Hello- New member been lurking a while, put this up at my normal forums but I'll probably be skulking around here a bit as well so by way of introduction here's my little 2000mi review on my new libby.
Cheers
The 2000 mile review (under a month dang):
2008 - Liberty Sport, Silver - 6spd 3.7l V6 4wd
First as you may/may not know my big old pickup is gone and it hurt like hell to sell the old girl but she was consuming a lot of non-engine maintenance dollars and so at 221,000 miles we had to part. Most comparisons in this review will be to the p/u (97 PSD F250 - the 5# Bass) and to my long gone but also much loved BII (86 2.9l - Babe the Blue Ox). Sticking with the fish theme and owing it's silver coloration the libby was christened "the Anchovy" cause it's really small and I like anchovies.
My requirements -
Manual trans, able to go off of paved roads regularly, better mileage than the p/u (harder than I thought it would be to buy a vehicle that gets better than 16mpgs), long enough to hold skis at least diagonally and lay down in to sleep, not super expensive. The only other vehicles that hit that list are the FJ cruiser and Xterras - neither of which get the mileage (only hardly better than the p/u) that the libby does and both cost thousands more. Both are clearly stronger stock for wheelin though. I guess it'll eventually get a modest lift although I don't know that I'll put bigger tires on. I only go offroad to go places and not for just offroading's sake so I don't need a monster just something capable. Once it gets too nasty it's usually fine for me to park it and walk. Basically, it's a skiing, hunting, commuting, roadtripping vehicle for me.
Power-
Plenty. Holy hell, I have no idea why people think that they need so much more power. All the comparison reviews knock their power but please, it'll go up any hill on I-70 at 70mph with two guys and gear with ease (I have no doubt that it'd go much faster up any hill I just have no desire to do so). How much more do you really need? Yeah, it is not a towing monster but it'd be foolish to buy such a vehicle if you need to tow some big booty thing. I have no doubt that it'd drag a few thousand #s around no problem... if not super fast. That said, it's taking me a while to get used to having to downshift for hills and accessing the power for certain applications (see: off-road section).
Trans/t-case-
Dang, I'm getting to like having 6 speeds, number six is TAAAALLLLL. Shifts into 4wd and/or 4lo are fast and easy.
Off-road-
Still haven't gone many places so the clearance differences are not yet apparent, I believe they'll be minimal. It has been really hard for me to get used to how much less torque is available coming from the old p/u and it's taking me a while to get back to the mentality of just using 4lo a lot like on the BII (1st 4lo on both = 1st 4hi on the p/u). I've now stunk up the clutch twice getting into deep (unplowed and full of plowed off debris) pulloffs. The first time I also learned that in 4hi the electronics (ESP) will absolutely not allow you to spin the tires like you need to get the job done and will stall the vehicle so they must be turned off. That said, I've got a system working now and have gone into some pullouts nearly as deep as anything the p/u would handle. Mud is the same, gotta go into 4lo and get the ESP shut off to really get er done. Also, the stock "AT" (all season really) Wrangler's SUCK at anything hinting of mud. I knew they sucked but this w/e only confirmed their suckage, they simply turn into giant mud doughnuts. I do however friggin love getting back to a tight turning vehicle. One area where it just can't even compare is blasting down dirt farm/fire roads, the short wheelbase simply can't deal with the washboards and ruts the way a 7000# 25' long pickup can. But it does fine, especially with the electro-nanny off and is infinitely smoother than the p/u or the BII on said roads just squirrlier than the p/u. Also, I LOVE not having to deal with manual hubs.
On-Road-
The Anchovy is simply head and shoulders nicer than either (Duh). It's super smooth and quiet and handles pretty okay IMO. It is not a car though and I am well versed in driving short wheelbase high COG truckish things and their shortcomings. Doesn't bother me a bit. Acceleration is pretty good IMO and the braking is a lot nicer than the p/u's (DUH!). Did I mention how quiet the thing is? I rented AWD jag not so long ago that was no quieter. Engine braking is good though somewhat less impressive than the diesel.
Snow-
Pretty darn fine so far, even with the crap tires it's nicely surefooted and predictable. I'm a granny in the snow though so I'm sure you boy racers with your WRXs and nokians would be really disappointed.
Interior/Ergonomics-
Almost everything inside is handy and well though out, there's a few useful cubbies around and the seats are supportive and comfortable. The back seats finally lay flat and can recline a bit even. I'm sure that the AC plug will come in handy. I do wish that the seats were height adjustable b/c I need to get them lower or get the armrests higher to provide the right support. The poppable rear window is a nice touch as is the little emergency/crap storage area under the rear cargo deck. The footwell is a little small and I do somewhat wish it had a dead pedal but I'm still easily able to get comfortable for long drives.
I do wish there were more (and more durable) tiedown points in the rear. I think I'll also need to get some sort of gun rack (maybe a behind the seat style). As mentioned, my 200cm skis fit in diagonally with ease although a roof rack with box is definitely on the list for over the summer. For longboard day (>210cm) the fold flat passenger seat fits even 222cm DH skis with ease.
Some reviews I saw complained about the amount of plastic used in the interior, quite frankly- I couldn't give a crap about that. The p/u was all plastic and it lived and looked good for 221k. The BII was all plastic or metal and it too lived a long time.
Mileage-
18-19 in town/mixed/mountains (pretty typical tankful for me), pure highway (Denver - Pagosa Springs and back so a lot of mountains)- 22.5.
Overall-
So far I'm pretty happy with the thing. And to speak to the negative comparative reviews I believe that if you were to read their comments all of the knocks are (as addressed above) either plusses for me or things that I simply couldn't care less about.
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