maybe not so much when it come to the RAV-4...just being realistic. It has added 14 inches of length sense its previous model.

 

From behind the wheel of my Patriot, the new, larger RAV-4 still gives me the impression of a vehicle which is smaller, less powerful and which has inferior road presence.

There's just SOMETHING about the Patriot that makes me think, when I see a RAV-4 "Wow. If my Patriot and that RAV-4 were to get into an collision, I'd be glad I'm not in the Toyota!

That's the while point. It doesn't matter HOW large or heavy the RAV-4 gets. When I'm driving it, the Patriot EXUDES a dominating air of strength and solidity which makes it seem like a much larger vehicle than the Toyota. I have no doubt that if you put "virgin reviewers" inside the Patriot and showed them photos of the RAV-4, the reviewers would all say the Totota is a smaller, lighter-use vehicle.

 

Spirit of America

It is called Jeepism.

You can not escape it. That spirit of winning WW2 still flows from all Jeeps. The spirit of mid 20th century American ingenuity like no where else on earth. That can-do attitude has always been part of what Jeeps are made of and always will be.

If you are ever in a junk yard, sit in the crappiest Jeep you can find. Settle back in the seat and grip the steering wheel firmly, even in those retired heroes, you can still feel the magic at work.

When you are driving a Jeep, you are driving the original and the best. You have nothing to prove to anyone. The name says it all. That sense of peaceful security is what you feel.

:carryflag:

 

I'm with you, way back in the day when my parents took me out to buy my first daily driver, we came across a Geo Tracker, and my mom was like,"Wow that looks like a Jeep and has a soft top like a Jeep, blah blah..." And I said no it's not the same. I felt insulted that the reference was made. But you know what it's only appeal in her eyes I'm sue was it was LIKE a Jeep. We all know the tracker would not hold up and would cower down next to the Wrangler. Which we got. And now down the road, when my wife demanded a new vehicle to have something reliable to get her and our baby son around in, I new we had to go look at Jeeps. Nothing else appealed to me or came to mind.
Like he said Jeepism.

 

Its a Jeep Thing ... You Just Wouldn't Understand (unless you own one - or more)

 

I totally agree, I posted long ago here that the patriot seems much bigger than what it really is.. Especially when you reach forward to grab hold of that rearview mirror ...LOL I have my jeep 10 months now, no issues.. It laughs at potholes, and it needs a bath...

 

Jeep is a magic brand. I agree with all that folks said about can-do attitude, winning WWII, (tho eventually bought, then sold, by the co that made Hitler's SSK), ruggedness, all that. Even in a lowly Pat. Which, BTW, I own, and love.

Jeeeeeeeeps...is there anything they can't do?

 

I guess I'm going to be the one who goes against everyone, but when I'm in the Patriot, I *know* I'm in a vehicle that's smaller than a CRV or Rav4, or practically anything else that competes against it, and I easily feel that (I don't feel like the Patriot is bigger than it really is when I'm driving it).

I guess that's because I drove around in a Tahoe for a year prior to getting the Patriot, so driving anything else besides the Tahoe makes you feel like you're in a Smart car.

 

please ....

 

I have the same feeling. It has to be a Jeep Thing! my wife says it all the time, it can handle it cause it's a Jeep.

I love it and today when I pulled up next to a Commander, I did not feel like I was getting out of the littlest sibling, I was getting out of a Jeep.

 

Totally Agree

I can't put my finger on it, but I totally agree with all of the above statements. Is it because it's one of the highest mileage SUV's, or perhaps the cool chopped Cherokee style or just the fact that it is a Jeep and we all know about the "Jeep Thing". Whatever it is I feel it too.

 

All I know is when I am in my Jeep (whether it be the Patriot or the Cherokee), no matter where I am, I know I'm going home. On road if I can - off road if I must - but I am going home. Absolutely no other grocery getter, mall terrain vehicle, truck, car, CUV or SUV gives me that feeling.

 

I used to feel that way in my Land Rover Series III. That was 35 years ago, though.

 

Some of it also could be "bucking the system".

No matter what country you live in there is always the spirit of a Patriot.

 

Jeep Patriot. The wiener hound of cars.

If you have ever had a wiener hound you know what I mean.

 

Enough said.... :wow:

 

kinda like turtle and the hare

Pat may be slower than others,
not as cute,
But you know it will get you there

 

I feel similarly... until I pull into the parking lot at work and park alongside the Lexus, Land Rover, Infinity, and Mercedes SUVs...

Honestly though, my pride while driving stems from the fact that I bought a vehicle that most everyone I know had never even heard of before.

 

Honestly though, my pride while driving stems from the fact that I bought a vehicle that most everyone I know had never even heard of before.

Exactly. It's the "exclusivity factor" that this car provides what gives us so much satisfaction. The rugged, boxy looks stand out among other cars. No doubt the Patriot makes you feel different. Like many of you guys, I like my car more and more every day and I enjoy driving it and looking after it. I'm on a week-long trip and I had to leave the car parked at the airport and I actually miss it.

 

Jeeps are in a unique class by themselves...although I do not own a Patriot (not to worry I will) I do own a Liberty and have owned two TJ's....besides what other vehicle do you get the "wave" by others of the same type? This happens when you own a Wrangler and I hope it does catch on with the Patriot too.

 

Yep, I always had a liking for a Jeep since I was a kid. The Patriot really has turned out to be one of my best choices. It does everything reliably and well. It's sitting outside my study right now and I can see it from my window. I'll be heading out in it in an hour to do all sorts of errands, and I can't wait. Darn thing puts a smile on my face every time!

 

I kind of feel the same way,plus it's a Jeep - an American legend,I don't like supporting foreign automakers,people are complaining about unemployment and struggling economy and then they go and blow money on some ugly KIA or Mitsubishi

 

Waddya know! A wedding/prom limo for people with limited income!

 

:doh::wow::smiley_thumbs_up: Wiener dog on the mountain.

It is not just the Patriot. The Compass "feels" similar to me. There is something about these Jeeps, there is no question about it.

It is not a superiority thing, but rather a confidence/fun thing. (It really is a Jeep thing...)

It may be the knowledge that the Jeep AWD/4X4 system will always get me where I want to go. On the other hand, when I am driving it, it makes me feel good, especially with the sun roof open.

I have only owned one other vehicle that made me feel much the same way, my old Wrangler.

 

I've noticed something odd about my attitude when I drive my Patriot, which I've had for 10 months now.

I feel oddly superior to the RAV-4s, CRVs, Outbacks and other compact SUVs I encounter on the roads.

sadly, it seems many other Jeep owners (TJ's especially) say the same thing about the Patriots and Compass' THEY encounter on the roads

 

I believe after a period of time, that attitude will change. Other Jeepers felt the same way toward the Liberty initially when the Liberty roll out several years ago. Now it is widely accepted as part of the Jeep family.

Our Jeeps are infants in this Jeep family... As we get older, they will accept us as well.... Of course, it will take longer for those of us who drive the "Grocery Getters" 4x2 models, as I do. But I'm okay with that. I'm in no hurry to have my Jeeps grow old.

I had this fleeting idea awhile back about how nice my Jeeps would look lifted. Then back to my senses I quickly returned when I realized to what end would that serve. It would still be a "Grocery Getter" 4x2 that has no business going off road where the older, bigger Jeeps can go.

I'll just be satisfied making sure my two Jeeps looks nice in the bright Florida sun, and my MPGs stays well above that of what the bigger Jeeps get....

With that in mind, when I'm out on the road, I like putting those Jeeps behind my Jeep so they can see that Patriot or Compass name so they will know they were passed by a Jeep of superior quality! epper:

 

I was outside today enjoying the nice weather and doing some yard work and just could not stop looking at my patriot. I have always liked jeeps especially the old cherokee. I just love my patriot. The front with the round headlights it just looks so cool to me. I get into heated arguements with a guy I work with. He is a subaru lover. He calls my patriot a junk wagon and not a real jeep. I tell him that I can go more places offroad than your copycat styled outback can go. I tell him he is just jealous because I bought a superior vehicle that gets great gas mileage and actually stands out in a crowd not blend in like his glorified stationwagon outback does. With a lift kit the patriot is a awsome ride.

 

I feel oddly superior to the RAV-4s, CRVs, Outbacks and other compact SUVs I encounter on the roads. Maybe "superior" isn't the right word.... I just feel "bigger" than them, somehow, even though some of them (RAV-4) are larger than the Patriot, and I have only the "grocery-getter" 4x2 Limited. ....

I know precisely how you feel. I currently drive a Chevy 2500HD Duramax/Allison diesel truck. It's totally stock with 360 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque.

Yeah, I know how you feel. And it feels good. :notworthy::notworthy:

Steve

PS. Here is my DMax playing at the beach.

 

nice truck,but please show us your truck playing at the gas station