New Owner and Member

[Phil T]

I am a new Liberty Sport owner and member #999. (What does #1000 win?)

Tuesday I purchased a new 2006 Liberty Sport, Atlantic blue with the off-road group, towing group and package 28C.

As part of the deal the dealer gave me the Jeep tent that attaches to the rear of the Liberty. Has anyone used it and what do you think about it?

So far I am pretty happy with it. I only have 70 miles at this point. I did buy the Jeep mud mats and installed my XM Express satellite radio in the cup holder.

I had to have the dealer recalibrate the speedometer. When sitting on the lot someone left a dome light on and drained the battery. When they jumped it for my test drive the gauges did a sweep around and the speedometer stuck. I asked them for a new battery but they just charged it and it seems to be ok.

My wife says this is my midlife crises vehicle. Thirty years ago this year I purchased a 1975 CJ new, moved to Colorado and got into 4wheeling.

I have also owned a Bronco II and a full size Bronco.

Although I thought about a Wrangler, the Liberty seemed to be the best of both worlds, a real 4x4 vehicle that can also do well around town and on trips.

I have found a lot of good information on these forums as a lurker. I hope to jump in from time to time, especially when I start doing mods.

The deals on Liberty's now seem to be great. Here in Denver the dealers are matching the $2500 rebate so your starting point is $5000.00 off MSRP.

Anyway, keep the good information flowing! I have to go clean up my Bronco so I can list it for sale today!!

 

[priell3]

Welcome to the group, Phil!

 

[Bennett]

(welcome)!!

I am so glad the forums have been so helpful for you.

Bennett

 

[grogiefrog]

Welcome member 999! And congratulations on your Liberty. I've got a Wrangler too... as they make a good combination. But I will admit to you that the Liberty is more practical! (biggrin)

Be sure to post your story here:
http://www.jeepkj.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=361

BTW, my wife grew up in Littleton... and I did in Fort Collins! It's such a great state! \/

 

[Se7enLC]

I had to have the dealer recalibrate the speedometer. When sitting on the lot someone left a dome light on and drained the battery. When they jumped it for my test drive the gauges did a sweep around and the speedometer stuck. I asked them for a new battery but they just charged it and it seems to be ok.

I'm surprised at this. with the 2005 (and I assume 2006 as well), all the lights (headlights, parking lights, dome lights, etc) are on timers so that if they are left on for > 5minutes, even with a door open, they turn themselves off to save the battery. I've experienced this myself with dome lights when cleaning out my jeep (the lights turn themselves off and I have to click them back on. Every 5 minutes).

If that battery died, it could very well have been for some other reason. If anything weird happens electrically in the next year or so, make sure to bring it into the dealer to get it looked at.

Welcome to the club! I'm sure you'll enjoy your new Jeep!

While you're lurking around, take a look at lostkjs.com, too. I find that both these forums provide a lot of good information about the KJ.

 

[GoldBug]

When I went to test drive a CRD Liberty in the city I work in the only two the dealer had were in the middle of about 30 gas KJ's. I had to wait till they could get someone to jump them cause I think the dealer said they hadn't been ran for months upon months.

 

[Phil T]

I guess I should clarify. One of the map lights was on that drained the battery. The Liberty had a September 05 build date so no telling how long it had been on. It also did not help that it was -14 here a couple of weels ago. So far the battery is doing good but I am really going to watch it, especially before it goes out of warranty!!

 

[cowcatcher]

Map lights and the dome are pretty much the same but perhaps if you turn them on directly they don't shut off.

I picked my CRD up from another dealer and ferried it myself. When I showed up to get it the battery was dead too and it needed to be jumped. The yard guy gave me the same excuse. Told me not to shut it down for a while but the gas tank showed empty. Ended up fueling with the motor running. No fun to drain a diesel.