Hello,

Brand new member here. I've been reading everything I can here. Great site BTW. I'm thinking about getting a Liberty CRD. I looked at them back in 08 but ended up buying an 03 Dodge ram 2500 Quad cab with a Cummins. It's a great truck and I get around 17-18 mpg on daily driving, which is 50/50 highway and in town. I get around 20.5 to 21 on the highway if I stay below 65mph. But... I dont really need such a beast as a daily driver. I do occasionaly haul stuff but dont tow much.

The Liberty CRD seems to make a great daily driver. I do have a utility trailer for when I need to haul something. It is hard to nail down what kind of fuel economy I might get because reported mpg is all over the map. Yes I know there are many variables thet determine the mpg per user. I am trying to learn as much as I can about the Liberty. I read about a lot of problems here, but I also read a lot about problems on the Dodge Diesel forum that I have not had. I've got my eye on an 05 with 83,000 on it. Its at a dealer and getting glow plugs replaced right now. I did drive it a few days ago and I liked it. Asking price is $12,900 which is below book value for that model. I'm a mechanic by trade so the upcoming timing belt job is no big deal. My biggest concern is overall dependability and fuel mileage. I'm afraid of giving up what i have, which is a known quantity, for something that is an unknown. I've read the noob info and the faqs.
Is there anything you guys could add to help me make a decision?

Thanks,
Jon

MPG - I have a bone stock 2006 with 80k, if I drive looking for mpg's I have get 28.6. If I just drive it is 25 ish. If the wife drives it, 23 ish. Now for how low you can get it, IDK thats what my trucks are for. HaHa. It needs a tune to get in the 30s. Not to good seeing I can pull 20.4 with a Dually. Buy it they are fun to drive.

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2006 Jeep Liberty CRD
1998 Beetle TDI Malone Tuning Stage 2
2001 Dodge Cummins
2005 Dodge Cummins
ASE, OBDII / VAG-CAN scaner / Service Manual

I seem to be stuck at 25mpg calculated. I drive 100 miles a day for my commute, I get 25 if I set the cruise at 60 (after getting it to shift into 5th gear) or if I drive 65-70. I did a 200 mile commute day to test a new school this week and was thinking I might do better, but it was 25mpg.

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05 Liberty CRD Ltd - GDE ECO Tune, timing belt, metal glowplugs, Magnaflow 12226, homemade roofrack, 84k miles, SAMCOs, Fumoto, Amsoil EAA201, flat tow setup
02 Ford F350 7.3 Powerstroke -leveled, CC longbed, Detroit Lockers F&R, G38 Turbo, 4" MBRP 290k miles
87 Suzuki Samurai - VW 1.6NA Diesel, SPOA
12 Toyota Prius V

Keep the Cummins for the towing and truck stuff and get a car for good mileage and dependability. For $12900 you can get a good car that will be more economic than the CRD. Even if you want a Liberty, get a gasser. You can buy a LOT of gas for the extra you will pay upfront and remember diesel fuel is 15-20% more per gallon that you have to make up in better mileage before you start saving money.

I never got enough better mileage(about 22 mpg) with the CRD to justify the downside.

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Former 2005 Liberty Sport CRD
Current 2009 Nissan Xterra S
2010 VW Jetta TDI 6sp Man

Well, yes I had a car for years and my trucks always sat in the driveway until I needed them. I sold my car to my girlfriend to replace her ailing and thirsty Xterra. If I get the Liberty it will have to be a replacement for the truck thats why I was thinking Diesel Liberty. The gas Suvs suck gas and the little ones cant tow anything. I didnt really want another car with upkeep and insurance. Plus I dont have much room to park. I cant fit anything in my driveway behind the truck and always having to move one vehicle or another in the spot next to the truck is a PITA.

See why I'm on the fence??? lol

Buy the Liberty - I just got one to replace the wifes Xterra, It is a nice car but see drives too much for 14 mpg. Now to sell it.

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2006 Jeep Liberty CRD
1998 Beetle TDI Malone Tuning Stage 2
2001 Dodge Cummins
2005 Dodge Cummins
ASE, OBDII / VAG-CAN scaner / Service Manual

Jon,

I used to have a 4x4 dakota with the 5.2l. Loved it. It passed everything on the road but a filling station . Then the last time when gas went above $4/ gallon I got a car for MPG. But then something was always parked on the grass + 2 registrations, 2 to maintain, 2 insurances etc. I decided to find an SUV that got something resembling fuel economy and chose a CRD. Sold both car and truck. Thought I would miss having a truck, I don't. I too was concerned about towing capacity. No problem there. I have a 18'-6" Lund boat 8' wide and with a full windshield and 150 hp outboard that is +/- 3000# on the trailer and tall enough to grab a lot of wind and have NO problems. I have a 4x8 trailer to haul other stuff.

MPG for me in town winter blend 20-21 summer 21-23. Straight highway 28-31 keeping it 2000 rpm or less. Towing my boat on the highway around 17-19.

I am on my 2nd one as I rolled the last one 4x and walked away.

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2005 Red KJ CRD, TOTALED 12-21-11

2005 Blue KJ Sport CRD, GDE, Magnaflow muffler, Destination AT, Amsoil filters, Fumoto, Timing belt and waterpump @ 99,600, 11 blade nylon fan, 2905 hayden fan clutch, EURO TC




Arguing about whether the glass is half full or half empty misses the point: the bartender cheated you.
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