I have been contemplating on selling my 06 CRD and buying a "new" 2011 Liberty. I was reading information on the net about the 2011 Lib. and an article said it was built on the same platform as the Dodge Nitro. I then been researching the Nitro and found it has a little different standard features that the Liberty does not have that I think are an improvement or better, like a 4.0 Litre V6 with more h.p. and torque and a 5 speed auto transmission where the Liberty has a 4 speed. Both are offered as a 4x4. Nitro also on the Detonator model offers 20" wheels and now until March 31st offers $3k rebate OR 0% financing for 60 months. Anyone on this forum have any knowledge or information comparing to each other? Seems right now the Nitro is best bang for the buck. Appreciate any response.

Ya, the Nitro is so ugly they had to offer more stuff on it to get people to buy it.

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"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

Well yes, it does look "different". Putting looks aside, what about handling, performance, comfort, storage etc. Seems with that 4.0 V-6 it might be, a little more bang for the buck right now. I've been known to have "ugly" sort of grow on me after awhile.

hint,...compare transfer cases
and yes they are even built on the same line here in Toledo, see 3 KKs then one Nitro, going down the line

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

hint,...compare transfer cases
and yes they are even built on the same line here in Toledo, see 3 KKs then one Nitro, going down the line

Is this a test? Appreciate if you'd share any knowledge with me.

If you're a Jeep guy, wouldn't you still buy a Jeep?


Anyways, I'd buy the Jeep IMO. Even though they're on the same platform and the same body style. The Liberty looks 100x better and it's a Jeep. Although the Dentonator looks pretty good in black with 20's.


I'm not that knowledgable on transfer cases, so no help there.

Yes, I am a "Jeep" guy, anxiously waiting for Wrangler to come out with a Pentastar V6 "idealy" a diesel option, but either would work.

If Chrysler had a diesel JK here, I would definately buy one. BUT, they just like to toy with our minds and make us think they will. There a dime a dozen over in Europe
I wouldn't mind owning a diesel Wrangler.

Transfer case only has 4x4 high,for the Nitro.KK has hi/low. My KK is the first non Dodge I've owned,the lack off low was the reason I bought my KK. Although last year I never needed low, this year I've needed it.
As far as looks personal choice.
I got told I bought a girls JEEP, WELL I guess i finally did it right.
MY PAST DODGES BOUGHT NEW

82 RAM Miser/sold to get 85
85 POWER RAM Meyer plow4X4 cousin totaled
95 V10 4x4 for sale
97 DODGE RAM ONE ton dually,dump- 9foot Vplow, sold OCT2009,really missed it this year.
Past bought used/sold
89 RAM
87 RAM4x4 short bed put my MEYER plow on.
just felt like posting this

Well for one, I am a girl. Two, I was told the same thing. Had a few people say my Jeep looked like a soccer mom's car. For one, it's not a car?! But the most said phrase was, "It's a girls' Jeep." Hmmm, I'd like those people to look me in the eye and say that about my Jeep now. Doesn't look like either now!
My Jeep gets lots of double takes and a quick fuel-up turns into a 10 minute+ conversation about my Jeeps and the other guy's Jeep.

Yeah transfer case is the big difference in the drivetrain between the two. the Jeep gets a 2 speed with low range the Nitro gets 2wd and 4hi only. the Nitro is more marketed tward mostly street use.

I was told my KJ was girl jeep. I have talked about lifting it and someone told me "You can't lift a girl jeep like yours" wait and see if I can. I keep thinking the at 58k my shocks are getting worn out and I want to justfy doing it cus it not that much more that just replacemnt of the shocks/struts and its an upgrade too.

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2006 Liberty CRD Limited Deep Beryl Green Metallic Clear coat, Fumoto valve, MH ProVent (removed), GDE Eco tune,
OME 790/948 springs, OME struts, OME N132L shocks, Jeepin by Al A-arms, Hercules Terra Trac AT2 245/75R16
Weeks Stage 1 EGR delete, 5 volt steel glow plugs

My mom at a 07 Dodge Nitro R/T so I can give you a real comparison between the two.

Interior wise up fount, its the same thing. You can pack a bit more in the Nitro AND the Nitro as (or at least my mom had) the floor of the cargo area move outwards on a roller. The 4.0L is a good engine in the Nitro but its very loud.... much louder than our 3.7Ls and around the red line the engine felt like it was going to crack apart. However you are never at a lost of power. Gas mileage was good with 18 MPG in mix driving on 89 pump gas. The 20 inch wheels and tires sucks. It made the ride very harsh to say the least (Harsh like my 96 Camaro with a sport suspension). Overall you were bouncing all over the road even if you hit a small bump. Plus snow driving with those tires were not a walk in the park. I got stuck in 4wd plenty of times due to those tires. The tires are more for summer time driving then any type of winter driving, however I would advise to just stay away from the 20 inch wheel and tire package. You will have no 4lo. A major problem that I had with that car. You only have 2Hi and 4hi.... that it. When my mom got rid of it, she at 87K miles on it and the car was still running like new.

As for my Liberty, the ride will be the only thing different in it. My Liberty with the 16 inch wheel and tires ride much smoother. The 3.7L serve the Liberty good..... not great, but good. The Liberty (IMO) looks a bit more tougher than the Nitro. I think the Nitro looks more sporter than the Liberty.

At the end, Its really a toss up. If you are split on the looks of both trucks then go with this, if you don't trail ride then the Nitro is the one you would want, if you trail ride and have deep snow then the Liberty is the one you would want.

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-Marcus-
2010 Jeep Liberty 4x4 Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl
Current mods: 6000K HID low/hi beams; Passport 9500i; CB radio
Future mods: 2 inch lift; Tint windows; Tail light tint; Duel exhaust; Sound system; Color matched wheels; Smoked headlights; Roof rights; Grille lights

Hey thank's, good comparison. At this point, I'm gona stick with the Liberty, just for the facts of a little more versatility if encountered foul weather, the 4 low option and also the select trac ll that has the full time 4 wheel drive.