Well, I bought a FIAT/jeep

[YY1]

I think the head gasket blew in my PT.

I've been trying to figure out where the water is going.
It runs fine, and you can drive for 15-20 miles, via the ScanGage II, you can see the thermostat opening and closing (180-200* back and forth), but after 10-20 miles it goes to 220* and then is 1 qt down of coolant. Can't see a leak, and doesn't leave a puddle.

Replaced rad cap and thermostat, bled/burped system multiple times.

Of course this happened right at the coldest temps in FL (30*) and my truck doesn't have a heater core hooked up.

So...I've kind of been checking out the 2015 Renegade.
I can't really find any specific bad reviews or comments other than the 9 speed auto is "iffy" and noisy.

We test drove an auto in 2016, and liked it. Most important was I fit!
LOADS of headroom.
I even have to slide the seat forwards a bit and raise it!!

Finding one with a manual transmission was fun. It's the mid range Latitude trim.
Extensive searches turned up about six in all of FL from Jax to Ocala, to Miami.
Compared to about 65 automatics.
There were two within 45 min, but one sold the day I was scheduled to drive it, after the price got reduced from 13.9 to 13.1. The other one was like pulling teeth to get a price and ended up being 21K. No thanks.

The one I ended up with was about 1.5 hours away, advertised for 13.9.
I got it for 14.9 out the door, after being quoted 16.2 total. 31K miles.

So far the positives are- it's super easy to drive, and fun. The head room. Nice stereo. It's almost as functional as the PT. My "normal" work circuit netted 35.5 MPG, which is 10 MPG more than the PT! on the 1.5 hours back from the dealer on 65 MPH 2 lane roads, it got 37.5. EPA is 25/31.

Negatives- has more blind spots than PT. Not the best interior functionality- hardly any places to put stuff, and the seats don't fold truly flat.

It's a 1.4L turbo, but I can't hear it. Don't even feel the boost kick in. I suppose that's good, but I like a nice turbo spool sound. It does NOT feel under-powered, even accelerating at 60 MPH. The six speed it going to take getting used to. I sometimes forget 6th is there and it seems unnatural for the shifter to be down and towards me at cruise. 5th and 6th are both O/D (actually 4th is .97) and the axle gear is 4.33!

Here's a kicker- my insurance actually went down $23!

 

[65wgn440]

Unfortunately, a lot more Fiat than Jeep. (This from a Toledoan)

 

[Richard Cranium]

One of these Jeeps would be fun...

 

[Bb70charger500]

Very cool bud I like it my cousin bought one identical just the gold color . Wish I knew they were that cheap I would of bought one !

 

[khryslerkid]

My friend bought a '17 Compass with the 4.1 non turbo, 6 spd automatic. I like it, not afraid to pass anyone. The 6spd does help save brake pads as you decelerate but a little annoying down shifting when under a load. Great traction in the snow. It does have a right rear blind spot. You can look in that mirror, turn your head ect. and a car can be hiding there. You have to keep track of other cars in that lane. It has the same engine as my 07 Sebring, good engine.

I can't imagine a 1.4 ?

 

[YY1]

Unfortunately, a lot more Fiat than Jeep. (This from a Toledoan)

I think I'm gonna get a Ferrari emblem for the hatch.


I also find it kind of ironic that there are all sorts of references to "classic" CJ series jeeps on it, even says "since 1941" above the radio.....on a car that was built in one of the countries that was defeated in that war.

 

[YY1]

My friend bought a '17 Compass with the 4.1 non turbo, 6 spd automatic. I like it, not afraid to pass anyone. The 6spd does help save brake pads as you decelerate but a little annoying down shifting when under a load. Great traction in the snow. Has the same engine as my 07 Sebring.

I can't imagine a 1.4 ?

I spun the tires without trying leaving the dealer lot on the test drive, with my wife and the salesman inside.

 

[Dennis H]

Looks nice. I'd put Amsoil 0-30 Signature Synthetic in from here forward for the heat in Central Florida. No matter what weight FCA recommends. That 1.4 has a lot of hard work to do.

 

[Photon440]

My friend bought a '17 Compass with the 4.1 non turbo, 6 spd automatic. I like it, not afraid to pass anyone. The 6spd does help save brake pads as you decelerate but a little annoying down shifting when under a load. Great traction in the snow. It does have a right rear blind spot. You can look in that mirror, turn your head ect. and a car can be hiding there. You have to keep track of other cars in that lane. It has the same engine as my 07 Sebring, good engine.

I can't imagine a 1.4 ?

What engine is this "4.1 non turbo"? I'm not familiar with it. I didn't think the Compass came with anything larger than a 2.4 four cylinder. Which is a pretty good engine.

 

[khryslerkid]

What engine is this "4.1 non turbo"? I'm not familiar with it. I didn't think the Compass came with anything larger than a 2.4 four cylinder. Which is a pretty good engine.

Don't mind me, 2.4 is what I meant. That 1.4 got me all miscombobulated.

 

[Dennis H]

Man, I have trouble even reading 1.4. Everything I own starts with a 5 or 7.

 

[YY1]

My wife spun the wheels in second gear driving it for the first time last night.
I think she even chirped third.
She drove it harder than I have.
(I L O V E that woman)

165 HP and 185 ft/lbs in a 3600lb vehicle.
More HP than a 318 (about the same as the 2.2 turbo).
...and with the 6 speed manual it's where you want it, when you want it, and it's easy to stay in the broad power band.

 

[Bladecutter]

https://www.allpar.com/mopar/14.html
normal & turbo

 

[Bladecutter]

My wife spun the wheels in second gear driving it for the first time last night.
I think she even chirped third.
She drove it harder than I have.
(I L O V E that woman)

165 HP and 185 ft/lbs in a 3600lb vehicle.
More HP than a 318 (about the same as the 2.2 turbo).
...and with the 6 speed manual it's where you want it, when you want it, and it's easy to stay in the broad power band.

https://g.co/kgs/eq7LqB
Fiat 124 with relatively same engine as Your Jeep. Trippy valve set up....I'm vague on this but to me it looks like a 3 valve set up, conventional OHC direct contact intake & exhaust & 3rd valve offset, hydraulically operated/regulated from sideways mounted lifter then to solenoid??
124 is Fiat, Mazda Miata marriage.
curb weight less than 2500 lbs. Bet it's a fun car in a tight road.
What's the weight of Your Jeep?

 

[YY1]

Book says 3600, or about what a light B body weighs.

IDK why FCA let mazda build the new version of their iconic 124.

That's worse than the Fiat built Renegade IMO, since it's their company and their history.

 

[YY1]

OK, so the day after I brought it home...

The "oil change required" notification comes on.

What are the odds of that?

So, after some research, I find out the 1.4 turbo requires Ferrari spec oil!

The manual specifically recommends Shell Helix, which is not available in North America.....really?

my research also indicates, oddly enough, that Penzoil platinum euro spec is...wait for it...

The same oil!

Really?

$10 a quart plus a $10 filter insert.

I found a dealership coupon for $50.

I'm doing it so I can get a receipt that the dealer did it.

I want the 4500 miles left on my warranty.

 

[Dennis H]

Amsoil. 0-30 Signature Synthetic. Ferrari ****. Ferrari doesn't make oil.
Cannot void warranty.

 

[YY1]

I have some updates...

I made an error on the curb weight.

Per the sales brochure, it's probably closer to 3044 lbs.
The 3600 figure was for a loaded 2.4 liter automatic.
Mine's a 1.4 manual with only one option- the bad *** stereo and backup cam.

Looking at mymopar.com, the 73/74 360 was rated 170-200 HP net, so the Renegade now becomes closer to the power to weight equivalent of a 74 360 Duster, rather than a 318 powered B body like I thought before.

After a week of work commuting and a couple store jaunts, I'm averaging 33 MPG!
I have yet to do a serious interstate trip, but it did 37 and change for 65 miles at 65-70 MPH.

Also, the brochure specs the 1.4T torque peak in an RPM range, rather than a single speed. That's interesting. I guess they are saying it's got a flat torque curve. They rate the tq on the 2.4 the normal way.

 

[Cornpatch MO]

I think the head gasket blew in my PT.

I've been trying to figure out where the water is going.
It runs fine, and you can drive for 15-20 miles, via the ScanGage II, you can see the thermostat opening and closing (180-200* back and forth), but after 10-20 miles it goes to 220* and then is 1 qt down of coolant. Can't see a leak, and doesn't leave a puddle.

Replaced rad cap and thermostat, bled/burped system multiple times.

Of course this happened right at the coldest temps in FL (30*) and my truck doesn't have a heater core hooked up.

So...I've kind of been checking out the 2015 Renegade.
I can't really find any specific bad reviews or comments other than the 9 speed auto is "iffy" and noisy.

We test drove an auto in 2016, and liked it. Most important was I fit!
LOADS of headroom.
I even have to slide the seat forwards a bit and raise it!!

Finding one with a manual transmission was fun. It's the mid range Latitude trim.
Extensive searches turned up about six in all of FL from Jax to Ocala, to Miami.
Compared to about 65 automatics.
There were two within 45 min, but one sold the day I was scheduled to drive it, after the price got reduced from 13.9 to 13.1. The other one was like pulling teeth to get a price and ended up being 21K. No thanks.

The one I ended up with was about 1.5 hours away, advertised for 13.9.
I got it for 14.9 out the door, after being quoted 16.2 total. 31K miles.

So far the positives are- it's super easy to drive, and fun. The head room. Nice stereo. It's almost as functional as the PT. My "normal" work circuit netted 35.5 MPG, which is 10 MPG more than the PT! on the 1.5 hours back from the dealer on 65 MPH 2 lane roads, it got 37.5. EPA is 25/31.

Negatives- has more blind spots than PT. Not the best interior functionality- hardly any places to put stuff, and the seats don't fold truly flat.

It's a 1.4L turbo, but I can't hear it. Don't even feel the boost kick in. I suppose that's good, but I like a nice turbo spool sound. It does NOT feel under-powered, even accelerating at 60 MPH. The six speed it going to take getting used to. I sometimes forget 6th is there and it seems unnatural for the shifter to be down and towards me at cruise. 5th and 6th are both O/D (actually 4th is .97) and the axle gear is 4.33!

Here's a kicker- my insurance actually went down $23!

View attachment 561500 View attachment 561501

My Son bought one of these new last Fall. Wasn't looking for it, but a dealer told him about it. It had been ordered by a customer and when it came in, it had the manual transmission instead of auto. Customer would not take it, and they made my So a deal he couldn't refuse. Son just loves it and tells me I ought to get one. He was showing me all the little cute "Jeep" tidbits that were hiding in various places. His is also white................................MO