I was looking at a Pontiac at the dealer across the street but GM wasn't making the Grand Prix anymore and the Pontiac G-6 wasn't quite what I wanted. I thought I'd look at a Dodge Avenger. Ironically, the Dodge/Jeep dealer sold me my Pontiac when they formerly handled the Pontiac franchise. I'd had very good experience with their service department and so I had good reason to stay with my dealer.

I didn't like the Avenger either and while I was waiting to give the keys back to the sales rep I saw Ignatz on the showroom floor looking all forlorn. Ignatz is FWD and everybody in NH thinks they need 4wd. He was an '08 leftover in January or February '09. I was amazed at the price (c $15,000 US) so I asked how bad he wanted to sell it. He said, "Bad!" He trimmed a little off the price, threw in the crossbars, fog lights and cruise control, and I took it away.

I like the size and utility and the fuel economy is as good as most cars. Its fearless in snow and capable off-road (I've taken it places I probably shouldn't have) and its comfortable on the highway.

An added bonus is that I've have very few repairs. CVT was replaced under warranty and I had no other repairs till 190,000 miles. Even since they're pretty normal stuff: some front end work and I just did shocks all around. Yeah, shocks were a tad expensive but they are a normal wear & tear item.

I'm pushing for 300,000 and I think we'll get there.

 

Mine was purchased because I was about to head off to college and needed something new with good fuel economy. I had wanted a '00 Monte Carlo for years, but parents said no, got to have a new car for parts availability. That had me thinking I'd be getting some piece of crap Camry or Hyundai, but my mom said she wanted me to have 4x4 because Michigan winter. I'm sure we're all well aware by now that there really aren't any new 4x4's available new for anywhere within a couple thousand of the $20k mark except for an MK while they were out. Everything foreign was kinda expensive and the dealers an hour away, but the domestic (GM/Chrysler/Ford) dealers are a half hour away, plus there's the Jeep reputation for 4x4 that sends even the "why would I take my brand new car offroad? Are you nuts?" kind of people into their showrooms. No offense to Ignatz, of course, but y'all get the idea. My dad and I looked around the lot, and even the base JK two-doors on the lot were $25k-$30k range, as was the Libby KK collection. Commander XK of course way out of league, wasn't even thinking GC WK2. Enter the MK. There were a few Patriots and Compasses on the lot, some 2wd models for $20k and a few 4x4 models for $22k-24k. Plus of course, 27-29mpg on the stickers. Went into the building, my dad asks can we get a 4x4 for the price of one of the 2wd models in stock. My brother's '08 Mazda3 had been loaded, but it was small and was apparently impossible to drive in winter....hence my apparent "need" of 4x4. And of course you can't have a brand new 4x4 for $20,000 without removing options. So, they searched for one without all the cool stuff I'd seen colorful advertisements about. No power windows, no heated mirrors, no sunroof, no fold-flat seat, no 9-speaker sound system with flip-down liftgate speakers. Not even the off-road package. Only options of choice were Patriot vs. Compass(obviously Patriot, it screams "modern XJ"), and color. Couldn't get a manual because parents knew I'd be messing with radio or MP3 player. So Freedom Drive 1 with an automatic of sorts "it doesn't have automatic, just a CVT...it's basically a snowmobile transmission", and 17-inch wheels that always made it look cooler and I wouldn't have had if they had found one without "tire and wheel group".


Out the door price with tax, title, and $1500 Chrysler rebate of the time for a new vehicle: $21,900. Keep in mind, this is a few months after "cash for clunkers" cleared out every last 2009 from the lot.

Being 18 years old and ignorant of such things, I thought it was kinda sad that I couldn't have fancy toys like electric windows and a sunroof, and a touchscreen. Then I spent time in the vehicle...lots of time, driving, loading, unloading, etc....and I caught the Jeep bug. Within maybe a year or two, the only other options I would have wanted were the sun/sound liftgate speaker package(as long as I could still have my existing controls), and heated mirrors(kept finding ice on mine), and maybe FD2....autostick is fun to have, even if rarely used. Today the only other option I'd consider is heated mirrors, if that.


As for why I still have it after 8 years and 113k miles, and more than enough adventures, all I can say is, because Jeep. It's really all the vehicle I need.

 

I liked the looks of the patriot I do not like the looks of all the other bubble suv's on the road. That includes the Cherokees and now the 2018 compass.

 

The Classic Look. Good gas mileage. That it can go off road. Most of all a A Great, great deal. I researched it on this forum a few years before I even bought it although I knew I wanted it.

I have not come across anything like this a freaking amazing patriot for the price.

 

I liked the looks of the patriot I do not like the looks of all the other bubble suv's on the road. That includes the Cherokees and now the 2018 compass.

That's what I'm talking about. The classic look really sold it to me too! And it has great fuel economy for an SUV.

I really don't get why all modern SUV's are that weird more curved shape. The Patriot and older Grand Cherokee's look like a proper 4x4. The Wrangler still looks good.


Thanks everyone else for your responses; it was interesting to hear your thoughts!

 

Looks, price, and mileage.

 

All of the above - Appearance, fuel economy, capability (somewhat), just happy to have one of my own, really!

I was stationed in Italy, first assignment, the wife and I lived off post in a little Italian village. We enlisted in the Army together, and after training she arrived earlier than I, about a month before I did, so she had the housing situation set up and already bought herself a used Rav4. We grew tired of sharing the car due to conflicting work obligations, and there was a little auto dealer on post right by the gate. I kept eyeballing that Patriot out front for about a month. I knew I'd need a car of my own sooner or later, the money we were making was good enough, so I talked with the wife and we both agreed a new purchase would be more dependable and reliable than another used auto. I bought it three days later, 5k down, got a great rate on it. Paid it off completely less than 10 months later. It's been great to me, taken me to many interesting places!

 

I just sort of happened on to my 2015 Patriot. It was sitting in a ladies garage after her husband bought it at the age of 92 and he got ill and died. It has 4500 miles on it. I got a great deal that I couldn't pass up. Sold my Toyota Tacoma (2004) with 151,000 miles on it, it ran great though. Taking a chance on this Jeep, hoping it works out.

 

What made you buy a Jeep Patriot?

The wife needed something to haul groceries :friday:

 

I drive an hour one way to work, on some of West Virginia's lesser traveled roads. After deciding I needed a better vehicle for long commutes than a lifted Wrangler, I looked very hard at both the Patriot and the Renegade. I really liked the Trail Hawk, the tow hooks were a big selling point and I like the new look, but I could not get over the gas cap being on the wrong side of the vehicle!

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

 

What made you buy a jeep patriot

I got mine because I got snowed in for three day here
in VA. I got on line checked prices on 2017 models and found one
that I liked . I called the dealer and they brought it to the show
room from another lot the same day ! Went and looked at it and
the wife liked it so we took it . Now I just hope the M/T tires will
get me around better than my ranger with a locker in the rear .
We shall find out calling for snow ? :grin2:

 

I've Owned My Jeep for about a year now only complaint i have is the engine power to be able to spin the tires. i love the jeep rather then not having enough horse power!

 

Jeeps are meant to be 4 cyl. The Jeeps that won WW2 were 4 cyl. You're in Wisconsin? Don't you have snow out there? There should be plenty of opportunities to spin your tires!

Oh, hey, I see you're new on the site. Please drop on over to the newbie threads and greet the others. Nice bunch on here.