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Jeep Patriot vs. Subaru Forester?

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Discussion starter · #21 ·
MrMischief said:
4x4 with front and rear lockers (like the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon) would spin all 4. 4x4 with a limited slip rear differential may spin three tires depending on how off-road oriented the limited slip is. A 4x4 system such as the Jeep Patriot would spin 2 tires, one front and one rear. Jeep (like many manufacturers) tries to counter-act this by using the traction control system to pump the brakes on the wheel that is spinning attempting to move the power to the wheel with traction. This is not a unique to Jeep feature or system as most modern vehicles have this, like my Dodge Charger SRT8 for example. The first "offroad" vehicle that I can think of which used this technology was the Hummer H2. It works better then just having open differentials and Jeep has probably tuned this system to be more aggressive then what you'll find on street vehicles, but it does have its limitations.

In my opinion the biggest advantage that the Jeep has over the subaru are the skid plates and the "low range". By not choosing freedom drive II you lose both of these advantages. So it comes down to piddly things like MPG (small advantage Jeep), cargo space (small advantage subaru unless you don't need the rear seats then small advantage jeep). The biggest difference though is going to be the CVT vs an automatic. The CVT seems like a good idea, but on my test drive it made me feel a little sick to my stomach. You floor it, the engine goes to red line then stays there with me screaming "SHIFT! WHY WON'T YOU SHIFT!" then I realize, oh it is "shifting"/changing ratios and everything is ok. I think I could get used to the CVT, but I know my father would hate it. The CVT is going to feel slower, but I don't think it is. A quick google tells me the non-turbo Subaru runs the quarter in 17.0 @ 80.2 mph where the Jeep runs it in 17.5 @ 81 so they're neck and neck in terms of speed.

For my money, I would see if you can afford a Freedom Drive II Jeep because without it there's no real advantage the Jeep has over the Subaru. If you can't afford FDII, I'd still get a Jeep. My reason is I'd much rather say "I drive a Jeep" then "I'm a tree hugging hippy with a Subaru."


I do not own a Patriot, but I test drove one. I'm 30, married with no kids. I do own a TJ Rubicon, my previous vehicle was a TJ and my first car was a 1952 Willy's M-38 (which I still own). I'm very much a Jeep man, so I'm sure that I am biased.
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Thank you for your excellent reply. I'll do my best to not covet your SRT8 with my thoughts... ;)

If I was intending on doing even the least little bit of off-roading, I'd search out an FDII-equipped model, but the truth is that I am finding NOTHING within a 75 mile radius as far as used FDII Trail Rated Patriots are concerned.
And a new car is just not going to work on our budget, so...

And, yeah, I get the hippy/Subaru thing as the stereotype does exist here in Delaware, but my wife and I are hardly fit that image at all. :pepper:
 
#22 ·
There will be an 08 FDII for sale near here soon, once I trade mine for an 11 model.

For me, the subaru did not have the clearance I needed, or the cargo space in back, and was more expensive. I doubt I could get one up my driveway, especially this time of year.
 
#23 ·
gtrdave said:
Thank you for your excellent reply. I'll do my best to not covet your SRT8 with my thoughts... ;)

If I was intending on doing even the least little bit of off-roading, I'd search out an FDII-equipped model, but the truth is that I am finding NOTHING within a 75 mile radius as far as used FDII Trail Rated Patriots are concerned.
And a new car is just not going to work on our budget, so...

And, yeah, I get the hippy/Subaru thing as the stereotype does exist here in Delaware, but my wife and I are hardly fit that image at all. :pepper:
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I have your solution right here....

http://www.autoshopper.com/used-trucks/1998_Jeep_Grand_Cherokee_Limited_New_Castle_DE-4279750.htm

the fastest production jeep until the SRTs came out. Don't look at the gas mileage and you'll be fine.
 
#25 ·
My Aunt has driven Subarus (loves her '10 Forester) for years and has never had issues - they live on a dirt raod, and with snows on it, she never has an issue. My Uncle as a Ranger 4x4, and his is usually stuck at the bottom of the driver.
I considered a Subie when I bought the Jeep but it was more than I wanted to spend
 
#26 ·
I'll trade it in the Pittsburgh area, but I live in north central PA.

Mine is in great shape too, well taken care of, never even been in a car wash, just hand washes (I hate those car wash swirls in the paint), oil changed every 3K-3.5K miles, all mait done regularly and on time. New tires in October.
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
#28 ·
gtrdave said:
Yeah, those are the old 360 Magnum-powered Jeeps, similar to the engine in the Dakota and Durango R/T models.
The mpg is really not that bad, all things considered.
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In my experience with Chrysler products, with easy driving I can usually exceed the advertised mileage. I had a 77 Volare (225CID) that got a pretty consistent 30MPG on the highway, a 74 Cherokee (AMC-360CID) that got 18 and a 84 Plymouth Tourismo (Horizon) 2.2 that generally exceeded 40MPG on the highway. Wifey's 94 Wrangler (2.5) got well into the low 20s, and her 04 Wrangler (4.0) gets a pretty consistent 21 on the highway. Now its semi-retired and only goes out in the snow and usually in 4WD -- got 90,000 on it, and its still getting 17MPG as of today when I filled up for tomorrow's storm. Truth be told, it needs new plugs, so I'm sure to get a couple more MPG when that's done. I think the sticker said 19 highway, so I think 17 in a snowstorm is darn good. Drive it easy, and I think you can beat the sticker in a Chrysler product.

If you're doing serious off-road, mpg isn't going to be good for anything in low range climbing over rocks.
 
Discussion starter · #29 ·
Ignatz said:
...and a 84 Plymouth Tourismo (Horizon) 2.2 that generally exceeded 40MPG on the highway.
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We used to own a Turismo 2.2 5 speed and we'd normally get 38 to 41mpg in it.
What a great little car that was.
I also owned an '84 Turismo 2.2, '84 Charger 2.2 and '85 Charger Shelby turbo 2.2 so I was very familiar with the old L-body hatchback. :)
 
#30 ·
gtrdave said:
We used to own a Turismo 2.2 5 speed and we'd normally get 38 to 41mpg in it.
What a great little car that was.
I also owned an '84 Turismo 2.2, '84 Charger 2.2 and '85 Charger Shelby turbo 2.2 so I was very familiar with the old L-body hatchback. :)
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Ditto the car. Much more car than I expected when I bought it. Reasonable room under that huge fastback window. Snappy little thing -- perky engine and no weight. Easy to crank it up to 55 in 3rd gear and I still had two more gears to go! Never did find the top end, but I did top the meter no problem.

Turismo handled great, too. Almost wrecked it the first weekend: I was doing 50 on a state highway and somebody ran a stop sign in front of me. Yipes! My car was bright red, how could he not see me?? I hit the brakes and swerved behind him = sweatty armpits. :mad:
 
#32 ·
The water leaks you are talking about may be an isolated case because i have not heard of such an issue nor experienced it on my own. The CVT is not the usual so you have to take some time to learn it, though this is not a disadvantage. This ride is a sure one, you will have no worries. The brand is a guarantee by itself.
 
#33 ·
I posted this several times before, but will talk about it again. Not sure about the used ones, but when looking for a new vehicle I test drove the Forrester (first) and the Patriot (second). The Forrester was nice and no doubt dependable with a great warranty, HOWEVER I felt like I was driving a nice car, not an SUV. When I got behind the wheel of the Patriot I knew that was it. It felt solid and stable on the road like an SUV should. I had my reservations due to the negative reviews of the Patriot, but I went with my first thought and I have not regretted it. I have yet to get stuck this winter and I am driving on the stock SRA tires (I have sport 4x4). I don't hesitate to pop into 4WD if I feel I need it. Probably use the 4WD more that others on this site. I have it, I will use it. Yes, I had a rear dome leak issue but I have accepted it. Love My Patriot!
 
Discussion starter · #34 ·
Lady Di said:
When I got behind the wheel of the Patriot I knew that was it. It felt solid and stable on the road like an SUV should.
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It's a Dodge Caliber w/ Mitsubishi Galant heritage.
The Patriot I test drove felt NOTHING like the Jeep Liberty nor the Grand Cherokee that I test drove.
Instead, it drove like the Forester, Outback and Impreza because that's what it is: an awd/4x4 car.
In my humble opinion...
 
#35 ·
I agree that the Patriot is not an off-road vehicle, and I have a 2wd model, so I won't even go there, but I find it a very good vehicle for day to day use. It is solid, it drives well, it is roomy, and attractive. The fact that it is based on a Caliber doesn't bother me in the least. When I was in the market for a new car in late 2006, the Patriot was not available yet, and I bought a Caliber. I drove it for 92,000 miles, changed the oil, the tires and nothing else whatsoever. They are very relaible.
 
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#36 ·
Darn. Whenever I see this thread I think it is going to be a video link where we watch a Patriot kicking a$$ in a tug-o-war with a Forester. :D
 
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#37 ·
gtrdave said:
It's a Dodge Caliber w/ Mitsubishi Galant heritage.
The Patriot I test drove felt NOTHING like the Jeep Liberty nor the Grand Cherokee that I test drove.
Instead, it drove like the Forester, Outback and Impreza because that's what it is: an awd/4x4 car.
In my humble opinion...
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think most would agree Patriot is not an offroad beast like other jeeps,
what most think is Pat is a decent off road Jeep,
a Very good all around vehicle, and probably the only 4x4 in its price range.
i take the Pat on the beach fairly often and handles like any other Jeep 4x4,
i also take the Pat on some logging roads, and handles them just fine too.
yes cant go where other jeeps go when going gets really tough,
but does get me miles into the woods where other SUV's AWD's cant go.
 
#38 ·
gtrdave said:
It's a Dodge Caliber w/ Mitsubishi Galant heritage.
The Patriot I test drove felt NOTHING like the Jeep Liberty nor the Grand Cherokee that I test drove.
Instead, it drove like the Forester, Outback and Impreza because that's what it is: an awd/4x4 car.
In my humble opinion...
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Yes, I am aware of its heritage and I respect your opinion. IMO, it felt right! To each their own. The liberty and grand cherokee are both much heavier than the patriot.
 
#39 ·
Terasec said:
probably the only 4x4 in its price range.
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exactly why I'm looking at the Pat for my wife. I like having the option to lock the awd into 4x4. Most awd in this class won't allow you to do that. The Pat's biggest competitor seems to be the Compass. I like the 2011 Compass more then the the 2011 Patriot, because my wife won't be going off road with it. My wife likes visibility out of the Patriot more then the Compass.
 
Discussion starter · #40 ·
MrMischief said:
exactly why I'm looking at the Pat for my wife. I like having the option to lock the awd into 4x4. Most awd in this class won't allow you to do that. The Pat's biggest competitor seems to be the Compass. I like the 2011 Compass more then the the 2011 Patriot, because my wife won't be going off road with it. My wife likes visibility out of the Patriot more then the Compass.
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My wife did notice the excellent visibility of the Patriot.
That said, the Grand Cherokee's visibility was even better. We both really want the GC as it has a huge comfort, room and heritage advantage over most anything else, but we do not want the poor mpg.

Honestly, it looks like we're still leaning toward the Patriot and all of these responses have been helpful...although I'm sure if I go to a Subaru forum and ask a similar question, I'll get different responses. ;)

My friend still has not sent me pictures of his Pat, so I'ma go nag him. :D
 
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