Vehicles

Looking at: (I favour the Jeep Patriot but here goes)

New:

#1 - Jeep Patriot Sport 4x4 FDII
#2 - Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4
#3 - Jeep Compass Sport 4x4 FDI (Test drove and it's a suprisingly nice ride)
#4 - Toyota RAV4
#5 - 07 Mitsubishi Outlander
#6 - Subaru Outback AWD

Used:

#1 - Jeep Grand Cherokee
#2 - Subaru Legacy AWD wagon or Outback AWD

I just hope these Patriot ship soon

 

1) Jeep Patriot Limted 4x4 FDI
2)Jeep Compass Limited 4x4 FDI
3)Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4
4)Mercury Mariner Luxury AWD

 

Honda CRV,Subaru Forrester and Toyota RAV 4.Because of where we live we need a 4X4.As important are reliability,safty and to a lesser extent economy

 

I looked at the 2007 Honda CR-V but the rear seats don't fold flat like the Jeep...first the back folds down, which leaves the seats about a foot higher than the rear cargo area...then they flip over and are stored directly behind the front seats---which takes up precious room when you are entering into the vehicle from the rear side doors (I don't know how you get large cargo items into the vehicle from the side doors when the seats are flipped up....poor design...besides Honda wants a lot of cash for the AWD, leather seat version of the CR-V

...fold flat seats in the cargo area behind the front seats is important to me because I rarely have anybody in the back seat...

I also looked at the Toyota Rav4 but didn't like the rear door at the back with the spare on it...prefer the hatch door...

....Subaru's...I just couldn't get past the looks of them...same with the Compass...couldn't get used to the exterior appearance...the Ford Escape 4x4 didn't do much for me either...

...I like the Grand Cherokee but I need something smaller that fits in the single garage with all the other junk we have in there and something a little better on gas...

...I might consider the 08 Liberty if it comes out with a diesel...but right now my top pick is the 4x4 Patriot (don't really need the off-road package as I don't do any rock crawling....I need something with smaller dimensions than a G.C., good on gas, can tow at least a snowmobile or small aluminum boat and can handle snow (4x4 or AWD)...

...I didn't see anything that caught my eye from any other foreign or domestic manufacturer.... except in 2008, VW is coming out with a small SUV--the Tiguan--which will have the option of gas or diesel engine...looks like a good vehicle with potential but won't be out until around Nov. 07

 

1 - Jeep Patroit FDII Diesel
2 - Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (4 door) 4x4 Diesel
3 - Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel
4 - Jeep Liberty Diesel
5 - Any other Jeep that has a Diesel

 

1. 2007 Patriot
-positives are mpg, some cool features, roof rack, 5-speed, price
-negatives are styling, poor stance, no trail-rated w/5-speed, towing

2. 2007 Chevy Colorado 4WD
-positives nice styling, stance, mpg and price not bad, great warrantee
-negatives cheap interior, no bed accessories, no roof rack

3. 2007 Chevy Silverado 4WD
- positives interior styling and space, fuel efficient V8, cargo system
- negatives fuel economy, 4-speed automatic, price, heavy curb weight

4. 2006 Ford Escape/Mariner/Tribute
-positives utility, styling. stance, ride, interior, light curb weight, mpg
-negatives overpriced, AWD sucks, did I mention overpriced?

5. 2006 Ford Ranger 4WD
-positives still looks good, good stance, nice interior, light curb weight, price
-negatives a bit small, aging design, small cab

6. 2003-2006 Jeep Liberty 4WD
-positives real 4WD, tough, styling, amazing used prices (12.5 k), towing
-negatives heavy curb weight, mpg, cargo space, cramped

I've been shopping for a vehicle about 4 months. I have not bought anything because I think most vehicles are overpriced (especially compact SUV's) and I've been waiting to see the patriot.

 

Pre-Patriot, Hubby was trying to talk me into a Dodge Magnum. He had me convinced, too. That little car has att-i-tude! A wagon doesn't bother me...I drove an Opel Vectra Wagon in Germany for a year or two and loved it. (sniff...I miss my diesel!!) However, the MPG on the Magnum is a big turnoff. Plus, being back in the US, where everyone is in a SUV, I want to be up higher off of the road.

Now, I only have eyes for the Patriot. Even though I was looking at the Compass first.

I *do* like the looks of the Hyundai Santa Fe. But we're sticking with American...so that's out.

Ford caught my eye for a bit with their Edge and Freestyle. But they're too pricey, and they're not Jeeps.

I've also put a bit of thought into the Liberty. But the Patriot's lines appeal to me more (more Cherokee-like) and the price is again an issue.

 

escape hybrid
escape
prius hybrid

 

My wife has a Prius. Both of us love it! 50mpg and tons of interior space. All and all, a really nice car.

I don't mean to put anyone down, but Fords??? Every Ford I've ever been in is so unfortable (driving it or just riding it in). Again, sorry for that but I just don't understand.

X2

I've never been a big fan of Ford. Their trucks are ok but their SUVs and cars aren't anything to write home about. Besides the Ford Escape Hybrid uses Toyota hybrid technology.

If you are looking for a hybrid, go with the Prius or Highlander Hybrid.

If you are looking for the most bang for your buck, go with the Patriot. The Prius costs about the same as a fully loaded Partiot (Limited FDII all options). While the Prius beats the Patroit in fuel economy hands down, the Patriot has 4wd and more cargo space. On the other hand, the Patriot costs half as much as a Highlander Hybrid and both get 27mpg highway. Granted you get 32mpg city in the Highlander Hybrid compared to the Patriot's 24mpg city. But is that worth $15,000?

I'm not bashing hybrids. I love the idea. More cars should have at least hybrid options. Along with diesel and diesel hybrid options. Until then and until the techonlogy becomes less expensive, your money is best spent on a Patriot.

 

I don't mean to put anyone down, but Fords??? Every Ford I've ever been in is so unfortable (driving it or just riding it in). Again, sorry for that but I just don't understand.

 

I'm pretty set on getting the Patriot. But I would consider getting a low mileage used 2-door Cherokee, but they are really hard to find.

Or, if Ford brings out a retro Bronco based on the 2004 Ford Bronco concept vehicle, I would definitely consider that.

 

I am only interested in a manual tranny largely for the improved vehicular control, performance, fuel mileage, and auto trannies are just soooo boring (please pardon my bias for adventure ). This limits my options to:

Jeep Patriot
VW Tiguan
Subaru Forester
Rebuilding my Cherokee or finding another 5spd Cherokee
Finding a VW TDI Golf and installing a 1 in rally lift to deal with my dirt roads

But, should the VW Tiguan appear with the 2.0 TDI diesel, my decision is made as the 2.0 puts out about the same torque as my 4.0 with way better fuel economy.

 

I like the TDI Golf idea!

I really really hope DCX can convince VW to allow sale of their diesels in the US.

 

I've been considering a Nissan Xterra Offroad as well the patriot. I like that I can get leather, heated seats, hands free communication, and GPS on the patriot for the less than the Xterra. Not to mention they arnt offered on the Xterra. But the Xterra has a locking rear differential and I am sure it will be more fun to drive than the patriot with so much more power. But the jeep gets better gas mileage. For me, I need off road, so it comes down to whether I can live with the lower power of the jeep.

 

In no paticular order, as I am still trying to pay off some of my current car. This means no new car till prolly this summer or fall.

Anyways...

Patriot
Honda Element EX AWD
Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon

I don't need a big gas hog, 4wd/AWD would be nice, as well as a little bit of hauling capacity. The big thing is that I need something to tow my motorcycle from time to time.

Btw, before any of you say it I've seen pics of Elements that actually look like real vehicles and not boxes.

 

Let's see...

Patriot - FDII
Liberty - diesel
Wrangler - 4dr base model
Grand Vitara - 4wd
LR2 - 4wd
Xterra - 4wd

 

I agree with all of these vehicles.....however (and I know I'll get slammed for this) I am also very curious to see what the new H4 will look like. We will see a model at the Detriot auto show this month. Hear me out:

The one upside, in my eyes, to Hummers vs. Jeeps is the full-time 4WD. I am interested in a vehicle with off-road capability. However, I am also practical, and I want a vehicle that can be switched into 4WD/AWD when the weather gets questionable. For me, that doesn't always mean an inch of standing snow on the streets.

Thus vehicles like the Patriot, Grand Vitara, and LR2 are more than ideal. Each has a limited amount of capability (I'm thinking the Patriot has a bit more than limited amount) and each has a traction system that doesn't need prompting from me.

However, if the new H4 stays true to the fulltime 4WD Hummer model while providing a smaller vehicle that could be more easily manuevered on trails and cost a bit less than the H3/H2..........and if it even attempts to match the Wrangler in off-road capability/looks....hey, I've got to consider it!

Jim

 

i have been looking at the highlander hybrid...but damn...cant get over the jeep price

 

We looked at the highlander hybrid... until we saw the cost combined with the tight rear seating. The other thing was I couldn't get the salesperson to say anything nice about its off-roading ability. seriously. He would always redirect the conversation to it being a hybrid.

The H4 is nice but too far down the road for my needs. I could have an easy 30K miles already on the Patriot by the time the H4 hits the streets. I really wanted to make my buy last fall and have only delayed it so as to give the Patriot a chance... but the waiting is killing me.

 

i read car and driver's rock hopper comparison where they compared the H3, FJ cruiser, Xterra, and the Gand Cherokee Laredo and they were adament about the fact that while the H3 was great off road, it really sucked on road. And they didnt have anything good to say about the inline 5 it has. I think that anything comming from hummer is going to have serious on road comprimises you wont find in the liberty, patriot, xterra, or fj cruiser.

 

I am pulling for the H4, too. The best thing for the H2 is the diesel aftermarket kit - tons of torque and mid-20s for mpgs! I would own and drive one in a heartbeat if it was in my price range and ran diesel. I like the H2T. I look forward to a day when the whining, hate spewing, tree-hugging, intollerant, "I'm more PC than you", conservative-hating, seriously over compensating, gender nulifying outback owners get a life and let others simply be.

That being said, I will get the vehicle which meets the most of my needs at the best price regardless of make, model, or social stigma.

 

I am pulling for the H4, too. I look forward to a day when the whining, hate spewing, tree-hugging, intollerant, "I'm more PC than you", conservative-hating, seriously over compensating, gender nulifying outback owners get a life and let others simply be.

That being said, I will get the vehicle which meets the most of my needs at the best price regardless of make, model, or social stigma.

Why don't you just come out and say, "I'll do whatever I want regardless of any negative environmental impact my actions will cause."

What a childish post, honestly...

 

You said it for me, thanx.

 

For those who are interested in comparing the Patriot's gas mileage with other vehicles they are considering as well as greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution score of various models (this is all given in the comparison)...go to www.fueleconomy.gov...

 

We should all be bowing to every plant on the planet. Without the oxygen they make there is nothing......Keep on taking it for granted and there will be consequences that no one will like.

 

Here's the US Department of Energy's gas mileage for ALL 2007 Jeeps.

Here is the direct link for the 2007 Jeep Patriot with the 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic (CVT) and one for with the 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Manual (5 speed)

These are some good numbers. I can't wait to get behind the wheel of one.

 

i may be one of the few who wants a fwd 5 spd.

i want the cargo space for hauling camping and tailgating gear. I've compared the Patriot to PT Cruiser, HHR, Matrix/Vibe, Honda Element, and Hyundai Tucson. The Patriot looks to have the best combination of space, features, mpg, power to weight ratio and cost for me. Of course, i'll have to drive it.

 

I'm starting to look at the Dodge Nitro, didn't know it came in 4x4 and you can get it w/ a 6 instead of the Patriot's 4

 

If you are looking at the Nitro and want 4x4... Wait for the 08 Liberty. They share a common frame but the 08 Liberty is more offroad oriented. For more info go here: http://www.allpar.com/trucks/jeep/liberty-2008.html

 

Biodiesel still emits harmful polution which contributes to global warming. And diesel emits more polution than gas, especially when your burning ten times as much. I dont really care if someone chooses to drive a hummer but if you think its more enviromentally friendly than a Toyota Prius your grossly misinformed or delusional.

 

Biodiesel still emits harmful polution which contributes to global warming...

I am not a believer in the global warming theory. It is not a fact... it's still an unproven theory with many authorities lining up on both sides of the issue... that doesn't mean I don't believe in pollution nor things having a negative impact on our environment. That aside...


I am still considering three other candidates strongly:

The wrangler 4 door
The grand vitara
The xterra

We are starting to lean towards the wrangler but will be testing all four to see if two full size carseats plus one boaster seat will fit in the back seat. This will be a huge test for us.

The rear seat entry for the H3 is too tight, which is why the FJ is not on the list either.