Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => General Talk => Topic started by: blaker on August 07, 2009, 02:02:19 PM

Title: Liberty for a daily driver?
Post by: blaker on August 07, 2009, 02:02:19 PM: I'm looking at maybe buying a used Jeep Liberty for a daily driver. I've already got a CJ7 for the trails, so the liberty would stay pretty much stock. Any off-roading would just be to get out camping, so nothing too serious. How are the older Liberty's? There seems to be quite a few for sale, and the prices aren't too bad. Is there anything to look out for, or anything I should definitely avoid? Should I try and stick with something with low miles?

Any feedback or suggestions would be great. Thanks!
Title: Re: Liberty for a daily driver?
Post by: FiEND on August 07, 2009, 02:56:01 PM: they are fantastic, but not the easiest on fuel

you need to test drive one because they can be very comfortable for certain people and the opposite for others.

the rears are 8.25 and fronts are IFS D30.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_four_wheel_drive_systems <-- read about command-trac and selec-trac

we got a '05 renegade w/ selec-trac and it's quite nice. look for a renegade if you can as they have all the skid plates / offroad package included and it's hard to find a selec-trac in the sport models, not sure about unlimited models.

the gear ratio is 3.73 i believe so good torque and we hit the rev limiter at 140km on the highway.

we've never had a complaint about it.
Title: Re: Liberty for a daily driver?
Post by: blaker on August 07, 2009, 03:29:03 PM: Thanks! That's good to know about the Renegade. I kind of figured about the fuel mileage, but could live with that. I would imagine I should definitely stick with the V6?
Title: Re: Liberty for a daily driver?
Post by: FiEND on August 07, 2009, 03:46:41 PM: renegade didn't come in a diesel. 4 cyl didn't come in a auto so we were stuck. 6cyl auto.. don't think the 6 came stick either. very limited for options. v6 is nice but heard great things about the diesel as well. if you want auto, pretty much stuck with the v6
Title: Re: Liberty for a daily driver?
Post by: dunl on August 07, 2009, 07:07:00 PM: Got my wife one for a birthday present and she loves it. MIGHT trade it in on a four door, but it'd have to be a really good deal.

Quite fun to drive. :)
Title: Re: Liberty for a daily driver?
Post by: specialk on August 10, 2009, 12:38:54 PM: We still have an 02. Love it. My only issue was the starter this spring.
Title: Re: Liberty for a daily driver?
Post by: RedDog on August 12, 2009, 04:36:28 AM: There are two at the office, a Renegade and a Limited. Neither have ever been off pavement. Both owners love them. The Renegade owner used to have a TJ, which terrified her to drive, especially in the winter. In the current case both are viewed and used essentially as station wagons.
Title: Re: Liberty for a daily driver?
Post by: FiEND on August 12, 2009, 08:29:01 AM: yep, they work well as station wagons too... not quite as good as cherokees but close :D
Title: Re: Liberty for a daily driver?
Post by: 01sahara on August 12, 2009, 08:51:37 AM: Quote from: FiEND on August 12, 2009, 08:29:01 AM
yep, they work well as station wagons too... not quite as good as cherokees but close :D

I have the new style 2008 as a DD and its great.
Title: Re: Liberty for a daily driver?
Post by: blaker on August 12, 2009, 01:54:37 PM: Thanks for all the info. I'm really glad to hear there haven't been any catastrophic failures or anything like that. I guess it's about time to start test driving.