Jeep Patriot or Compass - how are these things?

jackd · 07-20-2010, 07:48 PM

I'm looking at buying either a new Jeep Patriot or Compass for my wife. It would be a base vehicle with CVT and Airconditioning, and little else. These things are dirt cheap and if she killed it, I wouldn't care. I'm just curious about how these 2.4 litre world engines and CVT transmissions hold up. I'm not interrested in other brands - she seems to have her heart set on one of these and probably the Patriot. I don't like the Caliber - it looks like a Cockroach. Give me your thoughts.

Grainbelt · 07-20-2010, 08:02 PM

buddy has a fairly well optioned Caliber, so far, no issues, even after a few Saskatchewan winters.

I don't know anyone with a lot of miles on either model though, so longevity will likely be, well, Chrysler-ish.

green hell · 07-20-2010, 08:10 PM

my brother works at the plant where the compass is made and he bought one, for what a huge discount is worth.

it's not a bad little car. awd, cvt, decent mileage.

not my first choice, but a japanese cvt should be ok.

fit and finish has improved quite a bit since launch.

Deuce · 07-20-2010, 08:18 PM

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2010/0...ep-compass.htm

jackd · 07-20-2010, 08:21 PM

I was reading that the CVT is made by Jatco - which is a part of Nissan - and they are actually supplying many auto makers all around the world. They manufacture these units for Chrysler in Mexico. I've got a feeling as Manufacturer's start trying to improve the mileage out of these cars equipped with automatic transmissions, that quite soon you won't be able to buy anything but a CVT. Some of the new 6 speeds sound like horribly complicated designs.

green hell · 07-20-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackd

I was reading that the CVT is made by Jatco - which is a part of Nissan - and they are actually supplying many auto makers all around the world. They manufacture these units for Chrysler in Mexico. I've got a feeling as Manufacturer's start trying to improve the mileage out of these cars equipped with automatic transmissions, that quite soon you won't be able to buy anything but a CVT. Some of the new 6 speeds sound like horribly complicated designs.

cvt is currently limited in it's application, but will definitely start increasing.

at the same time manufacturers are working on 7 and 8 speed automatic transmissions as well.

personally, i think a lot of these 6 speeds are poorly calibrated and tend to intrude a bit too much.

jackd · 07-20-2010, 08:54 PM

[quote=green hell]at the same time manufacturers are working on 7 and 8 speed automatic transmissions as well.

You have got to be kidding? All this in search for the elusive 1 mile per gallon mileage increase? I always think that some machine that is constantly changing its gears is going to be prone to failure. The evolution of transmission fluids to what we have now in the way of specialized fluids - that even some dealers can't keep track of (from what I've been reading) does not bode well for the individual who wants a simple vehicle that was offered for sale but a few years ago.

SourKraut · 07-20-2010, 08:54 PM

I haven't done enough research other than renting and witnessing these on the road but what is the difference between a patriot, compass, liberty or cherokee? They are all the same size vehicle (within ten percent or so) and every one I've driven felt identical.

I must be missing something but it seems an obvious case of selling a number of suvs that cannibalize each others sales?

jackd · 07-20-2010, 09:00 PM

I'm looking at the Patriot or Compass from the perspective of merely a fwd vehicle - not wanting the 4wd. Nice square corners to show you where the vehicle ends, good on gas, good safety rating and cheap as hell. The young son will also be cutting his teeth on this thing for his first few driving years - the 4 banger will keep his driving under the speed limit. I suspect the the Liberty or other larger Jeep vehicles come with the bigger engines and options that I don't need.

Deans BMW · 07-20-2010, 09:06 PM

We replaced a Jeep Cherokee with the Patriot in 4WD, have had it over a year, great car and great milege, very happy with it.

jackd · 07-20-2010, 09:16 PM

Gosh, anyone got anything bad to say about these things - (except that the Compass has "girly" styling) - anyone even had leaks in the roof? I've been on Jeep forums and saw the usual cheer leading crowd - I was thinking that I would be getting the more realistic slant on things by asking you guys. You usually go for the dark underbelly on most North American made vehicles.

Commuter Boy · 07-20-2010, 10:08 PM

I can say that the Dodge implementation of the Renault/Nissan CVT in the Caliber sucks big fat donkey balls. SWMBO and I rented one and took it on a loop down to Vegas through Death Valley two years ago.

It had crappy mileage, the RPMs changing up and down zipping around were disconcerting and she managed to cause it to make some metallic screeching noises beating on it going up some mountain passes. Add in all the hard plastic in the cockpit and the poor build quality and it wasn't a desirable auto at all.

UnderNewOwnership · 07-20-2010, 10:57 PM

I read a rumour that some genius at Chrysler had the idea of putting fake shift points in Automatic Mode, so it wouldn't feel as 'CVT-y' (it would behave a little more like a regular auto).

Oh, and btw Mercedes is developing a 9-speed auto.

Jonnylotto · 07-20-2010, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SourKraut

I haven't done enough research other than renting and witnessing these on the road but what is the difference between a patriot, compass, liberty or cherokee? They are all the same size vehicle (within ten percent or so) and every one I've driven felt identical.

I must be missing something but it seems an obvious case of selling a number of suvs that cannibalize each others sales?

Cherokee is a true SUV with good off road capability. Liberty is less so, more of a semi-tough crossover. Patriot and Compass are both cars with crossover looks that don't belong off the beaten path.

jeffs900s · 07-21-2010, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackd

Gosh, anyone got anything bad to say about these things - (except that the Compass has "girly" styling) - anyone even had leaks in the roof? I've been on Jeep forums and saw the usual cheer leading crowd - I was thinking that I would be getting the more realistic slant on things by asking you guys. You usually go for the dark underbelly on most North American made vehicles.

Not me personally, but a good friend of mine is about to have her second Patriot taken back under the lemon law because they cannot make the sunroof stop leaking (again). No problems other than that AFAIK, but they're basically brand new cars, so I wouldnt expect to much to have happened yet. I definately wouldn't buy one with a sunroof.

07-20-2010, 07:48 PM	#1
jackd ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: North Cowichan Oddometer: 2,367	Jeep Patriot or Compass - how are these things? I'm looking at buying either a new Jeep Patriot or Compass for my wife. It would be a base vehicle with CVT and Airconditioning, and little else. These things are dirt cheap and if she killed it, I wouldn't care. I'm just curious about how these 2.4 litre world engines and CVT transmissions hold up. I'm not interrested in other brands - she seems to have her heart set on one of these and probably the Patriot. I don't like the Caliber - it looks like a Cockroach. Give me your thoughts.

07-20-2010, 08:10 PM	#3
green hell just passing through Joined: Oct 2004 Location: caro, michigan Oddometer: 19,351	my brother works at the plant where the compass is made and he bought one, for what a huge discount is worth. it's not a bad little car. awd, cvt, decent mileage. not my first choice, but a japanese cvt should be ok. fit and finish has improved quite a bit since launch. __________________ lookin' for a place to happen; makin' stops along the way - the tragically hip needless dickery

07-20-2010, 08:18 PM	#4
Deuce Crazy Canuck Joined: Nov 2001 Location: Vancouver Island, Bitchin' Columbia, Canada Oddometer: 2,395	info here http://www.canadiandriver.com/2010/0...ep-compass.htm __________________ Stay Calm, Be Brave, Wait for the Sign.

07-20-2010, 09:06 PM	#10
Deans BMW Granpa Hoon Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Copperhill, Tennessee Oddometer: 2,625	We replaced a Jeep Cherokee with the Patriot in 4WD, have had it over a year, great car and great milege, very happy with it. __________________ Dean O BMW nut and Happy Camper Copperhill, Tn. www.Motorcyclistcafe.com Founder San Jose BMW

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

07-20-2010, 08:02 PM	#2
Grainbelt marginal adventurer Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Minnyhappiness Oddometer: 25,010	buddy has a fairly well optioned Caliber, so far, no issues, even after a few Saskatchewan winters. I don't know anyone with a lot of miles on either model though, so longevity will likely be, well, Chrysler-ish.

07-20-2010, 08:21 PM	#5
jackd ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: North Cowichan Oddometer: 2,367	I was reading that the CVT is made by Jatco - which is a part of Nissan - and they are actually supplying many auto makers all around the world. They manufacture these units for Chrysler in Mexico. I've got a feeling as Manufacturer's start trying to improve the mileage out of these cars equipped with automatic transmissions, that quite soon you won't be able to buy anything but a CVT. Some of the new 6 speeds sound like horribly complicated designs.

07-20-2010, 08:54 PM	#7
jackd ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: North Cowichan Oddometer: 2,367	[quote=green hell]at the same time manufacturers are working on 7 and 8 speed automatic transmissions as well. You have got to be kidding? All this in search for the elusive 1 mile per gallon mileage increase? I always think that some machine that is constantly changing its gears is going to be prone to failure. The evolution of transmission fluids to what we have now in the way of specialized fluids - that even some dealers can't keep track of (from what I've been reading) does not bode well for the individual who wants a simple vehicle that was offered for sale but a few years ago.

07-20-2010, 08:54 PM	#8
SourKraut Beastly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2004 Location: New England Oddometer: 6,251	I haven't done enough research other than renting and witnessing these on the road but what is the difference between a patriot, compass, liberty or cherokee? They are all the same size vehicle (within ten percent or so) and every one I've driven felt identical. I must be missing something but it seems an obvious case of selling a number of suvs that cannibalize each others sales?

07-20-2010, 09:00 PM	#9
jackd ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: North Cowichan Oddometer: 2,367	I'm looking at the Patriot or Compass from the perspective of merely a fwd vehicle - not wanting the 4wd. Nice square corners to show you where the vehicle ends, good on gas, good safety rating and cheap as hell. The young son will also be cutting his teeth on this thing for his first few driving years - the 4 banger will keep his driving under the speed limit. I suspect the the Liberty or other larger Jeep vehicles come with the bigger engines and options that I don't need.

07-20-2010, 09:16 PM	#11
jackd ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: North Cowichan Oddometer: 2,367	Gosh, anyone got anything bad to say about these things - (except that the Compass has "girly" styling) - anyone even had leaks in the roof? I've been on Jeep forums and saw the usual cheer leading crowd - I was thinking that I would be getting the more realistic slant on things by asking you guys. You usually go for the dark underbelly on most North American made vehicles.

07-20-2010, 10:08 PM	#12
Commuter Boy Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Burnaby, BC Oddometer: 2,360	I can say that the Dodge implementation of the Renault/Nissan CVT in the Caliber sucks big fat donkey balls. SWMBO and I rented one and took it on a loop down to Vegas through Death Valley two years ago. It had crappy mileage, the RPMs changing up and down zipping around were disconcerting and she managed to cause it to make some metallic screeching noises beating on it going up some mountain passes. Add in all the hard plastic in the cockpit and the poor build quality and it wasn't a desirable auto at all.

07-20-2010, 10:57 PM	#13
UnderNewOwnership Thread Slayer Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Eastern Yurp Oddometer: 3,209	I read a rumour that some genius at Chrysler had the idea of putting fake shift points in Automatic Mode, so it wouldn't feel as 'CVT-y' (it would behave a little more like a regular auto). Oh, and btw Mercedes is developing a 9-speed auto.