Motor Trend.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:07 pm

Does anyone get The Motor Trend mag? I just got the April issue and they did a test between the 06 libby, 07 FJ, 06 H3, and the 06 Xterra. When I saw the line up I knew it wasnt going to be good for the poor little libby. They showed them all lined up and I felt sorry for the libby. They said it was cute, too old?, and not macho enough to contend with this group. They gave it 4th out of all of them. They tested how they did in snow, on the trails, and on-road. I would really like to know what jeep was thinking when they gave the libby 6.5in of grounf clearance?!?! The 02 libby was perfect with its 7.5in, why did they screw it up? I know I've got a lift now and just ordered a locker, but jeep really screwed up on the libby I think. It needed to have about 2in more wheelbase and be 2in wider so they could of made it higher and it not flip. Dont get me wrong though, I love my libby and its size and would just die if anything ever happened to it, its the only best friend I have. Its perfect for mild trails with a small lift and wheels, but stock its just sad. I wish anything I had enough money for tires, It would be the perfect off roader then.

I'll stop ranting.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:12 pm

Someone cheer me up. :cry:

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:53 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Someone cheer me up. :cry:

there there. At least we have a healthy number of available mods (lifts, lockers, etc). A lot of other cute-utes don't have anything available for them.

fish eye · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 4:16 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Someone cheer me up. :cry:

Atleast you don't own a Compass!! haha, I had to say it!!

I like the Liberty, and I could care less that it came stock with 6.5" ground clearance. That's more than most people need. They have to appease the masses, and my friend, that certainly is not us.

But that's fine with me, because I get to lift mine, throw on wheel spacers, some bigger meats, and it looks like a totally different jeep!!

waddy whiteguts · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 4:53 pm

The only vehicle in that lineup that I would maybe take over the Liberty would be the Toyota, maybe. Then again the Toy probably costs twice as much as a Liberty so Liberty for me.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:19 pm

I like my wheelbase where it is. I realize an extra two inches ain't much but...

Wheelbase and a compact vehicle are what keep me wheeling better then my buddy's 4 inch lifted suburban with a locker... The longer the wheelbase, the less breakover angle...I don't like getting high centered.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Someone cheer me up. :cry:

Lift it, Lock it up, put some skids on it, new meats and it will probably walk around all three of those vehicles. Most people (including myself) are absolutely SHOCKED on what a KJ will do with a few mods. Jeeps are built not bought. Building, planning, saving and the anticipation is half the fun. Not only do you learn how vehicles work, but you learn particularly how your Jeep works. This allows you to handle a trail repair easier and not get fleeced by the dealer for a blown blinker gasket. You don't need to wheel that long to see someone one with a brand new truck broken on the trail with no idea what to do because road side assistance doesnt come out there.

I love having a KJ and getting funny looks on the trail. I love comments such as "So you had to get pulled up, right?" and the dumbfound look on their face when you say No.

Remember there is always something or someone better off or worst. Leave comparisons along the wayside and just be happy with what you have. That applies to a lot more than just Truck and Jeeps.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 7:05 pm

Eddo wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Someone cheer me up. :cry:

Lift it, Lock it up, put some skids on it, new meats and it will probably walk around all three of those vehicles. Most people (including myself) are absolutely SHOCKED on what a KJ will do with a few mods. Jeeps are built not bought. Building, planning, saving and the anticipation is half the fun. Not only do you learn how vehicles work, but you learn particularly how your Jeep works. This allows you to handle a trail repair easier and not get fleeced by the dealer for a blown blinker gasket. You don't need to wheel that long to see someone one with a brand new truck broken on the trail with no idea what to do because road side assistance doesnt come out there.

I love having a KJ and getting funny looks on the trail. I love comments such as "So you had to get pulled up, right?" and the dumbfound look on their face when you say No.

Remember there is always something or someone better off or worst. Leave comparisons along the wayside and just be happy with what you have. That applies to a lot more than just Truck and Jeeps.

Gosh eddo, youre a wise person. You always know just what to say! I've always been bad to compare, with age I seem to be getting better though.

Ohh, the locker is on the way!! Only a few skids left then I'm saving up for tires! I've got some jobs lined up detailing cars this week and hope to get over $200, if it doesnt rain.

Ohh, and starting price range for all of them is in the same ballpark.

The hummer is the most expensive.
Starting prices:
Hummer:29500
Libby renny:25100
xterra:27755
FJ:23905

The hummer goes up fast with options. Around 38k I think.

Kugellager · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 7:39 pm

Here's something else to think about. I got my Liberty Sport for just over 19K with the idea of putting the best I can afford mods on it. Once I am done putting the wheels/tires and ARB locker...even with the cost of the Franklift, Rock Rails and Light/antenna bar my Liberty will still have cost me under 24k...and be significantly more capable than any of those rigs...in addition to the Jeep Rubicon which now lists in the 28k + range.

It is annoying about the lack of respect we get...but we all know better

.

John
];')

bennybmn · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:01 pm

The car mags are famous for comparing apples to oranges. I know lots of us see the Xterra and H3 as competition, but in reality, I think a lot of people who DON'T intend to go wheeling shop the KJ against the Rav4, CRV, Tribute/Escape, etc. The KJ would be the ONLY one with low range, solid rear, etc. Stats and comparisons are only as good as the folks who compile them!! I love the mags because there is lots of good info, but take it with a grain of salt and take it in context ya know? Also, almost ALL mags, etc, will consider smaller size to be negative points. I don't!! I'll take smaller/manuverable over the big guys any day!!

PitViper · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:17 pm

Compare the price and features and you will fine the libby does pretty good for the price.

I'm not just talking about MSRP either... I'm talking about the real price you pay after discounts on both sides. Jeep tends to offer better rebates then say a hummer. I doubt you can get a hummer for the 22k I payed for my renny.

Taz · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:24 pm

The car mags will always have an opinion and someone will disagree with them. I say let the consumers decide, if history is any indication, the KJ will rule. Besides the KJ has something that the others do not offer, the CRD.

chemguy · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:49 pm

Quote:

I would really like to know what jeep was thinking when they gave the libby 6.5in of grounf clearance?!?! The 02 libby was perfect with its 7.5in, why did they screw it up?

They did because car magazines like Motor Trend decided it was a rioll over risk after a flawed test. Jeep caved and sacrafied themselves on the alter.

kickit_in4wheel · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:57 pm

If it has ground clearance it's a rollover risk.
If it has power, it has poor fuel economy.
If it has cargo and passenger space, it's either a rollover risk, bloated, underpowered, or too difficult to maneuver.
If it is manueverable, it is too small to be practical and does not have enough room for any cargo.
If it is affordable, it doesn't offer enough creature comforts, has a lakluster interior, or sub-par performance.
If it has cool hardware, luxury features, and a well appointed interior, it's too pricey.

Funny how car mags makes SUVs always sound like such a sacrifice or burden, and yet people simply won't stop buying them.

No offense to the Xterra guys, but I'd say we're pretty close in terms of capabilities. They have us beat in ground clearance, right? But don't we have a better crawl ratio and transfer case? I think we could do anything they can, and probably more stock.

Rick

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:10 pm

As for the lowering, it was pushed by a pettition that was headed up by the Sierra Club and Green Peace, although they put their names at the bottom of the list once they got the safety companies on their list... It was purely political in my mind... Mine is a prelowered, and honestly I drove it like I stole it when it was stock, and she was less tippy than the 92 Caravan she replaced!!!

Now as for respect, You guys should heard what the XJ guys were saying about our group on Eagle Rock last weekend!!! Especially when they found out that an XJ was the slow down, not us!!!! :wink:

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:29 pm

Also, you do not want a wider KJ. Many trails would not be passable here in Colorado with a wide hulking vehicle. Especially when your tires are riding the edge of a 1,000 to 2,000 ft drop.

Ripple · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 7:47 am

Quote:

The car mags will always have an opinion and someone will disagree with them. I say let the consumers decide, if history is any indication, the KJ will rule. Besides the KJ has something that the others do not offer, the CRD.

consumer reports (another GREAT!!!!!!! accurate, unbiased source of info) says that the CRD is of the the most disappointing car models made for 2006. yet the regular liberty is a best buy???? atleast they said their CRD milage was 18 overall. apparently, it picked up 7 mpg since their last story about it.

good stuff in this topic, thanks!

matthiesen · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 12:17 pm

Prediction.....2012...JP mags "best and cheapest used 4wd for the young beginning off road enthusiast";any Jeep Liberty.

bennybmn · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 9:39 pm

I just got my Car n Driver and they have the exact same comparison, except the use a GRAND cherokee instead of a KJ... and they have the Xterra tops. It's all in who compares it, and where they take it...

Taz · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 11:10 pm

Ripple wrote:

Quote:

The car mags will always have an opinion and someone will disagree with them. I say let the consumers decide, if history is any indication, the KJ will rule. Besides the KJ has something that the others do not offer, the CRD.

consumer reports (another GREAT!!!!!!! accurate, unbiased source of info) says that the CRD is of the the most disappointing car models made for 2006. yet the regular liberty is a best buy???? atleast they said their CRD milage was 18 overall. apparently, it picked up 7 mpg since their last story about it.

good stuff in this topic, thanks!

Not consumers reports, CONSUMERS, Buyers, You and Me, the people who speak with their wallets not their keyboards.

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