Buying a KJ tomorrow...help me pick between these 2 please

iMTB · **Joined:** Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:27 pm **Posts:** 273

So yesterday I sold my mustang and test drove a 2010 Liberty and a 2006 Liberty crd. Hated the 2010, loved the crd.

I'm going tomorrow to get one of two KJs.

1.) 2006 Liberty Sport 4x4
3.7l automatic
40k miles
painted fenders, sunroof, 6 disc, looks like a limited
$12,900

2.) 2006 Liberty Sport 4x4
CRD automatic
68k miles
Rock guard on the hood, the 4x4 system with part-time too
$12,500

Both are dark green which is the color I want, and both have the tow package. Both were owned by couples in their 60s/70s and are spotless.

I really want a diesel more than a gas but the gas has significantly less miles and the sunroof is something I really like too.

Which should I get and why?

iMTB · **Joined:** Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:27 pm **Posts:** 273

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Thu Jan 27, 2011 7:43 pm

Well... Both sound about the same. Cloth or Leather seats? It is really up to you. I have a gasser. Love it. My initial impression is that the CRDs take a little more TLC to keep the engine running smooth, an long. But that is just hear-say. Maybe one of the CRD guys will speak up. So if you are comfortable with a wrench in your hand, CRD would be great. It is all just what are you going to happy with in the long run.

Are you going to lift? If so, the gasser can be lifted a little higher than CRD due to shorter CV on one side of the engine.

iMTB · **Joined:** Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:27 pm **Posts:** 273

Both have cloth. I'm no mechanic but I know my way around cars pretty well. I'm really hoping to hear from some CRD guys.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Thu Jan 27, 2011 7:49 pm

I personally prefer the gray sport fenders over painted. But that is just my personal preference. (and mine have that style fenders too)

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Thu Jan 27, 2011 8:39 pm

Hate to have to say this - but if you want the CRD - you need to be comfortable working on your own.
The biggest issue CRD's have had from day 1 is that there are no maintenance techs trained on them, the original dealership mechanics got a 1 hour video in 05 and that included all model year changes including the diesel.

if you like working on things - they're great - nothing else drives like that little diesel (and the GDE tunes just make it better) and LOST has more CRD information that just about any place on the web.

and no offense intended - but I've driven a 3.7 - I wouldn't own one - gave it back to rental place as fast as I could.

kskj · **Posted:** Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:54 pm

No offense to the CRD guy's I know they love there jeeps. But i would not have one I do not tow anything and could care less about MPG. I like to work on my own jeep also but also like to go down to the local part store and get the parts. So it just depends on what you need it for. I have seen what they can do off road that extra torque is nice. But had no trouble doing all the trails they did.

mapco · **Joined:** Tue Jan 09, 2007 4:27 am **Posts:** 250

I vote CRD.

I wish I had the diesel. :oops:

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:33 pm

We had a CRD and absolutely loved it when it was running. But it was in the shop for multiple problems, so we traded the CRD for a gasser. I prefer diesel over gasoline engines any day, but at the time, I needed something reliable. Many members of this forum have taken the time to diagnose the problems with the CRD, and in all honesty, most of the problems now have solutions. With that being said, and if it were me, I’d go with the CRD. HOWEVER, if you need reliability, then the gasser is the way to go IMO. Parts for the CRD aren’t easy to get.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:50 pm

I've owned two KJs myself, both CRDs. My wife had a '04 3.7L. Personally, I would have never bought a KJ if it wasn't for the diesel/545RFE drivetrain. The KJ just does not appeal to me at all without the good drivetrain. The 3.7 is noisey for a gas engine, somewhat weak, drinks gas, and is mated to an old school, less reliable, weaker transmission.

Having said that, the 3.7 is cheaper, parts cost less, parts can possibly be more available, and it's slightly lighter in the front end which does make a difference in steering feel.

So it's really up to what you want most. My CRD has 96,000 miles on it and the engine runs like a sewing machine. Other than intercooler hose failure the day after I bought it, neither of my CRDs EVER stranded me somewhere. Both were/are reliable and I wouldn't hesitate to drive mine across the country. CRDs consistently get 6-8 miles per gallon more than 3.7s based on real world figures entered by owners at fuelly.com and also here on the forums (and from my own personal experience having owned both). If you figure up cost of ownership it comes out about the same over the long haul because the CRD has a timing belt, and takes 6.5 qts. of oil, and has $40 fuel filters, etc.

The CRD you are looking at also has better tires which can be worth hundreds. The goodyear stock tires are garbage.

sota · **Joined:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:44 pm **Posts:** 379

I don't know how you can say the 3.7 is noisy... I can't hear mine at all at highway speeds (and it's not because of wind or tire noise... neither is loud) and it jumps pretty good when you step on the loud pedal and you're over 2000rpm, even in 6th gear. granted, I have the 6spd manual and my other cars are a 92 Dodge Shadow and a 2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4... neither of which could ever be mistaken as "quiet." :ROTFL:

I actually wish the engine was a bit louder since I'm used to driving by ear and not by gauges, and find myself unintentionally speeding.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Jan 28, 2011 9:49 am

gasser simply due to working on them is easier, parts more readily available

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:54 am

tommudd wrote:

gasser simply due to working on them is easier, parts more readily available

Ditto and I'll add that the one pictured is a great looking KJ!

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:36 pm

Only problem I see withh the 3.7 you are looking at is the tires. Those OEM Wrangler ST tires are junk. We all have had them at one time. And we all hated them. See if they will throw in new (non-Wrangler ST) tires to close the deal.

m_volyrakis · **Posted:** Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:19 pm

mapco wrote:

I vote CRD.

I wish I had the diesel. :oops:

X2

jamese35 · **Joined:** Mon May 10, 2010 5:16 pm **Posts:** 65

m_volyrakis wrote:

mapco wrote:

I vote CRD.

I wish I had the diesel. :oops:

X2

x3 baby love my CRD

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Fri Jan 28, 2011 4:56 pm

If the liberty is not a CRD it's a total chick ride. Those 3.7 spark infestors have been dropping like flies.

501 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:05 pm

Gasser........

Don't listen to JL, he's only a big deal in his own mind! :ROTFL:

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:31 pm

IMTB, What’s the verdict?

BugginKJ · **Joined:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:35 pm **Posts:** 4576

To clear things up for ya, I'd buy the dark green one.

Buying a KJ tomorrow...help me pick between these 2 please

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