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Jeep Patriot

April 23, 2018, 04:49:59 pm

Do any of you have experience with a Jeep Patriot 4x4 with manual transmission?  I'm considering buying one of these for a dinghy.  It would not be primary driver as we only weekend, long break, and summer trip in the coach.  Neither of our primary vehicles are four down towable.

I've verified the owners manual and check roadmaster and blue ox websites to verify product availability, but I'm mostly asking for your personal experience with the vehicle.

Are 4x4s prone to more problems being a towed rather than a 2wd vehicle manual transmission.

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Re: Jeep Patriot

Reply #1 – April 23, 2018, 05:05:52 pm

Check online for reviews. I researched the Patriot and the Wrangler. The Wrangler get much better reviews and holds its value better. The Patriot, when I was looking to purchase in one 2016 had less than stellar reviews. Things may have changed since then though.

Here is one comparative example:

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/jeep/wrangler

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/jeep/patriot

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Re: Jeep Patriot

Reply #2 – April 23, 2018, 05:16:53 pm

Not much to those Jeep Patriots, but as an inexpensive toad not bad. Been towing 4x4 vehicles with no problems. Some 4x2 manuals may have issues being towed due to the cluster gear ( the bottom gear in the trans.) not turning and slinging oil on the tail shaft rear bearings. As always check the owners manual/dealer shop

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Re: Jeep Patriot

Reply #3 – April 23, 2018, 05:23:53 pm

Jeff offered some good links.  I checked Consumer Reports and their conclusions were similar.  I have always liked the exterior styling, which is dated, but that's me.  I have not been able to find any articles that viewed it favorably.  It doesn't have the off road ability of the Wrangler, but might be a better choice if you have a dog, or might be hauling grandkids and don't need to go off road. 
The Subaru Forester with manual transmission would be a much better choice in every sense and will hold its value.  A few years ago, when we were looking to buy a new car we found that the two cars were similarly priced, despite being on the opposite ends of the rating charts.
I would only consider the Jeep if the price was too good to pass up, I knew the owners and it had the larger engine.  Avoid the Ford Escape completely.
Good luck.

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Re: Jeep Patriot

Reply #4 – April 23, 2018, 08:48:34 pm

I'm with Sven. We rented a Patriot a couple of years ago. The car had only a few miles on it and I gotta say, it was a piece of junk. I used to tow a 12 Forrester and it was great. I have a 15 Forrester now as a daily driver.
jor

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Re: Jeep Patriot

Reply #5 – April 23, 2018, 09:41:57 pm

I'm with Sven and jor, skip the Patriot, yikes.  Made the mistake of buying one, it was so cute.

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Re: Jeep Patriot

Reply #6 – April 23, 2018, 11:02:37 pm

Thank you everyone! I will skip the Patriot!

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