About to buy a Jeep Liberty.

[epicblue]

Hi, new here.

I'm about to buy a 2005 Jeep Liberty 3.7 v6 with 56,700 miles on it. The dealership is selling it for 8,595 and is giving me a very good price on my trade in. I was just doing some research on the car and was wondering if someone could shine some light on the problem I've encountered.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2002-to-2007-jeep-liberty-2.htm

I went there to see if the 2005 liberty had any major problems. Didn't see much other than...

Transmission problems: Transmission may suffer delayed engagement after sitting overnight due to split in the filter in fluid cooler return line. (2005-06)

I test drove the car and every thing felt fine. Is there a way to see if the car has that transmission problem? If I get that problem in the future what is the best way to fix it and will it be an expensive fix? Or is there anything else I should look for?

Thanks guys.

 

[osufans]

i've not heard of that issue. i vaguely recall some owners on here talking something about being in reverse and on a hill, the transmission seems sluggish....i think it had to do with the fluid not being deep enough around the pickup to pump an adequate amount of fluid...but like i said, that's a maybe.

what model is that, and is it 4x4? i think the biggest thing to look for is new plugs, as these things use copper plugs instead of platinum, and they require a plug change every 30K. maybe get the dealer to inspect and replace before you buy?

for that kind of price, you almost can't go wrong for a 4x4. i just bought mine last year for the same reason (right price, low miles). the only disappointment with mine has been the gas mileage. it was a bit lower than i would have expected, but not terrible. (18mpg avg).

good luck!

 

[ChiefRudy]

Hi, new here.

I'm about to buy a 2005 Jeep Liberty 3.7 v6 with 56,700 miles on it. The dealership is selling it for 8,595 and is giving me a very good price on my trade in. I was just doing some research on the car and was wondering if someone could shine some light on the problem I've encountered.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2002-to-2007-jeep-liberty-2.htm

I went there to see if the 2005 liberty had any major problems. Didn't see much other than...

Transmission problems: Transmission may suffer delayed engagement after sitting overnight due to split in the filter in fluid cooler return line. (2005-06)

I test drove the car and every thing felt fine. Is there a way to see if the car has that transmission problem? If I get that problem in the future what is the best way to fix it and will it be an expensive fix? Or is there anything else I should look for?

Thanks guys.

I have an 06 KJ with 31k on it. I've never notice a "delayed engagement" in the ****** and since I have a Company Vehicle my KJ can sit for up to 5 days with out moving. I just jump in and go every time with no issues. To be honest, this is the 1st time I'm hearing of this. I've had my KJ since October 2006. But Like I said I have no problems and when I do use my KJ I put it through the paces. Since I just bought a house I've been stuffing it with heavy loads and pulling out tree stumps left and right. There strong vehicles in my opinion.

 

[KeswickDave]

I have an '05, pushing 120,000 miles on the clock and I've never heard of, nor experienced that particular issue either.

If you have the VIN, you can check for recalls on the Jeep web site - there were a few that might affect your vehicle, including one for ball joints.

OVerall I have found it to be an extremely reliable and fun vehicle! Good luck, and welcome to the site!

Dave

 

[SurfGuitar141]

With 56,700 miles the only thing I can think of would be suspension.
Ask if the front struts and rear shocks have been replaced, if not it may be your first major expense, also a lot of KJ owners claim the coil springs sag after that many miles making the vehicle sit lower, and not ride as nice.
I have an '05 Renegade with just over 31,000 miles, and so far my suspension is fine.....

 

[rockymountain]

If you do by the JEEP, make sure you call it a Jeep. People who call them cars always have problems with them. Other than that buy it!

 

[trichard310]

Be prepared to spend some cash on gas. I dont know how everyone is getting 17-18mpg, mine gets 14.6mpg, kinda make me wish I woulda just bought something with a v8. Other than that, great ride.

 

[ptsb5a]

You're only going to have trouble with it if you continue to call it a car.:disgust:

I've got 80K miles on my JEEP and it's been as reliable as an anvil.

 

[diyman]

Me too hope You'll join the family

Also, knowing how people take (little) care of their cars ( I'm calling his/her KJ a car because only someone who thinks she is a 'car' could get rid of her ...., as we think our KJs are JEEPS thus we don't call them cars) I'd reccomend, after following all other tips of course:

- transmission service ( filter & ATF+4 ONLY)
- front and rear diffs fluid change ( on the cheap...)
- transfer case fluid change ( not a great effort )
- also a 'turkey baster' Power Steering Fluid refresh may be a good thing
- if never done before ( I guess....) a coolant flush would be mandatory
- last but not least, new U/joints (greasable ones this time), 'cause OE ones are almost surely 'shot'.

Don't get scared, that should be any other vehicle's normal maintenance, but as I said before... I You learn how to perform those operations by Yourself, You'll have a good time and learn something new ( unless You already know ), and spare a few bucks as well (BTW, this week I rescued a guy who had never performed ANY of the above mentioned operations and... ouch!!!. Same MY and kmiles ...)

I'll say once more, don't be afraid, KJs are by no means 'lemons'....

'Cmon every one, I'm only telling the truth, don't :biggun: me for that.

 

[bmrrwolfe]

Never really heard of that issue.. I have 71k on my 06 and my sister is about to hit 80k on her 03, both with stock suspension, sagging but its not too bad. I hear an OME lift gives you a great ride, when I get the cash I am going to installing one.
Ball joints and window regulators are the biggest issues, ask the dealership if they fell under the recall and if so if they were replaced? And I don't know if 05s have the regulator issues or if those didn't start to 06 but that is another conern for the KJs.
MPGs for driving like I stole it and 90% city is about 15-16, more highway I can get closer to 20.

 

[diyman]

Hi bmrrwolfe!

I had that of the sagging coils happen to me last year ( one of my first posts ) . From my logbook '2010-Jan-25 km 62800 front coils changed'. It was just 1 In, but driveability was impaired and struts were unhappy..

OE were made here in Venezuela ( they aren't all that bad anyway ).KJs and WJs are assembled locally but, because of politics... some components are 'indigenous' ( ie lubricants, shafts among others).

 

[KJ zGal]

If you research any vehicle you're going to find some issues reported, and a lot of them are due to a lack of regular maintenance, imo. Granted I don't have an '05, but I know several people with them, and one of them is already pushing 100k with no problems to speak of. If you're really worried, have your mechanic take a look at everything before you actually make the purchase =]

 

[loves_off_roading]

I've heard about that, but have never had a problem with my KJ. I've heard that the 05's are pretty good. And best of all they still have the good window regulators arty52:

I'd go for it thats a VERY good price. I payed 8,000 for my 2wd Kj, and it had 75,000 miles on it when I bought it.

 

[clapperc]

If you have a problem with the window regulators... Folks on here have been getting them replaced from the dealership at no cost.

Never really heard of that issue.. I have 71k on my 06 and my sister is about to hit 80k on her 03, both with stock suspension, sagging but its not too bad. I hear an OME lift gives you a great ride, when I get the cash I am going to installing one.
Ball joints and window regulators are the biggest issues, ask the dealership if they fell under the recall and if so if they were replaced? And I don't know if 05s have the regulator issues or if those didn't start to 06 but that is another conern for the KJs.
MPGs for driving like I stole it and 90% city is about 15-16, more highway I can get closer to 20.