The Patriot IS simple and straightforward. It is the ENTRY LEVEL vehicle for Jeep (well the second one besides the Compass). If you get a base model, it comes with nothing. Really, nothing. No AC, no power windows, no power doors, no power anything. I don't even think you get cruise control. You will just have a radio, 4 seats, and an engine. How do you think they can sell the base model for $15,000, and offer $2500 in rebates on it?
It's been heavily discussed, about the cost saving methods in order to meet that price point. Poorer quality parts -- plain and simple.
Now as far as MB's point about paying over $20,000, that is only if you get an upgraded package, but all an upgraded package (such as my Latitude) does is add little gadgets and gizmos. I have a remote start, heated seats, AC, heated mirrors, cruise control, satellite radio, and all of that other stuff, but anyone can add that through aftermarket vendors. Someone taking a 1992 Honda Civic can add this stuff too, but it doesn't change what the core of the vehicle is.
Anyway, let's be honest. I don't know what anyone's income is, so maybe $20k seems like a lot for a car, and maybe you haven't gone car shopping in 20 years, but have you seen the prices of NEW cars now? Even previously "cheap" brands start pushing the $30,000 range. Go look at Toyota, Honda, Scion, Hyundai, etc. In order to meet quality standards, their prices have gone up. I only found TWO cars (not counting some base model pickup designed to be beat to hell) that could compete with the Patriot in price, and that was an entry level Hyundai and the Ford Focus.
Patriot is a good car for the price, which is why we all have it, but let's not get delusional here. It's not going to compete with other Jeeps and other makes. I seriously doubt anyone here claiming to hold their Patriot for the long haul will REALLY end up doing it, besides a few people who lucked out and have the lifetime power train (which they only had for like 2 years and realized how much of a mistake that would be).
