Sonic or Patriot?

[SuperFudd]

Do I want a Sonic or a Jeep Patriot. No, really!
Yeah, sort of apples or oranges. I might prefer both.
We all know about the Sonic.
The Patriot is 500 lbs heavier (as is the Cruze). It's base 4 is more powerful to offset that weight. Sonic certainly has better MPG.
In recent years the Patriot interior has been upgraded from yucky to tolerable.
Until the 2014 model the CVT has been the deal breaker but they now have the same 6 speed auto as the Dart so I might want to go Patriot.
The other major improvement is they are HEAVELY discounted by 3K+. You can get one with Automatic, AC, and CD for $16k, at least 1k less than the Sonic. Reviews say they are comfortable and ride well. Handling is OK. More room inside. The 2014s are quieter inside than previous years. More room inside is a good thing.
Hand cranked windows are standard. You cannot even get a 2013 Sonic with hand cranked windows AND a CD. Oh yes, Fog lights are standard.
By the way, a replacement will be out in the spring, explaining the discount.
I suppose the worst thing about the Patriot is that it is not a Sonic.

 

[Macehammer]

Mpg?

 

[ahtoxa]

You can get really good discounts on the Sonics now as well. Last time I was in (long story) the dealer gave me a price of 15800 on a 2013 LT with 1.4T 6MT and connectivity.

That was his first offer so you know that the first offer is never the best offer.

Overall, it's impossible to compare the two w/o knowing how exactly you're going it use the vehicle.

 

[gdideric]

reliability? JD powers has the jeep as slightly worse (2.5 stars versus 3 for the sonic out of 5)

but drive them both and see which one speaks to you more...

 

[Opticon]

Yeah they are both a great deal. It's all about how you are going to use it. Sonic for fun with high efficiency, Patriot for utility with moderate efficiency.

 

[chivalryder]

If you're going to get a Jeep, you must get the Wrangler. If they haven't already, they're coming out with a diesel soon.

Any other Jeep simply isn't worth the wheels it's sitting on. If you're not getting a Wrangler, you might as well get a Sonic.

 

[ahtoxa]

If you're going to get a Jeep, you must get the Wrangler. If they haven't already, they're coming out with a diesel soon.

Any other Jeep simply isn't worth the wheels it's sitting on. If you're not getting a Wrangler, you might as well get a Sonic.

I agree with this statement from the Jeep product standpoint. I've owned a 94 Cherokee as a winter beater before and an '06 Rubicon that was my trail rig. I'd not own any other Jeep aside those two. EDIT: Would NOT own a new Cherokee. Heck no.

However, for the purpose of this discussion, the Wrangler is much more expensive and has half the MPG rating of the Sonic. Apples and alligators.

 

[chivalryder]

I dunno. I could have picked up a base model Wrangler here for less than $20 (pre-tax, etc.). That's about as much as what my Sonic was.

The mpg rating ruined it for me. One of my dream cars is a Cummins converted diesel Jeep. *drool*

 

[ChrisJ]

All I've got to say is, you would buy a Chrysler product? Really?



Maybe I'm wrong, maybe they improved, A LOT. But I doubt it..

 

[Reznic]

I vote Pinto.

 

[Insanika]

All I've got to say is, you would buy a Chrysler product? Really?



Maybe I'm wrong, maybe they improved, A LOT. But I doubt it..

Haha.. My Cherokee was a sh¡tbox.

My mom has a patriot and loves it though. Has had no issues with it.

 

[ChrisJ]

I'm afraid we're going to need some clarification.

Is a sh!tbox a box made out of sh!t or is it a box that holds sh!t but is made from some other material, like carbon fiber?

 

[Insanika]

I'm afraid we're going to need some clarification.

Is a sh!tbox a box made out of sh!t or is it a box that holds sh!t but is made from some other material, like carbon fiber?

It is a box that is constantly taking a sh¡t on you.

 

[ChrisJ]

It is a box that is constantly taking a sh¡t on you.

Ah!

 

[fatboypup]

yeah unless yer getting a wrangler ...... get the sonic

 

[sx sonic]

What are the requirements for your next vehicle? What will you typically do with it?

 

[laborsmith]

Although I agree that a Wrangler typifies JEEP ( it being the most current iteration of the renowned Civilian Jeep 5) I am not certain I could think of it as a daily driver on the best of days. Even with the optional hard top.

That being said, I agree with the apples to alligators comment. And I have owned in the distant past a Wagoneer, a Cherokee, an AMC Eagle, a J10 Pickup Truck, and an Eagle Talon Tsi AWD,

No CJ5 but I grew up in the US Army (my father retired as a Lt. Col.) and had a somewhat passing acquaintance its military version. Never owned one nor considered owning one.


Laborsmith

 

[SuperFudd]

I have no affection for "Jeep". It could be called Dodge for all I care.
Would I buy a Chrysler product? Why not. I have been driving my rustic green '94 Plymouth Sundance for 16 years. The damn thing keeps going.
If I drive both to see which "speaks to me" I am certain it would be the Sonic.

 

[gdideric]

also watch out making the decision with mpg...the sonic gets a little thirsty under certain conditions. It doesn't really like heavy city traffic for example..mid to high 20s is not unheard of. I have zero idea how the patriot compares in that regard. For all I know a an angels loses its wings everytime you get into one.

 

[Opticon]

also watch out making the decision with mpg...the sonic gets a little thirsty under certain conditions. It doesn't really like heavy city traffic for example... I have zero idea how the patriot compares in that regard.

Worse. My mother would be happy to hit 25mpg combined with her CVT Patriot.