Don't expect unbiased opinions around here, mojeep. I think it's safe to say on behalf of all jeeppatriot.com members... JEEP PATRIOT. Among other reasons, I believe the Nitro is about to become discontinued.

 

I second the motion, JEEP PATRIOT!!

 

The Jeep Liberty and the Dodge Nitro are siblings under the skin, with the distinction that the Liberty is not ugly like the Nitro.

The Liberty is heavier than the Patriot and comes with a 3.7 versus 2.4 liter engine. And a six speed versus a five speed manual. And a simpler, mechanical, four wheel drive instead of the more technologically advanced (and involved) Patriot system. And the Liberty weighs more, costs more, and doesn't get as good fuel mileage as the Patriot.

I discarded the Nitro on appearance, and went with the Patriot for the better fuel mileage over the Liberty, even though I would have preferred the 3.7 liter engine and 6MT. Ninety + percent of the time I will be the only person in the vehicle on relatively flat land driving. Once or twice a year I may have someone in the back seat. If I were regularly carrying a family of four to the beach or the mountains, I probably would have gone with the Liberty with the 3.7 and 6MT, and tried to drive it for fuel mileage when I was in it alone.

FWIW, IMO, and YMMV.

 

Those new chargers look great too...any thought about buying one of them?

 

I like the patriot...but if you dig'n the nitro, i'd go after the Jeep LIberty! its so close but better

 

I liked the Liberty and the Patriot. As a dollar decison and mileage decision, I choose the Patriot. I am very happy with the Patriot. I like the Liberty also. But, I am very happy the dollars and mileage choose the Patriot.

 

If you are going to do real hard lugging and slugging, then the Libby may be your better bet. heavier, costlier, worse on gas but definitely more powerful.

If your driving is milder, then Patriot all the way.

 

The Nitro is being discontinued. The V-6 in the Nitro will get maybe 17 mpg average.

When I bought the Patriot in late July I was offered a nice all silver Nitro (lots of options, and it was really pretty) for the same price. As much as the Nitro appealed to me, I needed to go with the Patriot for two reasons: overall mpg and front wheel drive. I glad I went with the Patriot. I like the way it drives. 12,000 miles so far and no problems.

I think both vehicles will suffer residual value problems. I'm sure the Nitro, when discontinued, will suffer more than the Patriot.

 

I got the Patriot over the Nitro in Australia purely because of price. But I'd like to know why you and someone previously are saying that the Nitro is going to be discontinued? Where do you get your info from?

The Nitro was just released in Australia in August 2007. I can't image Chrysler making a decision to release a car in Australia or anywhere Internationally for that matter and then discontinue it less than a year or two later. After all, we only have 3 Dodge models down here, Nitro, Calibe and Avenger. So they pick their market on what sells the best. I can say to you, Nitro's have been selling like hotcakes and there has been over a 3 month wait on them. So I can't see them discontinuing in the near future.

Mossy

 

Below is a comparison between two comparable versions of the Nitro and Patriot.

In a nutshell:

Offroad Capable = Patriot
Fuel Economy = Patriot
Space = Nitro
Towing Capacity = Nitro

.

 

I went through the same back and forth and I went with the Patriot based on it's practicality and my trust in the Jeep brand name.

 

Just depends on how you are going to use it. The nitro isn't a true off road or rough road or deep snow machine.

We were going to buy a Liberty but the seats killed us. Drove the Nitro and it was actually more comfortable for us vs the Liberty. However we needed something for deep snow and that means clearance.

We thought the Patriot would be too small but it was seriously comfortable for us. We don't need or intend to tow so after driving them all day we bought a VERY loaded up Liberty off-road leather seats the whole 9 yards for the same price we would have paid for the Liberty less loaded.

We are extremely happy with the Pat and the mileage etc. We live at 7800' in the mountains and drive dirt roads covered with snow every day and the Patriot has exceeded our hopes and with all the fun blingy stuff, it's been a kick to drive.

Just make sure you drive them! IMHO

 

just be aware that with the Patriot, you're buying a car that looks like a light truck.

before I get flamed... the reason I say this is simply in the fasteners. The Patriot is much lighter, and gets way better milage. Having just installed my trailer wiring harness, I see how much of the Pat is made of plastic instead of steel. There are hardly any screws used on the body - just plastic push pins.

I sure hope it lasts 10+ years. Maybe it will, because plastic doesn't rust.