Jeep Liberty

1131416181981

Comments

  • jts7jts7 Member Posts: 1
    I notice quite a few posters have test driven a Liberty, but I haven't seen a report from a buyer. I was wondering if anyone has been hit up for an over-MSRP price. Our local (Denver) no-haggle dealership, named after a beloved NFL quarterback, has B-package units at $5-600 under MSRP. They also advertise a Liberty (B-package, cruise, etc..) at $21,995. Now I know you may never find that vehicle when you get there, but there's not much price gouging here.

    I haven't tried one yet, but I've looked at a few and I have a few observations: 1) Where's the Selec-trac? I've only seen one G-package Limited that had one. All the Sports have Command-Trac. and 2) They must not have got the ruler anywhere near the front control arms when they measured the ground clearance. They are a good inch or two below the level of the rear diff. The control arms on my wife's Outback wagon are that far off the ground. Nevertheless, I will be interested in a Liberty when the 5-speeds arrive.

    --Jeff
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The Select Trac issue (or-lack-there-of), has long been a pet peeve of mine with Jeep. I think Select Trac should be standard on all Libertys and Wranglers, including 5-speeds. I see no need to continue offering Command Trac.

    This becomes more of an issue as more and more cute-ute buyers start cross-shopping Libertys with Foresters, etc.

    I also feel ABS should be standard at least on the Limited models.

    Bob
  • blujeepblujeep Member Posts: 44
    esp re: cute-ute cross-shoppers who will not/may not know about the different types of 4-wheel drive. They may think they're all like AWD systems & think the CommandTrac can be used all the time (salesman are not always that helpful, y'know). Imagine their surprise when their 4WD truck has to be used as a 2WD truck 99% of the time. At least with ST they can have the benefits of 4WD all the time if they so desire.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I'd never buy another car or truck that didn't allow 4wd on dry pavement. It's that good!
    -mike
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    http://scrambler.cj-8.com/


    The Jeep®.....renowned for it's history. It has carried soldiers into war and brought them safely back. It has carried missionaries into the deepest jungles in the world. It has carried millions of civilians far down the road less traveled. So what do you get when you combine a heritage that rich with functionality of a present-day SUV?.....the Scrambler.


    The Scrambler was a SUV before SUVs were cool. It had the go anywhere attitude of a Jeep with pickup truck usefulness. The many top configurations made it even more useful. Add a full hardtop and you have a modern day SUV. Add a full softop and you have an extended ragtop with space for the family and gear. Add a half hardtop and you have a pickup. Add a half softtop and you have a ragtop pickup. What other vehicle can compete with that?......none. It was produced from 1981-1986 with @27,000 units being rolled out. We can only assume that the Jeep "Scrambler" was a product of the marketing department whereas the Jeep engineers insisted on the CJ-8 denotation.


    So if the Scrambler was so great, why did they only make @27,000? Well, quite simply, it was ahead of it's time. It came along as America was coming out of a gas crunch and the emphasis was on economy, not utility. Well, just like your bellbottoms, utility is now in style. With the new push towards utility and the desire to drive something that didn't come from today's cookie-cutter SUVs, the Scrambler has stormed back in popularity over the past few years. Naturally, the increased demand and already limited supply has driven the cost of the Scrambler up. So if you have one, you own a piece of automotive history. Where does that leave us? Why are you here? Both questions can be answered by saying that Scrambler owners are a dedicated bunch who love their vehicles and possess a desire to share our knowledge. We are here to help in that mission. If you are a Scrambler owner, you have found your campfire to sit around. This is your virtual garage with your fellow wrenchers/jeepers to share your knowledge and increase others. So grab a hold of the passenger grab bar and enjoy the ride.

  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    was built off the long-wheelbase CJ-6 chassis. All they did was add a small pickup bed to it.

    Yes, I too would like to see a Liberty spin-off similar to this.

    Bob
  • rtomrtom Member Posts: 2
    This is in reference to #746 - you said that the liberty was 26K? Down here in Houston one just arrived, a limited 2wd loaded with everything, sun roof etc, for 23,900. Where are you looking??!! Even Jeep's web page brags about how low these things are. Tell your dealer you are going elsewhere!
    tom
  • tonyfjrtonyfjr Member Posts: 18
    You saw a Liberty w/ a sunroof??? I heard sunroofs are 3-4 months away in Cincinnati, OH..Anyone hear anything different abou the sunroof wait?
  • bblahabblaha Member Posts: 329
    So this whole forum, up until the time they started showing up on dealers lots, has been hollow?

    Will I be pleasantly surprised to discover a solid axle under the front end?

    Will I be pleasantly surprised to discover a cast iron head?

    Will there be disk brakes in the rear?

    Where, in any post of mine, have I said anything at all that would change by seeing one? I'm sure they're nice. I'm sure they drive great on the road. Why is what I say hollow?

    The Liberty has IFS and SRA. That makes it indistinguishable from all the rest.

    I am a current Jeep enthusiast. I put up with all the mechanical problems that typically come with Jeeps because I am an enthusiast. Instead of complaining, I go about solving them myself.

    The Liberty does not have a SFA.

    I do not want one.

    I will not buy one.

    If you think thats hollow, so be it.
  • lovethosesuvslovethosesuvs Member Posts: 95
    First time I've heard someone outright admitting to the willingness to accept shoddy Jeep workmanship. There are so many better-quality vehicles out there, you could do a lot better and save yourself a heap of headaches. Abandon the loyalty. At least you speak your mind honestly.

    From some other posts I have read, looks like it's the headlights and grille that inspire some purchases of Jeeps. Headlights and grille???? Is that all it takes? Wow. I'm in the wrong business.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    So if FSA is what you want, why not get a quality SUV, and then add an FSA? I know of a few Isuzu guys who have done this successfully in their Rodeos and Amigos. They are currently using Toyota Solid Front Axles on theirs. Or if you are a die hard jeep fan, I'm sure that the huge aftermarket loyal to the jeeps will shortly if they don't have it already, a SFA conversion for the liberty. Just some thoughts. I personally feel everyone should drive what *they* enjoy, not necessarily what is *needed* or is practical.

    -mike
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    I think you meant to say what is PERCEIVED to be needed or practical.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Solid Front Axle
    Solid Rear Axle
    Front Solid Axle

    -mike

    PS: nope, I don't think people should drive even what is perceived to be needed or practical, IMHO people should drive whatever they want for whatever reasons they want, even if those reasons are "Just because I want to"
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    "It's pretty."
    "It makes me feel cool."
    "It makes me feel tough."
    "I like the different (feature here)."
    "It smells nice."
    "I got a good deal."
    "My mom likes me to drive it."

    It is still a free country (for the most part, other than overburdensome taxes).
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    As I said earlier, I could care less if you by one or not. Your refusal to at least to check one out first-hand only tells me that you are consumed by preconceived notions of what the Liberty is about, and refuse to acknowledge that it might be better than you think. To me that rings hollow. It's like being in denial.

    So, what do you intend to buy when Jeep eventually replaces all their solid axles—which they WILL do at some point?

    BTW, I test drive many vehicles, even though I have absolutely no intention of ever buying them. If a vehicle interests me in any way, I'll drive it just to satisfy my curiousity. At least then I'll have some real-time basis for my commnents.

    Bob
  • bblahabblaha Member Posts: 329
    rsholland: Now you're putting words in my mouth. I didn't say I refuse to check out the Liberty. I said I have no desire to. The Chrysler dealership I drive by every day hasn't received any yet. Or at least they haven't displayed any prominently by the road where a passerby would notice.

    If I desired to see one I would drive to the nearest dealer that DOES have one. Since I don't, I won't. When the closest dealership does get some, and I have some free time, I'll stop by.

    But it still won't have a solid axle up front, so I still won't be interested.

    paisan: I think Rusty has already started a conversion - or at least said he intends to. At any rate, its the principal of the thing that matters. The Liberty should have gotten the JGC's suspension stock, then everyone would be happy.

    lovethosesuvs: Abandon the loyalty? DC is doing a decent job of getting that to happen without any active decision on my part.

    As far as "better quality vehicle" out there, with an XJ, you get the single best offroad vehicle, at its spot on the price spectrum, available. They're easy to work on and parts are very cheap. There really aren't too much of a headache if you are decent with a wrench. Its a Jeep Thing.... :-)
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    One can say the same thing about the Hyundai Excel in it's day, for $10K my buddy's father bought 2 of em! He drove em 80K miles and they died, but for $5K each you can't go wrong. Same goes for the Wrangler, if you enjoy tinkering with it and fixing em, there is nothing in the price range with the same performance.

    -mike
  • rx300_99rx300_99 Member Posts: 5
    any word about supply at this point ? i was surprised to stop in at a northern nj dealership and see 5 4x4 sports sitting out front.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    >>Now you're putting words in my mouth. I didn't say I refuse to check out the Liberty. I said I have no desire to.<<

    Whatever.

    Bob
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    I haven't yet seen one under $20,000.

    I also notice that if you go for the trailer package, or the off road package, they each have the heavy duty cooling. If you want both packages, I guess you have to pay for it twice.

    I would rather just get the cooling, and then put on my own aftermarket skid plates, trailer wiring, and tow hitch (better quality AND less money!).

    How come they don't allow individual options any more?

    I would so much rather have a basic model, then a pick list which I could check off on down the line. You would think in this day and age, a build to order would not be that complicated.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Sasquatch, it all has to do with economies of scale. If they can just crank out a ton of X-models with Y-option packages and a bunch of Z-option packages, it cuts down on the costs. That is one reason you'll notice smaller car companies like Isuzu and Subaru include ABS, Power Windows, A/C, Power Door locks, etc. as standard features on all packages in a range, it's cheaper for them to just crank em out one after another.

    :(

    -mike
  • steffen06steffen06 Member Posts: 7
    I test drove a Liberty and really like it -- plenty of leg room for a tall (6'6") person. Two disappointments -- no standard ABS brake system & the rear seat doesn't fold flat. I like the Jeep a lot but, most competitors have thought of these things.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    If you order both, you DO get a discount on the trailer package, because you're right, there is duplication of equipment.

    Bob
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    It totals them on the Build Your Own Liberty web site.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    from a Jeep salesman, because I too was wondering about the same thing. He showed to me from his order book. So it's for real.

    Here are the prices the saleman gave me:

    Off-Road package: Sport = $765.00, Limited = $520.00
    Tow package: Sport & Limited = $325.00
    Tow package (if you order Off-Road package too): Sport & Limited = $245.00

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    What makes you more interested in the Liberty over say the Explorer? I know you have an explorer and the new one is IFS and IRS, any particular reason that you aren't interested in them?

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I just don't think, that in the future, I will need a vehicle that large again, or that expensive. We're soon to be empty-nesters, so I'm thinking smaller these days.

    I think Ford has done an excellent job with the new Explorer. It's light-years better than the one I own. Especially in terms of packaging&#151;which is a direct result of the IRS.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Bob are you sure you are soon to be empty-nesters? :) That's what my parent's thought til I came back from college!

    -mike
  • basepro09basepro09 Member Posts: 91
    If i were to buy a sport 4x4, would I want to get the off-road package or just get the 235's and buy the plates and tow hooks after market? I know the off-road group won't be ready for a while, but i'm not buying till next spring. ALso, has anyone who's interested in buying one got any quotes on insurance? The dealers just told me to get a quote on the Cherokee for a rough estimate. But isn't the Liberty supposed to be better built and safer and when are they going to come out with the Safety specs(the crash tests)?

    Matt
  • basepro09basepro09 Member Posts: 91
    and then I test drove a JGC Laredo. Of course the JGC is more comfortable to drive, but it's also louder and it shifts with a kick in each gear. Where as the Liberty barely makes any noise and you can hardly feel it shifting, let alone a jerk in the suv. Did you guys know that the JGC has one less inch of leg room in the rear seat. I know one inch, big deal, just thought it was interesting. Hey, if the Liberty is only an inch shorter in width than the JGC, how is it that the rear seat hip room is smaller in the Liberty? By 5 inches.

    Matt
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Good point. I'm not sure our son will ever leave, unless we kick him out. ;)

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Will likely be higher than cherokee for theft purposes. May end up being a wash overall, but I'd definitely say the theft will be higher.

    -mike
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    Test driving a Liberty, Cherokee, Wrangler, and XTerra. Maybe a Kia and F150 bonus cab also.

    I was thinking about the tires and packages, and figure it is best to get the most basic, then upgrade on your own. You'll probably do better for the same money, or do the same for less money by going aftermarket. Just pick the tranny and engine of your choice.

    This probably applies even to limited slip rear end and hubs.

    Opinions?
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    in one day. Once you narrow down your choices after your test drives, I'd go back and retest the ones on your short list again in about a week, perhaps at a different dealer. Second and third test drives I think are very valuable, especially when you're plunking down your hard-earned cash. You want to make sure you make the right decision.

    Bob
  • eeeleeel Member Posts: 57
    you can get abs on the liberty - and it's competition pales in comparison when you take them off the road - for the competition - i should say try and take them off-road
  • sandyboysandyboy Member Posts: 114
    I checked it out.
    #1. It's tiny, behind the rear seat is enough room for 4 grocery bags, maybe!
    #2. It's roof is unnecessarily HI. I can't reach it to wash it or wax it. It looks like a telephone booth.
    #3. It looks like a Chevry Tracker, Grand Vitara or a Kia Sportage, with a Wrangler Grille. What's "so new" about that?
    #4. It's got the horrible tire on the back, and they don't even cover it with a nice cover, like Mitsubishi does on it's Montero.
    Proof that NEW is not necessarily BETTER. IF this is Mercedes fault, they'll make the Grand Cherokee look like the Isuzu Vehicross next!
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Hey what what you say there buddy. If you've ever driven the Vehicross you'll know it's quite a unique and excellent vehicle...

    -mike
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    #1. I agree. Not enough room for the dog, most likely.

    #2. Buy a stepstool or a ladder, this is a truck. Otherwise, buy a car.

    #3. What's so bad about that?

    #4. I prefer the tire out back. It takes up less space, is easy to get at, and won't get ruined off road.
  • taki3taki3 Member Posts: 18
    does anybody know if the tailgate can handle an impact? i would hate for somebody to rear end the tire, and "squishing" in the tailgate inward....causing $$$ for repairs....

    thats probably one downside to having the tire on the tailgate....wouldnt be a problem if the bumper stuck out past the tire though....

    anybody have anything to add?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well, if you are rear ended, at least in most states, the person doing the rear-ending is at fault, and they would need to pay the high cost of repair. Also if you are rear ended chances are you will have nose-brake dive, causing the bumper to lift up. and the person hitting you will have nose dive causing their bumper to go down.


    Also you could install a bar such as http://isuzu-suvs.com/rearbar.html for $129 which would take the impact as well as protect against parking lot incidences(sp).


    -mike

  • countsmackula1countsmackula1 Member Posts: 61
    Hey, it's just my opinion, but those are all the wrong reasons to dismiss the Liberty. Maybe you simply don't like its looks, but:

    1. I agree with you on this one.

    2.More room is always welcome. I'm 6'2", not extremely tall, but a bit over average. I can always use more headroom. Several people in my family are over 6'6" , so they can apppreciate headroom. Get a ladder, I use one anyway so I can see the wash job from every angle.

    3. It is an all-new from the ground up vehicle, not a spin off. Remember, everyone else spun off of the Jeep in the first place. Saying it looks like a Wrangler in the front is no insult, to be sure! The grille just says that it's a Jeep.

    4. If you have to change a tire, would you rather it be 1. underneath the vehile where it can be damaged off-road and it's necessary to get on you knees to swivel it out, 2. inside the back, where it steals cargo room, or 3. outside where it is easily accessible with a minuimu of effort. YOU DO CHANGE YOUR TIRE YOURSELF INSTEAD OF GETTING SOMEONE TO DO IT FOR YOU, RIGHT??? Also, Mercedes-Benz did nothing significant on the Liberty--it was a Chysler project, to my understanding. There are no Mercedes parts on it that I'm aware of.
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    What was that link to the cargo carrier that mounts back there? I was telling a few friends about it this weekend. You know, the one for coolers and such?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Sas, not sure of a link to the cargo carrier. I know that JC Whitney sells em as well as a few other vendors.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Headroom is always nice. That is one thing I love in my Trooper. In all other SUVs (including the HUGE ones, the roof feels like it's closing in on me, and I'm 5'10") The rear tire is very nice when you are in a suit and late for an appointment and need to change the tire. It doesn't get all crudded up with road dirt and or destroyed when off-roading. A cover would be nice, but you can always get an aftermarket one pretty cheaply.

    -mike
  • basepro09basepro09 Member Posts: 91
    I can't believe that you're going to just make up stuff about the Liberty like you can only fit four grocery bags back there. You have plenty of room for three times that amount. You can put eight alone just on the hooks themselves not to mention the rest of the back. The roof is not unnecessarily high either. How tall are you? For some one of average size say six foot, it's perfect. Much better than the Cherokee in roominess. Have you ever gotten in a Cherokee? The total height is about the same as a full size suv or close to the mid size suv's. If you want a 4x4 suv, which one do you think you're going to get that you can reach up and wash/wax the top without some kind of step stool or ladder. I just think that you came in here to stir the pot and needs to buy a car instead.

    Matt
  • sandyboysandyboy Member Posts: 114
    No pot stirring here. I own a Cherokee Limited. I am 5' - 11" and have more than enough room for the body. I prefer the tire inside, so it does not get dirty & need to be washed, and nobody vandalizes it. Since I do not carry alot of "stuff" the cargo room it steals is not bad. If I did carry alot of big bulky stuuf, I would have bought a Grand Cherokee or a GMC Denali. (and) Yes, I can wash & wax the roof of my Cherokee, using a small (5" off the ground) kitchen-type step stool. With the Liberty, I'd need a regular ladder, with 5 steps, not 5 inches. My cherokee looks like a TonkaTruck, purposeful, almost like a mini Hummer, with it's flat roof, and angular outline. The best part of the Liberety is the Wrangler-Type front end, for family I.D. After that, I think they lost their way. Best part of it, and the #1 reason if will be a "HIT" is that it's a JEEP and it's CHEAP! (and) To borrow from the girls......."It's SOOoooo Cute"
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    You can always put the tire inside, that option is always available....

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    even mount it on the roof.

    Bob
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    If you don't carry a lot of "stuff",...

    ...and "the cargo room it steals is not bad"...

    ...

    ...then why do you even care if it doesn't have much room behind the seat?

    And how is a stepladder any less convenient than a stepstool? I keep both in my basement, but when I build a new shed, they will both be out there (with my car washing pail).
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