Buying a 2005 Jeep Liberty in Saudi Arabia...

[nottmbantam]

Folks,

First post here and apologies if this is an often asked question, but wanted some advice before I take the plunge and buy a Jeep Liberty.

I'm a Brit expat living and working in Saudi Arabia and am in the market for an SUV / 4x4. Have so far looked at a Chevy Trailblazer, and will be going to view a Ford Explorer.

But, am going this evening to look at a 2005 Jeep Liberty, with just 77,000 km's on the clock, dark blue and is I think a 'Sport' version, but with the 3.7 V6. Fuel economy isn't an issue here, as it's so cheap, it's almost free.

Questions - will it be big enough for three of us, me, wife and 14 yr old ( tall ) teenage daughter in the back? Enough cargo space to go for a weekend camping and all the equipment? Comfy enough for long journeys ( four hour drive with a break in between )

I think I'm happy enough about the road handling and the off road ability, just a bit concerned about the size of the Liberty, as it seems much smaller than the Trailblazer or Explorer, but with with better off road ability.

I asked this same question on the "jeepforum ' forum, but got no replies at all, hoping you guys are a bit more helpful.

THanks in advance.

 

[hyde]

Keep the KJ (Liberty/Cherokee) for last test drive, and I believe once you handle the KJ vs Explorer or Trailblazer, you might find it with best road manners and great control. The space in front or rear should not be an issue at all, since KJ has a lot of leg and headroom in the back, even better than larger SUVs because they try to cut the legroom to add more cargo space.
Now cargo space might be an issue if you haul a lot of stuff, but I find it more than adequate for a family of 3 with light packing, and you can always add a roof rack for cheap. 4 hour journey is OK as long as it is not daily, I don't know what kind of seats are on that sport, but there are few different ones, so you might get softer ones or the board stiff ones, just test them out. You also don't want too soft seats, I like my leather seats, they are not soft at all, but comfortable enough on daily commute, however it gets a bit ******* my bum after 3-4hrs driving.

If KJ has the stock suspension & shocks, you will find it a bit stiff but much easy to handle, also check out the turning radius if you have to manoeuvre in tight spaces. KJ beats everyone in that.

PS: KJ looks smaller, but it is not really that small. It is also tall which fools the eyes to think it is too short. You can put them all side by side, you will find trail blazer not much larger than KJ. KJ is "cute" so it looks small.

 

[nottmbantam]

Hyde - many thanks for the reply, appreciated. I think it's put my worries at ease regarding space and long road journeys. The long drives would only be very occasionally - daily driving is a short drive to work and back, around 25kms each way, 20-25mins , and that's just me on my own. Family would only really be in it at the weekends. Don't really expect to be hauling a lot of gear, only for a short weekend camping trip really.

Had a look at You Tube videos to see it in some off road action, just wanted to gauge what it was like on the road.

Will go to view it, and report back!

Cheers.

 

[Neb1373]

On a forum you are gonna get a bias opinion, but that's for a good thing. We all love our jeeps . I've had mine since January and have just lived the crap out of it. I alone have taken it on a 15 hr trip across the country and couldn't complain one bit. In fact I am sitting in mine right now and see 2 others in my work parking lot. Explorers? 0... Not to mention I live in ford country! If you get the jeep and love it 1/2 as much as we do then you will definitely be pleased. And good luck with your search.

 

[Luke]

Welcome ...

Storage .. I just took my daughter to university (dorm) with practically everything she has ever amassed over the past 18 years. Split the rear seats 40/60 (she even got the 60 side for the ride) and my wife, myself and my daughter drove the 400kms to Windsor. KJ handled it all like a champ! Unlike every other vehicle that pulled up to unload (read:saggy minivans) you could not even tell it was loaded until I opened the back ...lol

Best of Luck .... from what I can tell of your requirements you will enjoy it!

For my money the KJ was more capable than anything else I test drove ...

 

[theroofable]

Go for the Jeep!!!! And send us some free gas!

 

[Cardhu]

The ride in the back seat I've always found rough especially with shot rear springs like I have now. (Parts at the mercy of UPS and soon to be fixed). Also loads of head room in rear. Friend is 6' 5" and prefers it back there compared to jaming knees on from OMJ handle on front passenger side.

I have stock KJ sport highback buckets, Not really comfortable but I've had worse. Gets ******* upper back after 10 hours but opinions vary. Slightly skewed by the desire to get out of the vehicle after such time.

More then enough room for camping. Went for 3 weeks, 3 provinces, 2 states and 10,000 KM in August and was only stacked as high as the windows with a highly organized bunch of rubbermaids , 2 coolers plus a extra suitcase full of crap from the wedding we just came from in addition to our regular sets of clothing and 17 pairs of shoes.

Jeep is also just wide enough for 2 full size cart golf bags to fit width ways across the rear area plus 2 golf carts on top with the rear seat up. Not minivan territory but I guess that's the point.

 

[nottmbantam]

ok - so went to view it tonight, all three of us went along, to see how it would cope with all of us. I take the point that it is 'taller' , as the headroom - e.g. getting in and out wasn't an issue. One thing I noticed with the TrailBlazer is the steering wheel always makes it difficult for to get my legs underneath easily.

Bodywork was all tidy, rust isn't an issue here due to the intense dry heat. AC was working pretty well too! As mentioned, its a 3.7 version, with cruise control, auto gearbox etc. Drove nicely and feels much more tighter than the TB's I've driven, which end to rattle and squeak when going over bumps and uneven roads.

THe problem is, I've just sold a BMW 7 series, and after driving that, nothing is going to feel the same for a while, as it was an absolute pleasure to drive. I know I have to re-educate myself and realise that I need to re-set my driving expectations - buying an SUV isn't going to be like driving a 7er.

Anyway - overall, I think it's pretty good set of wheels. Perhaps in the price range I'm looking, maybe the best off roader. THe thing that still niggles is the rear cargo space, which I did think was small. Throw in some basic camping gear and it's gonna get pretty full pretty quickly I think.

I did actually make the guy an offer. He was asking $9,600 ( down from $10,100 ) and I offered $9,300. I still think it's a bit over priced, as Jeeps here depreciate very quickly. Yesterday I was due to look at another Liberty, same spec, 2005 but with 166,000kms on the clock ( around 100,000 miles ) and that was going for $8000.

I'm still in two minds about it - don't know if I prefer the bulk of the TB or the Ex.

Thanks all for the replies though, much appreciated and very helpful indeed. Much more helpful than that 'other' forum....

 

[Dave]

Sounds like the KJ should work out for you and I will bet you can have a lot of fun in the sand with it.

Dave

 

[Chris_22]

...I did actually make the guy an offer. He was asking $9,600 ( down from $10,100 ) and I offered $9,300. I still think it's a bit over priced, as Jeeps here depreciate very quickly. Yesterday I was due to look at another Liberty, same spec, 2005 but with 166,000kms on the clock ( around 100,000 miles ) and that was going for $8000....

If 1300$ price increase gets you a vehicle with half of the miles of the $8000, I'd say its no contest. If all the KJ's at 130-150k are 8,000 and up, i think you'd be getting a great deal with 77k for even 9,600. 10,000 is too much...

I bought my 09 KK Sport basically as it sits right now for 15k here in the states with 21,000 miles on it, FWIW.

 

[nottmbantam]

Update - went to look at two Explorers today, first one very low mileage for the year ( 2003 and priced around $10,600 and the second one was much higher mileage, coming in at $8,100.

I think on the balance of it all, considering there are three adults in the car ( teenage daughter is quite tall, so she needs lots of room ) coupled with the cargo space, the Explorer is going to be better for the family.So, sadly, I've ruled out the Liberty.

The other issue is that Ex's tend to keep their value much better here and in about two years when I'm thinking of moving on, the Ex will be easier to sell on and I won't lose as much money.

Thank you all for the advice and information, much appreciated.

 

[Luke]

Ooooh ... your welcome ... sadly it appears we didn't help that much

hope you researched the Exploder forums too?:shrug:

 

[hyde]

Is explorer AWD? I mean, driving behind those things daily (most taxicabs here are explorers) their rear axle is hair thin, and when it is 2WD, it looks like a tin can on wheels. No disrespect, they are really nice, together looking vehicles, with fast engine and nicer interior, but they just don't look strong enough. I am pretty sure they ride soft too, I guess 4 wheel independent suspension as opposed to KJ's solid rear.

Anyway, let us know the differences you found between handling of explorer & KJ, I am really curious. And enjoy your purchase.

 

[Luke]

I don't want to appear as being harsh just for the sake of it ...

You spoke of "off road ability" being of importance. Maybe/hopefully that's not as important to you as cargo room at this point.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Enjoy your new (To you) Ford Exploder!
I am sure you did a comprehensive road test in all the vehicles you test drove.
On a side note however, my youngest daughter (Alex 15 years old) is already 5 foot 10 inches tall! ( Mind you, I am 6' 5")
So when my wife and I test drove the Exploder we found that when Jen (My wife) drove it, it was the only time Alex had any leg room in the back seat behind the driver. When I drove it, there was hardly any leg room for her!
But it is more than likely that your's sits behind the front passengers seat so it really doesn't matter!

Anyway, we chose the KJ because it is better off road and less expensive to repair compared to a Ford. ( Here in B.C. Anyway.)

Regardless, enjoy the vehicle you purchase!
That is what's important.

When you take possession of you new ride, post a picture of it for all of us to see!

Cheers and good luck!

All the best.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Damn.
I hit the submit button to quick...

BTW, you do know what Ford means; right?

Fix or repair daily!

Just kidding

Enjoy and have fun!

 

[Geep]

Found On Road Dead?

Hopefully your new vehicle is white

 

[LibertyTC]

I Thought FORD meant:
Fast Only Rolling Downhill
or
Funding Our Retirement Daily

But then Chrysler stands for:
Company Has Recommended You Start Learning Engine Repair!

And Jeep:
Just Enough Engine Power

 

[al7fi]

I Thought FORD meant:
Fast Only Rolling Downhill
or
Funding Our Retirement Daily

Not to forget: Found On Road Dead (sorry, missed the earlier reference)
(and I still own my first new Ford[64.5 Original Edition Mustang]!)