I don't domuchhighway driving so I needed something that gets good gas mileage in city type driving. I looked at the V6 dakota and also at the nissan frontier. The Jeep Patriot beats them both when it comes to gas mileage. Anyone can get good gas mileage on the highway but since 95% of my driving is stop and go city driving, city mileage is what I look at.
Believe me I didn't want to get rid of my dakota especially after all the work I did to it and also I hate the whole car buying experience. With my income situation and gas going to be 4 bucks a gallon by summer the Patriot was the best option for me. I needed something with good gas mileage and some offroad ability. Plus the Patriot was a little cheaper than the Dakota.

 

kind of stupid to lift the jeep, your fuel savings will go out the window and you will be in the same place. I in another thread bought a saturn mainly so my truck stays nice with low miliage, but I do love saving the money at the pump. Also if you only make 20 grand a year you should nothave a v8 truck, not trying to pick a fight but need to live in your means. I'm always bailing out my older sister because her and her husband are always broke. Makes me mad when they both drive v8 explorer and a tahoe. Live in your means people!!!!! Back in my younger years the sub 50K range I drove 4cyl grand ams never had fancy cars. Put all that money away andnot wasted of cars invetested, finished school and now at 33 can afford to do stuff. Depending on my mood drive the sports car (330ci) ,make alot of noise, waste fuel and haul stuff (the Dak) or feel cheap and not want to be noticed the new (old) Saturn!

 

I do agree, people should live with in their means, but then again its your own prerogotive. As for me, I can relate to you QC, I grew up the same way. Use to be all work and no play.Now I am 24, working asan engineerin the super $50k range with my fancy truck and my cheap running car.Keep up the hard work.

 

I'm glad you are doing well. Lets face it living beyond your means is the american way. Not everyone can make 50 grand or more a year. I have a job that I actually like doing. I have had jobs that paid more and was not happy. Plus I have my own business I am working on. Its nice you can afford to drive 3 vehicles and have a nice life but there are people who couldn't afford to go to college or have been able to find a good paying job. So I don't think its right to bash other people's life styles or life choices.
Oh and by the way a lift kit for the patriot will not lower the gas mileage that bad. It all depends on the tires.
I don't mean to start any trouble just stating my view.

 

Ouch lol think you took me the wrong way, sorry. Anway living above means is not or should not be the American way, that and this stupid war is what is kiling his economy right now (can people say 5 year arm to buy a house they couldn't afford)Also I couldn't afford to go to college either, it was called getting a federal loan garanteed to all americans, just have to pay it back as I have.Also it was 8 years in the military serving for this stupid cause so we can drive our big V8 and protect Americas interest over seas. To each their own, it wasnt a bash on anyone. Also, not to start a fight, people should speak out against those that live above their means, it drives interest rates up. People that foreclose on their house or fail to pay their credit debt pass their bill on to the rest of us. Like I mentioned before I paid my sistersdebt, she thought it was no big deal, the "bank" looses the money, no the rest of credit card holders get stuck with the bill. Once again I wasnt trying to brag or bash anyone, not my style, didnt mean to offend anyone!

 

boy if we have to wait for the govmt...that'll be by the time my grandchildren are able to drive...ugh...

 

Isn't that the truth, although I hope for the best and prepare for the worst

 

yeah tell me about it...im already spending $75 at the pump per week, and with the way things are going I will probably be spending $80-$90/week by summer. It's terrible, because it's like, since I drive 250-300 miles a week to different clients I worry about gas, it shouldn't be this way. I want to save money, but unfortunately gas is making that very hard to do!