jeep liberty opinions

mujaman · #1 (**permalink**) 05-25-2006, 07:43 PM

my sister is thinking about buying a jeep liberty... and she's currently looking at two different ones. both have the 5-speed manual, the 3.7 liter, and are 2003 models. one is a renegade and one is just a sport.

any advice on the liberty? is 2003 an exceptionally bad year for anything major? would she be better off going with a cherokee?

JeepMonkey · #2 (**permalink**) 05-26-2006, 02:44 AM

Depends on what/who she wants to haul around and how much money she wants to spend. My wife and I looked at Liberrty's in '03-'04 and were pretty impressed with them. We don't want to spend so much on the Cherokeee. I personally think the Liberty's are a tough lookin Jeep if they're done right. Throw some more aggressive tires on it, black out the back windows and maybe throw some aftermarket bumpers and lift and you've got a rreal tough lookin little Jeep.

bchcky · #3 (**permalink**) 05-26-2006, 07:58 AM

IMHO liberty's are girl cars (no offense intended). but seeing how she's your sister, go for it! they're actually relatively nice. like jumppr said, depends what she wants to haul around? kids or lots of friends, something even bigger than an XJ might be nice. my roommate has a liberty though, and he's got a 50 lb pit, he's got the cage for the back and she's completely comfortable in the trunk area, even on longer rides. i will say however though, i'm 5'5", and even for me, the back seats are a bit cramped, something to think about.

TwistedCopper · #4 (**permalink**) 05-27-2006, 12:34 AM

Personally, I don't like 'em. Looks aside, they have IFS and the interiors are cheesy and flimsy.

I think money would be better spent on a '99-'04 Grand Cherokee (aka "WJ") with the selectable full/part time 4wd.

bchcky · #5 (**permalink**) 05-27-2006, 02:08 AM

but on the other hand, if its never going to get off the pavement, IFS makes for a smoother ride. i'm not saying i'd buy one, but you could do worse, and they're not as bad as people think. i guess it would be worth looking into the price range difference between a liberty and WJ.

90Xjay · #6 (**permalink**) 05-27-2006, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bchcky

IMHO liberty's are girl cars (no offense intended)....

TwistedCopper · #7 (**permalink**) 05-27-2006, 03:21 PM

IFS isn't that much smoother than a coil spring solid axle. I would think the WJ's front end would be lower maintenance, not to mention they can be bought with ole reliable - the 4.0L six.

Laph · #8 (**permalink**) 05-27-2006, 06:21 PM

My wj hasn't failed me yet, never left me on side of road *Knock on Wood* and runs just as good as the day I got it. I have 152000+ miles on it '99. Would recomend the IL 6 4.0L only thing i do is change oil check fluids and try not to beat up on it to much but hell it's a jeep so It get muddy and climbs a few rocks. I do run full synthetic since I bought it. if I had to do over I would have just trown more stuff on it @ the dealers like all the skid plates.

so I guess what i'm getting at is I would go with a wj anyday. but that is my thought.

mujaman · #9 (**permalink**) 05-28-2006, 08:24 PM

thanks for the input...

she seems pretty set on a liberty, and actually has always liked them. right now she's looking at a 2003 3.7L 5-speed renegade that is really nice and only has 30K miles. its at a great price too... right around 14K (it bluebooks at almost 20). i drove it today and it is literally like a brand new vehicle, not a spot anywhere.

i agree with the idea that the liberty is girly... and i wouldn't have one for myself. i think it would make a great vehicle for her though.

any known major reliability issues for 2003?