Long commute vehicle?

bigcanoe · **Joined:** Mon Oct 31, 2005 5:33 pm **Posts:** 96

Hi guys,

I have had my eye on a CRD for a while now. It looks like I might be moving farther away from my job, out more into the country. It would mean a 35 mile commute each way, mostly down a straight shot interstate, but some through town. I was wondering how you think the CRD will perform on a commute like that, I am hoping not to bankrupt myself in fuel costs! Oh, and I know I could get a Civic Hybrid, but I want a Jeep

Thanks,
BC

omniphil · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 11:39 am

bigcanoe wrote:

Hi guys,

I have had my eye on a CRD for a while now. It looks like I might be moving farther away from my job, out more into the country. It would mean a 35 mile commute each way, mostly down a straight shot interstate, but some through town. I was wondering how you think the CRD will perform on a commute like that, I am hoping not to bankrupt myself in fuel costs! Oh, and I know I could get a Civic Hybrid, but I want a Jeep

Thanks,
BC

Thats actually one of the best reasons to get a CRD, Driving lots of miles...
If you can keep the cruise set at 65mph, your gas mileage should be pretty close and even better than some cars... Probably up in the high 20's

dog_party · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 11:58 am

Get it Bigcanoe! It's a great truck and WONDERFUL for commuting. I drive about 20 miles each way each day and sometimes wish I could drive a little further.

vtdog · **Joined:** Fri Sep 30, 2005 11:27 am **Posts:** 640

I use mine on a daily 100 mi round trip with 90% on hiway. 20k miles, one trip for warranty repair, great mileage for a suv, but if mpg is your thing, get a jetta diesel

retmil46 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 1:00 pm

vtdog wrote:

I use mine on a daily 100 mi round trip with 90% on hiway. 20k miles, one trip for warranty repair, great mileage for a suv, but if mpg is your thing, get a jetta diesel

Have to agree there, if fuel economy is paramount, a VW TDI diesel will easily get twice the mileage, with a lower price tag as well.

But, if it comes down to the only two choices being the CRD and the Civic Hybrid, for long distance high speed commuting I'd vote for the CRD.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:34 pm

If you must have a 4x4 vehicle, then the Jeep CRD is the perfect commuter. Diesels are known for lasting forever. Plus the mileage is better than any gasoline competitor. The Jeep KJ has awesome visibility, sharp turning radius, 4-wheel disc brakes, etc. It is a vehicle that is truly a pleasure to drive and handle on the road. You simply cannot go wrong with a Jeep CRD.

The ONE drawback to a Jeep CRD for LONG commutes in my opinion is leg room. The seats are horrible and the space from the knees down is even more horrible. After being on the road for a while, my knees, legs, hips, feet, etc. are starting to get really worn out. And I'm a young guy. Granted I'm over 6' tall. But that's the only thing that keeps the CRD from being the perfect commuter.

Performance-wise...yes the CRD is awesome. Give me some additional leg room and more comfortable seats and it would be the perfect vehicle in my opinion.

bigcanoe · **Joined:** Mon Oct 31, 2005 5:33 pm **Posts:** 96

I am thinking CRD for a few reasons:

1) Large dealer network, easier to find a shop
2) Large aftermarket support
3) Excellent towing (for my camper, otherwise the mini van has to struggle with it)
4) Jeep heritage, just like the concept of the American brand
5) Bio diesel, I bet the VWs can use it to though
6) 4x4, I would love to do some light (to begin with at least) off road stuff, plus I will be living on a gravel road.

valkraider · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 7:08 pm

LibertyCRD wrote:

The seats are horrible and the space from the knees down is even more horrible. After being on the road for a while, my knees, legs, hips, feet, etc. are starting to get really worn out. And I'm a young guy. Granted I'm over 6' tall. But that's the only thing that keeps the CRD from being the perfect commuter.

It is worth noting that the seats in the Limted are more comfy than those in the Sport.

The CRD is like a Chihuaha, a small dog that thinks it is bigger than it really is.

It's like a Genie "Phenominal Cosmic Power! Itty Bitty living space."

omniphil · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 8:02 pm

valkraider wrote:

LibertyCRD wrote:

The seats are horrible and the space from the knees down is even more horrible. After being on the road for a while, my knees, legs, hips, feet, etc. are starting to get really worn out. And I'm a young guy. Granted I'm over 6' tall. But that's the only thing that keeps the CRD from being the perfect commuter.

It is worth noting that the seats in the Limted are more comfy than those in the Sport.

The CRD is like a Chihuaha, a small dog that thinks it is bigger than it really is.

It's like a Genie "Phenominal Cosmic Power! Itty Bitty living space."

Are those seats only available in leather? Wonder if we can get some from a wrecked limited or something....

KJMedic · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 10:05 pm

I drive 60 miles one-way to work. Love the Liberty CRD. I am 6'2" and driving to work I just slide the seat back and listen to Shine and Riggens on the NFL network radio and enjoy the ride.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 10:47 pm

Did a road trip of total 220 miles this past Saturday and averaged 30 mpg for the trip.

omniphil · **Posted:** Tue Mar 07, 2006 11:16 pm

oldnavy wrote:

Did a road trip of total 220 miles this past Saturday and averaged 30 mpg for the trip.

How many miles are on your CRD?

What was the temp outside roughly during your trip? oh and what speed were you averaging?

retmil46 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:10 am

bigcanoe wrote:

I am thinking CRD for a few reasons:

1) Large dealer network, easier to find a shop
2) Large aftermarket support
3) Excellent towing (for my camper, otherwise the mini van has to struggle with it)
4) Jeep heritage, just like the concept of the American brand
5) Bio diesel, I bet the VWs can use it to though
6) 4x4, I would love to do some light (to begin with at least) off road stuff, plus I will be living on a gravel road.

Reasons 3, 5, and 6 say CRD. If you've got a camper light enough to be towed behind a mini van, the CRD won't even breathe hard pulling it.

Reason 7, that diesel will have a higher resale value than a hybrid, solely due to the fact anyone buying a used hybrid will have to look at eventually replacing the battery pack. I've seen guys almost get into a fist fight trying to buy a beat up Dodge Cummins at auction, even though the truck had over 200K miles and the body was beat to crap, they wanted the engine!

Reason 8, with a couple exceptions, hybrids are designed to get their best fuel mileage in stop and go city driving. I'd bet that the CRD could come within spitting distance of what that Civic hybrid would actually get on the interstate.

Taz · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 7:42 am

I drive 30 minutes a day on county roads, The CRD has been an excellent vehicle for the commute. I have the Limited and the seats are OK, not great, OK. I agree with the foot area comments, its a bit cramped, but I got used to it pretty fast and it only bothered me when I first started driving it.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:01 am

omniphil wrote:

oldnavy wrote:

Did a road trip of total 220 miles this past Saturday and averaged 30 mpg for the trip.

How many miles are on your CRD?

What was the temp outside roughly during your trip? oh and what speed were you averaging?

6000 miles.

55*F

About 50/50 65 to 75 mph.

I run 50 Cetane B10 fuel.

One large adult male (me), small female (wife) and our 1 year old grandson.

Only mod is Flowmaster 40 muffler.

Tires are nitrogen filled to 40 PSI.

KJbob · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:37 am

I drive my CRD 55 miles each way to work...which equates to about 33,000 miles per year. I currently have 4,700 miles on mine and have owned it less than two months. I traded a VW jetta TDI for my CRD and have very few regrets. My TDI got much better mileage but the CRD is a larger vehicle. I can tow my camper again, alot more room for summer vacations, much better in bad weather, plus I just plain love Jeeps.

If it's all about the mileage, then you can find other vehicles that get better mileage. For me, mileage is only part of the equation; there's alot more to it.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:58 pm

KJbob wrote:

I drive my CRD 55 miles each way to work...which equates to about 33,000 miles per year. I currently have 4,700 miles on mine and have owned it less than two months. I traded a VW jetta TDI for my CRD and have very few regrets. My TDI got much better mileage but the CRD is a larger vehicle. I can tow my camper again, alot more room for summer vacations, much better in bad weather, plus I just plain love Jeeps.

If it's all about the mileage, then you can find other vehicles that get better mileage. For me, mileage is only part of the equation; there's alot more to it.

That's a fact for sure, you really hit the nail on the head.

vwbill · **Joined:** Wed Dec 28, 2005 6:13 pm **Posts:** 17

I agree as well my commute is 51 miles one way, from dirt road to interstate. Tow VWs on trailer occasionally, most cars and vans will not tow much. Plus no emission check to deal with, yet.
William

Endurance · **Posted:** Thu Mar 09, 2006 12:30 am

I would be a little careful with the gasmileage other users seem to get. In my CRD I am getting 20 mpg on Highway right now, my moms gasser got 21 mpg driving the exactly same trip at same speed. We'll see how my gasmileage develops, I only drove 1200 miles so far.

Daniel

oldnavy · **Posted:** Thu Mar 09, 2006 12:52 am

Endurance wrote:

I would be a little careful with the gasmileage other users seem to get. In my CRD I am getting 20 mpg on Highway right now, my moms gasser got 21 mpg driving the exactly same trip at same speed. We'll see how my gasmileage develops, I only drove 1200 miles so far.

Daniel

For one are you sure you are doing the math correctly?

Also the CRD does not use gasoline and may be why you have such poor fuel mileage.

Long commute vehicle?

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