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BTW, I'm shopping it against the RAV4 and a Subaru WRX wagon... anyone care to talk me into buying the Jeep? My mind is open, and you all know more about the Liberty than I do.
Thanks.
After driving the above, take a test drive in a Liberty. Very different experience from either. It's very truck-like but in a refined solid package. Lots of room to deal. Find someone that works for Daimler-Chrysler and they can get you a green sheet # that will get you a price well under sticker or look at the Edmunds pricing to compare what constitutes a good deal.
I drove several vehicles before I drove the Liberty and the choice was easy for me. It rang my chimes plain and simple. My wife loves it as well. Getting behind the wheel of one will answer your questions about making a good choice for you. Have fun and choose wisely but rely on your own instincts and needs.
I'm considering getting a liberty, but I have a few questions for you if you could spare me a second. Right now I'm driving a Suzuki Grand Vitara. It feels very top heavy and narrow, I've already had one wreck in the snowy/ice conditions (going 14mph) we get here in PA, and many close calls, even in light rain.
How sturdy does the liberty feel to you. Have you had any sliding or slipping that you couldn't contribute to speeding or breaking too fast? Have you had any nervous periods where you felt like you were losing control of the vehicle because of wind, snow, ice or rain? Any help you could offer would be great… I'm still nervous driving after my accident, and I'm looking to get something much more secure!
Thanks!
Kelly
The difference between car and Liberty is the same, as you would sail the ship on the deck (car) or on the top of mast(Liberty).
That way I removed my seasick in two years with Liberty.
Thanks for your consideration!
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
I have been considering the Liberty as it has a 4WD transfer case with a NEUTRAL position in it which, if I understand it correctly, effectively disconnects the engine from the drivetrain.
Folks tell me that they can pull a Liberty by simply placing the transfer case in N, putting the transmission selector in Park, put the ignition switch in the first position (to unlock the steering wheel) and go, with NO worries.
With the CR-V, one has to run the engine every few hundred miles, moving the gear selector through the gears to lubricate the transmission.
Any information/thoughts/advice would be appreciated. I realize this is a peculiar reason for buying a 4WD vehicle with a real transfer case but it fits my need in a way that almost no other vehicles do.
Thanks in advance for any answers.
Anybody know if there is a Chilton or Chilton-like manual for the Jeep Liberty? I couldn't find one doing a quick search and fear that they haven't come out yet. I'm thinking of doing some of the odds and ends maintenance myself, and I'd rather not "work without a net" as they say.
Appreciate it.
Steve, Host
How would the Liberty compare? I built a Renegade 4x4 6-speed on the website with the part-time Command-Trac and the 3.7, and the price seemed OK after cash back. But it is not BOF, it has this "unitized, incorporated frame thingy". Car mags seem to have been duly impressed. I know Jeep claims big cred for its "trail rated" 4x4s - Rubicon this and that. So is it really all that? And will I need my warranty a lot with this vehicle? Ideally, I would like to keep it well beyond the warranty period. winokur: what was the problem with yours?
This replacement is not imminent, I am thinking about it for some time in the next year or so. Since most of the things I do with my truck (going skiing, offroading, etc) CANNOT be done on a test drive, I was hoping to hear some stories here. I see this is a quiet thread...please, please can you help out? :-P
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Specifically, would like to know:
--> what do you specifically like about the Liberty?
--> what do you wish was different?
--> opinions about the part-time 4WD vs. the full-time 4WD (Selec-Trac?)
Our test drive was pretty short (<10 minutes) so we didn't get much of a chance to really determine if it is the right vehicle for us, although the wife really liked it.
We're also looking at the Saturn VUE AWD V6, the Subaru Outback XT Limited and the Hyundai Santa Fe LX. We've owned SUV's in the past (Expedition and Explorer), so we're not new to the genre.
Thanks in advance for all replys.
1. The Liberty has a large greenhouse. Visibility is very good, even when backing up. The spare tire doesn't get in the way. It's visible, but does not obstruct much of the view. Engine power is decent. Not a powerhouse, but not horribly underpowered. I'd have to say 0-60 is somewhere in the 10 second range... not that I have tried. ;-) Steering is wonderfully easy. Makes it very easy to drive. Headroom is abundant! 4WD shifter is easy to use. Wipers are effective, not too fast, not too slow. Headlights are bright. Mirrors are big.
2. I wish the steering wheel was a bit thicker, and the leather wasn't so dry feeling. The seats in my Sport aren't the best ever, either. The Limited has much better seats. Also, it's a Jeep. I would want tow hooks and at least some skid plates as standard equipment, no matter the trim level or engine choice. I don't have either. I've heard my sister complain about a lack of front leg room. It doesn't bother me. The stock Goodyear Wrangler STs suck. The tires on the Limited may be better, but these things don't have much grip. I made them break loose in a parking lot before, under light acceleration while making a turn. No good in rain either. I also felt them slipping in a 2" mudhole when offroad. No grip anywhere. Time for some decent all-terrains! :-)
3. You'll get several varying opinions about 4WD systems. The Command-Trac (part time) is only supposed to be used on surfaces that allow the front wheels to slip (Off-Road, Snow, etc). It's easy to shift, so even on patchy roads, it shouldn't be a hassle to change. See Jeep.com for an explanation of their systems, and come to a conclusion.
Hope this helps!
1. Skidding on wet roads. How many have this problem? Is it related to driving style?
2. Gas mileage. I have read where people are only getting 13 mpg or thereabouts. I drive a V-8 Sequoia that gets better mileage than that and I was counting on something that would do a little better.
I discovered the recall notice below on the '02 Liberty while doing my research (copied from the NHTSA site). I called the number listed and found out that this repair has already been done to our Libery (confirmed by the CarFax report I purchased). Could this be what contributed to the skidding that is reported?
Make: JEEP
Model: LIBERTY
Type: ANY
Year: 2002
Recall Number: 03V460000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS CAN EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF LUBRICATION THAT CAN LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR, AND POSSIBLE SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.
Consequence:
A BALL JOINT THATHAS SEPARATED FROM THE KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS WITH MODIFIED ASSEMBLIES AND HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 2, 2001 AND OCTOBER 4, 2002. ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN OCTOBER 5, 2002 AND MARCH 26, 2003, DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES (AND REPLACE THEM AS NECESSARY) AND INSTALL HEAT SHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
Notes:
DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. C36. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
I've owned my Liberty now for 6 months and I'm thrilled with it! I am active and well- haven't started a family yet- but my friends like the safety of it for their children (safety seat modifications/built in roll bars, etc.).
I use mine as a work horse. I tow a sailboat, and use it for bikes to kayaks. It has exceeded my expectations when it comes to space and weight. Although it is heavier and has more cubic inch cargo space than the Jeep Charokee- it doesn't ride like some heavy SUVs. It moves fast!
The pick up is excellent so far from all gear settings. I have used the part-time 4 wheel drive often. The others- I've tested out. I like having control over my gears and settings. Turning of course sounds funny when in the 4 wheel drive options- but that's to be expected. I still need to get use to using these more.
This vehicle is great! It can tow, haul and plow through A LOT of conditions!!! :-) I can't wait to get in down to the outer banks in the sand!
you pick either 2wd, 4wdhi (part time), or 4wd lo.
4wd part time is just that, Part time. because you should only have it engaged, part of the time (when it's slippery out there)
when in part time, the front and rear drive shafts are locked together, and because they're locked together, the Jeep should only be driven on slippery surfaces when engaged.
Some Libertys have a Full-Time option, which doesn't lock the front and rear drive shafts,
this mode can be driven on dry, non slippery roads.
People on this forum will disagree whether wet roads are slippery enough for use of Part time, in my cherokee, I sometimes use part time, when raining, but others would only use it in the snow or on a gravel road.
When in Part time, if you're going straight,the requirement for slippyness is less of an issue, but if you're turning lots then it is needed.
Regards
coming from just crashing my mustang last week because it slipped on roads that iced up... i'm not too confident in driving this liberty in 2wd mode.. if there are some water on the roads (might freeze up when the temperature drops at night)... scary!
I got my Jeep with abs and side airbags. It was almost impossible to find one on any lot. I live in a large metro area and dealers never order them that way. Found one 35 miles from home. If the four dealers nearby had even one on the lot, I would have stayed close to home. Their loss.
Raining today and lady in front of me slammed on her brakes after changing her mind on turning left and the abs worked great on the wet road. I've locked up with other cars [one crash] and the loss of control is panic city.
Don't wanna know how the side bags work.
UH-OH, are you speaking from experience?
I spread more than 12 feet long of snow+ice over a cleanly ploughed road that day. Usually people have shovels, I used the LO mode... The same applies for the front fog lights. I was complaining about the depth of the recess where they are installed; in summer I find there is not enough side lighting near the front wheels: now I think they were designed for people like me. I'd prefer to have steel bumpers when going off-road or for my winter 'sports'.
By the way, the bottom + sides part of the rear bumper costs 499.58 Euros. One rear tail light sells for 218.40 Euros. This seems quite a lot more expensive than what you guys pay in the States.
http://richard.fortin.free.fr/KJ_diesel/Snow.jpg
When in 4X4, the truck tends to fishtail alot. IF I were to tap the gas pedal to straighten out of the fishtail, this vehicle spins like a top. The first time, I was going less than 20MPG, started to fishtail in 4x4, and tapped the gas to straighten out. I spun around 4 times and hit a curb. The second time, I was going 15 MPH in a grocery store parking lot and turned to go down a parking isle. Again, it spun around like a top, and almost hit a light post.
Is this level of performance standard for this model? I expected ALOT more from something that says JEEP on it. The only way I can tell if the 4 weel drive is engaged is that it goes through gas faster. Not too thrilled with this purchase.
2. Practice proper winter driving techniques. You need to realize that a short wheelbase vehicle will tend to change direction faster than a lethargic old barge like your Ram. Regardless, if you are doing 360s at 15 mph I seriously doubt that your Liberty is responsible.