I am thinking about buying a jeep liberty crd for my wife. I have done some reading but haven't found a lot. Are they any good I don't want to buy something that is problematic or really expensive high maintenance. What do you folks know about them.

 

They only made them for a year or so, if my memory serves me correctly. They were testing the waters, to see if the public would be interested, and they weren't. I don't think that they made any with manuals, and it is a 4 cylinder Mercedes diesel, I think. Surprisingly, the mpg ratings weren't very high, for a diesel- mid 20's, like 24 highway.
I thought it was a cool idea, but
1) I would want it with a manual transmission, and 2) I would desire it to have better fuel economy. Our daughter's diesel Jetta has us spoiled at 48-50+ mpg.

 

I am with you on a manual trans but my wife won't drive stick. She can drive stick but she just won't do it lol. So it would have to be an auto anyway. I thought they were supposed to get closer to 30 mpg on the highway I gotta do some more reading.

 

Diesel Power magazine just had an article last month. With a few mods they were getting 28 mpg city/ highway combined and a best of 34 highway.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Liberty diesel was a World motor and not Mercedes. The biggest take backs were for EGR problems otherwise they are fairly stout motors. They were actually extremely popular and sold out ever year due to the small number produced. The used market is fairly high for them as well. The only reason they were discontinued was due to the new emission laws coming into place and no replacement motor/emissions package available.

If I was looking at one I'd buy it. They are a great size for a daily driver & commuter vehicle. The Liberty itself is a decent vehicle. It's rather heavy for it's size in my opinion, but still fairly stout.

Hope this helps.

 

I could be wrong, but I do remember reading 24 mpg highway, somewhere.

 

I did just read that the oil that is recomended for that engine is 0-40 synthetic and the only one that makes it is Mobil one I am sure that stuff is expensive too. I am just trying to figure out if the crd is worth buying there are plenty of gas ones around but not too many crd's.

 

It is a Vitori (spelling) diesel.Good little engine from what I have read. I would not be afraid of buying it. I am sure it has it's own unique problems but should be nothing you can't overcome.

 

Actually VM Motori

http://allieddiesellebanon.com/vm_motori.asp

 

The biggest problem I read about that motor was the crankcase breather. Its pumped it back into the warm side of the intercooler and makes a HUGE mess. Once this has been "adjusted" and the intercooler cleaned, its a very good motor.

We have a Honda CR-V 2.3L gas, but in Germany they have a 2.2L diesel turbo, intercooled and a six speed manual. I have begged Honda to bring it over here, I even told them I'd sign a paper stating that would be the only non truck vehicle I'd every buy. But, NOOOOOOOOO. The eco-muffinheads in California think burning more fuel is somehow better for mother earth.

 

Two more diesel vehicles we can't get. Ford Fiesta, and Ranger. They are built in Mexico. Keith

 

I owned one and was a great vehicle. It started great in the winter and also did good on snow and ice. I got around 27-28mpg in the summer and 22-24mpg with our crappy winter fuel. Only had it for a yr before another driver ran a red and fubared it. Been looking for a used one.

 

0-40 or 5-40. I use Rotella 5-40 Can get it at WAL MART

 

I removed my Cat and traveling on I 80 get up to 35 -40 MPG

 

I don't remember what kind of oil is used since I had the free life time oil change from the dealership,something I have on my Cummins pickup as well. They have tuners available now that come close to the Smarty power/economy levels. One of the diesel magazines,Diesel Power (I believe) added a tune and got fantastic mileage,if I remember right they even ran it on the dyno. If I could find a lower mileage one locally I'd be all over it. I hope Jeep will come out with another diesel soon.