JD Power Ratings... :(

Ukraine Train · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:08 am

I've been looking to get a Liberty for a while now and noticed that JD Power gives the Liberty a below average overall rating. Do you guys feel that's an accurate representation of your experience with the Liberty? I really like these but I don't want to get stuck with a rattle trap. My '01 Cherokee is great mechanically but it does have some stupid issues like door locks sticking, rear wiper broke, door hinges starting to sag, etc. Not sure if the Liberty is just a continuation of that in a different body.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:14 am

J.D.Powers is crap, I have had 3 Cherokees which I drove up into the 250,000 range, will take a Liberty any day, better ride, handeling, overall performance, towing, off road, stronger uni body etc. Stop reading crappy reports from places like that :wink:

corwyyn · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:36 am

I wouldn't have a problem trading in for a Liberty (oh wait that's exactly what I did

). IMO JD Power is overrated - they seem to skew their findings and aren't as unbiased as they would like folks to think. But again that's just my opinion...

Maximum Carnage · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:00 pm

I don’t really care too much about rating, you are at the right place; L.O.S.T. read around the forum and you will find out a lot of us are happy with our Liberty. Sure we’d like to change a few things on it but nothing that would probably discourage anyone from buying one. It also depends on what you want it for.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:06 pm

I am sure they compared the Liberty with those car-based SUV wanna-be's like the Rav4, Outback, Pilot, Highlander, etc.

The Liberty has quirks but so do all vehicles.

One common quirk that seems to be much more common in newer model KJ's are the window regulators. `05 and newer are having more failures than the older models `02-04.

Also keep in mind that you are going from solid axle to IFS.

The KJ rides great on the road and can kick butt off, just don't expect to be modifiable to the level of Wranglers.

I suggest that you go test drive one and find out for yourself.

jeepmedic · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:12 pm

I have had no problems with any JEEP product, let alone the liberty. My CJ is 26 years old and still runs great with the original engine..

My only gripe is the gas mileage, but when the Libby weighs over 5000 lbs and has a lift and larger tires, who cares? It drives great, has typical crappy Jeep steering, and is AWESOME off road. It tows a trailer good too!

If I wanted good gas mileage I would buy a hybrid :lol:

Safety wise, the Libby is awesome ! I work as a paramedic and have seen 2 Libbys involved in dramatic rollovers (multiple) in the last year. Both times the passengers opened the doors and walked out, with no injuries. Makes me feel very safe driving mine.

Wouldn't give it up for anything...ok maby a 4 door Rubi... :twisted:

adamkrz · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 3:01 pm

My 04 Libby has been the Best Vehicle I've owned since my 71 Nova ss.

Ukraine Train · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:34 pm

Alright, well you guys have me convinced

Hopefully tonight I'll check out an '05 Limited with 67k on it. They're asking $8500. Decent deal? It has new Kumhos on it and it looks pretty clean. All it's missing is the tow package.

Ukraine Train · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:21 pm

Sounds like they don't want to budge on the price, even though it was going to auction today until I called. It does include a 3mo 4500mi third party warranty, though. I'll check it out I guess.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:36 pm

Looks like a very nice Liberty.

8500 is a little on the high side, but value can depend on location, options and features. Is that one fully loaded?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:38 pm

Personally I think you could find a better deal given the current economy.

Thats a decent deal but you should be able to find one with less miles.

Ukraine Train · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:57 pm

I don't think it has too many options, other than being a Limited. It has ABS, not sure if that was standard on Limiteds or not, and the chrome wheels. No upgraded stereo or EVIC, leather, moon roof, etc.

Here's the ad:
http://www.hofmotors.com/temps/details. ... kid=373746

I'm taking off now to look at it. I'll try to beat 'em up on it.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 6:07 pm

Doesn't appear that it really has that much, also have to look at how you are going to use it, I could see the chrome wheels sitting in the garage soon :roll:

Depends on what you are looking for. Seems to be better prices out there or at least over here in Toledo
Look at what options you want/ what you want to do with yours, do you want to fool around with ABS, trailer tow package, skid plates etc , shop around , oh and they will always say get in here quick this ones going to the auction soon, make a deal today before you think about it too long :lol:

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:57 pm

I'd pay that much for a fully loaded KJ but not one without many options.

Fully decked out would include:
Heated Seats
Leather
Infinity Stereo
Sun Roof
Select Trac Transfer Case
Sentry Key / Alarm
ABS
Towing Package

Ukraine Train · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:49 pm

So I checked it out. It's in pretty nice shape cosmetically but had a somewhat rough idle and while driving there was a noticeable low frequency hum which sounded like it came from the rear at 20-25mph while accelerating or decelerating. Any idea what that could be? It sat for a really long time, like only 800mi put on it in almost two years while it's bounced from dealer to dealer. So maybe it's something caused by that? There wasn't much for options on it. They settled on $8400 and three month unlimited mile warranty. Tomorrow morning they're going to take it to their mechanic to diagnose the hum and will let me know.

Ukraine Train · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:15 pm

Looking around autotrader some more, I'm not really seeing drastically better deals. The ones with less miles and for less money are for stripped down Sports with steel wheels and they're a couple hours away. Maybe I should just wait and see if something better comes up.

cluelessklewer · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:11 pm

I would wait. If you really want that one I would have YOUR mechanic check out the noise. They are going to try to get out of that vehicle as cheaply as possible.

Guest · **Posted:** Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:01 am

I don't know about you guys, but an '05 KJ Sport with that kind of mileage usually goes for around 12 in my area, about 14 for a Limited.

There is probably something wrong with it. Like...ooh...a rear axle!

jeepmedic · **Posted:** Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:40 am

I would personally wait for a better deal. Prices are still a little cheaper by me...The rough idle would scare me off when buying a "new" vehicle. There are plenty of VERY clean Libbys out there, and you could probably find a newer, nicer package, and cheaper $$$.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:32 am

Well how rough is the idle?

The 3.7L engine isn't the smoothest machine at idle to begin with...

It could be as simple as bad plugs. Especially if you consider the mileage at 67K. That's 7K miles past the recommended change interval of 30K for each set of plugs.

I'm very partial to the Silver Liberty's. But the decision will be up to you.

JD Power Ratings... :(

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