Article on Yahoo

[ridenby]

Found this on Yahoo home page,part of article on 5 most expensive suvs to own.


Jeep Liberty

MSRP: $23,255 - $28,735

The Jeep Liberty offers real off-road performance, iconic Jeep styling and the classic touch of an optional canvas roof. If your plans take you off-road regularly, it looks like a cool option.

However, of the 22 small SUVs we analyzed, the Jeep Liberty has the highest Total Cost of Ownership, according to IntelliChoice. Even the least expensive Liberty has a TCO of $39,335, while a fully-equipped model can run as high as $44,196 over five years. That translates to a “Poor” rating at every trim level. Exceptionally high fuel costs, hefty depreciation and expensive maintenance explain the jaw-dropping numbers.

Better Buy: If you must have that macho Jeep styling and serious off-road capability, you don’t have to go broke to get it. You just have to turn around and walk a few steps in the Jeep showroom. For just as a Jeep SUV has the highest TCO in its class, another Jeep SUV has the lowest. The five-year cost of owning a Jeep Patriot runs as low as $29,135, earning the car an “Above Average” rating from IntelliChoice. The Patriot is as capable as the Liberty on the trail, yet it costs less to fuel, maintain and insure. It’s less expensive up front, too. MSRP from $17,795
Recent Articles

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Good luck trying to convince me that an MK can follow a KK. An MK can hold it's own, as long as is isn't compared to another Jeep...JMO...

 

[Dave]

Whoever wrote that article is on the wacky weed and *****....

Just my opinion.

Dave

 

[2003renegade]

ya i dont know about that.

 

[ChiefRudy]

Those Articles are geared towards people (and by people) who like to drive dainty suvs that have long forgotten what the term four wheel drive really is.

My mother just picked up a copy of the consumer reports book and all Jeeps in the small suv class are at the bottom at the list with the Liberty being a dead last. I really don't trust consumer reports or any of these articles for opinions on jeeps b/c they always give Jeeps low scores ( Unless it's an wrangler b/c there is nothing to compare it too)

On a side note: when I looking in Consumer reports book. The Hyundai Genesis coupe is listed as a "Muscle Car". When I saw that in the book it put my respect level for consumer report well into the negative number levels.
I wrote in Ricer burner beside the vehicles name to make myself feel better lol.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Our Liberty has not cost us no where near that much money to own and operate for the last 40 months of ownership!
That includes the lift, tires, and regular maintenance...
Ridenby, could you post the link for the original Yahoo blurb?

 

[2003renegade]

i notice alot of magazines and car report places dont like jeeps

 

[ridenby]

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1361/the-worst-small-suv-money-pits/

 

[LibertyTC]

I think what they did not say is that yes we actually put lots of miles on over the 5 years, (lots more gas) actually have accessories and bigger tires, and leave the Other SUV in our dust.

 

[loves_off_roading]

I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking a Patriot off-road. The Liberty is a lot tougher.

Taking a Patriot through a ditch = Yikes

 

[CRD Joe]

"Exceptionally high fuel costs, hefty depreciation and expensive maintenance explain the jaw-dropping numbers."

Neither of those things are applicable to me... So far 55,000 miles (I bought her used at 40,000) and nothing other than oil and fuel. AND Im getting 30+ on a regular basis....

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

So uh..
in 5 years and 100,000, they're insinuating ThunderbirdJunkie has spent over $20,000 on repairs and gas?

Maybe...but he also drives TWICE AS MUCH as the "average" American driver. Their argument is invalid.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

None of my vehicle cost me that much. KJ hasn't cost that, but then it only gets about 11k a year. Durango probably didn't and it got 24k a year.

Well my 02 Bravada did....about 20k in the body shop once....

 

[sharpy]

aaaaa pizzz on em......still love my libby

the reviews i read at NADA and KBB were very very good on the liberty.

at least they came from actual owners and not speculative info from one model year.

 

[tjkj2002]

If you believe consumer reports(and such places) your a idiot.They write the review depending on how much money the company of the reviewed item pays them for a kick back and why toyota and honda has alway's had good reviews.

They once stated that the CRV was better offroad then a Wrangler Rubicon(dunno).


There are only 1-2 other SUV's that are even truly in the same class as the Liberty,the Ford Escape and the CRV are not even close since they are based off of a car(same platform) and do not have 4wd as they have a AWD option only.Those car-based crossovers that the Liberty always gets pinned against all have one big added maintanance procedure that the KJ/KK(ecept gas 4 ****** and the CRD) does not have which is a costly timing belt replacement.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

When I buy a vehicle, I have never done research. There are no, good, and honest sources out there, ie something I can buy at a Barnes and Noble. Never did research on the KJ, or the LR3. Saw them, drove them, and bought them.

 

[diyman]

WAR !!!! protest.gifprotest.gifprotest.gifprotest.gif

Let's be sincere ( don't tell anyone ...) I'm too glad for those of You who had little trouble with our beloved ones.
Maybe due to the road conditions down here (Argh) , but I'm spending half of my income just to keep her as-new.
30 something k duration of front coils ***** !!! My water pump is emailing me saying it wants to break down soon ....

About off-road cababilities, our KJs are RX bikes in comparison to MX ones. They can do almost the same as
the latter. Let's enjoy them

 

[TigerClaws]

He still is encouraging Jeep brand ... Obvisouly that jerk has never been offroading and thinks ground clearance is how much gas it takes to cover a mile or so ... He probably has anorexia problems and has no clue what robust and tough do on weight ... That guy thinks that all americans (considering he may be in USA and publishes his articles in a US newspaper or website), he thinks all americans are totally ignorant and careless when it comes to vehicule maintenance, thus explaining the high costs he is referring to ... They should implement a law in North America that stipulates that every man or woman writing a critic or review about a car has to have a University diploma in car engineering ... Then maybe i would give them credits ... i said maybe right ? My cousin is an engineer and yet he cant choose a proper vehicule for what his needs are, i had to tell him why and why not to buy a certain vehicule ...

 

[TigerClaws]

If you can write to that guy who wrote this article... can you please copy paste and email him my reply ? I would be pleased to know that he knows that he knows nothing ...

 

[BjBnet]

When I bought my KJ I asked my neighbor if he liked his....hence I now own a KJ