Liberty Info

[bpwillet]

I am looking to buy a new car and the Jeep Liberty Renegade was one of my choices. I don't know much about these cars beyond what the websites or the brochures put out. I need some help. Any of you Liberty owners out there I have some questions--What do you absolutely LOVE about this car? What would you have done differently? What would you have chosen to drive if you weren't driving the Liberty? Where have you taken this car? How did it do? How many people have you fit in the car comfortably (I ask because I am 6'4" and I think of those things)? What is the ride like? I would love any information you'd be willing to give out. I thank you very much!

Brad

Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you like.

[GTP Dad]

My wife and I own a 2003 Liberty Renegade and we like it a lot. It is short and easy to get into tight places. It has adequate leg and head room for its size. We can easily hold 5 people comfortably. The ride is a bit harsh but ours is 4 wheel drive.

There are a couple of items I would have done differently if I were the designer. First, the sun visors are too low. They block your vision when they are in the down position. Second, the location of the window controls is in the center console. They should be on the doors where they belong.

We have not taken it off road but we live in PA. Last winter we had a lot of snow and I used it for work on occasion. It goes very well in the snow, even deep snow is no problem.

If we hadn't bought the Liberty we probably would have gone for an Explorer, but the stud factor is much greater in the Renegade, it just looks good traveling down the road and of course it is Trail rated!

My wife thinks she looks very sexy in her Renegade!

[bpwillet]

Thanks for the great info. That is what I need. Owner's experience and opinions. I think this will help me make a more educated decision! Much appreciated!

[2crunk]

I know this is a month later, sorry just read your post, but if you are still looking to get a renegade i used to have one. (traded it for my Mustang GT) I can pretty much concur with everything GTP said. The inside passenger seat has very little leg room, the window controls in the center were a bad idea in my opinion, and as far as taking it "off-road" i have also done that. Last summer me and some buddies went out in the mountains and went rock climbing and when we were done decided while we were here to go 4-wheeling. I drove thru mud, snow, climbed rocks, hills, just about everything. The 4-wheel drive never got stuck once. Unlike my friends Toyota Tacoma! Out of a 10 i would give it 8.5.

[Bimmer9]

I have a liberty 2002 sport. You may find it ok for your size if you put the seat all the way back, but if you are planning to have someone sit behind you, it may be too difficult for them to enjoy the ride. So far, no major problems in my car. It is currently running on 42,000 miles and only the battery went out and that could have been because the light switch was faulty and it was replace; no problems since. Keep up with the scheduled maintanance as well as the oil changes. The window controls in the center are like the ones BMW has. It is a good idea because if the resistors go out, instead of taking it for service you may just switch resistors around to see if those are the problem. I own a BMW and both have the same window operation system, may be that's why I don't have any difficulty adjusting to it. The only problem w/ its design is the high wind noise. It has a powerful engine in comparison to nissan xtera which can have the same horse power, but it has to be upgraded to a bigger air intake (I think?) putting more stress on the engine. My other choice was to get a Toyota Tacoma, but they are a bit high in price. In the scale of 1-10 I'll give my 42,000 mile 2002 liberty a 9.0.

[rb1322]

Does anyone else have a problem with rubbing your head getting in and out? I have an 06 65th Liberty Edition and I can't get the seat adjusted right so I don't rub my head on the door frame. I'm only 5'10.

[Chris Stewart]

I don't have a head clearance problem but my legs drag on the steering wheel while trying to get out with it adjusted as high as it'll go. It's what my load leveler drives so I don't have to endure it daily.