Mileage dilemma

[HookC]

We’re seriously looking at an ’03 Liberty Limited 4x4, absolutely pristine in appearance and clearly well-maintained. Likely to get it for 12K-plus but need some help from folks who know these vehicles.

It shows 80K mileage and history reveals its first three years were as a “commercial lease” vehicle in Colorado. Maybe an executive/salesman’s wheels?

Pending a thorough mechanic’s review, we’re leaning toward purchase but mileage is troublesome. As a couple of old retired types, we’d like to think of this as hanging around for another 10 years or so. Any thoughts? And many thanks!

 

[millman44]

There's only two problems with the Liberty. Brakes are junk, especially earlier models from 02-03. And gas mileage is crap. My previous vehicle was a 99 Chevy Silverado 4x4. This truck easily out weighs the Liberty by close to 1000 lbs. And I routinely averaged around 17 mpg with it. If I'm lucky I get about the same on the Liberty. Throw in a way smaller fuel tank, and all you do is stop to get fuel. Also my truck had a 5.3 liter V-8 vs. the Liberty's V-6. This engine is stout and torqey, but very inefficient as far as mileage goes. I still love my Liberty, but whish I had purchased a later model. As far as the high mileage on the one your looking at, I don't think it will be a problem, the engine should go awhile given good maintanence. However, I would opt for a newer version due to all the brake issues.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

Elaborate on the junk for brakes, please.

 

[tjkj2002]

Don't worry about that guy's comment about the rear brakes,that's just lack of good maintence.As far as the KJ having high miles,that shouldn't matter as long as it was taken care of.There is a guy over on L.O.S.T. that has a '02 KJ with over 200,000 miles on it.Yes the mpg's suck but it's a Jeep not a Honda or Toyota.It's more rugged and will last longer than a Rav4 or CRV if you plan on exploring off the beaten path.As far as the price for a '03 with 80,000 miles on it,$12,000+ is way to much,maybe $10,000 then it would be worth it.Just saw the other day at a dealer a '03 with 75,000 miles going for $9000(limited,leather,and sunroof to).

 

[Atrus]

For what it's worth, my current car was bought at 34k off a "corporate lease". I can tell it was a mom-car. It's a Grand Prix.

I had no problems at all with it.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Brakes are fantastic on my Liberty(2004). Mileage is also great for what you are driving. 16-17 in the city and 20-21(stock wheels) on the HW.. Its a 4k brick with a V-6 engine. The reason it gets the same mpg as a truck is the truck should have a bigger engine but the truck also weighs more. So the engine works just as hard as the V-6 in the libby.

 

[thecause17]

I don't know what some of you people expect for gas milage out of a 4000lb SUV. Seriously, to say gas milage is crap is either an exageration, or a total lack of experience. I average 17-18 around town in mine, and I've seen as high as 24mpg on the highway. And I do it regularly. Honestly, what more do you want out of something this size? I just took a 350+mile trip over the week-end, with mixed driving and got 22mpg while running the A/C the whole time. If you think that's inefficient, get in a 4.3L equipped GM vehicle, with less power, and much worse gas milage(most people I know with 4.3's report 12-15mpg, with nobody getting their rated 22mpg highway rating), or a 4.0L Ford engine, with larger displacement and slightly worse gas milage. Both my OHV 4.0 Fords could barely crack 16mpg on the highway, and my SOHC 4.0 Ford could get 21 on it's best day. All three with larger displacements and less power than the 3.7L.

If you want efficiency go get a car...or a Ford Escape...just expect to sacrifice in other categories...like capability.

As far as brakes go....I replaced the original pads on all four corners of mine at 43k miles...their crap? Whatever...

I've come to the conclusion that when most people complain about gas milage and brakes.....what's to blame is mostly their driving habits.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

Yip. Almost nothing about the Liberty is working in its favor for gas mileage...

 

[millman44]

This is for you Mr. cause17. Since I live only about 8 miles away from you I'm sure your familiar with the place I bought My Jeep Liberty. Monroeville Chrysler Jeep. I purchased the vehicle there used In July of 06. I've since had it back several times for the rear calipers sticking on my Jeep. They stuck once a month ago and totally destroyed the pads, rotors. Not to mention damn near catching the vehicle on fire. I guess I should state that the brakes themselves aren't bad, it's the hardware. New rotors constantly warp and are damaged due to calipers sticking, if your not aware of the problem Jeep has with this issue, I suggest you go to consumer complaint web sites and see the thousands of complaints. The 03 models seem to be really effected by this. Also these are supposed to be anti-lock, and they are anything but. Mine always lock up under hard braking, and if your driving in winter conditions , forget it. You better be an old timer like me and know how to pump brakes, cause if you don't, your gonna go sled riding. I keep my vehicles well maintained, and my driving habits are just fine. The problem is that Jeep won't recall these things after numerous consumer complaints. They've got TSB's on this issue, but it's not resolving it. Also as I stated above , I still Like my Libby, but I'm sorry, THESE BRAKES ARE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY , UNDENIABLY PURE CRAPP!!!

 

[Atrus]

Not to mention damn near catching the vehicle on fire.

How the heck can this happen? Sorry, I've had stuck calipers, heck, I've even pulled the ******* move and driven with the parking brake on, and I've never seen anything close to a fire. Please tell me you're exaggerating here.

 

[thecause17]

This is for you Mr. cause17. Since I live only about 8 miles away from you I'm sure your familiar with the place I bought My Jeep Liberty. Monroeville Chrysler Jeep. I purchased the vehicle there used In July of 06. I've since had it back several times for the rear calipers sticking on my Jeep. They stuck once a month ago and totally destroyed the pads, rotors. Not to mention damn near catching the vehicle on fire. I guess I should state that the brakes themselves aren't bad, it's the hardware. New rotors constantly warp and are damaged due to calipers sticking, if your not aware of the problem Jeep has with this issue, I suggest you go to consumer complaint web sites and see the thousands of complaints. The 03 models seem to be really effected by this. Also these are supposed to be anti-lock, and they are anything but. Mine always lock up under hard braking, and if your driving in winter conditions , forget it. You better be an old timer like me and know how to pump brakes, cause if you don't, your gonna go sled riding. I keep my vehicles well maintained, and my driving habits are just fine. The problem is that Jeep won't recall these things after numerous consumer complaints. They've got TSB's on this issue, but it's not resolving it. Also as I stated above , I still Like my Libby, but I'm sorry, THESE BRAKES ARE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY , UNDENIABLY PURE CRAPP!!!

I'm aware of that dealership...I can actually walk to it if I wanted to. That's the problem with old timers, they think they know everything, and they think younger people don't know anything. I know how to drive in winter conditions, and I haven't had any trouble, and I have yet to lock my tires up on dry pavement either, and I don't have ABS. I'm aware of the "problem" with the rear brakes, but it's also kind of funny that there are 5 Liberties in my family, and none have had that issue. Guess you just have bad luck. I don't generally have an attitude with people on here, but lose the old timer attitude, I really don't care how old you are, age isn't always wisdom.

Who are you dealing with in service at the dealership? I've had nothing but great service down there, they've even took me in without an appointment to fix a waterpump for me a couple months back and I was back on the road in a couple hours.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Very well said thecause(The first time, not to the response of MillMan)..

My Jeep doesnt even have ABS and Ive never had any issues stopping in the snow or rain.. I personally wouldnt like to have ABS.. ESP would be a good safety feature since things happen that I cannot control sometimes.

 

[fouros]

i have just over 180,000 kilometers on my 04 sport

i have replaced one set of pads front and rear at 125,000,

had the disks machined at the same time , never had sticking calipers never had any major problems other than those i caused myself ( mud is fun but evil)

 

[millman44]

No Atrus I'm not exaggerating. When I called the dealership a month ago to make an appointment for the Libby, I asked them if it was alright if I drove it. I told them the rear brakes were sticking really bad, and making noises that should'nt come from any motor vehicle. They said "sure , fine, don't worry about it". Well the day I drove it there the damn thing had a complete melt down. You had to see my rotors to believe it. They were wore clean through! And there was enough smoke coming out the back that a passing motorist called the fire dept. Several people have reported actual fires on the earlier Liberty's with this same problem. The damn dealership just keeps unsticking the damn things and putting rotors and pads on at my expense. They don't want to replace the calipers cause that's at they're expense. My Libby is still under warranty, but I'll never go to another dealer. At least not for this problem. I'd sooner have an outside mechanic fix it right at my expense, than go back to a dealer.

 

[tjkj2002]

No Atrus I'm not exaggerating. When I called the dealership a month ago to make an appointment for the Libby, I asked them if it was alright if I drove it. I told them the rear brakes were sticking really bad, and making noises that should'nt come from any motor vehicle. They said "sure , fine, don't worry about it". Well the day I drove it there the damn thing had a complete melt down. You had to see my rotors to believe it. They were wore clean through! And there was enough smoke coming out the back that a passing motorist called the fire dept. Several people have reported actual fires on the earlier Liberty's with this same problem. The damn dealership just keeps unsticking the damn things and putting rotors and pads on at my expense. They don't want to replace the calipers cause that's at they're expense. My Libby is still under warranty, but I'll never go to another dealer. At least not for this problem. I'd sooner have an outside mechanic fix it right at my expense, than go back to a dealer.

You know how long it takes to wear the rotors completely through? A long time even with the caliphers being stuck(like 8+ months-a year),the pads will wear out way faster,that's just plan lack of maintence man.If you can't tell right away that the caliphers are sticking then_________________________________________(I'll just shut up now).

 

[_UnLiMiTeD_]

also Millman, your libby is not supposed to have abs, they did not even come out with abs in 03 for the libby. I do think they did until 05 or 06

 

[fouros]

04's downunder did

 

[Marlon_JB2]

also Millman, your libby is not supposed to have abs, they did not even come out with abs in 03 for the libby. I do think they did until 05 or 06

Correction:

Unless I'm a complete idiot, ABS has been an option for the KJ since its inception in 2002. It did not become STANDARD until the 2006 Model year.

However, fouros might be right too. Those australian KJs are kinda weird. (I'm still mad because you found that lightbar wiring!!!!)

 

[fouros]

(I'm still mad because you found that lightbar wiring!!!!)

ner ner

 

[MoladoGuy]

HookC
80K on the 03' Liberty and they want $12K? That does sound steep to me for the mileage and year. I have seen numerous 2003 Limited and sports models with additional options around here for that same price and half the mileage. I would negotiate and/or keep on looking.

MillMan44
Sorry to hear about the bad brake problems Millman. I have been fortunate not to experience any brake problems until threw on some heavy @$$ Cragar Rims and 31" tires. But that was still using stock brakes (3.5 years). I'm looking to put some new ones in at this time due to squeaking.

You should've strayed away from the stealership after the 1st (or max) 2nd time you had to go in for the brake issue. Maybe purchase another brand and put them on or have a mechanic that you trust do it. Good luck with that issue.