NY TIMES GIVE '08 LIBERTY LOUSY REVIEW

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

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/23/autom ... berty.html

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Mon Mar 24, 2008 1:32 pm

vtdog wrote:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/23/automobiles/autosreviews/23-jeep-liberty.html

I read both pages and didn't see anything related to a CRD at all

UFO · **Posted:** Mon Mar 24, 2008 1:43 pm

Quote:

To be fair, the Liberty is designed for serious off-road chores. But so is the Toyota FJ Cruiser, a small S.U.V. whose on-pavement performance is far more civilized and agreeable.

The 2008 Liberty’s handling and ride are inferior to the first generation’s, which is not how evolution is supposed to work. Before buying a 2008 model I would think hard about whether going off road is anything more than a goofy dream, because there is a gigantic price to pay in day-to-day driving.

The only engine is a 3.7-liter V-6 rated at 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 r.p.m. Two transmissions are available, a six-speed manual or an optional four-speed automatic.The powertrain is mediocre at best. Under only moderate acceleration there was a lot of noise as well as vibration. The engine strains to handle the Liberty’s considerable weight: about 4,200 pounds without passengers or cargo.

With the automatic and four-wheel drive, the Liberty is rated at 15 miles a gallon in the city and 21 m.p.g. on the highway, according to estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency. If you pick the six-speed manual, that goes to 16 city and 22 highway.

Ouch.

UFO · **Posted:** Mon Mar 24, 2008 1:46 pm

Joe Romas wrote:

vtdog wrote:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/23/automobiles/autosreviews/23-jeep-liberty.html

I read both pages and didn't see anything related to a CRD at all

Jeep, for some reason, is not dealing well with diesels. It's strange, diesels done right are reliable, more fuel efficient and excellent off-road.

truckbouy2 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 24, 2008 2:18 pm

Wow...
This is the first time the "Times" has been right....
I drove one of the '08s...The "Times" is a lot kinder than I would have been.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Mon Mar 24, 2008 2:41 pm

Quote:

To be fair, the Liberty is designed for serious off-road chores. But so is the Toyota FJ Cruiser, a small S.U.V. whose on-pavement performance is far more civilized and agreeable.

Um OK. I think the FJ is actually LARGER than the Liberty so I don't know where they came up with that little gem of knowledge. While I've seen several FJs on the trails out here in AZ (more of them than Hummers on the trails in fact) I just don't see trading into one anytime soon. I likes my Liberty

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

I like the FJ alot, much better than the H3. But it ain't "small". It is downright fat for only having 2 real doors.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:27 pm

Our Libertys are also considered SMALL SUVs...

Everytime I see my KJ CRD from a distance...I admire the shape. I really think the KJ from the side is much nicer looking. I like the front and rear better too. But, it is the Diesel that keeps me happy!

indianrefining · **Posted:** Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:12 am

Who gives a rat's rosette what the New York Times thinks about anything? :roll:

Jim Friese · **Posted:** Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:38 pm

Who really cares what the New York Times says, They are the biggest bunch of liars ever.

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

You may, or may not agree with the NY Times, but unfortunately we all live in the "world" of Jeep Libertys. If the Liberty gets a reputation as a lousy car, then we (as owners) all will suffer when (if) it comes time to sell or trade. The NYT is, by many, considered the source authority on a host of issues and is read by a ton of people. So, whether you agree with the assesment or not, the article can have a negative impact on the value of our cars.

cerich · **Posted:** Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:15 pm

Jim Friese wrote:

Who really cares what the New York Times says, They are the biggest bunch of liars ever.

at least they weren't dodging bullets and ducking while they did the road test....

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:42 pm

There is another RAG a lot of people look up to and that is Consumer Reports. When I shopped for a new car/truck I had the opportunity to drive many cars, crossovers, and SUVs. Out of the SUVs the Liberty impressed me with the handling and how it went through bad weather. I wanted a diesel to replace my old '91 Jetta, so I bought a CRD, traded in my old truck and sold the Jetta.
What both NY Times and Consumer Reports like are Honda and Toyota with Subaru and Nissan coming in behind them. Some of the cars that have disappointed me the most were Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Subaru. Consumer Reports claim that they are objective and take no advertising, but they drink a lot of free Starbucks coffee when they do the tests.
What both the NY Times and Consumer reports hate is BMW, VW, Porsche, Chrysler, Jeep, GM, Ford and any other non Jap cars. Since I have owned VW and Chrysler/Jeep diesels I take their opinions with a salt mine full of salt.
Insurance companies want every thing to depreciate as fast as possible so they can collect the high premiums and pay out less. Dealers want to buy cheap and sell high to make money. What will keep the value of the Liberty CRD high will be loyalty we have for our CRDs.
The KK owners will need to do the same and get going on the mods to make them handle like our KJs do.

Steve

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:53 pm

I really don't care what anyone says. I plan on running mine until it hits the big trail in the sky.

Terry

Reflex · **Joined:** Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:48 pm **Posts:** 567

One thing I find frustrating about reviews is that they never seem to drive them through truly adverse conditions. My old S-10 drove terribly when it was pouring buckets, it hydroplaned like crazy. With the Liberty I put it into 4-high and it just drives like it is glued to the pavement, totally different experience. Part of it is the weight I'm sure, but thats just it, they pretend that weight is always a drawback. It harms fuel economy, but it *is* a safety feature.

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:43 pm

Millwrights and most construction workers, learn the laws of Physics on the Job site or die.
Mechanics learn them in the shop breaking loose stuck bolts and compressing springs.
Race car drivers learn them on the track going around the curves.
Farmers learn them on the farm working the land.
Engineers learn the laws of Physics in the Classroom ,Lab and some times on the job.
Better engineers have hobbies that teach the laws of physics from a practice standpoint, like driving off road in a Jeep.
Most Journalists don't have the slightest concept of the laws of physics and are more concerned how their words flow and where their next free cup of coffee is coming from.
Now we all know why they don't understand why you need 4X4 and sufficient mass to hold the road under adverse conditions.
Furthermore Most Journalists have no concept of what it takes to tow anything and need people at U Haul to tell them their Subaru Brat can not pull a tandem trailer.

Now we know why the NY Times has their perspective,

Steve

BiodieselJeep.com · **Posted:** Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:07 pm

Um, I think I scooped the Times:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=30373&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

I am sorry, but the 08 Liberty really does suck. They are spot on.

NY TIMES GIVE '08 LIBERTY LOUSY REVIEW

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