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Scramjet

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
On my drive home from work today I was merging on to the interstate and was courteously flashed in to the right hand lane by some very low to the ground bright headlights.

Next thing I know, I have a Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole Berlinetta driving next to me, checking out my 2008 crystal black pearl Patriot.

We proceeded down the highway side by side for a few miles until I had to exit. He then flashed a huge grin and gave a 'thumbs up' and tooted his horn as I merged down the ramp.

What does that say about the appeal and styling of the Patriot when it receives positive notice from a Ferrari driver?

And why is it that I am still the only Patriot driver in these parts, two months after taking ownership, and most times feeling as though I'm driving something exotic given the constant stares, looks, and questions and comments that I receive on an almost daily basis?

What is up with Chrysler for not promoting these affordable amazing vehicles as Honda did with the 1st generation Civic?

If they don't want to promote it, I'll be more than happy to be the only Patriot on the road in a sub $20K 4X4 'exotic'. :)

http://www.seriouswheels.com/1980-1989/1985-Ferrari-308-GTS-Quattrovalvole-r-fa.htm
 
#3 ·
Man, you are so right! This Jeep is one of the best combos I have seen, It has the guts and the efficiency that we need these days. What a sweet package.:smiley_thumbs_up:
 
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#4 ·
What does that say about the appeal and styling of the Patriot when it receives positive notice from a Ferrari driver?
Click to expand...
Yea.. but c'mon... He was driving a 308!!

:)
 
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#5 ·
I dunno. There is just something wrong at Jeep or Chrysler or Daimler or whatever.

I admit the Patriot has a few drawbacks. You can't tow it ( well, you could, driveshaft disconnects, but it would be a hassle). It's hard to change the directional light bulbs. The sheet metal isn't the sturdiest. The interior isn't the same as on a Lexus or Mercedes.

But...

You JUST CAN't GET a more capable vehicle for the same price, period.

Why don't they get their act together at the dealerships? Why don't they advertise? Why aren't they more helpful in the line of customer service at their website?

There is some kind of management problem at the upper levels, methinks. Maybe all the changing of company ownership. Maybe big city Detroit and German auto industry really isn't in touch with small town and country Jeep styles. Maybe they don't think they could generate enough sales , and are concentrating their resources in pushing the flashy city cars.

The small town dealerships are great, for the most part.

The big cities are all about money.

Out on the back roads we still care about friendship.
 
#6 ·
The Patriot is an inexpensive ride. Henry Ford's quote of "Good, fast, cheap - pick two" applies here in many ways. I have driven the Lexus but I bought a Patriot. I have driven *small* cars all my life. The Lexus was like driving a couch. Quiet, luxurious and no real feel of the road. I will take my chances with the renal collapse of a more in touch with the road automobile -- that can carry BOTH people and stuff! Besides, I don't see missing badges on Jeeps. Guess I just drive something that is uncool and in my books, that's pretty cool.
 
#7 ·
I am in South Mississippi and have seen only one on the road, Limited, blue with Texas tags.
 
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#10 ·
I have had a similar response as others here. My patriot turns the heads of Jeep and non Jeep owners alike. My friends and family were all amazed at the price for what I got (my dad is jealous, he drives a Lex SUV). My local dealer doesn't even have any in the front row line up facing the road. I haven't seen a commercial yet. The only nod I have seen is on a Jeep commercial where they name and show every other Jeep (except for compass and pat) and then flash an image of one crossing a mud puddle for two seconds right at the end. No name given, no publicity. Is DC really so far out of the loop in the US car market to not know that actively advertising this model less expensive more fuel efficient vehicle will equal big sales? ARe they so foolish as to think they will only make money in selling few but more expensive Wranglers and GC's? Does nobody in advertising at DC drive on the same roads in America as me, literally covered in RAV 4's and CRV's and Escapes and not realize that lots of people want and need a small SUV but don't want to blend in with the crowd (and want to pay less and tow more, by the way). I have been waiting for the other shoe to drop and see an onslaught of advertising now that more vehicles are being produced and available on lots, but nothing. I just don't get it...
 
#12 ·
gluestick: During the spring and summer here in southern Ontario, DC was running two similar Patriot only commercials and one Compass only commercial. The Patriot ads both showed off-road scenes (one with a woman causing grief to guys by taking an arms length wolf and placing it in their boat and the other with guys trying to wake up a camping buddy and them dumping him out of the tent into the lake when the liftgate speakers failed to wake him). The Compass ad was a bunch of bobble heads all nodding their bobble head approval of the Compass. The new, with barely a glimspe of the Patriot is the current commercial. The previous Jeep commercial was a good one showing Jeeps through the ages.

I am seeing about 3 or 4 different Patriots a week. So, they are starting to appear more.
 
#14 ·
Yea.. and boy.. in my opinion, where those Patriot and Compass ads lame...

Trying too hard to cater to the demographic and missing was my thoughts.

The really sad thing is that Jeep sold more bobble head dolls because of the ads then they did Compasses.

The new Jeep ads seem to get it, but they don't have any with just the Patriot.
 
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Discussion starter · #15 ·
I appreciate all of your replies to my thread here and get a kick out of LOL at some of them while at work. You make it difficult to be discreet while sneaking a peak at jeeppatriot.com during a work day. ;)

I have to say that for the years that I have been driving in these neck of the woods, that I have never seen a Ferrari on our roads. They may be commonplace in other locales, but definitely not here.

I was reminded today from a colleague of mine who purchased a new Honda Accord LX this past summer and who has gone through 2 transmissions so far, that reliability issues occur with automotive brands that at one time were considered bulletproof.

Another colleague of mine purchased a new fully loaded RAV 4 for a trip across the country and had it die on her 200 miles from home at the beginning of her trip, leaving her stranded. The local Toyota dealership has yet to resolve it.

My sister purchased a new 2006 Accord V6 EX last summer and the engine just stopped at 70 mph on a crowded interstate, forcing her to coast to the shoulder and jeopardizing her safety. The Honda dealer was never able to figure it out - it has done it two other times since then, and the dealer inadvertently left a 6 inch crack in the drivers door panel when she went to pick it up. In the end, she is left with a vehicle that receives continuous accolades in the media, but that she never really feels that she can trust out on the open road.

There was a time when I used to drool at seeing the new Hondas, Toyotas, and Nissans after their 4 year redesigns.

Those days are long gone.

No offense to anyone here who drives one of these brands, but I think that the Patriot has the Honda and Toyota CUV's beat hands down - and it's NOT just because I drive a Patriot.

Not only is the Patriot THOUSANDS of dollars less expensive than the foreign brands, but in MHO, it is engineered very well and much cooler and better looking. Could you imagine any exotic sports car driver flashing a RAV 4, CRV, or Element and giving a 'thumbs up'? I know I can't.

I've attached a picture here of the trophy that my Patriot won at the Jeff Daniels Jeep show in PA a couple of weeks ago for 'Best in Class'. Even amongst all the other cool Jeeps there, the Patriot drew so much positive attention.

Maybe next year, I'll see some of you there for some competition, considering that mine was the ONLY one.

I sort of felt guilty taking away the trophy and the $50 gift certificate. ;)
 

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#16 ·
Awesome! You won an award!! I took my Sport to a show the first weekend we had it. There were mostly oldies there but a few new rides, guess it just wasn't the place for it. Hell, most probably thought it was just parked in the parkinglot for kicks.

Around Denver, I don't get too many looks. I have heard the occasional "there's that new jeep" when at low speed in some small towns, but almost every other vehicle out here is a jeep. I have started to see more Patriots on the road though.

I agree the Pat looks better than all SUVs out there (kind of wish it had the commander-style headlights since the rest of it is boxy, understand the throwback though), that's why I bought it. But as far as more capable, I revert to my former posts about how my CVT won't go up hills that the competition can, and how altitude just kills this thing. Again, flawed design putting a CVT in a Trail Rated. Just think there should have been another option. But I digress.

JUST GIVE US THE CRD!!!
 
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#17 ·
Dawson said:
Around Denver, I don't get too many looks. I have heard the occasional "there's that new jeep" when at low speed in some small towns, but almost every other vehicle out here is a jeep. I have started to see more Patriots on the road though.
Click to expand...
It is the same way here in Illinois.. Some people look but a lot of them just think it is just another SUV on the road! JEEP needs to advertise the Patriot more to let people know it is out there!!
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Dawson said:
Awesome! You won an award!! I took my Sport to a show the first weekend we had it. There were mostly oldies there but a few new rides, guess it just wasn't the place for it. Hell, most probably thought it was just parked in the parkinglot for kicks.

Around Denver, I don't get too many looks. I have heard the occasional "there's that new jeep" when at low speed in some small towns, but almost every other vehicle out here is a jeep. I have started to see more Patriots on the road though.

I agree the Pat looks better than all SUVs out there (kind of wish it had the commander-style headlights since the rest of it is boxy, understand the throwback though), that's why I bought it. But as far as more capable, I revert to my former posts about how my CVT won't go up hills that the competition can, and how altitude just kills this thing. Again, flawed design putting a CVT in a Trail Rated. Just think there should have been another option. But I digress.

JUST GIVE US THE CRD!!!
Click to expand...
The trophy sure looks cool in my office Dawson, but damn, I was the only Patriot at the show!

Was nice that it was a 'People's choice' award though. If there's any snobbery at all existing between other Jeep drivers and the Patriot, it certainly wasn't evident on this sweet weekend in PA - and there were some truly tricked out and kick ass Jeeps in attendance.

Everyone loved the Patriot - I had it displayed with all the doors, hood, and hatch open, and a 2008 brochure splayed across the dash. When I first got there, I couldn't get over the other Jeep owners that had no idea what it was.

I've attached a pic of my 4X4 5 speeed from the show when I 1st got there, next to a sweet 2008 GC Hemi.

(Looking forward to heading back out to Ft. Collins Colorado here and with the Patriot this time. I have family there and somehow suspect that driving the Patriot out to Fort Fun will be a helluva better experience than the Northwest Airlines torture tube to DIA.)
 

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#19 · (Edited)
Bought mine a week ago and as yet, have not seen another one on the road in Jacksonville, FL. I know there is at least one other (a white Limited) because a young family was trading in their Caddy for a Patriot while I was waiting on mine to be pulled off the showroom floor.
 
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