Our ST Replacement Vehicle

[Mitch H]

Here are some pictures of the new Vehicle we bought to replace the ST we sold. It's a 05 Jeep Liberty Limited CRD (Common Rail DIESEL). We love it so far, got about 23 MPG on the first tank of gas. Tank is only 20.5 gal. Imagine when the engine is broken in. I have found a website for Liberties and talked to some guys down under in Australia who have the same thing and thier reporting converted into US Gallons about 26-30 mpg in theres once broken in. My wife wanted me to leave it stock, but those of you that remember my ST know I just couldn't do that. We have had it about 3 weeks and it's already got a 2.5 inch Daystar Spacer Lift and 255/75/16 BFG AT TA tires. We actually like it alot better than the ST which is surprising. The only thing I REALLY miss about my ST are the seats. The Jeeps seats are comfy, but nothing compared to my old ST. Ohh, my heated seat button is better located too. :lol: The engine is VERY quiet and when fueled with B2 Ultra Low Sulfer Deisel will burn cleaner than a normal unleaded engine. Fill it with Bio Diesel and it will smell like french fries comming out of the tail pipe. Just got it ALL shined up and thought I'd post some pics for yall. Even though I bought a Jeep, I will still be floating around in here. You all have been great to me and I'm not going to soon forget that. I'm even going to stick around to bug Caymen from time to time. :lol: I have learned more about my ST from yall than the dealership! Thanks again. Hope yall like our new Jeep.

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[Tom Schindler]

Longarm,



I love you man. Read an article in the paper about the Liberty CRD. It will take 100,000 miles to break even with the fuel savings, maybe longer if Diesel continues to stay the price it is.





Tom

 

[Chuck Lake]

I've always liked the looks of the Liberty's... especially the ones with the light rail along the top of the windshield. I just read an article about the diesel Liberty in the September Car and Driver. They kept harping about the noise of the diesel. It is good to hear that yours is not noisy like they have stated. I bet if that same diesel engine came in a VW or a Honda, they would be singing its praises. Make sure you post some pix of your mods. Looking at the ARB site... is it true that the Liberty is called the Cherokee KJ in Australia? ... and have you seen ARBs bumper for your vehicle??? SWEET.



Keep us posted.

 

[Gypsy me]

Very nice Longarm, Looks fun to drive too. Congrats!

 

[Mitch H]

Yes, the Liberty in Australia is called the Cherokee. Actually, it will take about 12-15K miles to break in the engine. As far as fuel savings, well, I will be breaking about even now or soon. I'm getting BETTER gas milage in this than my ST. Actually, I know of another Liberty CRD owner that got about just about 500 miles out of a single tank of gas on the highway on a recent road trip. Thats hard to beat. PLUS, as long as this engine is properly maintained, when a regular unleaded ungine dies at say, and well be nice, maybee 300K miles, a diesel is known for still going strong. I don't really go by reviews in magazines. As I recall Consumer Reports and some other magazines rated my ST as being less than par and I never really had any problems with it. I loved my ST. I just had to keep the wife happy, so it had to go. I generally go and look to other owners and pick their brains. As I did just before purchasing my ST, I came here and talked to all the good knowledgeable people and decided to purchase an ST because of it. Consumer Reports rates the interior of my Liberty as being "Cheap Plastic Feeling." That couldn't be farther from the truth. The seats don't have lumbar, but thats something I'm working on. That is the biggest thing I miss about my ST, I LOVED MY SEATS! Other than that, it's great. It is a quiet engine for a diesel, but don't get me wrong, when you are going about 25 and step on it, you can hear it's a diesel by it's little bit of rumble. I don't mind it though, I actually like it. It's a welcome change from the loud duel exhaust I had on my ST. Then again, my ST would take off like a bat out of hell from a stop light and you could hear it screaming as it flew. :lol:

 

[Deleted deleted]

My wife and I looked at Liberty's while shopping for her. Test drove it, then drove the Kia Sportage. The Sportage had a nicer ride, more power, and higher quality plastics than did the Liberty, in my opinion. And a better factory warranty. Plus the Kia has the spare tire under the vehicle instead of on the vulnerable tailgate. We also tossed out the Toyota RAV4 from our consideration due to the tailgate mounted spare.



A CRD engine would be nice, but with diesel running 25 cents more per gallon than 87 octane, it might take awhile like Tom said to recoup any savings.

 

[EddieS'04]

Very nice, I like the liberty. The only thing I dont like. Iam with Darin, I wont buy a vehicle with the spare hanging on the door. I have known people that had as much as $2k in dammage, from the tire being hit. Otherwise if I can get past that fear, I could consider it a replacment for my wifes '01 Escape..

 

[Tom Schindler]

At a quarter per gallon premimum for Diesel Fuel, the savings are not that great.



Lets say, the Diesel will average 25 MPG mixed highway/city. You drive 15,000/year.



15,000/25=600 Gallons of fuel used. At 2.25/gallon for Diesel, you spend about $1350.00/year in fuel.



A Libery without the diesel engine, lets say averages 20 MPG hixed City/highway.



15,000/20=750 Gallons of fuel used. At $2.00/gallon for 87 octane, you spend $1500.00/year.



With the Diesel engine you save about $150.00/year in gas.



The Diesel costs, IIRC, about $4,000 extra. Please correct me if I am wrong.



At that rate, it would take 26 years to break even.



I am all for alternative fuels. In my opinion the price really needs to come down to make it worth while to buy. Sometimes we forget, just because you save fuel at the pump, doesn't always mean you are saving money in your wallet.



If I were to buy a new Escape tomorrow, I would seriously consider a Hybrid version, not so much to save money, I just like the way they operate. If it were about saving money, a 4 cylinder Escape would save me more money then the Hybrid would.



Most cars are not taken off the road because of engine failure, they are taken off the road because of accidents and body failures. The body will rust out more often then the engine will fail.





Tom

 

[Mitch H]

Thanks. Actually, the Diesel option was only an extra $1240.00. SO, we didn't do to bad and we like it. I don't plan on getting rid of this one. If the wife wants something different in a couple of years, then this one will be mine. Actually, i'm hopeing it works that way.

Caymen, thanks for crunching the numbers for me. Were happy with this vehicle so far. WHen your ST is dead and in the auto graveyard even after 200k+ miles, call me and I'll give you a lift. My Jeep will still be running strong. Ohh, want to go offroading sometime??? I'll bring the strap to pull you out with. LOLOL!!!!!

 

[Nelson Atwell]

Good luck with the "Jeep" Just remember, it isn't a Wrangler, and it isn't as off-road capable as one either. It is fine for getting through snow on the way to the grocery or mall though.

 

[Tom Schindler]

My Trac does not see offroads. It is only a 4x2. My Trac works its but off on the road. It hauls WAY too much weight, pulls a trailer way too heavy, and gets way too hard. If it blows up at 100,000 miles, it was worth every penny.



FWIW< both my brother and sister have Explorer's. One is a 1999 and the other is a 1998. Both have well over 140,000 miles on them. Still run like a top. I figure they both have at a minimum of 50,000 miles on them. Time will tell.



Ultimatly, I am happy for you. There is nothing like the feeling of a new car. The pride of ownership is awesome. If Ford offered a Trac with a diesel, I would seriously look into one. Same goes for an F-150. That would help me decide on an F-150.



I hope that engine performs flawlessly for you. Hopefully it will be more reliable then my cousin'd TDI VW Jetta. He has spent more money in repairs then I have in gas over the last 55,600 miles. He still thinks he is saving money getting 50+ MPG in it.





Tom



When you need a yard of dirt, give me a call.

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[EddieS'04]

Hey Caymen, can you deliver a yard of dirt to Houston. Trying to keep my trac clean..:lol:

 

[Tom Schindler]

Only if you buy the gas.





Tom

 

[Randy Hinebaugh]

I rode in the back seat of a Liberty (rental car of a friend of mine) right after they first came out. It was a rough ride to say the least. I'll take a long wheelbase anyday for a smooth ride.



If I wanted something to go wheelin' in, I'd buy a used wrangler with big tires, or preferably an old Bronco (just like the way they look)

 

[Barry Collyer 2]

As a proud owner of a Jeep Wrangler.....I have only one comment:



No matter how you dress it up.... it is still a dodge. Expect to fix it often.



Sorry....but this is based on years of experience with that company.

 

[Alan Peters]

My wife has a 05 CRD Diesel Liberty. Its a great truck, but the quality is terrible. Rear seals and tranny mounts had to be replaced. The oil pan gasket leaked and the rear diff replaced as well. Ring and pinion will be replaced this week. Thats a 3 day job according to the SM. This is all under 10000 miles mind you. DCX have the worst dealers IMO. She's considering a 06 Escape.

 

[Greg Cheek]

Congrats man nice ride!!! I traded my ST for a Wrangler and haven't been happier with it. Now if the 07' ST comes out with rear buckets and a V8-I might just switch back. I do miss the versatility and design of the ST-I just got a lemon that was in for repairs more than on the road. I looked at the Renegades and I thought the fit & finish was at least on par with the St's. Even though it may not save you big bucks-the diesel is a start in the right direction, maybe Jeep will come out with a hybrid Liberty that would be pretty cool.

 

[Max Trax]

Hey, they're just jealous. I like diesel engines, but have no experience with one. I think you're truck is pretty cool, and don't forget you're still part of this site. Good luck with your new rig, I hope you keep it or a long time.

 

[Tom Schindler]

A Diesel-Electric Hybrid would be the best way to go. It should be even better MPG with that. A small diesel engine with gobs of torque, then to top it off, electric motors with a bunch of HP.



A win/win situation there.





Tom

 

[David Replogle]

Off-Road Adventures has a big write-up about the new Liberty Diesel this month