Thinking about buying a new CRD but...

luke warm · **Posted:** Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:15 am

Reliability!

Reading about tranny issues is what's holding me back, and I want to buy one of these bad. That said, I need reliability and from what I'm seeing - it's not there. Shame on you Daimler-Chrysler! Luke

CRuD Bucket · **Posted:** Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:36 am

I'm close to buying one. This seems like a lot of vehicle for the cabbage. I've always been proud of my VW's reliability and low operating costs. I just hope that the problems I keep reading about involve a small (vocal) percentage. This will be the 3rd most expensive thing I've ever bought (two houses are #1 and #2) and I'm 42 years old. I am a claims adjuster and I handle an 8 county area so most of my driving will be highway---about 25k a year. I do not tow anything---maybe a small trailer once a year. Based on my driving habits, will the tranny and EGR on an 06 drive me nuts? Are the bugs worked out for the 06's? Will the CRD in the Liberty be back in 07 or is this guinea pig really done? Talked to my VW dealer yesterday and he said the TDI will be back (as an 08) by late spring. Presumably, there will be a waiting list and prices won't be negotiable. The Passat TDI will be back for 08 and he tells me a mini-Touraeg will be out in 09 with a TDI. I've only ever seen 3 CRD's on the road around here so it's not like I can stop a starnger on the street and ask them how they like their rig.
One other question on clearance---my Pop passed on the 05 CRD and went with the XTerra because of the low clearance. I think Jeep's website shows the clearance at over 9". Is that higher than the 05? Is 9" considered low? I assume the lift kit only raises the body and would not effect clearance. It might create more drag though :?:

oldnavy · **Posted:** Thu Jul 27, 2006 10:31 am

CRuD Bucket wrote:

One other question on clearance---my Pop passed on the 05 CRD and went with the XTerra because of the low clearance. I think Jeep's website shows the clearance at over 9". Is that higher than the 05? Is 9" considered low? I assume the lift kit only raises the body and would not effect clearance. It might create more drag though :?:

I have a CRD Sport with OEM roof rack and 83" high garage door opening (standard is 96 I believe) and the Jeep easly fits in with plenty of clearance. I think it is only about a shade over 6' with rack, so I doubt you will have a problem.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Thu Jul 27, 2006 10:36 am

Just did an actaul measurement and it is 6 foot high with roof rack, +/- one inch for error. So unless you have a very small garage door it will easly fit in the garage.

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

Bucket:

In answer to your questions:who knows? DC seems to at least have an idea for fixes to problems, but they take a while and are often incremental rather than a big change to fix (read as doing the cheapest thing possible). Cheap fixes are not the sole property of DCX, but people do have alot of heartbreak over lousy attitudes by their dealer. I don't know if it is a larger problem with Jeep/CRD vs other dealers because my experience has been fine. Other than a brain dead service writier I have had good work/advice done by my dealer as I speak with the diesel tech directly (they also sell/service dodge diesels).

I suspect you are right about VW and the updated TDIs. Right now the few Jettas that are available are in the 24k range and are loaded with every option known to man. I strongly suspect the "shortage" of diesels next year will create a "sellers" market and you will see dealer premiums over the msrp.

As far as the xterra is concerned, I traded my '00 xterra on the crd. The xterra was a very reliable car and needed little, or no service beyond normal maint. It had some problems, but they were taken care of under warranty. Unfortunately, the local Nissan dealer's service dept is populated by thieves and they would try to have me authorize work which was not necessary. However, my main issue with the xterra was that I never got more than 17.5mpg and was often below 15. Since I put on about 20-22 miles per year that became a signifigant factor and sent me to the CRD. I don't rock climb, but do take the car on logging trails and other off road type locales. So far, only once has the clearance been an issue. I know the xterra had higher clearance, but for me in the places I drive it has not been a problem. The CRD is, if anything, better in the snow because of the increased torgue, I think. Living in new england snowy weather is more of an issue for me than ground clearance

Good luck with your search

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Thu Jul 27, 2006 10:51 am

I hear ya on the Sport seats...but for $325.00 you can add the Mopar Neoprene Seat Covers. They are great and actually make the seat more comforatable...and protect the seats form almost anything.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:59 pm

CRuD Bucket wrote:

I'm close to buying one. This seems like a lot of vehicle for the cabbage. One other question on clearance---my Pop passed on the 05 CRD and went with the XTerra because of the low clearance. I think Jeep's website shows the clearance at over 9". Is that higher than the 05? Is 9" considered low? I assume the lift kit only raises the body and would not effect clearance. It might create more drag though :?:

It's a lot of cabbage no matter which car you buy. Expect higher maintenance and operating cost with any 4X4, not just the CRD. Is the '06 any more reliable than the '05's? Doubtful, the '06's just have less running time experience than the average '05 but the software tweeking has helped. The tranny filter screw-up is common to other DCX products (if you can draw comfort from that). In all fareness to Jeep, my 05 has never broken down and has always started even on the coldest days despite the issues I have with the product.

On your ground clearance question: Don't get choked-up over the hard numbers. Will the Liberty go where you need it to go? How is ground clearance an issue with the Liberty and not with the Jett/Golf/Beetle TDI?

CRuD Bucket · **Posted:** Thu Jul 27, 2006 1:43 pm

Quote:

How is ground clearance an issue with the Liberty and not with the Jett/Golf/Beetle TDI?

If I went with another TDI, it would be for the 50mpg only. Wife has a Pathfinder that I can "borrow" for any offroading but I'd like to offroad in my own car (she gets a little jacked during hunting season when I bring it back all hogged up). Poppo was concerned that the low clearance would prevent him from getting in to the cabin in a deep snow so he went with the XTerra. He's a diesel nut too (96 Passat TDI) but he seems OK with the 20mpg he gets (but 30mpg in a Jeep would sure be better!).

kingofl337 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 28, 2006 5:56 am

My 05 has 1500miles on it, and I'm having the reverse issues and stalling issues.
It going in for its first service soon to address these issues.

TDI4BY · **Joined:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:56 pm **Posts:** 644

My 06 is perfect with almost 12,000 miles on it!!!!

CRuD Bucket · **Posted:** Fri Jul 28, 2006 6:34 am

I've called around to a lot of dealers, looking for an Atlantic blue. I keep getting the same story (BS?)---"We sold 5 CRD's and haven't had one come back yet." I'm gonna drive another one today. How much more comfy are the LTD seats over the Sport? One dealer can get a (basic) LTD for $23,600 plus a trailer hitch. Found a Sport for $22,300 but no Sirius ($250).

TDI4BY · **Joined:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:56 pm **Posts:** 644

I paid 25,000 for my sport. and BTW seat covers go a LONG way toward making the seats more comfortable.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Sat Jul 29, 2006 2:00 am

CRuD Bucket wrote:

I've called around to a lot of dealers, looking for an Atlantic blue. I keep getting the same story (BS?)---"We sold 5 CRD's and haven't had one come back yet." I'm gonna drive another one today. How much more comfy are the LTD seats over the Sport? One dealer can get a (basic) LTD for $23,600 plus a trailer hitch. Found a Sport for $22,300 but no Sirius ($250).

Did you check Jeep.com website. You can do an inventory search and look at window stickers without the runaround. It definately beat the BS stories when I was shopping for mine. I had to make some compromises as I wanted a Limited but could not find one I liked in the area at the time. Ended up taking a Sport (22C) with sunroof and a high VIN # over an earlier build date Limited with a weird spec and in a color I didn't want. Figured that if I didn't like the seats, I can replace them with a quality aftermarket replacement. Sirius or XM can be easily added along with stuff like trailer hitches.

CRuD Bucket · **Posted:** Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:25 am

Well, I did it. I haven't seen or driven it yet but it's on its way. Got a fair deal but I think they boned me on the interest rate (7.95%). I have excellent credit and I'll just get a home equity loan at 6.75% and pay it off with the first payment. I had 5 CRD's get sold out from under me so I finally got off the pot---they are going quick! Salesman was a nice young guy who worked his arse off and I'm glad we could help each other. It's a Dodge dealership too, so I hope they have a decent diesel mechanic. They offered me a black Sport on the lot at incredible $21,230 but my TDI is black and I didn't want another black car. It didn't have cruise or Sirius and they really whack you for those add-on's at the stealership anyway. I would have had $500 in a tow hitch with labor, wiring, and tax for the LTD they located so I passed on that. I had to have Atlantic Blue and the one coming in has the 22C package. I hope it's nice. Sold my aging TDI for $3000 to a diesel fanatic and the dealer agreed to run it through as a courtesy trade, saving me $180.00 in sales tax (Yay). Overall, a pleasureable experience but I really hate buying cars. This is the 3rd car I've purchased for myself since 1989. Car dealers must hate people like me.
I'm glad I found this forum---you've all been helpful---thanks!

luke warm · **Posted:** Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:51 am

CBucket,
Congrats, and good luck. I'm still on the fence. Luke

CRuD Bucket · **Posted:** Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:41 pm

I think the dealers are having good luck reducing their inventories so I really do think the $2000 rebate will end Monday, but only they would know. :cry:

Reports will follow from the Bucket!

cerich · **Posted:** Sat Jul 29, 2006 1:10 pm

check you DC paperwork carefully, if I remember there is a early payment penality if you pay off in less than 6 months.

alljeep · **Posted:** Sat Jul 29, 2006 1:12 pm

cerich wrote:

check you DC paperwork carefully, if I remember there is a early payment penality if you pay off in less than 6 months.

That lie was told to me by my dealership. I called Chrysler Financial directly and was told they never have early payment penalties.

CRuD Bucket · **Posted:** Sat Jul 29, 2006 1:12 pm

Thanks---I'll give it a look! Always a catch... :cry:

Cowpie1 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 29, 2006 2:04 pm

I made my dealer work for me when I got my CRD about a couple months ago. I told him I wanted an Atlantic Blue one also. Of course he said "we don't have one". I said I knew that but that he could find one if he wanted to make a sale.

A couple of days later, he called and found a Sport CRD, Atlantic Blue, sunroof, overhead console, tow package. I told him to go for it, and now it sits in my garage.

I made him search the network and he found it in Illinois. I don't think I made a "killer" deal on it, but am very glad I got it. It is my first Jeep and the jeep fever kicks in quick! I have fiddled with modifications and such every weekend. the wife loves it.

Enjoy yours!!

Cliff

Thinking about buying a new CRD but...

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