Anyone have a Jeep Liberty?

[Sharon 1]

I test drove a 2006 Jeep Liberty Limited edition yesterday....WOW! I was very impressed by the guts this little SUV has!

I like that it sits high up too because I'm used to that already with my Ford van and I need it with my 5' 1" height...lol.

I've done some online research on the Liberty and in some cases it appears that there was troubles with the electronic system...anyone know much about that?

The guy is trying to cut a deal for me - as I said, it's a 2006, has 20000 miles on it, CarFax report looks good and he's even willing to give me 1000 for trade-in on my van that's taking it's last breaths....lol.

Just came here to my trusty old pals and see what you all think and might know about this particular SUV.

What say you?

Edited June 10, 2007 by Sharon

[Ban Hammer 13,635]

What say you?

had one for a rental last time i was in virginia, it sucks on gas. about 14-15 mpg.

[eric&gen 0]

I test drove one a few months ago and i hate the automatic set up its too far out for me when i have to reach for it. I like the automatic shifter closer to my side.

[homesick_american 1]

SUVs are a nuisance and a menace and they suck gasoline. With gas prices guaranteed to continue rising, it does not make financial sense to drive an SUV. JMHO.

[Flames9_RN 358]

What consumer reports had to say:

Highs: Turning circle, off-road ability.

Lows: Fuel economy, ride, access.

The Liberty is a step forward for Jeep, but doesn't break new ground for the category. Acceleration is good and braking is sound. But the ride is jittery and fuel economy is poor. Off-roading is the Liberty's strong suit. In contrast to drivers from AutoWeek magazine, who experienced a rollover with their 2WD Liberty in a slalom test, we experienced no unusual handling behavior with either our 4WD or 2WD models in any of our testing. Stability control and ABS are standard for 2006.

THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The Liberty absorbs sharp bumps well, but suffers from constant small body motions that make the ride jittery. Although wind noise on the highway is pronounced, the cabin is still quiet. The Liberty isn't very nimble, but it handles soundly in routine driving. The steering is fairly quick, and the body leans only a little in turns. A tight, 37-foot turning circle helps maneuverability in tight areas. Our Liberty proved predictable and secure in all of our emergency handling tests. The 210-hp, 3.7-liter V6 provides responsive performance, but achieved a paltry 15 mpg overall on regular fuel. The four-speed automatic shifts smoothly. The optional Selec-Trac 4WD system has a full-time mode that allows it to remain engaged indefinitely. The Liberty bounced roughly, but slogged through our off-road course and climbed our rock hill well. Braking performance was good.

INSIDE THE CABIN

The interior is a bit utilitarian. The front seats pleased most testers, but there's no seat-height adjustment, something our five-foot-tall driver missed. Rear seating is fine for two adults but tight for three. A high step-in height and narrow doors hinder access. The gauges are easily legible most of the time. The window switches, however, are hard to see and reach. Cabin storage is just adequate. Front and rear have two sturdy cup holders apiece. The cargo floor is flat and flush, but quite high off the ground. With the rear seatbacks folded, we measured cargo volume at 35 cubic feet--about average for the class. Load capacity is high at 1,150 pounds. Our Liberty's towing capacity was rated at 2,000 pounds. When equipped with optional towing equipment, the Liberty can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

SAFETY NOTES

Front air bags in the Jeep Liberty deploy at different levels depending on crash severity and whether or not front occupant's belts are buckled. Curtain-type air bags that extend from the headliner to protect the heads of both front and rear occupants are optional. Three-point belts protect all passengers. Front belts have adjustable anchors as well as pretensioners and force limiters, to reduce belt slack and forces in the event of a crash. Weight sensors in the front passenger seat disable front air bags if they detect that a child is seated there. Integral head restraints in the front seats, and adjustable locking restraints in the rear outboard seats are all tall enough to limit rearward head travel, even if lowered. The rear center seat lacks a head restraint. Driving with kids: Most child seats should be secure in the passenger positions. Rear-facing infant seats may require some padding at the base to maintain the proper recline angle. There are tether anchor points for each of the rear seats on the seatbacks and LATCH anchors are installed in the rear outboard positions. Spacing of the inner LATCH anchors allow for use of the rear center seat, or separate use in the rear outboard seats.

RELIABILITY

We expect reliability to be average, according to our latest subscriber survey.

Back in 2004 I test drove one. I thought it was a very nice smal SUV, BUT I hated the seats!! So uncomfortable, there was no way I would even consider buying one,lol Plus now with the cost of gas, ouch!!!

and Personal reviews: http://www.epinions.com/2006_Jeep_Liberty/display_~reviews

Cheers

Scott

[flutter95 4]

I don't own them, but have borrowed my friends before.

I have to agree wtih homesickamerican, I am all for cutting gas costs, so in my opinion I wouldn't buy one.

[pedroh 21]

suv's = mucho gas..

[KEN's ROSE 0]

get a Jeep Patriot, it has a 2.5 engine as opposed to the 3.7 in the liberty. even if I had tons of money I'd get the Compass or partiot.

[Sharon 1]

What say you?

had one for a rental last time i was in virginia, it sucks on gas. about 14-15 mpg.

Yeah I figured that out, seemed to be a thorn in many people's side when I researched it online... I wouldn't be putting that much mileage on it tho just to get to work (which is 2 miles away) and to get my daughter to and from functions and use it around the farm. My 1994 Ford Aerostar that I've been driving for the past two years is a 6 cyc. with 4WD too and has only gotten 16 - 18 mph so I'm accustomed to it...

I test drove one a few months ago and i hate the automatic set up its too far out for me when i have to reach for it. I like the automatic shifter closer to my side.

You must be fairly tall...lol...it was just fine for me, course I have to bring the seat all the way forward to reach the pedals....lol.

[Sharon 1]

SUVs are a nuisance and a menace and they suck gasoline. With gas prices guaranteed to continue rising, it does not make financial sense to drive an SUV. JMHO.

A nuisance and a menace?

LOL I live on a farm smack dab in the middle of the Blue Ridge mountains, everyone here uses one because they simply need the power an SUV offers. You have no idea of the grade of some of the roads here!

As I said to Charles, I wouldn't be putting a lot of mileage on it anyway but I can sure use the power when I have to go places around here.

[Sharon 1]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I knew I could count on you.

Turns out we decided to keep looking a little longer, anyway. Wish me luck, I don't think my old van can hold on much longer...lol.

Feel free to make suggestions on what might be a good vehicle to use in the mountains and on a farm.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Sharon, I have heard that Jeep products have a higher-than-average defect rate.

[homesick_american 1]

SUVs are a nuisance and a menace and they suck gasoline. With gas prices guaranteed to continue rising, it does not make financial sense to drive an SUV. JMHO.

A nuisance and a menace?

LOL I live on a farm smack dab in the middle of the Blue Ridge mountains, everyone here uses one because they simply need the power an SUV offers. You have no idea of the grade of some of the roads here!

As I said to Charles, I wouldn't be putting a lot of mileage on it anyway but I can sure use the power when I have to go places around here.

Few if any people actually NEED an SUV. I can understand the need for 4 wheel drive, but there are cars that come with that feature and many SUVs are so unstable with a high center of gravity that unless you are driving over boulders, you do not need that much space between the ground and the chassis. .

If it were up to me the damned things would be pretty much illegal. If you MUST buy an SUV, do all of us (including yourself) a favor and at least get a hybrid one. They get much better mileage.

[Sharon 1]

LOL Are you a non-smoker, too?

I live on a farm, dear. I need something that is also going to carry 10 - 15 bags of 50 lb. feed, a salt block or two and a 250 lb. bucket of molasses every week in the fall/winter. Don't bother mentioning a pick-up cuz I don't like them.

I need something that is going to both make me happy and be functional on the farm.

I also need something that's within my budget, so a hybrid is out at this time.

To be honest, my Ford Aerostar I've been driving for the past 2 years is even higher up than the Jeep I test-drove, and I've never had a problem. If you drive at excessive speeds, the risk of roll-over is higher but I don't speed. Ever. I'm too chicken-sh!t.

Cool your ram-jets....lol...I've said we decided to wait a bit longer and look around some more anyway.

[Bootylicious!! 2]

It might be better you decided to look around some more. My mom has leased a Jeep Liberty and she hates it. It's a good little car to get around in but the transmission sucks. It never seems to want to stay in the gear it needs to be in. You might be able to remedy that situation if you bought a stick but I'm guessing you don't want a stick. She actually gets pretty good gas mileage with hers. It's not much worse than my Jetta. She's just glad she leased it instead of buying it because when her lease is up in a year she's turning it back in.