MPG ..... and would you buy a CRD again ???

imjustdave · **Joined:** Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:47 pm **Posts:** 2

Ok folks been reading up on the Liberty Diesel, and thinking about making the plung to buy one, but I need to know what folks are really getting in economy, and if they feel like they would buy it again, Im debating on keeping what I have, about 20K worth of car at 17mpg, spend 6 more, so 26K Jetta TDI, or buy a liberty diesel, for about 23K just a few more but suposedly better economy. So whould you buy again? and what ecnomy is real world ?

Cowpie1 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:11 pm

I get around 27mpg real world. That includes average of all situations. I don't live around a major city so that not an issue. I live in a rural area of Iowa, so predominately my driving is gravel road and highway with only a very small amount in town. I use it frequently to make a run out on the farm and check things, so it gets a little off road workout as well.

If it is all about economy, the VW wins hands down. Wouldn't work for me. Snow gets to be a problem in a rural setting. It all depends on what you need.

I haven't had any of the issues yet that others have had. I did the open CCV mod right out of the gate. Probably because I don't drive it like a Ferrari and I don't have to fight the big city rush hour crowd that the issues expressed on this forum have not occured.

It has been reliable for me. More time will tell.

Jeger · **Posted:** Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:23 pm

Im only at about 6k miles on ours and I am getting about 27MPG average as well. Once I get a few more miles on it I expect it to go up some.

I am with Cowpie1. If you are going for best economy get the VW for sure. If you want the flexibility of a Jeep get the CRD. If it only snows once a year it is worth it for me to know that my wife should make it home okay.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:30 pm

I live downtown San Antonio...stop and go...I am getting right at 20. Considering I don't get on any major roads, I am very pleased. On a trip to Austin and back I got 26+. I only have 1800 miles on it and figure the mileage to still get a little better.

Another reason I purchased the Liberty was for the 4x4 system. I offroaded my 2002 KJ 3.7L gasser to death and it was still in good shape but the mileage made me go after the CRD. The FullTime selection in the transfercase makes any surface (wet/slick) much easier to drive on safely. The ESP (Electronic Stabilization) and ROM (Rollover Management) along with 4-wheel disc with ABS finish off the package. I have raced cars for over 20 years but street driving is crazy...lol.

I will probably keep this CRD for quite a while. I liked my 2002 but I really love this thing...

I marked "I had a few issues" but I did that because of the EGR/CCV problems others are having. I have already done the "elephant hose fix" until a fix for any possible problems is in the works.

DZL_LOU · **Posted:** Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:35 pm

22,120 miles no issues, no repairs and 30mpg highway with 24 mpg city.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:30 pm

imjustdave wrote:

Ok folks been reading up on the Liberty Diesel, and thinking about making the plung to buy one, but I need to know what folks are really getting in economy, and if they feel like they would buy it again, Im debating on keeping what I have, about 20K worth of car at 17mpg, spend 6 more, so 26K Jetta TDI, or buy a liberty diesel, for about 23K just a few more but suposedly better economy. So whould you buy again? and what ecnomy is real world ?

If you need fuel economy, buy and economy car (this ain't no ecomomy car). I have written a lot of negative things lately about my CRD, but I do have to admit the fuel economy is climbing into the 25-27 mpg range. This is good economy given the weight, aerodynamics (lack of), and drag of 4X4 equipment. I think you need to assess your needs (you are comparing apples to oranges). Do you need a 4X4 and the expense of maintaining the extra hardware??? If your priority is economy (operating cost/mile), there are better choices available than the CRD.

Would I buy this vehicle again? NO. It has nothing to do with fuel economy. Compared to other vehicles I've owned, it's a maintenance pig with questionable and limited/controlled parts availability. Can easily see a day when you will need repairs, have to pay through the nose for DC proprietary parts and have to rely on a clueless (though factory trained) tech to fix it. No thank you, there is no economy in that at all.

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

I have not got any better than 24.85 MPG on my daily 80 mile round trip commute but I have 9500miles with ZERO problems!! I wish I could get 28-30 MPG

Special Agent · **Posted:** Tue Jul 04, 2006 2:38 am

TDI4BY wrote:

I have not got any better than 24.85 MPG on my daily 80 mile round trip commute but I have 9500miles with ZERO problems!! I wish I could get 28-30 MPG

I'm averaging only 18-19 mpg!!!

*sigh*

I think everybody else must be driving on flat roads at 70...

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 04, 2006 3:40 am

RFCRD wrote:

If your priority is economy (operating cost/mile), there are better choices available than the CRD.

Just an FYI, according to my excel spreadsheet, I pay ~$0.12 a mile to drive my CRD. My 00 Lightning was ~$.027 a mile....so it ain't bad!

Would I buy another? Not sure at this point. I'm on my 2nd time at the dealership in 7 months and 13.8K miles....

Reggie · **Posted:** Tue Jul 04, 2006 8:01 am

The pig has never got better than 20.5mpg hand calculated. Hopefully it will stay out of the shop for a while since its last visit.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Tue Jul 04, 2006 8:36 am

RTStabler51 wrote:

RFCRD wrote:

If your priority is economy (operating cost/mile), there are better choices available than the CRD.

Just an FYI, according to my excel spreadsheet, I pay ~$0.12 a mile to drive my CRD. My 00 Lightning was ~$.027 a mile....so it ain't bad!

Would I buy another? Not sure at this point. I'm on my 2nd time at the dealership in 7 months and 13.8K miles....

You nailed the fuel cost/mile at $0.12. That is exactly what I see out of mine which is equal to the cost of running my full-size Chevy pick-up. By comparison my '04 Impala is running me @ $0.085/mile (2/3 the cost) to do the same task. Neither of those vehicles have cost me uncounted hour of on-line research looking for engineering fixes for issues that should have been addressed long before my CRD was ever built.

What is more troubling/expensive is the scheduled maintenance. For @ 12K of driving on the CRD, figure on 2 oil changes (pushing $100/ea) and axle & t-case fluids (quoted @ $375). If you intend to use the dealer for scheduled maintenance, this vehicle will be expensive to run.

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

If the only reason you are buying is for MPG, get a Jetta Diesel. You can get "good" mpg out of the CRD, but only about 1/2 of the Jetta's. The CRD is a compromise between an SUV and an econobox as far as fuel is concerned. I bought the CRD as a replacement for an xterra's awful MPG knowing that a jetta would do much better. I also know that a Jetta would never take me places the CRD will, nor will it allow me "all weather" driving like the CRD.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:47 am

vtdog wrote:

If the only reason you are buying is for MPG, get a Jetta Diesel. You can get "good" mpg out of the CRD, but only about 1/2 of the Jetta's. The CRD is a compromise between an SUV and an econobox as far as fuel is concerned. I bought the CRD as a replacement for an xterra's awful MPG knowing that a jetta would do much better. I also know that a Jetta would never take me places the CRD will, nor will it allow me "all weather" driving like the CRD.

Pretty much the same here, except it was the wife's thinking and she wanted another SUV. I had her get the CRD so as not to cost an arm & leg to drive compared to a VW V6 Touareg.

Myself I would trade the Magnum for one if it had more room in it, seats the quality of a Magnum and as quite as a Magnum.

Oh crap what I really want is a AWD V6 CDI 3L diesel from MB with the MB 5spd tranny.

pokey555 · **Joined:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:47 pm **Posts:** 50

I have just over 1500 miles and other than a need for an oil separator, I have no other issues. We have seen as high as 28mpg and as low as 20, just depends on how heavy your foot is and the terrain. My main reason for purchasing it was due to the need for a winter vehicle, cost, fitting a car seat, kid gear and safety, in a package with a diesel engine (7 total, three trucks, two suvs, two cars)

Rob

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:19 am

Special Agent wrote:

TDI4BY wrote:

I have not got any better than 24.85 MPG on my daily 80 mile round trip commute but I have 9500miles with ZERO problems!! I wish I could get 28-30 MPG

I'm averaging only 18-19 mpg!!!

*sigh*

I think everybody else must be driving on flat roads at 70...

I am thinking these "Sounders" :lol:

think they are doing 70 MPH but that is I-5/I-405 70 which means speed up to 70, slow down to 30, stop, speed up to 70.........

I occassionally do a paper calculation and find it pretty close to the EVIC which is much easier to use. Mine is currently pinned on 24.5 after three tanks in about 1 month of mixed driving, probably 1/3 city. My typical days commute is 1 mile of dirt and gravel (20 MPH), 8 miles of rural highway (60 MPH)5 miles of city arterials (30 MPH). I guess that gets me a little over 1/3 when I think about it. There are a lot of hills too. I would guess that my slow speed driving in hills is about 18 and pushing 30 on the open road. I will test the open road the end of the month when I drive to Portland and I will test it again in late August when I drive to the San Juan Islands (I will get some B99 or B100 for a test while there)

The only work that I have had done are the two transmission TSB's and the BMC recall. I got a two year dealer maintenance program with my purchase so it always sees the dealer and I have made no mechanical mods.

So far the CRD is like one of those really comfortable pair of shoes you buy. After you buy them you like them so well that you think you should buy a second pair to put into the closet knowing that the shoe will no longer be available when you wear this pair out.

My CRD replaced a very tired Taurus. The decision was between it or a very economical small car. I have a 1/4 mile driveway and I also like to camp. The SUV was a more utility vehicle to best fit my needs to not want to sit on a cold tractor plowing snow, to be able to pull a travel trailer or a boat, but it was the CRD that tipped the choice for my needs as it is hands down the best compromise between a no nonesense SUV and economy.

HotChiliRam · **Posted:** Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:28 am

I have a 2004 CRD with 46.613Miles in the ODO, I have had Zero Problems with mine, my MPG's are 26MPG's driving on Highway and City. That's a lot better than the Miles I get from my 1990 XJ wich gets, If I'm lucky, 14MPG's. If I had the money to buy other CRD (For me because the one that I have now is my wife's) I would do it.
No problems, great fuel economy and (like the forum tittle say's) I LOVE that torque. I can pull my XJ all over the country and the CRD just pulls.
I love it.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Tue Jul 04, 2006 12:30 pm

I find it funny when I hear complaints about the MPG. It looks like for the most part people are really getting the estimated mpg as advertized. The only other "mid-sized SUV" that gets better highway is the Subaru ( I still think it is more of a stationwagon ) and it is only rated 1mpg more at 28 highway. So for a 'mid-sized SUV", the CRD is one from the top.

If someone is looking for just MPG then a tiny gas engine, hybrid, or diesel sedan is the way to go. The Liberty CRD is not trying to fill that segment of the market. This is a true SUV with 4x4 ability off and on road that gets great mileage against its "peer group". I just don't think you will find another similiar US Spec vehicle that has the attributes of the CRD and the mileage.

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

Dave,

My mileage has ranged from 21-23 in city driving, 28 to 32 mpg highway. Would I do it again ? Not on your life, even though I really like mine when its not breaking down. I am a diesel enthusiast, but I would not buy any diesel from DCX after this experience. Their ability and committment at a corporate level to handle problems when they do arise is the real problem with their diesel offerings in the US.

If you still want one anyway, go for it - "it's just a vehicle." :-)

To put into Seinfeld speak to DCX - Anybody can sell a diesel vehicle, but you have to be able to fix the vehicle when it breaks down - you know how to sell it but you can't fix it!

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:10 pm

DarbyWalters wrote:

I find it funny when I hear complaints about the MPG. It looks like for the most part people are really getting the estimated mpg as advertized. The only other "mid-sized SUV" that gets better highway is the Subaru ( I still think it is more of a stationwagon ) and it is only rated 1mpg more at 28 highway. So for a 'mid-sized SUV", the CRD is one from the top.

If someone is looking for just MPG then a tiny gas engine, hybrid, or diesel sedan is the way to go. The Liberty CRD is not trying to fill that segment of the market. This is a true SUV with 4x4 ability off and on road that gets great mileage against its "peer group". I just don't think you will find another similiar US Spec vehicle that has the attributes of the CRD and the mileage.

I'm getting in the low 20's - city or highway. Unless a lot of you are full of it, I can expect better. That is only a mile or two better than the 8000 pound Dodge I drive for work. Right now I have 2 theories about the MPG. Innacurate odometer or fuel aeration causing the fuel system to operate at reduced pressure. I'm going to look into both, but right now I'm working out of town on a project that just won't end. All I can do for now is "whine" about it. :wink:

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

Quote:

I'm getting in the low 20's - city or highway

What does your 5-STAR Jeep dealership say about that?

MPG ..... and would you buy a CRD again ???

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