Hopefully buying a jeep liberty HELP!

MJCT208 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:13 pm **Posts:** 6

hey guys,
I've been in the market for a jeep for the last two years and had a deposit on a 2012 base jeep liberty sport back in sept, But a great lease deal came by on a Mercedes that was so good I couldn't pass up. I've been regretting this car ever since and cant wait to give it back in a month or two for a jeep! I am currently looking into a few left over new 2012 liberty's. I am looking at 3. The first one is a base mineral gray sport. The Second one is a Black sport with the popular equipment group and third is a Silver latitude. < Which is my favorite but most expensive. My main question is should I be concerned with buying any of these jeeps since they have been sitting so long? Can anything go bad? oil? engine? 4x4? etc... especially in the long run? Lastly I've been toying with the idea of grabbing a 05-07 kj limited and not having a loan... anyone own one before the kk? Should I stay away from the kj all together?
Sorry for the lengthly post hopefully I can get some help!
Thanks so much
Mike

Cherrie 274 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:47 pm

Buying new gives you a warranty and buying a used newer KK you might be able to transfer a warranty. Not having payments is a plus for used older.
I looked at KJ's before KK's but had a few more likes with the KK. One was I hadn't seen a lot of them. Now their all over and people are looking to buy.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:49 pm

MJCT208 wrote:

hey guys,
I've been in the market for a jeep for the last two years and had a deposit on a 2012 base jeep liberty sport back in sept, But a great lease deal came by on a Mercedes that was so good I couldn't pass up. I've been regretting this car ever since and cant wait to give it back in a month or two for a jeep! I am currently looking into a few left over new 2012 liberty's. I am looking at 3. The first one is a base mineral gray sport. The Second one is a Black sport with the popular equipment group and third is a Silver latitude. < Which is my favorite but most expensive. My main question is should I be concerned with buying any of these jeeps since they have been sitting so long? Can anything go bad? oil? engine? 4x4? etc... especially in the long run? Lastly I've been toying with the idea of grabbing a 05-07 kj limited and not having a loan... anyone own one before the kk? Should I stay away from the kj all together?
Sorry for the lengthly post hopefully I can get some help!
Thanks so much
Mike

First off welcome to the site.

I have a black sport with the popular equipment group and love it. I'd stay away from the latitude, unless you need the extra comforts. Do any of them have trailer hitches?

When I bought my used 2008 sport, it had to be jumped. You could ask them to check the battery if you're concerned. Someone else might reply on this with some more info. I don't think there'd be too much to worry about if it's a 2012.

_benjammin · **Posted:** Mon Jul 08, 2013 11:34 pm

I wouldn't be concerned buying a"new" 2012.

MJCT208 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:13 pm **Posts:** 6

Thanks guys.... yeah I guess its "New" and I was just concerned with a car sitting for that long... guess that's why there's a warranty! I really like the latitude because I am a sucker for all those options since being in my current car.. I really tend to use the heated seats, bluetooh, memory seats etc. Even though the base sport is an amazing deal I think I would always regret not getting at least the popular equipment group. Anyone have a base sport and wish they went for more? I love the Sky slider but cant find one with it so I gave up on that.

Ted15 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 12:02 am

If you want to wheel it, look for skid plates and 4hi and 4low. The one that says auto has full time 4wd (awd I think)

DREDnot · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 3:48 am

No worries about the vehicle sitting.
If it needs a jump, insist on a new battery.
My latitude came with the skid plates and tow package and part time 4wd.
You can insist on skid plates and tow hitch being added by the dealer as condition of the sale. Just get it in writing as a "we owe" document.

Ted15 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 6:14 am

DREDnot wrote:

No worries about the vehicle sitting.
If it needs a jump, insist on a new battery.
My latitude came with the skid plates and tow package and part time 4wd.
You can insist on skid plates and tow hitch being added by the dealer as condition of the sale. Just get it in writing as a "we owe" document.

Good idea

huntb · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 9:23 am

Make sure it has 4x4. There should be a selector to the left of the shifter. If I were you I would go with the Black with popular equipment group although I may be biased... I'm not a fan of the Latitude because I think chrome looks like s on a Jeep

JeepNCrowd · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 10:34 am

I would recommend getting the one with Select trac (the one with 4WD Auto/4WD Low). It can be used on slightly wet streets or anytime you don't want to actually lock the center diff (would prefer AWD) or are just not sure if it should be locked. It has also has a locked 4-Lo if you ever need it. The way I see it if you need to lock your transfer case you should probably be in 4-Low anyway. The only time I see the 4 Lock/4High being useful is in sand, but my 4-Auto works fine for that too.

As far as color goes, I love the darker colors (ie. Forrest green), but If you plan on wheeling it, you'll find they show every little scratch(lesson learned :banghead:

).

I would also prefer to get one with 16" wheels. There is a much better off road tire selection for what we can fit under us with 16" wheels.

Also keep in mind a dealer added Mopar hitch is not the same as a factory tow package. Factory tow package comes with Trailer sway control, and supposedly a heavy duty transmission cooler, that allows you to tow up to 5K lbs. You can add or have the dealer add the Mopar hitch but you won't have the tow package listed above. You would then have a recommended towing limit of 3.5K lbs. (also learned from experience :banghead:

)

But overall, make sure it has 4x4 :JEEPIN:

. If worse comes to worse most everything else can be added later (except transfer case, sun/slider roof, and tow package etc.).

Ted15 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 10:52 am

JeepNCrowd wrote:

I would recommend getting the one with Select trac (the one with 4WD Auto/4WD Low). It can be used on slightly wet streets or anytime you don't want to actually lock the center diff (would prefer AWD) or are just not sure if it should be locked. It has also has a locked 4-Lo if you ever need it. The way I see it if you need to lock your transfer case you should probably be in 4-Low anyway. The only time I see the 4 Lock/4High being useful is in sand, but my 4-Auto works fine for that too.

As far as color goes, I love the darker colors (ie. Forrest green), but If you plan on wheeling it, you'll find they show every little scratch(lesson learned :banghead:

).

I would also prefer to get one with 16" wheels. There is a much better off road tire selection for what we can fit under us with 16" wheels.

Also keep in mind a dealer added Mopar hitch is not the same as a factory tow package. Factory tow package comes with Trailer sway control, and supposedly a heavy duty transmission cooler, that allows you to tow up to 5K lbs. You can add or have the dealer add the Mopar hitch but you won't have the tow package listed above. You would then have a recommended towing limit of 3.5K lbs. (also learned from experience :banghead:

)

But overall, make sure it has 4x4 :JEEPIN:

. If worse comes to worse most everything else can be added later (except transfer case, sun/slider roof, and tow package etc.).

I'm pretty sure the tow package can be added. The A/C condenser has the tranny cooler in it. I had the parts guy look it up but I think it's the same for either option. I think there's a clutch fan that needs to be added as well and I'm pretty sure it's a bolt on addition. The fan shroud is already there and I've had some luck finding the parts.

Cherrie 274 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 11:17 am

Ted15 wrote:

JeepNCrowd wrote:

I would recommend getting the one with Select trac (the one with 4WD Auto/4WD Low). It can be used on slightly wet streets or anytime you don't want to actually lock the center diff (would prefer AWD) or are just not sure if it should be locked. It has also has a locked 4-Lo if you ever need it. The way I see it if you need to lock your transfer case you should probably be in 4-Low anyway. The only time I see the 4 Lock/4High being useful is in sand, but my 4-Auto works fine for that too.

As far as color goes, I love the darker colors (ie. Forrest green), but If you plan on wheeling it, you'll find they show every little scratch(lesson learned :banghead:

).

I would also prefer to get one with 16" wheels. There is a much better off road tire selection for what we can fit under us with 16" wheels.

Also keep in mind a dealer added Mopar hitch is not the same as a factory tow package. Factory tow package comes with Trailer sway control, and supposedly a heavy duty transmission cooler, that allows you to tow up to 5K lbs. You can add or have the dealer add the Mopar hitch but you won't have the tow package listed above. You would then have a recommended towing limit of 3.5K lbs. (also learned from experience :banghead:

)

But overall, make sure it has 4x4 :JEEPIN:

. If worse comes to worse most everything else can be added later (except transfer case, sun/slider roof, and tow package etc.).

I'm pretty sure the tow package can be added. The A/C condenser has the tranny cooler in it. I had the parts guy look it up but I think it's the same for either option. I think there's a clutch fan that needs to be added as well and I'm pretty sure it's a bolt on addition. The fan shroud is already there and I've had some luck finding the parts.

Yea this keeps coming up, the sway control is a safety feature. jeepNCrowd what did you tow? what happened?

JeepNCrowd · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 11:57 am

Cherrie 274 wrote:

Yea this keeps coming up, the sway control is a safety feature. jeepNCrowd what did you tow? what happened?

Nothing happened, I just thought I could just add the Mopar tow hitch, and tow 5K lbs. My dad has a boat right at like 4.5k lbs or so. I did try though and I can I just didn't do it on the high way. I don't know how that would work with such a short wheel base without the Trailer sway control. Don't really want to try it.

MJCT208 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:13 pm **Posts:** 6

Thanks for all the help guys! It's virtually impossible to find a liberty with the full time 4wheel drive ... part time should be fine. I Also will not be twoing so no big deal.. The skid plates was a good idea though! I'll mention it when I go thursday to test drive it again. The power seat in the latitude is a nice touch being that Im only 5'5''... The sport one in my opinion sits way to low.

jjohnson1892 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 1:25 pm

I was a sucker for the Jet edition because the added luxuries and didn't mind the chrome. Looking back, wish I had gotten an Arctic or Latitude (if it has skids, hitch, etc.). All the luxuries are still nice though, just think through what the vehicle will be used most for (daily driving to work, actually off roading on weekends, or whatever else). Love me some mineral grey though, still looks decent when dirty :wink:

JeepNCrowd · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 1:37 pm

MJCT208 wrote:

Thanks for all the help guys! It's virtually impossible to find a liberty with the full time 4wheel drive ... part time should be fine. I Also will not be twoing so no big deal.. The skid plates was a good idea though! I'll mention it when I go thursday to test drive it again. The power seat in the latitude is a nice touch being that Im only 5'5''... The sport one in my opinion sits way to low.

No worries they both have the same capable 4-Low that you will need on the trail. It is nice to get most of the off road goodies in the price of the vehicle though, adding it on afterwards seems to hurt the pocket book more. Don't forget to try to get front tow hooks (and a rear tow hook if you don't have the towing equipment.)

jjohnson1892 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 2:26 pm

JeepNCrowd wrote:

No worries they both have the same capable 4-Low that you will need on the trail. It is nice to get most of the off road goodies in the price of the vehicle though, adding it on afterwards seems to hurt the pocket book more. Don't forget to try to get front tow hooks (and a rear tow hook if you don't have the towing equipment.)

Amen to that, only thing I feel like doing a Homer "DOH" about. Get skids thrown in somehow and tow hooks would be primo

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 4:18 pm

Dont worry about the transfer case it is and easy weekend swap read my build thread I should know and i will happily let you have mine with full time 4wd. Also the towing package wether you tow or not is a good idea always nice to have a little extra transmission protection. But mine has towed close to 6K without a problem and with and aftermarket adjust to fit reese hitch so i wouldn't consider it a deal breaker. But it is cheaper to buy the jeep with skid plates and tow hooks already and then when your ready to upgrade sell them to go towards your upgrade. If there are a set of running boards on the jeep and you plan on wheeling it take them off and sell them because they won't last long and wont be worth anything when your done. Next thing 16s are great when it comes time to buy tires or even plan off road but I have wheeled with 17 for years without to many issues and i get told all the time how people would love to have my wheels. And black is BAD if your going to wheel i learned the hard way and have since learned how to use a buffer all to well. :furious:

Ted15 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 09, 2013 4:22 pm

JeepNCrowd wrote:

Cherrie 274 wrote:

Yea this keeps coming up, the sway control is a safety feature. jeepNCrowd what did you tow? what happened?

Nothing happened, I just thought I could just add the Mopar tow hitch, and tow 5K lbs. My dad has a boat right at like 4.5k lbs or so. I did try though and I can I just didn't do it on the high way. I don't know how that would work with such a short wheel base without the Trailer sway control. Don't really want to try it.

Trailer sway control is a function of your hitch. Stability control is programmed into every KK with the brake lock traction control crap. You will have a BIG problem trying to tow with oversize tires and 3.73 gears. I'd venture to say 3500 lbs is too much for that. I have a 2000 pound pop up and my engine was pinging last year while towing it. Now, with 4.10's, no problem whatsoever.

Wayside Charlie · **Joined:** Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:31 pm **Posts:** 39

The factory tow package cannot be added. It includes larger coolers and when towing a trailer with brakes, provides controls over the trailer and vehicle brakes. The sway control, people are talking about with the factory package involves the vehicle controling braking when it senses the trailer swaying. It also boosts the tow limit to 5000 lb. -- You can't get that capability with an aftermarket tow hitch, even if says Mopar on it.

Hopefully buying a jeep liberty HELP!

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