The New 2008 Jeep Liberty

LoganSix · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:23 am

http://www.allpar.com/trucks/jeep/liberty-2008.html

All the best Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge information comes from Allpar.com

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:30 am

Isn't / Wasn't the official release scheduled for today?

Edit: I just read the allpar write up from start to finish and think it'll be a great new Liberty for the masses....

LoganSix · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:39 am

Yes, that's why Allpar has it up.

Things you really want to know.
Old vs New

Approach Angle, degrees (without/with air dam) 39.1/29.0 36
Departure Angle, degrees (with skid plate) 32.1 31.5

Overall Width 72.4 71.6
Overall Height 70.1 70.3
Wheelbase 106.1 104.3

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.
Behind Rear Seat 31.5 29
With Rear Seat Folded 64.2 69

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:32 am

I DON'T LIKE IT!

They didn't fix the gas pedal space. I don't have big feet, but the center hump still looks like it causes little space for your foot to aim straight up as you have your foot on the pedal.

You can see that DC wants the Liberty to be a Soccer mom mall crawler and not an actual off-roader.

Longer
Spare underneath
Soft retractible roof (less likely to want to put a rack over it)

Ugly front end

LoganSix · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:56 am

More photos
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-jeep-liberty/

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:15 am

I do like it

Counter points (not intended as personal slams)
If you don't want the retractable roof than don't order it as an option (it's not a standard feature is it?)
Put the spare in the back seat if you are going off road... Or toss it on the roof if you have to.

Although I agree that the front end is a little different - it's just like the current liberty when it was introduced. There are more improvements inside and probably a better suspension. Maybe I am just a sucker for new cars but I think it'll do really well.

PBrug · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:31 am

I think it looks OK.

To me it looks like the off-spring of a Commander / Dodge Nitro relationship. A smaller Commander with the lines of a Nitro.

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:36 am

I dont know, I'm on the fence. I kind of like it but if I were going to spend the money, I would probably invest in the second year (2008 or 2009?) Wrangler over the new Lib.

I agree with Tokyojoe, starting to look more soccer mom-ish than anything else, I catch enough grief as it is and dont want anymore! Sorry, the only upgrade I have is larger AT tires other than that I'm stock so it doesnt look too "bad booty". LOL

desertkj · **Joined:** Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:24 pm **Posts:** 677

I don't mind it. I think it is better than the Patriot, but I'd rather have the Wrangler.

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

I don't think it can replace my current liberty immediately, but it looks OK for another line of vehicle. It looks larger, boxier and not as quick, especially with not huge improvements on the drivetrain, lets see what happens when production rolls

NjjeepKJ · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:45 am

Ya know i just dont like the looks, it look like the commander, and i'm seeing a trend in SUV's, but do they all look like GM's "hummer" line?

NjjeepKJ · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:46 am

Ya know i just dont like the looks, it look like the commander, and i'm seeing a trend in SUV's, but do they all look like GM's "hummer" line?

Jeger · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:51 am

The only thing I care about is whether the front suspension and cradle are the same as ours. I want any lifts for the KK to work for us as well. Its a mini commander plain and simple.

Sport · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:05 am

I will either get a used JK or SAS my KJ once it is payed off.

Unless some manufacturer can produce an IFS capable of 4 to 5 inches of lift.

Littlehorn · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:55 am

The new 2008 "Liberty" (if that IS what it IS) looks horrible! No Sir...I don't like it! Not one bit!

Chris

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

This is why I won't buy one:

"Among the vehicle’s standard equipment are Electronic Stability Program, Electronic Roll Mitigation, All-speed Traction Control, Brake Assist, advanced anti-lock brakes, rain sensing wipers, Tire Pressure Monitoring,..."

If the vehicle does everything for you (until all the sensors mess up) how much fun can it be to drive?
Just another good reason to keep my 03 rolling.

Spike6901 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:12 am

I really, really like it. I think that it takes the 'cute' out of the Liberty and it looks more bold but is is a bit more box like. I think that many people, who are in love with their current vehicles, have trouble with a major change.

As far as the future IRS change, well, I can't say that I like loosing the rear straight axle but it hasn't helped us get a bigger lift by having it now. Also, the IFS rides much better than rear axle over the same terrain so it has to ride better? Yeah, the hard core guys will hate it as they hate the IFS but the Liberty was never indended or designed to be hard core offroad machine like the Wrangler. If you want strait axles and 4 doors, get a Wrangler unlimited.

I definatly like the interior better and the more room.

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:09 pm

Spike6901 wrote:

As far as the future IRS change, well, I can't say that I like loosing the rear straight axle ...

I'm confused ... I just looked at the specs and it said that the KK would have a live rear axle ....

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:28 pm

KW AV8R wrote:

Spike6901 wrote:

As far as the future IRS change, well, I can't say that I like loosing the rear straight axle ...

I'm confused ... I just looked at the specs and it said that the KK would have a live rear axle ....

It does have a solid rear axle. The only Jeep that doesnt have it is the Patriot. The compass isnt a Jeep.

LoganSix · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:50 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

It does have a solid rear axle. The only Jeep that doesnt have it is the Patriot. The compass isnt a Jeep.

The Compass/Patriot/Caliber are all off the same platform. Ever heard of the Jeepster? Jeep had cars back in the day as well as station wagons and convertibles.

The new 2008 still has a solid rear axel, it has a new Independent Front Suspension. The IFS is what makes it drive smoother on and off road than the old Cheerokee, Wrangle, and other Solid Front Suspension suvs. Yes, you can get a bigger lift, but there are trade-offs. The IFS is also what gives it a better turn radius than the Wrangler.

Because of the new IFS on the 2008 and the better approach and departure angles, there is the possiblity that the new Liberty could handled a bigger lift and larger meats.

Don't be like the other Jeep owners who hated our beloved Liberty when it first came out. Their snide remarks were quieted on the trail. Let's see it in action before making a judgement.

The New 2008 Jeep Liberty

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