Jeep Patriot?

For some reason when I was looking at buying cars a year ago the Patriot was not on my radar. I ended up with an Element, which is great car don't get me wrong, but it doesn't have enough ground clearance to confidently take it on the two-tracks up in Northern Michigan, the 4wd system is pretty lame, and the gas mileage is just so-so.

Apparently the Patriot is available with "Freedom Drive II," a package that adds a low range to the CVT, has 9 inches of ground clearance, a 4x4 lock mode, hill descent control, and all told is a pretty capable off-roader (for what it is)

Anybody here have real world experience with these little trucklets? Are they reliable?

Here is some recent discussion...
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/jeep-patriot-vs-subaru-forester/45005/page1/

As an alternative I'd be looking at the newest (09+) Forester I think. I don't think the earlier Fozzies have quite enough ground clearance for what I'd need, and I'd rather not bother with a lift.

I have not much to contribute since have not owned a Patriot of Forrester, but...
I am interested in what/where trails are available to drive in N.Mi. My grandmother was born in Boyne City and my Grandfather in East Jordan, MI. I enjoy the "seasonal road" through the Jordan River Valley but I would like to find more.
http://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/wildlife/viewingguide/nlp/49Jordan/index.htm

I have done the Jordan River valley in a '06 Accord as well as a '10 Ford Escape.

Where are you rolling?

These are "seasonal roads" and two-tracks in the same area. They're probably pretty accessible in the summer and fall, but in early May when I'm up there every year it's dicey, getting very rutted with the occasional mud hole.

Last year a friend got into camp and back with a Camry early in the week, but a few days after he left, after some heavy rains and snowmelt, we wouldn't have been able to get him back out.

I've been borrowing the in-laws' Dakota Quad Cab, which has been absolutely perfect for the job. I suppose I'll keep doing that until they get rid of it.

The exact location of the camp is a closely guarded secret.

I honestly think your situation is one that the patriot would fit very well.

But im hung up on whether it is better than the Element.. Can you elaborate on why your AWD system sucks?

The Element is a "Real-Time 4wd" system, that is conventionally 100% front wheel drive. The rear differential is hydraulically activated only when front wheelspin occurs, and continues to operate only as front wheelspin occurs. It's essentially a front-wheel drive car with an asymmetrical automatic AWD system.

The system adds a bit of grip on the road while accelerating in a straight line in less than ideal conditions, but has absolutely no advantages in off-pavement conditions from my experience.

And finally, the Element has only 7 inches of ground clearance. That's the exact same as my Honda Fit for reference. And the lowest point is the plastic gas tank.

The Element is a great car, so long as you don't leave the beaten path or expect over 25 mpg.

The Guttys know what you need in Michigan...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7ZzqBPz4sY

When you say hydraulically activated do you mean something like the shaft coming from the front drives a pump, and each of the side axles has a clutch pack that gets fluid by applying a solenoid? I should look this up myself.. Seems like there would be a way to make it do what you want (and probably set some DTCs for your trouble).

Im not trying to talk you out of replacing it, though. Im just very curious about the AWD system you already have.

no

Ok, found the stuff i was looking for.

http://www.hobby-rc.com/rtawd.pdf

Looks like it could be modified to make the system worth a crap, but im thinking the Patriot system would be vastly better right out of the box.

I'll be honest - I'll probably end up keeping the Element over the Patriot, as I'd most likely have to pony up a couple thousand over what I paid for my Element to trade up, and my Element has the 5-speed, while the Patriot with the off-road package has only the soul-killing CVT. If there was one for sale within a few miles I could test drive it to be sure though.

Ive driven that CVT in a caliber and it killed my soul so take that for what it's worth.