Liberty Suggestions

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 4:43 pm

I have a buddie that I convinced to buy a Liberty but he cant afford new. He will be using it as a daily driver with light offroad use but will have no lifts or anything like that.

We are going to check out a few used ones and some 2005 overstocks probably tomorrow and I was wondering if there was one year that was the better year to buy or if there was one that had more problems than others or whatever. Being failry new as well, all I know about anything other than the one I have is limited.

krazz1e · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:16 pm

used - I would look for a good '02.

pre lowered and better tranny

raceinfan · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:16 pm

the only differance I can come up with is if you could find one built before april of 02 it will be higher than current due to the springs being higher,other than that I don't think there is a differance until 05's

dkcase · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:23 pm

If you care, the '02 had drum rear brakes. Changed to disks in '03.

Hasn't been a problem on my '02... heck, I've never had rear disks on anything.

Guyute1210 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:23 pm

Other than the above stated about an early 02, the 2005's seemed to have the better options out the door. I know looking at an 2004 and 2005 Rennie, the 2005 Rennie was much nicer and had more "stuff" out the door than the 2004's had.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:38 pm

Guyute1210 wrote:

Other than the above stated about an early 02, the 2005's seemed to have the better options out the door. I know looking at an 2004 and 2005 Rennie, the 2005 Rennie was much nicer and had more "stuff" out the door than the 2004's had.

Plus the 2005 Renegade looks completely different than the other models. It has the flat hood and bumper-mount fog/driving lights. It looks pretty hot.

I say the best way to start is to look at kbb or edmunds to see what year / mileage you can afford. To get the best value, I would suggest getting something below 50k miles if possible, even if it means you need to get an 02 or 03.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:55 pm

My '02 sport represents a good share of whats on the used market:

4x4 3.7 V6 is the powertrain of choice
Look for Selec-Track if you live in the snow belt, it will be marked by 4x4 full time and part time on the transfer case lever
Limited's get a higher price due to being well optioned with EVIC, Leather, sunroofs, etc
Some later '02's came with the longer 7 year 70,000 mile warranty-you wont find it on the prelowered's but you can get the warranty and the better tranny (45rfe)
the '02 will most likely be the cheapest and therefore the lowest payment

You can pick up a low mile (35,000 or so) sport for around $14k or less with 4x4 and the V6

Interiors did change (seats are different, window controls are moved, and the power outlet area of the center console is different)

Each model liberty has different seats so I would suggest "test fitting" each one to see which is most comfortable for your friend.

If offroading is his thing I would go for an early '02, it sounds like it isn't so the smoother shifting '03's and later may be better for him/her. Good luck and congratulate him on a good choice.

the1jferg · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:51 pm

I agree with yall, pre-low 02

ManicMechJoe said: "7 year 70,000 mile warranty-you wont find it on the prelowered's"

Actually you can, mine has 7/70 and built March 02, purchased during the independance (July) promotion. It depends on the promotional period. I told them to keep the stickers and tire cover off my jeep!

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:01 pm

If you plan to lift it anyway, pre-lowered or lowered doesn't matter, we are all the same height post lift.

The 02's have the 45 RFE auto only.

If he wants a manual, they were not available until '03, at the same time I believe, the rfe was replaced by the lighter 42RLE auto.

Also on 03-04, the window switches are up on the verticle part of the center armrest console fairly safe from earant coffee spills, on the 05/06 the switches were moved to the horizontal part right behind the cup holders, very easy to spill into.

camper · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:49 pm

I thought I wanted the limited slip rear differential so I shopped til I found one....within a few months, I decided I wanted the powertrax no-slip locker for the rear....it's a more difficult job removing the "clutch design" trac-loc limited slip than it is the typical "open" carrier when installing the powertrax locker....so anyway, my point is that searching for the limited slip option was a waste of effort for me....

look underneath any prospect vehicle for tow hooks and skid plates.....they are very desirable even if you don't think you'll be trail riding....

and last....my '04 has a cool little badge on the driver fender....I don't think the '02 guys got one of those....

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:14 pm

Quote:

and last....my '04 has a cool little badge on the driver fender....I don't think the '02 guys got one of those....

Last I checked, my tailgate says jeep, So I don't need a decal based on a cocrete test track

Troysterr · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:15 pm

USAFCOP wrote:

If you plan to lift it anyway, pre-lowered or lowered doesn't matter, we are all the same height post lift.

Just to clarify, that's true if you do a spring lift, but if you do a spacer lift, then a pre-lowered will be about 3/4" higher than a lowered with the same lift.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:47 am

USAFCOP wrote:

Quote:

and last....my '04 has a cool little badge on the driver fender....I don't think the '02 guys got one of those....

Last I checked, my tailgate says jeep, So I don't need a decal based on a cocrete test track

But if you want one, Jeep (used to) give them away free to anyone with a pre-04 4x4 jeep, and they sell them for around $16 for anyone else that wants one. They look nice, but I don't know if I'd get one if mine didn't already come with one.

Guest · **Posted:** Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:24 am

It's too bad he can't go for new. Check out carmax.com and search for new Liberties. They only have 3 dealers in the country hooked up for new sales. Orlando, FL - Alanta, GA - and L.A., CA. They have major overstock.

For example, a base model 2005 Liberty CRD with skid plate group and customer convenience package is going for a no haggle price of just over $20,300. The gassers are even less. We're talking over $6k off of MSRP at least!

Waiting 4 months could have saved me another $2400 !!! And I thought I had a good deal!

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:57 am

How about getting the one that is in your price range...

Things I love about mine:

Heated Seats
Select-Trac 4 wheel drive (It needs LSD's in the diff's though)
Sunroof
Towing Package

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:12 pm

Thanks everyone!

Tonight I think we are hitting dealers and see what they are offering for overstock on 05's and used 02's, over the weekend probably hit some private sales that we saw in the paper. I suggested an 02 also if we could find one with low mileage at a good price. Havent found anything under 50 yet though.

Thanks again, I will let you know whow we make out! Then again, I'm sure you will know after I get him to join here once keys are in hand! =)

zeero · **Posted:** Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:06 pm

Yeah be warned about new...even though your pal isn't in the market for new.....if you want anything extra added to it from the factory....be prepared to pay....I have a few things added outside of what the dealerships offer that I was able to swing to get from factory (simply saved me trouble later on) but I PAID for it hardcore...my 2006 Renny broke the $40K mark....so be warned about new....a price tag that said $34K....quickly rose to $41K after my custom order was done....I'm broke as a joke...I don't have a red cent left my name...but I'm a happy camper! :wink:

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:17 pm

Oh believe me I know.

I bought my 2002 Limited used from a dealer and the previous owner left their original invoice in the glove box. By the time they added all the bells and whistles and everything else it was very close to $40,000 (New).

It must have been a rich couple or something because they did some weird things. Cant remember everything off the top of my head but they paid thru the nose to have things like the stereo changed (instead of CD they wanted cassette and CD) out and stuff. Seeing that it is a Limited, I didnt understand some of their changes. Then again, what do I care. I got a fully loaded Limited 4x4 with all kinds of extra's, one owner, no accidents and 24,000 miles on it for $14,000 out the door. All because they wanted to drive to the grocery store with a newer model! :lol:

krazz1e · **Posted:** Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:51 pm

nice deal, why didn't i buy my used?? I broke under $20k not too long ago, got a lonng way to go..........

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