2007 Jeep Compass
squiredogs
Member Posts: 87
I know Jeep is slow to change things, but I'd really love to get a hybrid Jeep (wagon, hatch) made from the Liberty engine. Preferrably with the Jeep grille, fold flat rear seats, giant wheels, fat tires, 4WD, and a liftglass for long stuff. Basically a modern update of the AMC Eagle. Nothing really is out there now that's not an overly tall, true SUV. The Compass looks cool, although I'd like 4 doors. The Varsity doesn't look quite as good as the Compass. Any Jeep loyalists know if this can happen soon? I can't hold out much more before I have to buy...
Dan
Dan
0
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I like it a lot, but I do wish it did have IRS. The inspiration for this vehicle is those "Rally Cars," like the Subie WRX, that are raced internationally. All of them have fully independent suspensions.
Bob
Bob
http://www.jeepin.com/news/willys2.html
Basically, make a lengthened Wrangler, add a small bed, and the only change from Wrangler othewise would be to put in the V6 so it can accomodate the overdrive auto tranny (for better gas mileage and lower cruising rpms).
Better yet, make the back part (bed) out of recycled plastic to reduce cost, reduce weight, and eliminate rust!!!
Bob
That's a new one.
I like the idea of the Avalanche, but have a feeling that in 2 years, these are going to be seen all over the place with plastic hanging off the sides or big ugly scars where plastic used to be. Reminds me of Pontiacs.
I do like the Explorer one, and to a lesser extent, the Dodge and Nissan ones.
Bob
How do you remove the doors and top?
With a wrench and a saw, I suppose. Doors and top are not removable. Although, now that you mention it, a version that offers both might be interesting.
What do you think? Thanks for your comments!
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
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Chrysler seeks fast OK to produce Dodge M80 and Jeep Compass concepts
By DIANA T. KURYLKO
Automotive News
NEW YORK
Alarmed by the age of its buyer base, the Chrysler group has put two youth-oriented concept vehicles unveiled at the Detroit auto show on a fast track for approval. The Dodge M80 pickup and Jeep Compass entry-level sport-utility are aimed at the industry's hottest target group - millennials, under 24 years old.
The average age of Chrysler brand buyers is 54. For Jeep, the average age is 48 and for Dodge, 47. "If you see a PT Cruiser parked at a high school, it's probably owned by a middle-aged teacher and not a student," Jim Schroer, Chrysler group's marketing chief, said last week at the New York auto show.
The largest portion of the emerging buyer group, which already is bigger than the baby boomer generation, will hit the market in 2007, said George Murphy, senior vice president of global brand marketing.
"That is where we are spending a lot of our effort; it is a huge priority," he said. "We are looking hard at what to do for those kids. They won't buy cars for a couple of years, but that works with our development cycle."
Vehicles for this generation have to be affordable - priced between $12,000 and $17,000 - but rich in appeal, he said.
Richard Schaum, executive vice president for development and quality, said approval for the M80 could come in the next six months. "That's sooner than I thought," Schaum said.
Murphy said the M80 has generated the most positive reaction from clinics.
"They say the Jeep Liberty is for their older sister, and the Grand Cherokee is for their parents. But (the M80 and Compass) resonate very well with that generation."
Murphy said the challenge is to woo the new generation without alienating baby boomers and Generation X, Chrysler's bread-and-butter buyer base.
"Aging baby boomers are a huge segment," Murphy said. "They will eat up the Chrysler Pacifica and the Chrysler Crossfire. We have equity with these buyers, and this is where you will make good margins."
Thanks for your comments!
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
AWD rally cars like the Subaru WRX and the Mitsubishi EVO could be the target of the Compass. Jeep would have to sell it as "a different kind of off road experience for a different generation" or something like that.
I think that Jeep's real appeal is that it is a brand for individualists or "mavericks", and that image should be maintained, but I don't think that they need to be slavishly devoted to Rubicon trial minority.
Unless you actually go off road, owning a Jeep is just like owning any other car (or truck) and many, many folks buy Jeeps simply because they look cool and of course, the VAST majority of Jeep owners never go off the pavement.
I don't see any rational reason why hardcore Jeepers would be more offended an AWD Compass than they would be by a 2WD Liberty (like my wife's car).
"They say the Jeep Liberty is for their older sister, and the Grand Cherokee is for their parents."
I will be looking to replace my daily driver and I am interested in the XJ but I not going to buy a liberty.
If Jeep keeps going this way I just won't ever buy a new Jeep again. They will probably ruin the wrangler in the near future. Maybe I can get a rubicon and stretched TJ out of them before they start chasing trends.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
I'm a sucker for spy shots. With that in mind, I was checking out PopularMechanics.com and saw this snippet on Jeep's plans for the 2004 model year in their "Spy Reports" area:
2004 Jeep Compass
Word out of DaimlerChrysler is that the Compass will definitely be coming to your Jeep dealer within a year. Simply stated, the Compass is a modified Liberty. The major difference from the Liberty is the 2-door body style. Another difference, this more important to Jeep, is that the Compass will be less costly to build than the Liberty. Jeep wants an entry-level model in the Liberty line, and instead of taking features out of the Liberty, the company plans to have the new Compass fill that bill.
2004 Baby Jeep
Reports say that two low-priced Jeeps will make their appearance in dealer showrooms starting in the 2004 model year. Slightly smaller than the Liberty, the new models will feature fewer frills, smaller engines, and niceties that normally boost SUV prices out of reach of younger buyers. The aim is to get buyers into the Jeep fold at an earlier age. What will the new vehicles look like? They'll be easily recognizable as Jeep products, similar in exterior design to Jeep Compass and Willys2 concepts.
To bad! the concept was a great ride and an off road vehicle. The production car is to much pimped out civic want-a-be with a bit of Gremlin (rear side window) tossed in.
http://www.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2005/frankfurt/highlights/index4.php#car21
sorry to say it!
C Griswold :confuse:
However, the production Compass is HORRIBLE and should NOT be sold as a Jeep. For pity's sake, the thing is a subcompact wagon more similar to the old AMC Gremlin (as someone noted above) than the WRX/Evo. A huge misstep that will devalue the Jeep name instead of expanding the Jeep market.
Jeep was always "the genuine article" as far as off road brands were concerned, now I think Jeep may lose that valuable perception to the Hummer brand (with this rickety jalopy in their line-up).
Hey, Dieter! Pull the plug on the Compass ASAP!
Jeep Compass at Detroit.
I like it! It's been modified from the concepts that we've seen, but still looks handsome and rugged.
Thanks for reviving this thread. Dead, being the operative word here, is what I would call the final product. I don't think Jeep can revive this DOA product.
Now lets see if Detroit can ruin the Buick Enclave Concept. :confuse: The Ford Edge seems to have changed, but not for the worse.
The Compass looks pretty nice, much better than the similarily sized Liberty. I hope they make an SRT version, that'd be pretty neat.
Remember the Rescue concept? That's one Jeep concept that I really want to see in production. I'd choose it over an H2 anyday.
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However, the production Compass is HORRIBLE and should NOT be sold as a Jeep.
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The two door concept Compass was SHARP! But the production model...not so much. Jeep should have stuck with the rallye car theme, maybe offered the 2.4 with 170hp and FWD but also a turbo AWD with 250-300hp. That would give the WRX and the Evo something to think about.
Lord have mercy, how much uglier can this thing get? The face on this monstrosity looks like a squirrel with cheeks full of food. I really dig the AMC Gremlin inspired side profile...NOT! What's with the "hidden" rear door handles...is this a Jeep or a Nissan?
The Compass should be shelved. The new Jeep Patriot is a MUCH better interpretation of Jeep heritage and classic styling. At least the Patriot looks like a Jeep. The Compass is a poor amalgamation of styling miscues that only results in a watered down, pathetic attempt to crack into the crossover segment.
Ugh.
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I'm really interested in the Patriot. The Compass was sharp when it was a 2 door rallye car but Jeep sort of messed up the production model.
If the Patriot is kept simple and comes in under 18k, I think it will be a huge success.
I mean, the world used to have constants. The USSR hated the US and capitalism. The Red Sox hated the Yankees and would rather retire than play for Steinbrenner. Archie Bunker would say something non-PC and we would all laugh. And Jeep were either RWD or 4x4 with a solid rear axle, usually a Dana!
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a foreign car hater, far from it. I've owned Honda and would again. But making a FWD based Jeep goes against everything they were built for. To be honest, I think Jeep should be building the Gladiator. I see that being more in the Jeep spirit than the Compass. That's my 2 cents...
<a href="http://www.jeep.com/autoshow/news/gladiator.html
Jeep Gladiator
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But what about those who like Jeep styling but don't want RWD or 4WD? I'm extremely interested in the Patriot and I suspect many others are too. I like its styling much better than the Ford Escape, which is a similar vehicle.
Why can't Jeep do both? Rugged 4WD and more economical FWD? The hot trend right now is crossovers and Jeep could greatly expand its market share by joining the game.
The expansion of the Jeep brand through the Compass and Patriot models will serve it well. Remember that DCX intends to market the Compass in other markets around the world. Consider the European market, for example. There, World Rally Competition (WRC) is a motorsport which is second in popularity only to F1. WRC fans are as passionate about the sport as NASCAR fans are here. The difference is that WRC cars bear more of a resemblance to an actual model that people can buy and drive home than Cup cars do, so WRC fans identify more with brands and models than do the NASCAR faithful.
That's why the Compass and Caliber are styled like rally cars. IMO, they look much better than the Focus and most other popular rally models. I didn't care for the look at first, but it has grown on me. There's a point at which "ugly" suddenly becomes "cute." Just ask VW, who felt the need to bring back the basic shape of the classic Beetle in a new model that's a far cry from the original. But 21 million units sold isn't bad for an "ugly" little car.
If DCX gives the Jeep WRC effort the kind of backing that is required to be competitive in the sport, the Compass could give Subaru and Ford Focus some serious sales competition on the Continent. And if the Jeep brand becomes as renown for bad road prowess as it is for off-road capability, I see that as a win/win proposition.
I think Jeep is making all the right moves. Now, if they would just announce that the Gladiator concept will make it into production, I'd have a good reason to trade in my '97 Nissan pickup...
But the powertrain is right on the money. A large 4cyl with 5sp manual and CVT options. Many competitors offer a too small 4cyl in their base models and sometimes only 4sp autos.
I'm curious to see the mpg on these new models.
With that being said, I like the styling of the Jeep version over the Dodge (but the Dodge isn't bad). I am a Jeep owner, and by that I mean a TJ. The fact is, I drive a bunch of miles, which the TJ is handling, but at 14 mpg. I wouldn't mind having something that got decent mileage and could eat up the street miles, and leave my Jeep for more fun activities...and if I was going to do that, why not stay in the Jeep brand. However, I also prefer the Patriot concept, but my understanding was that that idea was dropped. Is that so?