Shopping the Patriot

Bob-blehead · Jul 3, 2012

Howdy all! Found this forum through a Yahoo! search. I've been poking around for a few days, as I have been looking for information based upon your collective experience with the Patriot. Easy to get overwhelmed! However, I have learned a lot.

Found about the leak problem which seems to plague this vehicle. Is this still a problem with the '12 models?? I didn't think to really look at the years involved, based upon the folks that were posting in that thread. I'll have to go back and visit it again.

We recently replaced an '08 Town and Country with two new Honda Civics. One for me, and one for the kids as they begin driving, and begin commuting to college in another year. We had driven the Patriot. I had driven it a couple of times. My wife was really focused on getting a vehicle with much better gas mileage . . . and like a single-issue voter, we wound up buying the Civics.

That said, I had voiced my opinion about needing more utility, and how the Patriot would provide that with the rear hatch, folding seats, yada yada yada. Fell on deaf ears. Now, she is beginning to think that MAYBE I was right. So, I'm looking at the Patriot again, and trying to build my case for trading in the Civic on a new Patriot Latitude.

The driving issue here is that we had purchased a Yakima bike carrier that fit into a 2" receiver on the Town n Country. I hadn't even thought that it would be an issue, until I researched the hitch that can be installed on the Civic. The hitch can only handle 200 pounds tongue weight. And Yakima does NOT recommend the usage of an adapter to take the 1.25" receiver to a 2" receiver, with THIS carrier. It is one of the carriers that swings out of the way to allow access to the rear hatch. Works really well! It is, however, a bit on the heavy side.

So, this has been a catalyst for this latest interest in the Patriot. There are other options we can look at, but not at this price point that the Patriot is offered at.

I'll be posting questions as I continue to read your experiences. Glad to be here. Hope to learn something.

Bob

Doc · Jul 3, 2012

Welcome to the site. I can only offer from my experiences. With that being said, I have a 2012 sport and have had no issues. Granted, I've only had it for two months, but it's been washed and rained on quite a bit and everything is dry. I do know that the models with sunroofs tend to be the main issue. As far as the bike hitch, if you get the tow package, I think it has a 2" receiver. Don't quote me though. I'm sure with a little time you can find answers to every question here. It's a great site with a lot of imformative people. Good luck!

Metaxa · Jul 3, 2012

Welcome.
Sounds like you are doing the kind of research I did...and I ended up with a Patriot.

You have to remember this is Jeep's entry level vehicle so no fair comparing it to an Audi, OK?

The Patriot takes the kind of hitch you need for your bike rack, there are plenty of threads on what hitch, from what shop, how to install and so on. eTrailer.com is a place to start but most report a pretty fair price on the hitch and a easy install. Especially if you aren't actually towing with it and don't need the wiring and oil cooler as well.

Leaks seem to involve only the sunroof equipped units...so there is an easy fix to that. Some, a few, non - sun roof units have had leaks but again there are threads on here detailing probable causes and good fixes.

I live in a very rainy pert of the world, it pours around here from October to March, sometimes inches per day for 2,3,4 days in a row. This is often accompanied by big wind and I've not had a drop inside my Patriot. So at least one is waterproof, eh?

Enjoy your quest, enjoy your new Patriot when you get it and post pictures when you do. Buy a nice colour, please.

08MKinKY · Jul 3, 2012

Welcome! I have had my '08 for a little over 4 months now and no leak problems so far! This is definetly a great site to do your research on!!

MrJeepR44 · Jul 3, 2012

Welcome to the forum and ask any questions you might have... everyone on this forum is helpful and has lots of insight. As far as the hitch, the Jeep has an optional tow package which includes a wiring harness that comes in a bag, and an auxiliary engine oil cooler, but the Mopar hitch is a dealer accessory and is only a class II 1 1/4". I installed the Draw-Tite class III 2" on my Jeep without too much trouble, and the hitch ran me $150.

If you are not towing anything, you'll be doing just fine to get the hitch and skip the tow package, but if you ever think there is a chance you'll tow a trailer, you might as well get the oil cooler and Mopar wiring!

Good luck, and let us know what you decide!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using AutoGuide.com App

Bob-blehead · Jul 3, 2012

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I am well aware that the Patriot is Jeep's entry level vehicle, much like the Civic is to Honda. I pretty much know what I'd be getting if I decide to make the purchase.

And yes, it does seem that the majority of the leak issues come with those who have sunroofs. However, there have been enough other owners who do not have sunroofs who have experienced leaks to make me a bit hesitant to purchase one. The fact that this issue has basically gone unchecked by Jeep for some time (enough to prompt the class action suit) tells me what Jeep's attitude toward their customers is.

I have also read, somewhere, that a benefit to having the tow package is that the oil cooler actually helps to prolong engine life. And it doesn't add that much more money to the bottom line.

Continuing to read, continuing to learn.

MrJeepR44 · Jul 3, 2012

Bob-blehead said:
...I have also read, somewhere, that a benefit to having the tow package is that the oil cooler actually helps to prolong engine life. And it doesn't add that much more money to the bottom line...

Exactly.... for only a couple hundred bucks, it is well worth the peace of mind. I pulled a 5x8 1500 lbs brick of a Uhaul cargo trailer from Dallas all the way to Tulsa, 5 hours of driving at 65-70. The engine temp never even flinched. A month later I did the same thing, but going the opposite direction, and coming back into Dallas I got stuck in heavy stop and go traffic for about 45 minutes. The temp of the engine only went up one tick on the gauge during that part of the trip... and I was very glad to have the oil cooler!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using AutoGuide.com App

Metaxa · Jul 3, 2012

Bob-blehead said:
Thanks for the replies! Yes, I am well aware that the Patriot is Jeep's entry level vehicle, much like the Civic is to Honda. I pretty much know what I'd be getting if I decide to make the purchase.

And yes, it does seem that the majority of the leak issues come with those who have sunroofs. However, there have been enough other owners who do not have sunroofs who have experienced leaks to make me a bit hesitant to purchase one. The fact that this issue has basically gone unchecked by Jeep for some time (enough to prompt the class action suit) tells me what Jeep's attitude toward their customers is.

I have also read, somewhere, that a benefit to having the tow package is that the oil cooler actually helps to prolong engine life. And it doesn't add that much more money to the bottom line.

Continuing to read, continuing to learn.

Bob, I wasn't as clear in my other post on the older leak thread as I should/could have been.

Go back through it and look at post counts. Sure there are folks with leaks and who are actively seeking solution. But look at how many are single digit posters, no followup, no response...just a huge complaint and then gone.

It is my contention that some or a lot or maybe all of those are simply poop disturbers. Maybe even sock puppets from a competing vehicle enthusiast site. Maybe even on a PR firm's payroll.

Now that isn't to negate those who do in fact have leaks and are here trying to find answers and are contributing to both the knowledge base and the forum as a whole...but the fact of the matter is leaks represent a very small portion of the units on the ground.

Its like flying...if you are the one in the aircraft it doesn't matter that statistics tell you flying is safe, right? But it is.

Same, same here. You are trying to fly and it is my contention that a significant portion and a huge percentage of the noise around leaks is from folks who work for or have a connection to Amtrac.

Bob-blehead · Jul 5, 2012

Metaxa said:
Go back through it and look at post counts. Sure there are folks with leaks and who are actively seeking solution. But look at how many are single digit posters, no followup, no response...just a huge complaint and then gone.

You make a good point . . . one that I should have been aware of. I WILL go back and look at those threads again. I appreciate the redirect!

Bob-blehead · Jul 27, 2012

Well, after a long discussion with my wife yesterday (we were driving back from taking my two youngest sons to camp), I decided to go test drive a Patriot (again), and also drove a Compass. Just wanted to see if there were a difference in ride or wind noise. The deal will depend on what I get for a trade in on my Civic.

I took my son with me to get a more objective viewpoint on a couple of things. We thought that the Patriot had a tad more wind noise, but we felt that the Patriot rode a bit better than the Compass over our "test road." Now this could be all in our heads, being the vehicles are pretty much the same. But I decided that I liked the Patriot better, and I chose to go with white, then the blue.

So, our rep at the dealership is going to work some numbers in the morning and give me a call. I hope they can do something, but worst case, we drive the Civic for a few more months, bring down the payoff, and look at it again later. Who knows. By tomorrow night I could be driving a Patriot!

Bob-blehead · Jul 28, 2012

Brought home the white one I drove yesterday for my wife to test out. Got the approval! Now, as long as the numbers we see tomorrow at the dealership match those that our rep gave me over the phone today, I'll be the proud new owner of a Patriot! I am VERY excited!!! And yes, I understand that pics are strongly encouraged.

ctherrien · Jul 28, 2012

Good luck!
I traded my 2008 Civic coupe DX last month for a 2012 Patriot Sport. I don't recall ever cleaning & vacuuming my civic as much as I'm doing with the Patriot (4 times in 5 weeks), must be that "Jeep" thing...
I find the ride way more comfortable than the Civic, could never get a perfectly comfortable position in there.

Bob-blehead · Jul 29, 2012

ctherrien said:
Good luck!
I traded my 2008 Civic coupe DX last month for a 2012 Patriot Sport. I don't recall ever cleaning & vacuuming my civic as much as I'm doing with the Patriot (4 times in 5 weeks), must be that "Jeep" thing...
I find the ride way more comfortable than the Civic, could never get a perfectly comfortable position in there.

Thanks! However, we decided to put the purchase on hold for the time being. Hopefully not longer than a couple of weeks. Okay, though. Will give the dealership some time to hopefully find the exact vehicle I am looking for. Worst case, if they still have the one I drove on the lot, I'll buy that one. My rep was disappointed, being it is so close to the end of the month, but the couple weeks will make a huge difference.

As for the Civic . . . there are a LOT of things I like about my Civic, and making the decision to go to the Jeep wasn't a slam dunk. However, we need a bit more utility, and I could use the easier access. Gonna miss the GREAT gas mileage though.

ctherrien · Jul 30, 2012

Yes, the civic is a great car,... but a Jeep's a Jeep! Guess I've always had a thing for them, and I'll probably only live this one time so...

You will notice the more frequent trips to the gas station, I know I did

As for the salesman, well,...

Lets just say he's worried about his wallet, not yours. Man, you have to watch those guys; if I'd of went with his first numbers, he'd have an extra 7K of my money in his wallet! Not sure where on the receipt he would have hidden it... Maybe it's just a ploy to make you think like you got a great deal without them loosing anything but I must of haggled 45 minutes (said I was leaving twice) just to get to the sticker price + interest!

Be on your guard while your in there... from the minute you walk in to the minute you walk out... they are well trained to do 2 things, get you into one of their cars and then empty your wallet.

I'm sure most people make it out of there OK but I pity the poor schmuck you goes in there for his first car thinking these guys must surely be honest, they seem so nice...

Bob-blehead · Jul 31, 2012

Yeah, we're aware of their antics. We go in loaded for bear, with Consumer Reports pricing reports, KBB information . . . you get the idea. We also go in with amortization tables which give us a quick reference, so we know whether they are pulling our leg or not. And, we're not afraid to pull our own tactics out of the hat, like shopping other dealers in the area, or with a sticker printout of another vehicle we want at a distant dealer, which the competing dealer would be "happy" to dealer trade to give us what we want.

We expect that the dealer is going to make some money on the deal, but we never expect to pay retail either.

ctherrien · Jul 31, 2012

Go get'em Bob-blehead!

The only dealer that didn't try this on me was the Honda dealer, he quoted exactly what I was expecting and then I said throw in tinted windows, remote key, starter, leather steering for the same price and I'll take it. 15 minutes later I was the proud owner...

Same here, fair is fair. I expect them to earn a living and I'm not out to rob them of it. I just wish they extended the same courtesy when you walked in the door.

Bob-blehead · Aug 6, 2012

Well, the deal has not materialized yet. Does not appear that it will for awhile. We are just too far apart on the numbers. That is okay though. I'm hoping that once the 2013 units begin to show up at the dealers, more of a choice will be available with the EQ I'm looking for.

Shopping the Patriot

Bob-blehead

Doc

Metaxa

08MKinKY

MrJeepR44

Bob-blehead

MrJeepR44

Metaxa

Bob-blehead

Bob-blehead

Bob-blehead

ctherrien

Bob-blehead

ctherrien

Bob-blehead

ctherrien

Bob-blehead

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