[4himarks]

I'm looking into trading my '98 Cherokee Sport for a '09 Patriot under the "Cash for Clunkers" program. Is there anything I should be cognizant of? It will be my 3rd Jeep. The Cherokee has 123k miles on it without a major problem, except the A/C compressor quit a couple of years ago. Before that I had a '89 Cherokee which had well over 100k when I traded it in.

Can I expect similar from a Patriot? I have not gone off-road much being in the middle of the mid-Atlantic megalopolis, but I would like to maintain that capability, since I hope this Jeep will last another 10 years or more, and I might move to somewhere with a lower cost of living when I retire.

I have to decide quickly before the program runs out of money. Am I making the right decision or is this model a real dog? If I don't get this, I will probably wind up with a Ford Escape.

[Rudinater]

If your not off roading then I kind of like the Ford Escape. I have rented them several times and the have a nice ride and the MPG's are good even with the V6

[RogueSpear2023]

I think I would take a Ford Escape as well over the Patriot. My mother has owned two of them they are great vehicles if you never go off road, I always say it's like a car lifted with 4wd. The Patriots are nice but the will never ever compare to a Cherokee, it's up to you but I really hate to see a good Cherokee go to the crusher. I see all these vehicles getting traded on Cash for Clunkers, and I see all those axles, transfer cases, engines, transmissions, going to the crusher. I guess I would try to sell the Cherokee to some one that will use it especially if it's in good shape then use the cash weasel the dealer down in price.

[4himarks]

You got $4500 you want to give me for it tonight? That cash isn't going to be around very long.

[leaf001]

Both are POS IMHO. Spring for the Grand Cherokee.

[4x4greg]

The wife and I were looking at Liberty's in Feb. and also looked at the Patriot. Took us all of 1min to say yeah...no thanks on the patriot. Not that it was a bad car its just not a jeep. Test drove the Liberty and it was nice and felt like a fairly solid vehicle (bought a 09 Fusion instead as I would rather have a cherokee in the end over any new Jeep). I am wanting to sell or trade a 01 zx2 with 90k miles for a 97-99 cherokee 4door 4x4 with the 4.0. I would not trade in the cherokee for a patriot...it just seems like a downgrade only to add a payment.

The problem I am noticing with 97-99 Cherokees with 100-130k miles is the private party price at $2500-3300 and retail at $4500-5000 (KBB) and people are asking $6,000+ with 160k+ as they can junk them for $4,500.

Good luck with the deal (sorry to see a good cherokee bite the dust but it is yours).

[xj9635]

Don't get the patriot, if your set on getting a new car and ridding yourself of the precious XJ then I would at least get something as capable as your XJ