When parts become available from a boneyard somebody HAS to build a Compass with the Trail-Rated CVTII setup. That would be absolutely hysterical as an offroader. Just drive along and see people stare as you get into the back country.

 

What really irks me are those that say it is not a real Jeep cause it can't go off roading (trail rated to them). How many of us who own Jeeps actually go on the trails?

If Jeep only made vehicles for those who went on the trails, they would be out of business in a hurry. The excuse of well I can go off roading (but I never will) is full of bull too. We can all admit that there are trails the even a "Real Jeep" can't get through but requires a purpose built rock crawler to get through. Are these not real Jeeps then? We all bought the Jeep for its name and knowledge that it has ability to handle the not so daily hoo hum conditions.

Also if we are going to say it's not a Jeep because it is not trail rated, then a lot of the Jeeps out there are not real Jeeps. How many 4x2's, under powered, ... Jeeps are out there?

These are Jeeps!!! When mine comes I know I will love it! Let's finish with the name calling and talk about what we plan to do to our Jeeps.

 

Well put, tumprgt. I agree, too many people put emphasis on that Trail Rated badge. Now don't get me wrong, if mine was trail rated, I'd want the badge, but it's more-or-less a marketing tactic, nothing more.

I agree, drenglish, I'd LOVE to see that. Although I'd settle with seeing someone setting up their Compass (or a Patriot, of course) for the Baja.

 

As a Compass owner all I can say is "THANKS GUYS" for being so positive! The Compass has been the ugly duckling for so long that I've just come to expect nothing but negativity towards it. "Beauty is only skin deep" is so true in this case, the bones are the same for the MK's.

Building a true Baja rig takes some big $$$'s and some sponsors, neither of which I have. I am building my own version of a Rallye Jeep and it's not the same as Jeeps. Oh well, it's mine now and I'll do it my way, just like every other Jeep fan.

Have some fun out there and thanks for the vids! :smiley_thumbs_up:

 

I LOVE my Compass, and could care less if it's trail rated. I wanted something safe for snow and reliable... and this thing is amazing in the snow, I am VERY impressed!!!! The other day we got like 45 cm of snow, and all the cars were stuck on this hill and couldn't get traction. Even in a stopped position, my Jeep made it up NO PROBLEM... I'm sure they were all cursing me in their vehicles while I passed them stuck on the hill hahahahaha!!!

I have faith in my lil Compass and it's a nice looking vehicle, I dont care what anyone says about that!

 

mcatinacci hit the nail on the head!

We have a Wrangler for off road use. I wanted a Jeep for on road use. Our roads around here will knock a normal car out of alignment within a few round trips. So far, my Compass has taken a beating and is not showing any signs of alignment issues in 7K miles of potholes, ruts and washed out roads. What makes it really good is that it handles more like a car which allows me to play dodgem with the pot holes with ease....

 

Here's some more supporting evidence

http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff102/FE700/Safari_20071201/?action=view&current=JeepCompass.flv

 

"Gramps" mentioned that only about 10% of 4X4's actually SEE the 'off road'. so what's the big deal? again, the vast MINORITY is putting down the majority and all we hear is the Compass isnt' a 'real Jeep'......HA! i've seen videos to disprove THAT theory.

my feeling is that if it says "Jeep" on it, then it must BE a Jeep! :doh:

 

I'm the owner of a "trail-rated" Patriot and I can say I'm fond of the Compasses as well. If I could afford a second vehicle I might very well buy a Compass. Some people here take shots at their looks, but as far as I'm concerned they are better looking than most other CUVs out there. And as far as capability is concerned, it would be more than enough Jeep for what most people would ever need.

 

I think that most of the people who put down the Patriot and Compass are just jealous because they drive around a huge 4 wheel drive vehicle that gets 12mpg. While we pat and comp drivers are getting close to 30mpg and can still handle some decent off road conditions.

 

trail rated

I think one of the reason the compass did not get a trail rated badge was because of the approach angle. When you compare the offroad numbers next to the patriot they look similiar except the approach angle. A small lift and tires would fix that, however I think the compass is better left alone. It is such a road warrior that modififying it would just hurt its original purpose. I got a wrangler for offroad and a compass for on the road. Think anyone who seriously wants to do some serious offroad should consider the same. However, I feel the compass will get to most places most people want to go and thus is a good dual purpose rig in its stock configeration.

 

Subaru has been cleaning up large piles of cash with what can only be called a 4 wheel drive car for countless years. I's about time Jeep countered with one of it's own. Compass is a great car just the way it is.

Wife has Compass. Wife no longer gets Ford Focus stuck in the snowy/muddy driveway. Life is better. Much better!

 

Some snow

 

info

excellent thread!!!

 

I have been looking at the Compass as a replacement for our Chrysler Town & Country. Check this out I think it shows the right attitude for all of us Jeep owners.
TRISTATE MK’S CLUB
First Meeting held 06/21/2008
Bob Evans Middletown, Ohio

We decided all MK models, Patriot and Compass both 4X2 and 4X4 including our cousin the Dodge Caliber would be included in the club. The Caliber is not a jeep but it might as well be. Our thoughts were that some trails we could all navigate and some only the 4X4’s and others would require the trail rated models but we could all enjoy time together with our Jeeps.

WWW:smiley_thumbs_up:

 

Great idea. Just a bit far from here. I did find a great way to find some interesting 4 wheeling roads however. I asked my GPS to get me home from a friends house. Man those maps are screwed up.....

 

I did find a great way to find some interesting 4 wheeling roads however. I asked my GPS to get me home from a friends house. Man those maps are screwed up.....

One reason for me to buy a Jeep was exactly the same: GPS showed that there should be a road, but my Chrysler Neon was with not enough ground clearance for it... and was not 4x4
So i bought a Compass to follow the GPS instructions

 

IMHO, the compass is a good little vehicle, sometimes I'll admit I am polarized by the looks, but they I see a certain color and am like "damn, that looks pretty good!" Black is best Compass color IMHO, the design was made for it. And hell, the lift kit available will work on a Compass and the few I have seem with it and some nice offroad tires have looked just badass.

 

.... And hell, the lift kit available will work on a Compass and the few I have seem with it and some nice offroad tires have looked just badass.

you mean like THIS? no lift installed YET, but it's at work, waiting on my tech friend............

 

I see and hear a lot of crap about the Compass. I don't own one, but it sickens me to hear people say "if it isn't trail rated, it's not a Jeep", or "it's not a real Jeep".

I think some of the parts of this video says all that has to be said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgMQP1iOeQg

Granted, the Compass won't be suitable for Jeep trails, but trails like that are not the only way to off-road. I'm curious as to how the Compass or the Patriot would handle desert tracks. After seeing this, I may end up trying to get my father to get a Compass to replace his Grand Cherokee (a great vehicle, but it's getting old, and the MPGs aren't so hot). I'm unsure which he would like more, the Compass or the Patriot.

So to all the Compass owners here who like to have fun off-road with the Compass, I salute you!

In addition to the Compass he should check out the Diesel Grand Cherokee.