Liberty for a first car?

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R33lwhiteboy

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Hey! The title pretty much says it all.

I just got my license, and am looking for a decent vehicle to use. As far as driving skills go, I can drive pretty much anything. I've driven my Mom's Toyota Camry, My Dad's Nissan Frontier, my Step Dad's F150, and my uncle's Toyota Sequoia all in equal amounts in the past year.

Right now, I'm trying to pick my first car. It's a toss up between a Dodge Ram, a Liberty, and a Scion tC. I'm really leaning towards the liberty.

Insurance isn't an issue, as I have my Step dad's army insurance to cover me, which is cheaper than regular insurance, and I have the Driver's Ed discount.

I want a liberty, as it's a lot smaller and more manageable than most SUVs, but it still has enough cargo space for me. I just had a couple questions about it, and I figured that the best place to start would be in the Liberty Forums.

Also, I test drove one at a dealership a few weeks ago, and had a few questions about it.

1st- How well does it do on gas mileage? Gas isn't an issue, because I've worked a steady job for over a year now and make just under $800 a month, but I want to get an estimate.

2nd- As far as backseat and passenger room goes, how well does it perform?

3rd- Is it any good for mudding?

Those are my basic questions. I have a few more about the test drive I did:


1) I noticed that the one I test drove didn't Idle forward. You let off the brake and it sat in place, unless you tapped the gas. Is this normal, or is this the just the specific one I drove.

2) Whenever I made small turns, even just adjustments, the thing leaned over like a sailboat (Not really, but there was noticeable pitch and yaw). Is the Jeep really easy to roll, or is that just the suspension?

3) The FWD lever had I think 3 or 4 different options. Can someone explain those to me, and what the differences are?


Well, that's about it. Any advice/suggestions would be welcome. Obviously, I'm getting one of the older used ones, because I hate the boxy square look on the newer ones. Think around the 2004-2006 range.

Thanks!
 

BigRich201

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Gas mileage ain't the best. Your looking at about 12 city and 17 highway mpg.

Rear passenger room is decent

Its great for mudding. If you get yourself some mud terrain tires its even better.

Not idling forward isn't a huge issue. Some times it will idle forward some times it won't. Thats normal.

If its leaning that bad either slow down when turning or the suspension is just old and some pieces may need to be replaced.

You most likely have the command trac 4wd system. It has 2hi for every day driving. Then 4hi this is for really slick roads or driving through snow Ice and loose gravel. This gives the power a 50-50 split to both axles. NEVER drive on a dry road while engaged In 4hi or you can have drive line binding which is really bad. Then you got neutral for flat towing. Then you got 4 low which is for when you are really stuck in the mud and gives you a crawl ratio of 2.73:1 but you will rarely ever use that.
 

hectikart

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12/17mpg?? I average around 19 mixed between highway and city. When I lived in Boston and was doing almost all city I got around 15. Long trips, all highway I'll get 20.

I love my KJ. I've had several other cars and a truck and so far the Liberty is my favorite vehicle. Awesome in the snow, I've neer gotten stuck. Fun off-road. I have 83,000 on mine and have had no problems except replacing CV's and u-joints. But that's basically maintenance if you do any kind of off-road driving.
 

tjkj2002

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Then you got 4 low which is for when you are really stuck in the mud and gives you a crawl ratio of 2.73:1 but you will rarely ever use that.
Low range is 2.72:1 and I have never used 4hi in my KJ.I never wheel in any gear but the trans in 1st gear and the t-case in 4 low.

2 t-cases in a KJ............

Command trac
-2wd
-4 part time
-N
-4 low
The above t-case can not be engaged in 4wd on pavement,even wet pavement or binding will occure and damge can occur.

Select trac
-2wd
-4 part time
-4 full time
-N
-4 low
The above t-case you can use 4 full time 4wd on any surface,even pavement.Not a direct shift t-case and prone to shifting issues and all 4 tires must be aired up the same and all 4 tires can not be more then 3/32"-4/32" tread depth difference.



Oh and must be nice to get a nice vehicle for your 1st vehicle.Worked my butt off for 6 months for a $400 Jeep Wagoneer for my 1st vehicle.Had to pay for it,pay insurance,and pay gas as no help from the parents.
 

Porkchop

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Can't have a Libberty as your fist car cause it's not a car its a jeep. So please don't kill the kitten.
 

crazyjeepkid

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liberty is my first car n ive had some pretty crazy adventures so far. if you're worried about you're status in a car like is it cool n such then do not get a scion tc. everybody i know makes fun of the car because it is a "women's car" n judging by the name whiteboy i doubt you are a girl. now you're down to ram n liberty so i would just flip a coin n let fate decide which car you get. heads for jeep, tails for liberty
 

04Liberty

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Some answers in bold below. I think it would make a good first vehicle for a teen, it's not exceptionally fast or powerful and you most likely won't get stuck (depending on the tires you have).

Hey! The title pretty much says it all.

I just got my license, and am looking for a decent vehicle to use. As far as driving skills go, I can drive pretty much anything. I've driven my Mom's Toyota Camry, My Dad's Nissan Frontier, my Step Dad's F150, and my uncle's Toyota Sequoia all in equal amounts in the past year.

Right now, I'm trying to pick my first car. It's a toss up between a Dodge Ram, a Liberty, and a Scion tC. I'm really leaning towards the liberty.

Insurance isn't an issue, as I have my Step dad's army insurance to cover me, which is cheaper than regular insurance, and I have the Driver's Ed discount.

I want a liberty, as it's a lot smaller and more manageable than most SUVs, but it still has enough cargo space for me. I just had a couple questions about it, and I figured that the best place to start would be in the Liberty Forums.

Also, I test drove one at a dealership a few weeks ago, and had a few questions about it.

1st- How well does it do on gas mileage? Gas isn't an issue, because I've worked a steady job for over a year now and make just under $800 a month, but I want to get an estimate.

Will get better gas mileage than the Ram for sure (we have both)

2nd- As far as backseat and passenger room goes, how well does it perform?

Decent back seat room, better doors than the old Cherokee for getting in and out

3rd- Is it any good for mudding?

Put some decent tires on it

Those are my basic questions. I have a few more about the test drive I did:


1) I noticed that the one I test drove didn't Idle forward. You let off the brake and it sat in place, unless you tapped the gas. Is this normal, or is this the just the specific one I drove.

2) Whenever I made small turns, even just adjustments, the thing leaned over like a sailboat (Not really, but there was noticeable pitch and yaw). Is the Jeep really easy to roll, or is that just the suspension?

3) The FWD lever had I think 3 or 4 different options. Can someone explain those to me, and what the differences are?


Well, that's about it. Any advice/suggestions would be welcome. Obviously, I'm getting one of the older used ones, because I hate the boxy square look on the newer ones. Think around the 2004-2006 range.

Thanks!
 

Marlon_JB2

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An '04 Liberty was my first vehicle. Well I'd count my '98 Durango but that only lasted a day. Long story. Worked out great. Visibility is good, doesn't roll easily and it's a mountain goat in the snow. Just remember that 4WD DOES NOT HELP YOU STOP.

Go get one.
 

rockymountain

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As for the idling forward. Mine does that. Most times it goes but it is very subtle. I love it. It's done it since 3000 miles (when I got mine). I thought it was strange too at first, but now it's a feature.

Most will say they get 16-18 in the city and around 20-22 on the highway. (if you're getting 12 something is wrong) New, mine got 18 and now lifted with bigger tires I get 16.5. No idea right now about highway but I'm taking a trip soon, so...

Yeah, and don't call it a car; my 3 year old will scorn you!
 

rockymountain

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Here's my explanation. You can stop lots quicker than you can accelerate on dry pavement. That gets reversed and then doubled, tripled and quadrupled with a 4x4 in snowy/icy conditions.

Then on the other hand you have both axles engine braking you when you let off the gas.
 

dude1116

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Oh and must be nice to get a nice vehicle for your 1st vehicle.Worked my butt off for 6 months for a $400 Jeep Wagoneer for my 1st vehicle.Had to pay for it,pay insurance,and pay gas as no help from the parents.

Easy, easy. I got it as my first vehicle and payed for the whole thing myself with zero help from the rents. I worked my ass off for it!
 

04Liberty

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Oh and must be nice to get a nice vehicle for your 1st vehicle.Worked my butt off for 6 months for a $400 Jeep Wagoneer for my 1st vehicle.Had to pay for it,pay insurance,and pay gas as no help from the parents.

That's the way it was for some of us, don't get butt hurt because someone is more fortunate.
 

tjkj2002

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More friction for the brakes to stop thus not going to lock up the front wheels as fast in 4wd as you would in 2wd.On ice you have zero traction if the tire is locked up.\ as you should already know.

Easy, easy. I got it as my first vehicle and payed for the whole thing myself with zero help from the rents. I worked my ass off for it!

That's the way it was for some of us, don't get butt hurt because someone is more fortunate.
Just stating it must be nice.You guy's get butt hurt way to easily.
 

osufans

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I'd say for a first vehicle, a Liberty isn't all that bad an option. They're pretty decent all around vehicles. If you get some good tires and replace the worn out suspension, you won't notice the roll/pitch when you go through turns.

As others have stated, the MPG isn't all that great. If you have a shorter drive, you'll be OK. I love the maneuverability the Liberty has. It's been a tank for me in the snow as well, and that was with some crappy tires.

As far as safety, the earlier years didn't have ABS or traction control, which I feel in most cases you're better off without, but some folks prefer it.

Also, I've seen a few flipped by young drivers who don't pay attention to the road conditions. While this would be the case regardless of what you were driving, as others have pointed out a Jeep, and more specifically 4x4, does not make you a better driver in the snow or other adverse conditions. Just remember that if you get one.

But all in all, I've been pleasantly surprised by mine.
 

Atrus

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More friction for the brakes to stop thus not going to lock up the front wheels as fast in 4wd as you would in 2wd.On ice you have zero traction if the tire is locked up.\ as you should already know.

? More friction for brakes? 'splain a little more please. IMHO, 4x4 stops worse in the snow just for the fact it's heavier than a 2wd vehicle. I don't how seeing a "powered" front axle helps when you're hitting the brakes.

To the OP - they are a great first vehicle. Just make sure to maintain it properly - a 4wd vehicle will not be as forgiving as a 2wd car in terms of missed tire rotations, etc. Also realize 4wd doesn't mean it's bulletproof and that you can go baja-ing without any repercussions. All vehicles have a weak point - make sure you learn about it so you don't break it. Also, just realize it's NOT a sports car and you have to drive it as such. The KJ handles really well for what it is (I am actually very impressed with handling/cornering after my lift), but remember it does have a higher center of gravity and it can tip.
 

04Liberty

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Just stating it must be nice.You guy's get butt hurt way to easily.

Not at all, just sounded like you were jumping on this kid for being fortunate enough to have a vehicle provided for him. Personally I think everyone should work for their first car, but some people are luckier than others.
 

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