I would suggest that you did what I did. I bought a 1.5 year old certified pre-owned Patriot. Mine is a 2014, but you could find a 2015 easily as well. I had 1.5 years and 18,000 left on the bumper to bumper warranty, and 5.5 years and 82,000 miles left on the powertrain warranty at time of purchase. (A new 2016 only comes with 5 years and 60k powertrain warranty.) I have a 5 year loan on it, so it should be paid off before it's out of powertrain warranty. Plus, I saved quite a bit over new. Mine was $17,500 (latitude 6AT 4x4) and then I paid $900 to have them factory install the tow package, so I would have any issues if I had a trans issue while pulling a trailer. (Just wanted the paper trail.) They $900 was rolled into the loan.

Just a thought.

 

cool thanks, yeah still deciding new or used, only reason why new is an option is its pretty affordable for a 4x4 compared to trucks so it might be doable. Do you ever go on trails or off-road?
also if you'd know, but what's the difference and/or what is better between the 6 speed auto and the CVT. I've been reading for the older years he cvt wasn't that great.

 

I'd definitely look at getting a decent AT tire, over traditional all seasons. The base sport 4wd with some AT tires, (A bit taller and wider than stock) and it would do quite well. If you wanted more height you can do either a 1 inch or 2 inch lift, but my opinion it's not necessary unless you are really getting into some stuff with it.

Here's an example with some AT tires, (and I think he has a lift, but not sure.)

 

I'd definitely look at getting a decent AT tire, over traditional all seasons. The base sport 4wd with some AT tires, (A bit taller and wider than stock) and it would do quite well. If you wanted more height you can do either a 1 inch or 2 inch lift, but my opinion it's not necessary unless you are really getting into some stuff with it.

Here's an example with some AT tires, (and I think he has a lift, but not sure.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmF3uo0MD3Y

I was watching this video yesterday.
when you mention lift, do you mean like a whole new suspension kit, or can it me simple as just getting different springs.

 

This is box stock, but with 245/65-17 AT tires. (They rub bad at stock height.) I believe he later added a lift.

 

This is box stock, but with 245/65-17 AT tires. (They rub bad at stock height.) I believe he later added a lift.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVwcxhsd624

That's mine, and yes, I did add a lift later, an RRO lift kit.

Here are some videos post lift:

 

For lifts you have 2 options. Stu Springs, (Different springs, same struts) that give you like an inch. Or you can do the RRO spacer lift, (mounts on top of struts) and that gets you 2-2.25 inches. You can't/shouldn't do both together though.

 

when you say shouldn't both you mean new springs and mounts together? right

also you say you go on simple trails, what wheels and tires do you have and is your height stock?

 

Yes I mean you can't do stu springs and the RRO lift together.

I'm stock height, stock everything, including tires. I've done plenty of stuff like this all stock.

(not my pictures, just looked for stuff similar.)

 

ok. awesome , thanks a lot for your help

 

From what you've said, I'd get the 6AT then. WAY nicer to daily driver, and has nearly the crawl ratio of FDII.

 

thanks again. I found more info on the difference FDII and FDI and yes FDII is with cvt only I believe from what I gotout of this info.

Jeep Capabilities - Towing Capacity Chart

http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/

 

Yes, FDII is only with CVT. The 6AT in 1st is not that far off from the FDII in crawl though. And you don't have to drive a CVT.

 

according to those links you can still get tow prep group to increase to 2000lbs.
I find it odd if I select to add the tow prep group at says I need to get ride of the AT tires I added and put the season tires in order to put the tow prep.
would you have any idea why that is so?

 

No clue.

 

thanks guys, you've been awesome and very informative.

 

Calicojack, If your still deciding which tranny is best, don't overlook the cvt. Yes it is louder than a normal manual but they are a pretty fun transmission. I own a 2012 FDI 4x4 and have 50000 on it right now and have no complaints on the performance. I also drive a FDII that is a 2016 with 4500 miles on it now and find it to be quieter than my 12 model. Though it is a mile or 2 per gallon harder on gas it's not bad. Also, the FDII package gets you the skid plates extra tranny coolingm, tow hooks, hill decent control, and a more aggressive Brake Lock Differential setting. It does add up to more capability, I can go more places with FDII. There is an option on the Sport model that will get you the FDI tranny with hooks and skid plates if you don't want all the fetures of the FDII.

 

Another Michigander, and a Yooper at that? Ya gotta bring 'em to Jeep Creep(Jeep Creep at Riverwalk Place in Gladwin, Michigan). And maybe you and rcguymike could arrange wheeling at another time.

But back on topic, yes, Patriot is a good vehicle, and CVT is SORELY underrated. No need for a stinkin' 6-spd auto when the CVT's been working just fine all along. Just needs a little TLC, is all.

 

owned quite a few Jeeps over the years and my personal choice for a Patriot would be 4x4 with 5 speed manual. Add a good CB radio and self recovery gear and she'll be fine for easy trails. The body and suspension is not really beefed up enough for hard core wheeling. Have fun!

 

How had I missed this thread before? Yes, the Patriot is a great vehicle. I'm over 200,000 miles and I've only spent chump change on repairs.

Like RossoRacer, I'm a CVT fan. Its a manual if I want it to be, or an automatic when that's better. Its the best of both worlds.
Admittedly my first CVT failed at 100,000 miles, but I've got more than that on my replacement and so far no problems.

My Patriot gets great fuel economy (I average c29mpg), it rides good on scrappy roads (like potholes and frost heaves), has good cargo space, and even with FWD its not afraid of a snowstorm.

 

Yes, the Patriot is a great vehicle....
Admittedly my first CVT failed at 100,000 miles, but I've got more than that on my replacement and so far no problems.

How much did it cost to repair the failed CVT? Mine is at 100K miles and making the whining noise I read about on this and other forums so I fear a repair coming. You don't expect to do major power train repair at only 100K so not sure I can really say Patriots are great vehicles.

 

I have a 2008 2.0L 4x2 CVT with 140,000 miles (bought it at 20,000 miles) which I use as a daily driver. It's been totally reliable. It's been serviced at our local Jeep dealership ever since I've had it. Apart from maintenance parts, battery, and tires, the only thing that needed replacing was the front and rear struts which I did about 2,000 miles ago. I decided on KYB Excel-G instead of the OEM parts, and bought all the parts listed on KYB's website (bellows, mounting kit, etc) - I thought that I might as well change them all at the same time. The dealership advised that the springs didn't need changing, and I had them do the installation and wheel alignment.
I don't do off road and like the CVT, though it takes getting used to.

 

Bought new 2014 2.4 Sport FWD 5-speed with air but manual everything else for $15k. I love my Jeep at 24,000 miles.

 

Did you end up getting a Patriot?

 

I just bought a 2017 new unused I think its a dealer driver 10,500 miles $18,500.00 full warranty 84 months or I think like 80,000 miles
bumper to bumper . I really like it , its not like my old wranglers , a lot more comfort . I hope the reliability is good , but I'm a stickler
about maintenance so we will see ? I have the 2.4 with the 5 speed manual trans 4x4 sport , it must be close to loaded as the nav is the only thing I see missing . I'm trying to get a build sheet but the site does not seem to work . GOOD LUCK ON YOURS !

 

I just bought a 2017 new unused I think its a dealer driver 10,500 miles $18,500.00 full warranty 84 months or I think like 80,000 miles bumper to bumper.

If you're good about your maintenance, your Patriot should be good for 3 times those miles . . . or more!

 

2015 Patriot Sport 4x4. 2.4L with a regular automatic transmission (no CVT) with the upgraded wheels and tires, power options, and upgraded stereo with Bluetooth/Uconnect, etc. I bought it new, I have owned it 2 years on June 10th and I will be hitting the 30,000 mile mark this week and haven't had a single problem.

I did upgrade the stereo a couple of weeks ago which is a major commitment in my world. I will now keep it until I pay it off for sure.....which would be a first for me and I've had a couple dozen cars in my lifetime.