Just found out today I have to replace engine in my jeep liberty!!!!

[mom2my3kids]

I have posted on the community board, long story short version..purchased a 2005 jeep liberty around sept 2012 from local dealership had a 90 day in house warranty..the day we got it home the check engine light came on..took back numerous time while they tried to fix the problem..finally had to have the heads machined..started hearing ticking sounds, took back at least six times for that they never could diagnose it..finally in late november the ticking stopped..last weekend woke up went to start car horrible sound and ticking..took into my shop and they intially diagnosed with the same thing, misfiring, need heads machined..called today and said its so bad, they need to replace engine at a tune of 4,000...I am so depressed right now, with disney then christmas what a time of the year for this tim happen..we are looking at legal advice but now we are going to be on a strict budget while we are down there..any budget advice??

 

[powellrj]

I guess I am wondering what kind of legal advice you are looking for. The car was a 2005 when you bought it and had it for over a year. Thats the chance you take when you buy a used car. I am sorry, but I don't think legally there is much you can do about it now.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I guess I am wondering what kind of legal advice you are looking for. The car was a 2005 when you bought it and had it for over a year. Thats the chance you take when you buy a used car. I am sorry, but I don't think legally there is much you can do about it now.

I can see the issue. The day they took it home the light came on, which would suggest the dealership knew there was an issue and sold the car anyway (which could be a legal problem, as I believe they have to let you know if there's a big issue they've uncovered). They can't just sneak you a crap car.

From a consumer action law site: "You can sue a dealership for selling you a bad car if they did not properly disclose any known issues with the vehicle. For example, if a car dealer has a vehicle that they know was previously involved in an accident, they must tell the buyer about the accident prior to the sale."

Sorry to hear your plight, OP. I bought a used car in May, went home, and the next day found that the AC didn't work when we had an unexpected heat wave (big time heat wave!!). I called the dealership and told them I'd bought a car with AC and didn't get a car with AC, and they made it right 100%. I was so glad!

 

[Conkozan]

How many miles were driven in the past 14 months? I think that may have bearing on any legal action.

 

[Marionnette]

I have posted on the community board, long story short version..purchased a 2005 jeep liberty around sept 2012 from local dealership had a 90 day in house warranty..the day we got it home the check engine light came on..took back numerous time while they tried to fix the problem..finally had to have the heads machined..started hearing ticking sounds, took back at least six times for that they never could diagnose it..finally in late november the ticking stopped..last weekend woke up went to start car horrible sound and ticking..took into my shop and they intially diagnosed with the same thing, misfiring, need heads machined..called today and said its so bad, they need to replace engine at a tune of 4,000...I am so depressed right now, with disney then christmas what a time of the year for this tim happen..we are looking at legal advice but now we are going to be on a strict budget while we are down there..any budget advice??

Wow! The timing couldn't be any worse!

I don't know if I can offer any budgeting advice without knowing the details of your trip. I would probably be tempted to cancel the trip if I didn't have at least 3/4 of the money for the repair in my emergency fund. I don't think that I could shave enough "extras" off of my Disney budget to cover more than $1K.

Will you have a kitchen? Did you plan to use it for more than just coffee and a quick breakfast? If not, maybe you should make plans to "eat in" a few times.

Did you make ADRs? Cancel them and pack meals to bring into the parks instead.

Did you buy your tickets yet? If not, then drop a day or two from what you had originally planned to buy. If you were going to get hoppers, then save yourself the money you would have spent on hopping and plan on one park per day.

Are you staying offsite? Then plan on using your resort's transportation to the parks instead of paying for parking your own car (unless the resort charges for the service).

Have you already paid for your accommodations? If not, can you drop a day or two from your planned stay?

Good luck, OP. I have a feeling that even if you are legally in the right, you are going to have to pay OOP for the repairs and then hope to get reimbursed.

 

[jedijill]

No advice on the trip but think about whether it is worth replacing the engine in the Jeep. My 2005 Jeep Liberty LE was totaled Labor Day weekend when I was rear ended and pushed into the car ahead of me. I got about 10K from the insurance company for a fully loaded Jeep with below average miles. I would run the numbers to see if it is worth replacing the engine or just getting a new car.

Just my 2 cents.

Jill in CO

 

[mikehn]

I hope you are kidding. There's no way I would be doing anything more to this piece of junk, much less spend thousands putting in a new engine. Learn your lesson and move on.

 

[Brittmarie04]

Jeep liberty s are junk. I have one. A 2004 and had to replace the motor a few years back. Cost me 4,000. Ugh hate it

 

[mom2my3kids]

How many miles were driven in the past 14 months? I think that may have bearing on any legal action.

We have put about 14,000 miles on it since it was purchased..dealership told us today that if it was under 12,000 they would of helped us out..

 

[mom2my3kids]

Wow! The timing couldn't be any worse!

I don't know if I can offer any budgeting advice without knowing the details of your trip. I would probably be tempted to cancel the trip if I didn't have at least 3/4 of the money for the repair in my emergency fund. I don't think that I could shave enough "extras" off of my Disney budget to cover more than $1K.

Will you have a kitchen? Did you plan to use it for more than just coffee and a quick breakfast? If not, maybe you should make plans to "eat in" a few times.

Did you make ADRs? Cancel them and pack meals to bring into the parks instead.

Did you buy your tickets yet? If not, then drop a day or two from what you had originally planned to buy. If you were going to get hoppers, then save yourself the money you would have spent on hopping and plan on one park per day.

Are you staying offsite? Then plan on using your resort's transportation to the parks instead of paying for parking your own car (unless the resort charges for the service).

Have you already paid for your accommodations? If not, can you drop a day or two from your planned stay?

Good luck, OP. I have a feeling that even if you are legally in the right, you are going to have to pay OOP for the repairs and then hope to get reimbursed.

Thank you for your kind words and advice..

 

[floridafam]

No advice but we had to replace the engine on our 2004 Tahoe about six months ago so I feel your pain.

It does sound like they sold you a lemon. Let us know what happens if you decide to go after them.

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

Maybe it's a Jeep thing. 2 years ago we had our engine go at only 37,000 miles. We bought it used & still owed some money on it so we had to fix it... I cried for days cause it was $5000!!!!!
We have a Commander. Would never buy a Jeep again!!!

 

[aubriee]

Jeep liberty s are junk. I have one. A 2004 and had to replace the motor a few years back. Cost me 4,000. Ugh hate it

I agree! My daughter-in-law's step mom bought a new Jeep Liberty several years ago and had nothing but trouble with it. She finally gave it to my daughter-in-law's older sister who just took up payments on it. My D-I-L's step mom just wanted out from under, so she could get a different vehicle. D-I-L's sister had it barely a month when the engine went out.

 

[aprilgail2]

I hope you are kidding. There's no way I would be doing anything more to this piece of junk, much less spend thousands putting in a new engine. Learn your lesson and move on.

I agree- I would scrap it and start from scratch. That car doesn't seem to be worth putting that much money into being its a 8 year old car to begin with. I personally would never buy a used car because you never know how the person before you really took care of it. I always figure they got rid of it for a reason, why would I want to take over their problems!

 

[kymom99]

I agree- I would scrap it and start from scratch. That car doesn't seem to be worth putting that much money into being its a 8 year old car to begin with. I personally would never buy a used car because you never know how the person before you really took care of it. I always figure they got rid of it for a reason, why would I want to take over their problems!

I don't agree with this statement. I bought a used Corolla and it was the best car I ever owned. I now drive a certified used Altima. I got the remainder of the factory warranty and 100,000 mile limited warranty as well. I would personally never buy a NEW car. Many used cars are formerly leased cars with plenty of good years left in them. Not everyone can afford a new car.

Unless I overlooked a detail, I also think the OP may have a loan to satisfy on this car. You can't junk a car when you have a bank lien, unless you can afford to pay the car off in full.

OP, I have heard a lot of bad about Jeeps recently. I hope if you replace the engine you have better luck with it in the future. I am sorry for your bad luck. I hope you are able to come out of this with Christmas and Disney trip intact!

 

[pocomom]

I'm sorry that just sucks. I agree about thinking about just scrapping the car - if you put in a new engine you still have an old everything else. I'm afraid it wouldn't be the only major repair.
As far as your trip, downgrade wherever possible- especially in areas you don't really care about. For me that is the food - I would eat as much as possible in the room or at least offsite. breakfast in the room, bring in snacks and water or pack lunch, dinner offsite if that's possible or in the room if you have a fridge/microwave.
Can you give us some details of your plans? We may be able to help more with ideas if we know more about your trip, what is paid for already etc.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I'm sorry that just sucks. I agree about thinking about just scrapping the car - if you put in a new engine you still have an old everything else. I'm afraid it wouldn't be the only major repair.
As far as your trip, downgrade wherever possible- especially in areas you don't really care about. For me that is the food - I would eat as much as possible in the room or at least offsite. breakfast in the room, bring in snacks and water or pack lunch, dinner offsite if that's possible or in the room if you have a fridge/microwave.
Can you give us some details of your plans? We may be able to help more with ideas if we know more about your trip, what is paid for already etc.

We do have the money in savings to pay for the engine, but we do owe a bit on the vehicle so scrapping is out of question....Our room at disney is paid for already we purchased points for our room at OKW..I have the money put back for christmas and disney tickets so we are good there..But what a time for this to happen!!! I just want to be frugal in the food area, while we only have to sit downs reserved Ohana and Sci-Fi, we are going to try to eat breakfast in the room and maybe eat CS for lunchs and maybe share some things as they always give you way to much and we always throw half away...We are driving down (rented van) so we will need money for gas and a room on the way to disney...Been trying to pick up some extra days at work and maybe try to cut more from our monthly budget...Thanks everyone for your words they mean alot..