From what I've been reading the Patriot isn't popular, gets a bad rap, on the list of disappointing vehicles. I'm thinking about a 2014 Patriot - I like the style, remains me of my old 2000 Cherokee Sport.
Why isn't the Patriot Popular
surgtech1956
21 - 40 of 40 Posts
Joined
·
1,597 Posts
I will disagree with you on this one, because in MY experience Chrysler has dropped the ball just as much as the others. This probably really varies due to how good a dealer is with customers relations (our first contact when problems arise).
Chrysler was loath to address the rusting strut towers on the circa 1999 Caravans as well as the disintegrating rear strut mounts on the circa 2002 Sebrings. Lots of people got burnt on the early 2.7 engine sludge debacle. Jeep should have addressed the simple ball joint problem early on.
ALL of the companies resist admitting known defects and assisting the customers with required repairs due to poor design and/or manufacturing.
On a positive note, my good friend is a professional Mopar dealer mechanic and he said he has noticed a positive influence of FIAT on Chrysler care and concern. We will see.
Gas mileage is disappointing when compared to other small SUVs within the Patriots class. Yes I have the FDII package and even with babying the throttle I have yet to achieve 22 MPG per tank and all of my daily driving is lowspeed (55-60) highway driving.
I am still very happy with the purchase of my Patriot just when compared to the higher gas mileage ratings on other small SUVs it is disappointing for a 2.4L 4 cylinder...blame it on the CVT
Joined
·
1,911 Posts
Every car mfg tries to avoid warranty. Just a common fact of life. I am talking more about the arrogance of Toyota and Honda who, because of the media suck ups and stupid general public, know they can crap on people and get away with it because for every 1 they lose there are 10 more Lemmings running to their dealership lots.
In my family we have had vehicles from GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, and Kia over the last 15 years or so....
GM = Some minor stuff and 1 engine replacement. No problems at all( just needed to show proper maintenance ).
Ford = A few minor things here and there plus transmission/suspension issues with a Ford SD and no problem even though this was a work/plow truck( they still covered it even though they really didn't have to - good faith gesture ).
Chrysler = Some minor stuff and a blown headgasket/cracked cylinder head. No problems on the repairs.
Kia = My Aunt has a 2004 Amanti that just lost the trans at 95K and it was covered by the 10/100K PT warranty with no problems. I think there have eben a few small things also. Only Kia I have expperience with.
Honda = My Sister insists on buying Honda because it is "the best" despite a long list of problems and nothing but hassles getting them fixed. This includes 2 Odyssey Mini Vans that lost transmissions and an Accord that was a lemmon on wheels. I don't get it. She has at least as many issues( truth be told more )with her Hondas as the vehicles I have had from GM and Chrysler in the same time frame, and she constantly complains about the fights she has to get into for coverage( not me ), yet she keeps telling me to buy a Honda. :doh:
Toyota = The ONE Toyota I bought ( 2005 Tacoma )will be my LAST. Hands down the most arrogant, rude, and dispicable company I have ever had the sorry misfortune to deal with. I had more problems with that 1 Toyota than I have EVERY single other vehicle I have ever owned both new and used combined. I couldn't get a single issues taken care of. The dealer base sucked and the company itself was horrible. My experience is soemthing I have heard others have suffered through with Toyota as well.
I do understand that all car mfg's have issues. If you look hard enough you can find people who have been treated very badly by any car mfg you care to name. In my personal experience( both as a consumer and working in the auto field )Toyota and Honda are 2 of the worst companies to deal with "IF" your vehicle is problematic. My own experience bears this out as does the evidence I have seen from others.
Again, I think they act that way because the media sucks up to them and acts like they can do no wrong and the general public in this country has lost all ability to think for themselves. They believe what ragazines like Consumer Reports and the like tell them instead of going out and getting your hands dirty and seeing for yourself. Why should Toyota and Honda care about customer service when all the ragazines praise them to the highest all the time regardless of reality.
Rant off.
Joined
·
1,911 Posts
Are you comparing apples to oranges here? There are no small suv's in the Patriot's class if you talk about FDII equipped Patriot's. That sets it apart. To gain the lower gearing and improved off road ability you give up some MPG. FDI Patriot's vs the AWD competition is pretty good and FWD is even closer. From what I have seen the Patriot( ratings wise anyway )is as good or better than the competition. I would also point out the Patriot has a LOT more room inside. I am not talking cubic inches on paper. I mean real world sit in the vehicle and not hit your head on the roof or your knees on the dash.
Joined
·
575 Posts
How about this. List how many compact vehicles are listed as a suv/cuv. Patriot has been called this. Would you call a rav-4 or crv this. Crossover suv. Patriot is designed on a car platform so it's ride is nice for an suv/cuv. Basically a crossover with off road abilities. I am thinking but can't come up with a cuv/suv compact vehicle. Any ideas? There ya go. GL Jeep with future vehicles.
I test drove several vehicles and liked the Patriot/Compass best, except for the CVT. So I waited and drove the 2014 with the 6-speed and bought one (Compass) the same day. Also cancelled my Consumer Reports and told them why. Chrysler has been more reliable than other brands I've owned, and their local dealer has treated me right on service. Toyota, Honda have only one dealer in most areas, so you are at their mercy if you buy from them. Jeep should advertise the Pat/Compass more, many people don't know what they are. The car magazines bash them, but every owner I talked to said they were great. I told my wife I'm naming hers Rodney, after Dangerfield. I'm getting 29 mpg highway with only 2000 miles on it, expect that to get even better. I like the size, room, performance, utility (can haul kids, garden or building supplies, tow my boat), and the dashboard and controls are simple and efficient, unlike many other brands that I couldn't even figure how to tune the radio (Ford Focus among others). It is not a luxury car or sports car, but it really is a utility vehicle.
Joined
·
727 Posts
I started seeing more patriots in 2011 , west tn here, and memphis, more and now in 2013 see then more than ever so i think this speaks for itself
now the reason they have not been popular are because of the media not advertsing them and advertising the euro looking luxury cars that people dont question and simply buy because its on tv. In addition its had bad reviews a good bit esp the older model versions.
Who cares if people like it or not. The reason I like the patriot is
the look -ive always drove suv's and I guess I am conditioned to like the boxy look since ive had three so far, the mpg is far better than any suv ive had, price is lower than other cuv/suv's, has a backseat that folds down, and can handle its own off terrain. It seems to be the $best bang$ for the buck for an suv/cuv vehicle that I enjoy the look of.
now the reason they have not been popular are because of the media not advertsing them and advertising the euro looking luxury cars that people dont question and simply buy because its on tv. In addition its had bad reviews a good bit esp the older model versions.
Who cares if people like it or not. The reason I like the patriot is
the look -ive always drove suv's and I guess I am conditioned to like the boxy look since ive had three so far, the mpg is far better than any suv ive had, price is lower than other cuv/suv's, has a backseat that folds down, and can handle its own off terrain. It seems to be the $best bang$ for the buck for an suv/cuv vehicle that I enjoy the look of.
Joined
·
839 Posts
i actually love the boxy styling but with the round headlights and front bumper/grill is really nice. all of the "top of the line" suvs out there seem to be all egg shaped and with low ground clearance.
it looks like it can do off-road and it can....it has the measurements and enough power for light-medium off road in my fd1 5spd model.
it looks like it can do off-road and it can....it has the measurements and enough power for light-medium off road in my fd1 5spd model.
Joined
·
12,505 Posts
I needed the clearance, skid plates, and 4x4 to make my driveway. The patriot is one of a very few vehicles that can make my driveway in winter. And I needed decent MPG as I drove 25K miles a year.
Anyone who thinks they are not as capable as another vehicle, you're welcome to bring that other vehicle up to my place in the winter, and we'll see. there will be of course a small wager.
Anyone who thinks they are not as capable as another vehicle, you're welcome to bring that other vehicle up to my place in the winter, and we'll see. there will be of course a small wager.
Joined
·
271 Posts
I drove a 2010 Civic before the Patriot and the price difference between the two was pretty much negligible. The Jeep feels much more solid and is better equipped than that Civic could ever hope to be. When I changed jobs and needed a higher clearance vehicle, the Patriot was the first one I test drove. Nothing else I test drove after that seemed worth the money, especially when having to cough up thousands more for the same list of options *ahem* Nissan *ahem*
Joined
·
33 Posts
Same here my driveway is a real ##### my last car was a 2010 Subaru Impreza and it had the hardest time getting up it. Only car that could go up was an old audi 4000 Quattro. 2nd best was a Suzuki sx4 (which I must say was an amazing car, traded it for the Subaru as I wanted a better brand and more better system....) well the patriot has taken number 1 spot in my mind. Love it
Joined
·
239 Posts
I wrote my thoughts about my choice to buy a Pat after reading all the slamming reviews and why I was lucky to even test driven one (even having been a long time Jeep/Dodge owner). Honestly I was just about in tears because I thought I was going to be stuck with a foreign made tennis shoe. There was one other thing that made me pull the plug and come home with my sweetheart jeep - you all! The testimonies written on this forum helped convince me I was making the right choice. So Thank you all!
Joined
·
140 Posts
The more I see it progress the more I'm not sure. I certainly have read through these before my purchase too, huge bias. I don't need to go to the moon on my vehicle. I need it to get through snow and up hills and the occasional off-roading experience etc. I think when you're comparing a Pat to a 35-50K USD market vehicle, the Patriot will remind you that you're getting what you pay for. I like the straight forward, simple vehicle with a great modern but true to jeep boxy feel, easy on the price tag. I love mine.
Joined
·
239 Posts
Yes of course Pat owners, like all parents are going to be biased towards their "children." I am sure my final decision to give the Patriot a chance was influenced by my God experiences with Jeep/Dodge. However, when I compared the responses/commentary from this site vs. forums for other vehicles the members here were over all positive and passionate about their vehicles and mostly realistic. Some forums for some vehicles were chalked full of whining and complaining about their rides (yet they too professed their love). The other thing I noticed was, although there are a scant few disrespectful posts here and there, most people on this forum are kind and helpful (even over stupid questions). This level of consistency is a little unusual in an online community. It is the reason I started posting here - not a common thing for me. Anyway, thanks again everyone for helping out with my decision!
Joined
·
1,597 Posts
There is one consistent review difference. When you go to one of the "better" review sites like Kelly Blue Book, etc., the "expert" review is usually around 6 - 7 +/- (scale of 10).
But at the same site, the actual owner reviews tend to average aroung 8.5 -9. That says something (to me).
But at the same site, the actual owner reviews tend to average aroung 8.5 -9. That says something (to me).
I've noticed this before as well.
2014: KBB 5.3
2013: KBB 5.4
Consumer 8.4
:icon_rolleyes:
Joined
·
4,653 Posts
1 aspect would be marketing
marketing campaign can add $500-$1000 to the price of a car.
without the marketing helps keep the price low,
most reviewers dont like cars without massive advertising budgets as they dont get a cut,
also less promo vehicles to go around for review
marketing campaign can add $500-$1000 to the price of a car.
without the marketing helps keep the price low,
most reviewers dont like cars without massive advertising budgets as they dont get a cut,
also less promo vehicles to go around for review
Joined
·
3,954 Posts
Chrysler has spent a good amount of money on the Dodge Dart. Look how well it hasn't sold..
Joined
·
4,653 Posts
sometimes marketing $$$ are used to prop up a failing car/brand.
bet more people are familiar with the dart than the patriot.
Joined
·
3,954 Posts
I'd bet you are right... Even if the Dart wasn't recognizable from it's previous forms.
21 - 40 of 40 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
