Yeah, I know your a cynic. But if I had that kind of cash to drop I'd get one in a second. I don't really use the off road capabilities of the Liberty, so something thats more comfortable than the Liberty on long trips, nearly as fuel efficient, and with a nicer feature set is definatly attractive. Dosen't hurt that the engine is quieter and had what seemed to me to be smoother performance.

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2006 Jeep Liberty Sport CRD

Not really a cynic - I had no strong feelings one way or another toward the GC before visiting the dealer last weekend and actually seeing one, other than the price seemed excessive for a Jeep, but I hadn't made a judgment on that either - if the vehicle and the drivetrain setup had been of a quality (to my eye) to warrant such a price, I would have admitted as much.

But the overall experience at the dealership left me with the impression that even the staff and salespeople there felt these vehicles weren't worth the trouble. I spent a good 45 minutes going over the GC CRD that was sitting in the middle of a busy showroom at one of the largest CJD dealers in the Charlotte metro area, in full view of the sales staff, and dressed in a manner that should have told them I was well off and could easily afford the asking price.

Not even one person approached me to ask if I was interested in purchasing a GC CRD, or even ask if I needed help or more info. A couple of times, out of the corner of my eye, I caught some of the sales staff looking over my way, watching me check out the vehicle. After a minute or so, they'd just shake their head and go on about their business.

It's as if they just don't want to be bothered with these beasts, and unless someone asks them specifically about buying one, they're not even going to put in the effort trying to sell the 3 they have. Seems to be a case of once bitten twice shy - after the experience of the KJ CRD, they view the GC CRD as just another problem child waiting to happen, warranty service and recall headaches galore, and they want no part of it.

They had stickers in the windshields offering $8000 off the asking price, and still weren't putting any effort in toward selling them.

Granted, I was looking at the beast more with the eye of the mechanic that's going to have to keep it running. From that standpoint, my perceived shortcomings with the engine and drivetrain setup would keep me from buying one even at a much lower price. But even setting that aside, the seeming attitude on the part of the delaership that they were actually going out of their way to AVOID having to sell one of these beasts and being stuck with the warranty work on it spoke volumes.

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Mitchell Oates
'87 MB 300D Diamond Blue Metallic
'87 MB 300D - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Sport CRD Stone White
Provent CCV Filter/AT2525 Muffler
Stanadyne 30 u/Cat 2 u Fuel Filters
Fumoto Drain/Fleetguard LF3487 Oil filter
V6 Airbox/Amsoil EAA Air Filter
Suncoast TC/Shift Kit/Aux Cooler
Kennedy Lift Pump/Return Fuel Cooler

I am not accusing you of being biased, I am just pointing out that people who have had problems with their KJ are most likely to be skeptical when looking at a new CRD from Jeep. Thats just human nature, and its part of what helps us not repeat our mistakes. On the flip side, I've had zero issues with mine, and aside from finding the dealers to be inadequate, have loved my Liberty. So there is somewhat of an equal bias in the other direction from someone like me who has used it and loved it.


I would not suggest using the sales staff as your measuring stick. It has already been demonstrated that most people don't get diesel. That includes sales people as much as anyone else. I had nearly the opposite experience, I asked about the GC and immediatly was asked if I was interested in diesels(before I could even bring it up!). They were eager to start one up and let me hear it, and the lot had a ton of them(they ordered as many as they could as they feared it would be a limited run). That said, I live in Seattle, and diesel is increasingly being seen as 'green' here, which is making diese vehicles hot items.


First off, as I've had access through my gf's father I can verify that the diesel CRD has been Jeep's most reliable vehicle of the past decade. To those who have had problems here that may seem unlikely, but our perspective is skewed by our personal experiences in life, and we tend to assume that others have the same difficulties we ourselves do. Remember, the overwhelming majority of CRD owners have never had a problem, although there are obviously a minority that have had nothing but problems. This is true of any product that has sold thousands of units.

BTW, warantee work does NOT scare dealerships, if the problem turns out to be in the vehicle they willl be compensated by Chrysler for the job. Dealerships don't mind warantee work at all typically, and one that is resistant is one that has a poorly run service department and is trying to avoid that aspect of their business.


Good information, that almost puts it into my price range! Something to keep in mind should I be able to upgrade at some point...


As I said, warranty work isn't an issue for a decent dealership. They get paid for it. But its good to know I can find discounts like that which would make it worth going to another state for it...

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2006 Jeep Liberty Sport CRD

If i Had 42,000 to spend I would have bought a AWD 300C, they were at the time EPA rated at 26 with the Hemi. When I was buying it was going to be that or the Liberty needless to say my budget could only afford the Libberty.


K

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'06 Midnight Blue CRD Sport
Born 5-06
Mopar Skids and Tow Hooks
Deer Killer Mod

Wow! A whole 45 minutes looking at it and you pronounce it a pile. Call Consumer Reports for a job. You should fit right in with their diesel fan base.



This is exactly the kind of "in depth" reporting they are looking for.

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2005 sport crd-SOLD No regrets

If I had 42,000 and wanted a luxo-SUV with a Benz motor-- I would save 3,000 more and just buy a real Benz:

http://www.mbusa.com/models/main.do?modelCode=ML320CDI

Same motor, 4-matic offroad with Range Rover style suspension adjustments and a real interior. Plus the techs might actually be able to fix the d4mn thing when it breaks. The Jeep techs don't stand a chance at fixing any CRD issues.

Can I list you as a reference on my job application?

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Mitchell Oates
'87 MB 300D Diamond Blue Metallic
'87 MB 300D - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Sport CRD Stone White
Provent CCV Filter/AT2525 Muffler
Stanadyne 30 u/Cat 2 u Fuel Filters
Fumoto Drain/Fleetguard LF3487 Oil filter
V6 Airbox/Amsoil EAA Air Filter
Suncoast TC/Shift Kit/Aux Cooler
Kennedy Lift Pump/Return Fuel Cooler

I have no problem with any mechanic rendering thier opinion, and retmil's is just as valid as any other mechanic's. But when I make purchasing decisions, I do so based on reliability if a given model vs. the equivilent vehicles in the given market(assuming similiar capabilities). Jeeps only really compete against Land Rovers in that regard(some would say Toyota Land Cruisers as well), and Land Rovers are 2-3 times more expensive than Jeeps and have nearly three times the number of defects per hundred vehicles according to JD Power's annual surveys. I'd say that in general, Jeep is doing pretty good.

Furthermore, my own investigation has determined that the CRD Jeep actually has a really good service record, yes some have been lemons, but I"m fairly certain that 3% of them has probably accounted for at least 50% of the problems(as is typical with most products). Given a production run of at least 11,000 that still leaves a lot of unhappy owners, and given that thsi is a online forum that helps people with problems, we are more likely to meet those owners here than we would by just hanging around any old place.

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2006 Jeep Liberty Sport CRD