Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4 door

[Colt45]

Rob, I have an '02 Jeep Liberty Sport. Six cylinder, four wheel drive.

It's excellent in the snow! It's more truck-like than some others, so it's

a bit noisy on the highway, but cruises easily at 70 - 75 mph. Sucks the gas

down! Storage space is okay, and the rear seats fold down for extra room.

It would have more cargo capacity than the Wrangler.

The Wrangler 5 door isn't out yet, so there's not much press.

[CIGARHead]

Dont know anything about it Rob, but that thing is sweet. Im in for a new truck. Been driving my piece since '98. Looking at a Nissan Titan Crew cab.

[DocRKS]

Rob:

Here is the synopsis put out by a major non-profit consumer reporting group from their web site...this is the outfit that accepts no advertising at all and buys all the products they test themselves....... Sounds like an OK car - nothing special but not bad either - AVG to Good...

*****************************************************

Highs: Turning circle, off-road ability, standard stability control.

Lows: Fuel economy, ride, access.

The Liberty is a step forward for Jeep, but doesn't break new ground for the category. Acceleration is good and braking is sound. But the ride is jittery and fuel economy is poor. Off-roading is the Liberty's strong suit. In contrast to drivers from AutoWeek magazine, who experienced a rollover with their 2WD Liberty in a slalom test, we experienced no unusual handling behavior with either our 4WD or 2WD models in any of our testing. Stability control and ABS are standard for 2006.

THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The Liberty absorbs sharp bumps well, but suffers from constant small body motions that make the ride jittery. Although wind noise on the highway is pronounced, the cabin is still quiet. The Liberty isn't very nimble, but it handles soundly in routine driving. The steering is fairly quick, and the body leans only a little in turns. A tight, 37-foot turning circle helps maneuverability in tight areas. Our Liberty proved predictable and secure in all of our emergency handling tests. The 210-hp, 3.7-liter V6 provides responsive performance, but achieved a paltry 15 mpg overall on regular fuel. The four-speed automatic shifts smoothly. The optional Selec-Trac 4WD system has a full-time mode that allows it to remain engaged indefinitely. The Liberty bounced roughly, but slogged through our off-road course and climbed our rock hill well. Braking performance was good.

INSIDE THE CABIN

The interior is a bit utilitarian. The front seats pleased most testers, but there's no seat-height adjustment, something our five-foot-tall driver missed. Rear seating is fine for two adults but tight for three. A high step-in height and narrow doors hinder access. The gauges are easily legible most of the time. The window switches, however, are hard to see and reach. Cabin storage is just adequate. Front and rear have two sturdy cup holders apiece. The cargo floor is flat and flush, but quite high off the ground. With the rear seatbacks folded, we measured cargo volume at 35 cubic feet--about average for the class. Load capacity is high at 1,150 pounds. Our Liberty's towing capacity was rated at 2,000 pounds. When equipped with optional towing equipment, the Liberty can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

SAFETY NOTES

Front air bags in the Jeep Liberty deploy at different levels depending on crash severity and whether or not front occupant's belts are buckled. Curtain-type air bags that extend from the headliner to protect the heads of both front and rear occupants are optional. Three-point belts protect all passengers. Front belts have adjustable anchors as well as pretensioners and force limiters, to reduce belt slack and forces in the event of a crash. Weight sensors in the front passenger seat disable front air bags if they detect that a child is seated there. Integral head restraints in the front seats, and adjustable locking restraints in the rear outboard seats are all tall enough to limit rearward head travel, even if lowered. The rear center seat lacks a head restraint. Driving with kids: Most child seats should be secure in the passenger positions. Rear-facing infant seats may require some padding at the base to maintain the proper recline angle. There are tether anchor points for each of the rear seats on the seatbacks and LATCH anchors are installed in the rear outboard positions. Spacing of the inner LATCH anchors allow for use of the rear center seat, or separate use in the rear outboard seats.

RELIABILITY

We expect reliability to be average, according to our latest subscriber survey.

[Loki]

We own a 98' Jeep Cherokee Sport. 4 dr. 5 speed standard.

It's been canoe tripping to Canada quite a few times and handled all the gear and lots of logging roads.

Granted its only got 60,000 miles but we have had absolutely no problems. The 6 cylinder motor is a trooper.

[Wiley]

Looks have to count for something, and in my opinion, it looks good!

[Jimmy2]

Just bought a new Jeep Liberty limited for my wife all I can say I love it .

Never failed me this winter gets through anything Jeeps are amazing.

The ride is pretty good considering this is a real 4 X 4 well you know it's a jeep the original 4 x 4.

Rob that's a nice jeep I would get it very dependable will never let you down they are very strong can take a beating.

[Tampa1257]

Since I have worked for the past 10 years in the Auto Industry and for the past 8 years with GM, You do NOT want my advse. It would be biased and slanted toward GM products.

Besides, We make, Build and sell a much better product and thats all there is to it (IMHO). If you want to buy an inferior product that does not have the safety of yourself and those riding with you along with personal comforts such as space, power, stability and safety, then go ahead and buy the Jeep. Its only your life and those that travel with you that it matters too........:-D

[Sparky]

Nice Jeep.

I was upset when DC killed the Cherokee and added the Liberty to the line. Lost a lot of storage space and the beloved 4.0L engine.

Looks like the exteneded Wrangler could fit the bill. I am not sure about the longer wheel base if you go mudding and offroad alot, but should ride a bit smoother.

Nice ride Rob

[cvm4]

Damn that looks nice! May'be in a different color though. I drive a Cherokee and the 4.0L engine is bullet proof. I've really had no problems with it since it was bought at 40k miles and now has 115k miles on it.

Tampa - What does GM make that actually compares to the Wrangler size wise. And please don't say the Envoy/Trail blazer

[SuperT]

I had a Cherokee Sport some time ago. The 4.0L engine ran like a top and it was STRONG. Seems like damn near everything else broke on it at one point or another (after putting a TON of miles on it), but the engine never whimpered! I abused the hell out of that thing and it took all I could give.

I'm a believer in Jeeps, PERIOD. I may look at the Commander for my next vehicle.

I'm rough on cars as I drive a lot. I bought a new Explorer a year and a half ago and I think I have 40k+ miles on it already. I think I'm gonna run this thing in the ground before replacing. I usually like to have a pretty, shiny new car all the time - but it has got to be the worst investment out there. My Explorer still looks new, but I'm afraid things are going to start breaking on it. . .

EDIT - Oh, that new Wrangler is baddazzz!

[cvm4]

My Explorer still looks new, but I'm afraid things

» are going to start breaking on it. . .

You know a man has faith in his vehicle when he says things like this

[waldo]

» So what are the reviews on the new Jeep 4 door? Anyone own a jeep?

»

Nah, I own a Power Wagon.:-D

Do they sell the new Commander in Austrailia?

[Well Armed]

I think you would look good in an H2! ha ha ha.

[Taino]

Rob, I have some experience destroying cars in bad roads.

My suggestion would be Land Rover Defender. The most reliable car out there so far for me, no fancy stuff dough. The only things that lasted as long as LR Def are Toyotas.

Most of my experience with them has been on 4x4 pick-ups and a couple of 4 Runners.

I have to change 4 of these cars every 2-3 years so my experience comes from owning and destroying about 24 4x4’s in the past 10 years.

[Ginseng]

Nice Jeep!

I'm not much help though. Our family tends to like the smaller Japanese cars like Subarus and Hondas.

Wilkey

[El Presidente]

» Nice Jeep!

»

» I'm not much help though. Our family tends to like the smaller Japanese

» cars like Subarus and Hondas.

»

» Wilkey

Wilkey, for the export market, theylook to be matching a VW 2 litre TDI Diesel which they use for the Passat. Nice motor which should achieve 35 MPG on 139 HP. Not big numbers but my current Landy has 89 HP...so anything more is a bonus.

Tampa...my family as a rule refuses to drive with me Having said that....Lisa's driving makes me look like a saint. She is the epitomy of road rage. She will curse and gesticulate to all and sundry....and that is before she leaves the CZAR house carpark ;-)

As for a Sedan?....I have never owned one. I just couldn't see myself in anything that civilised. I have test driven an Audi TT quatro and a Porche Boxter but it was just not me. Nice machinery but mean't for someone who appreciates nice machinery.

When I pull into the garage every night I still get out and walk around to the bonnet of the Landy, pat it twice and say, "Thank's girl" As for a LandRover Defender...great unit but just a tad agricultural for what I need on a day to day basis. I am at home in a 4x4. I tend to hold onto them for 10-15 years. Like and old pair of boots.

[FuzzyJoe]

» When I pull into the garage every night I still get out and walk around to

» the bonnet of the Landy, pat it twice and say, "Thank's girl"

[Guest boss hogg]

Well at least Rob isn't thinking about this abomination from Toyota!

He could also go with this "hairdresser's car" (an Aston owner I know in the UK said that about the Carrera GT and it's one of the funniest car insults I've heard)

[tacmedic]

that jeep actually looks good...I've wanted a jeep CJ or Wrangler since I was old enough to think about driving, and have never taken the plunge...just never seemed practical with family and my incessant need of a pickup truck:-D

[smk819]

Had a Ford Explorer, it was great for the first 1000,000 miles then it was a repair nightmare. If I had my choice a Toyota Land Cruiser would be the one. I left Colorado and don't need the off road or snow capability so Porsche is next for me.

[Crash]

I remember driving my dad's 1978 CJ-5, as it was my first car. They're wonderful, a little work here and there, but no worries. The vehicle really performs both on and off road. IMHO, if it's a Jeep, it's worth it.

[waldo]

Make sure you get the package with the electric lockers, gears and the swaybar disconnector.

They put those in my truck (power wagon) first, then decided to add it as an option to some of the Jeeps.

Send me an email if you really plan on buying one. I may be able to hook you up with a discount.:-D

[El Presidente]

» Make sure you get the package with the electric lockers, gears and the

» swaybar disconnector.

»

» They put those in my truck (power wagon) first, then decided to add it as

» an option to some of the Jeeps.

»

»

» Send me an email if you really plan on buying one. I may be able to hook

» you up with a discount.:-D

Thanks Waldo ;-)

I have ordered one but production is not starting until July and I won't see it this side of March 2007.

Have ordered the 2.8 litre Diesel Rubicon/Hardtop with all extra's.

[El Presidente]

» Make sure you get the package with the electric lockers, gears and the

» swaybar disconnector.

»

» They put those in my truck (power wagon) first, then decided to add it as

» an option to some of the Jeeps.

»

»

» Send me an email if you really plan on buying one. I may be able to hook

» you up with a discount.:-D

[El Presidente]

I need to trade in my untrusty, gutless, valueless 1996 Landrover 4 cyl diesel at the end of this year. I need to keep it until then as I only have 4 points left on my licence and the Landy keeps me well within the speed limit

Don't get me wrong...I love my Landy. It is my car as opposed to the family car (Nissan Patrol STL) and it takes me mid week on the sand to the beach, fishing, camping etc...and that is before the weekends :-D I can knock it around, get axle deep in mud, scratch the crap out of it AND LIGHT A CIGAR WHENEVER I WANT. As Rugby coach I can fit 6 team members all wearing footy boots and take them to away games. I don't even look out of place at the produce store talking about sheep and chickens (I run three head of each) ....albeit I have no idea what the produce guy is talking about

So I am looking for a replacement to meet the needs of the above. I change my cars less often thanmost mates change wives. I grow attached to them.

So what are the reviews on the new Jeep 4 door? Anyone own a jeep?

Remember I have a Landrover so massive depreciation, unreliability and quirkiness are not a major issue ;-)