thinking FWD would probably be enough in flat country with moderate hills (I'm in SoCentral NH). I live on a hill, and I don't stay home because its snowing. However, I stay on established roads. If you're venturing onto unplowed roads, go with 4wd. We also own a Wrangler and it is, of course, better in severe conditions.

IMHO, FWD is also OK for light off-roading, i.e. trails and unmaintained roads. I got into and out of a spot I shouldn't have attempted (a road unmaintained for winter travel) except Garmin led me astray during mud season. You can read my post in the 2wd forum. If you're climbing rocks or dealing with deep mud, go 4WD.

Basically, the Patriot will get you anywhere you should dare to go with FWD -- it will carry a reasonable load, and will take you where you need to go fairly comfortably and with good fuel economy. You can check the threads on that, but 4wd seems to be <25mpg and FWD gets up to 30ish.

I've yet to get stuck at all, 'cept the morning I crashed a drift and got buried up to my hood -- even then one man pushing me up an incline and I was right out. I humbly admit that was driver error, not Ignatz's fault. Had I slowed down and let the tires do the work this paragraph wouldn't be here. Considering the mess I was in, I doubt our Wrangler would have gotten out without help, either.

May I remind you, until 30 years ago, 4wd wasn't the suburban luxury it is today: we all got around just fine with snow tires on RWD cars.

[Coppertrailer]

FD1 is fine for all around. Most of the FD2 owners got theirs for a good deal. If you can get a 2012 with FD2 for 20 21 grand go for it. Most of us have the FD1 and paid. 20 grand. You have to look around get best price be patient.

[hunter_21]

Thanks for all the info sounds like a fun little jeep to drive...

[FirstJeepOH]

I think you'll enjoy the Patriot. I grew up just south of the MI border, and my Patriot does just fine here in Central Ohio. I know you get more, but from the storms we have had here, and purposely seeking out unplowed roads, like it was said above, if you get stuck in the patriot, you really should not have been out. I really can't imagine a on road situation that I would find myself in.

It's not a rock crawler, but it is a very capable 4x4. Power is good, not a sports car, if your last car was a v8 you wont be impressed, but if you're used to the typical modern 4 cyl. cars, 170+/- hp, they fit right in.

A few weeks ago, I took my jeep on an un-improved soon to be job site. It was lighly wooded pasture with 4-5 inches of snow and the temp was 40 +/- and the ground was soft, tall dead grass and areas under the snow of melt / mud puddles. I didnt get stuck in it, and when I was leaving, i really didnt feel like i was close to getting stuck either.

[Coppertrailer]

Originally Posted by FirstJeepOH

I think you'll enjoy the Patriot. I grew up just south of the MI border, and my Patriot does just fine here in Central Ohio. I know you get more, but from the storms we have had here, and purposely seeking out unplowed roads, like it was said above, if you get stuck in the patriot, you really should not have been out. I really can't imagine a on road situation that I would find myself in.

It's not a rock crawler, but it is a very capable 4x4. Power is good, not a sports car, if your last car was a v8 you wont be impressed, but if you're used to the typical modern 4 cyl. cars, 170+/- hp, they fit right in.

A few weeks ago, I took my jeep on an un-improved soon to be job site. It was lighly wooded pasture with 4-5 inches of snow and the temp was 40 +/- and the ground was soft, tall dead grass and areas under the snow of melt / mud puddles. I didnt get stuck in it, and when I was leaving, i really didnt feel like i was close to getting stuck either.

Jeep should run commercials on these experiences. The ad wouldn't have to be narrated. Just Jeeps doing their thing. Would be smart ad campaign.

[Ignatz]

Originally Posted by Coppertrailer

Jeep should run commercials on these experiences. The ad wouldn't have to be narrated. Just Jeeps doing their thing. Would be smart ad campaign.

WHAT! Jeep advertise the Patriot? Why then they might sell more and they'd never get to replace it with a Fiat based machine. Uh-oh, we're getting off topic . . .