Jeep Patriot?
 

Anyone know anything more informative than the usual "(insert hated make) are crap" ?

Suspect it's being replaced or updated as they're deeply discounting the '14s already.

Hmmm, I got a 2010 Jeep Patriot from the Auction. Great vehicle IMO. Not sure why the hate...

It seems well made, easy to perform maintenance, parts were not horribly priced when I had to fix it up ...

I heard the trannys were a problem, but I don't want to jinx myself with commenting on that.

There is a safety recall. I got the call and the card in the mail. Something about the airbag.

Nothing "bad" to report overall.

They seem decent. We have a friend who is happy with his.

It's just another crossdresser trucklet. More in common with a Honda CR-V than a real Jeep (Cherokee, GC, Wrangler) -- perfect for suburban soccer moomies too cowardly or self-conscious to drive a station wagon.

IDK about the "crossdresser trucklet" concept. Overall, somewhat sporty and if it's deemed to be a SUV, then that is what it is. I like its simplicity, e.g., crank windows, et cet. At least the "problem" issues on many vehicles are reduced.

It's a soft-road vehicle when it's in its most basic form. I wouldn't try to imitate a Wrangler Rubicon with one, but it's not a bad little vehicle for shallow mud, light snow, dirt roads, etc. I too would put it in the same category as the CRV and RAV-4.

How many traditional station wagons are sold in the U.S. today in the sub $20k range?

Not many. I am seeing these offered new locally for 18K well equipped. 27mpg rating, good crash results.
I read about the trans issue and apparently it was the CV trans that everyone hated. The new ones don't use that trans, but a 6 speed auto instead. Wife wants something with 4wd for when she has to traverse the mountains to get to the rez in bad weather, and decent mileage for running to work and back, 35 miles a day. Might go look tomorrow.

AFAIK, at least some years were available with a real transmission, not an autotragic or CVT snowmobile box.

The CVT is still offered. I think that it is found on the "trail rated" models.

Yup, the one with the "Freedom Drive II" 4wd setup. Unnecessary for the wife's purposes.

Interesting. I wonder why they decided to go that way.

Budget-models like the Patriot, are fraught with manufacturing shortcuts in their QC. I wouldn't spend any money on one. Much better choices in the Jeep line up.

I only have the (insert hated make is crap stuff), as I’m a former owner of a recent model jeep, so will simply say, don't buy a Chrysler product. Get yerself a well-used Toyota LC from about my 1998-2004, mebby spend something to freshen it a bit, and spend the rest of the money on a round the world trip for your family. You’ll get a superior vehicle in every regard, and have no regrets.

No argument there. My son owns an 84 LC rustbucket. Runs like a top. But I'm looking to replace the wife's commuter/sometime bad weather/roads car. At 15mpg a LC for her is not an option. She drives 25K miles a year. A new Subaru is beyond the cash budget and Honda has no comparable replacement for her Element. I've tried in vain to find a newer model Element in AWD. Wish I'd bought a half dozen of them.