In my never ending quest to replace the aging xB in my sig with (a rare) small SUV, crossover, or wagon with a manual FWD transaxle (not 4WD, not Subaru), I came across a pretty nice 2013 Jeep Compass Sport with 2WD & MT. At only 87K, it still has original purple coolant, a good clutch, clean interior, loaded with factory alloys, power windows & locks, and a working, NON-LEAKING moonroof. I know the NV/Tremec T355 can be a PITA, and the DOHC VVT 2.0 ain’t no Toyota 4 cylinder! Has anyone had one of these, or the very similar Patriot or Dodge Caliber, and what were their issues?
Jeep Compass-Yea? Or Nay?
- Thread starter bullwinkle
- Start date
Test drive it and go from there 
You should also consider the newer Matrix/Vibe
You should also consider the newer Matrix/Vibe
I had an ‘03 Vibe when they were first released, and there are multiple Matrixes (Matrices?) in the family. I would LOVE a 6-speed Vibe GT or Matrix XRS-but my wife isn’t thrilled with the small back seat (compared to the xB), she wants something a little bigger. Combined with my allergy to CVTs, Subarus, & GDI engines, my choices aren’t large.Test drive it and go from there
You should also consider the newer Matrix/Vibe
That’s one of the things I have to check out on it, FF or Krown will be a must have. Guy’s asking $6300.
I rented one for 10 days once. It would have been a 2013 or 14. It was the most miserable vehicle I have ever driven... cramped, uncomfortable, unresponsive, noisy, and slow. The gas mileage wasn't particularly good and the gas tank was small. Additionally, it had some electrical gremlins, exhibiting a check engine light on a couple of occasions. Then there is this...
https://www.dashboard-light.com/vehicles/Jeep_Compass.html
Coming from a Toyota product you are going to be disappointed.
https://www.dashboard-light.com/vehicles/Jeep_Compass.html
Coming from a Toyota product you are going to be disappointed.
What is your price range?
Find an Xterra with a manual. They last pretty much forever. If you can afford to put gas in it 
I would love to stay under $15K if possible.
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
Love our 02 Xterra but it's a PITA getting in and out of the back seat. Get a 4.0 not the 3.3 slug. Different species that what OP is looking at.Find an Xterra with a manual. They last pretty much forever. If you can afford to put gas in it
A piece of Fit-my wife would KILL me! My next door neighbor has one, it’s actually smaller than the xB & not up to the quality standards of past Hondas. Not sure on the HR-V, the ones I’ve seen have been ~$20K used, almost what they sold for new.ok, so not too difficult
Consider a Fit or HR-V. They have the magic seat
Had a caliber, it’s the official car of “I want something cheap. That’s it.” It did nothing well, but it also didn’t do anything unwell, it was simply a car that never let me down.
The 2.0 is friggin gutless, at least when paired to a CVT. But if you change the oil on it and don’t abuse it it’ll last annoyingly forever. But oil changes are brain dead easy and it only needed 5qts. Heck even the O2 sensors aren’t miserable to get at.
The 2.0 is friggin gutless, at least when paired to a CVT. But if you change the oil on it and don’t abuse it it’ll last annoyingly forever. But oil changes are brain dead easy and it only needed 5qts. Heck even the O2 sensors aren’t miserable to get at.
The (lighter) xB has 105 HP, the 2.0 (allegedly) has 158 in a heavier body, that’s part of the reason for 2WD (less weight) & manual transmission (hopefully less CVT go boom). I’ve had Mopar EFI 4 bangers in the past, 2.2 & 2.4, but the WGE is a somewhat different beast, hopefully VVT & DOHC helps some in the oomph dept. Got to be better than my FIL’s old 2.4 powered Dakota…
I’m trying to hold out for our EV overlords a little longer! We had Transit Connect company cargo vans, they had that Ford “quality” thing going…C-Max? Prius V? Possibly a SWB Transit Connect passenger van
I have been looking for a Honda Element. You see the occasional one of those with a stick. They do hold there price though.
If you think Ford has a quality thing going, wait until you see the quality thing Chrysler has going
And relax, the C-Max and Prius are hybrids, not full-on EV
I never got to experience a manual 2.0, it HAS to be better though! That CVT they used was godawful.
