It was a manual transmission and was fun to drive. I might have bought it as it was a decent deal. But my senses got to me for one that I’ll never own a black car as a daily driver and it was their only manual which I would want, and two that it’s built by the UAW, which I have sworn off for the socialist politicians that they support.

Sorry Jeep! So I bought a five-speed ‘09 Civic Coupe instead.

It’s not a Wrangler, nor does it even try to be.
IMHO the Compass has more passenger room than the Liberty … and it’s a lot easier to get in and out of the back seat as well. As far as the back seat goes, it’ll fit two comfortably, three in a pinch.
My Compass has a really solid feel … just like my Wranglers have felt.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I like the style of the Compass.
Like many other cars out there these days, parts are shared among various brands … live with it guys. That’s the way it is, and that’s the way it’s gonna be. Car companies have to do it, it makes economic sense. Are the Compass and Caliber similar? yup. But I drove a Caliber and it’s not the same as a Compass. There is definitely a Jeep feel to the Compass … and there are features unique to the Compass as well. And no, my Compass isn’t a pocket rocket. I didn’t expect it to be. Don’t want it to be. The ride quality isn’t up to Grand Cherokee standards? For a $20K car, the Compass’ ride is damn good … and how can you compare it to a $30K car??
Is the interior plasticky? yup it is. So was my Wrangler’s. So will the new Wranglers.

Still this seems wrong headed in lots of ways. If they just wanted something economical and ‘entry level’ it seems like they could have offered a stripped down Wrangler with skinny tires, a 4cylinder and dirt-cheap beam front axle – maybe even a unit body version but with the same fenders if fuel economy is the concern. Those things look cheap as hell to make – there’s not all that much to them.

I too don’t understand why the Compass AND Patriot. I guess so they can charge more for the Patriot.

Would it be worth developping a “trail-rated” option? To do this, you’d probably have to give the car adjustable suspension that raises the ground clearance, on top of all the other off-road goodies you get in a real Jeep. What you’d end up with is a franken-ute with limited appeal and an hefty sticker price, but with next-to-no competiton (maybe Subaru Outback). It would be an extremely versitaile novelty item; at home in the city, suburbs and on the trail, and might be worth doing if it wasn’t so ugly.

Crossover vehicles and hatchbacks are marketable these days. It’s too bad DCX released this as a Jeep without giving it a thorough comb-over.

The original Compass concept car was a 2-door model with bigger wheels and a higher ground-clearance. Although the production model keeps a lot of the same styling cues, somehow they just don’t carry over very well.

My understanding is that the Compass rated highly in marketing surveys with women, while the upcoming Jeep Patriot (much better-looking), built on the same platform, rated highly with men. (I think the Patriot looks a lot like a Subaru Forester with a Jeep grill stuck on.) So, apparently, the Compass is a “chick car.”

Still, I really don’t get what Jeep is thinking in offering the similarly-sized and priced Liberty, Compass, Patriot and now a 4-door Wrangler (not to mention the AWD Dodge Caliber and Nitro). It seems like they are primarily cannibalizing Jeep Liberty sales.

For that matter there will be a lot of mad Caliber buyers when the Patriot comes out. At least the Patriot looks decent, and should have a little more room inside just like the Commander has more room than the Grand Cherokee. I’ll gladly take a Patriot but ONLY with a 5-speed.

What is it with CVTs now anyway? Why are they popping up in everything? It just makes no sense, since every review goes on and on about how they suck. After all these years they finally begin to perfect the automatic tranny and now are abandoning it for something that most people have no idea what it is? The 5 speed auto trans I have driven are far superior to the 4 speeds. Is it cost? Are the CVTs that much cheaper to build?

This isn’t the first non-”Trail Rated” product, but it is the first model without a Trail Rated variant.

And, yes Gearhead, I do think they created “Trail Rated” a few years ago to clearly which future models were true Jeeps, and which weren’t.

Leave this f’ugly thing in a dark corner of the back lot and make customers beg to see one until the excess inventory knocks some sense into Dr. Z’s noggin.

And, YES, since they have the extended platform already, make the Gladiator from the Unlimited. I saw one of the old CJ-based short pickups still in active duty on a ranch in Montana last month, going strong.

is now owned by the same people who made Hitler’s Mercedes.

….and made with parts from the fine folks who developed the aircraft that bombed Pearl Harbor…

…who furthermore operate the largest fleet of 747s, despite the fact that they are made by the same company that built a certain type of WWII bomber which may not evoke the best memories for them.

Leave the Honda Fit out of that grouping — it is a superb car in almost every respect.

But perhaps you have to consider the target audience… based on the price, it is competing with the Honda Fit, Dodge Caliber, Toyota Matrix/Vibe, PT Cruiser, Nissan Versa, Chevy HHR?…. all fairly generic little 4 cylinder boxes with little to distinguish them but branding… for the teens and early 20 somethings that will be buying these cars, perhaps bug eye headlights and a jeep grille is exactly what they need to distinguish their generic 4 cylinder box from all their friend’s generic 4 cylinder boxes.

The Jeep Compass sales figues are due to be reported for September.

However, this is the statement made by DCX:

The Jeep Compass is beginning to arrive at Jeep dealers nationwide and feedback is positive from dealers and customers. Sales of the Jeep Compass totaled 2,061 units this month despite limited availability, as dealers are still receiving shipments.

http://www.prnewstoday.com/release.htm?cat=auto&dat=20060901&rl=DEF01301092006-1