If you can wait on buying a new car, wait to the '09's come out. The price differential shouldn't be that large and you can order the way you want. But if you found something close and that was a good deal between now and then go for it.

 

I wanted black but couldn't find one built the way we wanted. We needed a car right away and the search returned a silver pat set up exactly right in silver. I bit my lip and signed the papers. I must admit the silver is really growing on me more and more every day.

 

{snip} If anyone has any pictures of their interior with the NAV, I'd love to see them. - springsteen

nearly.normal.jimmy posted a bunch of screen captures in this thread. Scroll down to the last picture (1st page) to see the actual head unit.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Our preference of colors was Red, Green, Steel Blue, but Khaki was the first manual we found in our area and so we went with it. We love how it hides the dirt and I would think the Silver might be similar. Just saying, in case the neat freak in you would be driven crazy with the black color...

 

I would recommend you factory order a 2009 so you can get exactly what you want.

In addition be sure to get the 'Tow Group' and an aftermarket trailer hitch such as a hidden hitch. They support much more than the Mopar hitch. The hitch tongue weight is very important when you are hauling bikes on the hitch.

It seems odd, however a trailer hitch can only support a couple hundred pounds when the weight is applied straight down onto it vs pulling.

Lastly, there are some excellent aftermarket 1 1/4" or 2" hitch bike carriers as opposed to the Mopar one. I would go that route.

 

I would order a 2009. Mygig NAV will hopefully be cheaper and better than the -08 NAV. Price shold fall in between the 2 2008 modls you found. Plus, there are other interior changes that most people are assuming are nicer. Check out the pics floating around here.

 

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4692

make sure you get a 2" Class III hitch for a bike rack. Anything less is a waste of money.

 

Three, I have heard so many stories of cars being smashed into and on-dash nav's being stolen, that I didn't want to have to worry about hiding the nav every time I park the car. I guess I could get an aftermarket in-dash nav, but I'm weary of their effectiveness and appearance.

A

What I find is a cheap basball cap "causally" tossed over the unit on the dash does a splendid job hiding the ol' Garmin!

If you're to order a vehicle, take the time to get all the features you want, as the aftermarket route is time-consuming a labor-intensive, in my humble opinion.

Good luck no matter what route you select!

 

Three, I have heard so many stories of cars being smashed into and on-dash nav's being stolen, that I didn't want to have to worry about hiding the nav every time I park the car.

I find that a casually tossed baseball cap over the GPS adequately hides the unit from prying eyes...I guess the key is to have a cheap, non-descript cap that is also non-coveted enough to be stolen!

I have an "after-market" Garmin, which I've had for a couple of years, and while it is portable, I take it and the 'sand-bag' mount on trips using a rental car. Works great and I don't have to learn how to use a different unit.

As to ordering, if you can stand the 8 week wait, I'd suggest you get all the options you want now, as I feel the aftermarket route is time-consuming and could actually cost more.

One thing you MUST HAVE is the tow prep package as this gives you the harness, a full size spare, and a trans cooler.

Regardless of what route you take, enjoy your new ride--it IS worth the wait!

 

One thing I've suggested to my kids and practiced myself is to pick a color you think you'll still like a year or two from now.

Another point. Consider the base cost of the model. Pricing out the vehicle at the top end of the model range will surely only cost you money at trade time.

Other than that, go for it and enjoy!

 

hey

the patriot is also my first car.
Would`ve liked the red one but they didn't have it in a manual 4x4 with the options I wanted so I had to go for the black one instead - I like it a lot but let me say the black gets dirty quite fast, so be prepared to wash it quite often if you like clean and neat things like you said...

so i guess if you get a good deal on a 2008 go for it but if not, i think you should wait for a 2009 if you can, because it appears that it will have many upgraded interior features (for example, if i am correct they are going to modify that rock-hard armrest...).

i'm sure you'll love your new ride !

 

Many are already anticipating the '09' jeep patriot...
Can't wait to see it as soon as it comes out...
I hope I could have one...