Question about Jeep Liberty's and also warranties...

[mrudman]

Dh has been looking into buying a Jeep Liberty, and hadn't planned on getting one until closer to the end of the year.

But a family friend is a salesperson at a very reputable car dealer here, and yesterday we stopped by to see how his wife was doing (having health problems), and conversation steered to if he had any Liberty's in stock.

He had several, but one caught our eye.. a 2007 with 70k miles for 12,900. This place doesn't do haggling, but he said he could probably drop it to 12,500 for us. So with tax/title, it'd come to about 13,500.

It was one owner who worked for Ohio Edison, and was in charge of troubleshooting over 3 states, so all the mileage is highway miles. The vehicle is in excellent shape... just a few minor stone dings on plastic front bumper, small dent (which they would repair for us), and that's about all that's wrong with it.. looks almost like new.

I looked it up on Kelley Blue book when I got home with the features it has, and their price lists it as suggested retail of 15,100 (with correct mileage on there).

My questions are, is this considered high mileage for a jeep? It's higher than we wanted, but have never owned a jeep, and had heard Jeeps can get good mileage before going kaput.

Also, our friend had suggested we buy an extended warranty, and the brochure his boss gave us lists a 4-yr/48k mile warranty for 2200... this seems expensive to me.. for our van, 6 yrs ago, we bought one for 1200 for a 5-yr/60k (although that was adding on to the original 5-yr warranty at the get-go for a new car)

Just trying to determine if this is too good of deal to pass up, or if we should just hold off and go with our original plan and buy toward end of year (but possibly paying a lot more).

Thanks for any input or opinions,

 

[maleficentmom]

Dh has been looking into buying a Jeep Liberty, and hadn't planned on getting one until closer to the end of the year.

But a family friend is a salesperson at a very reputable car dealer here, and yesterday we stopped by to see how his wife was doing (having health problems), and conversation steered to if he had any Liberty's in stock.

He had several, but one caught our eye.. a 2007 with 70k miles for 12,900. This place doesn't do haggling, but he said he could probably drop it to 12,500 for us. So with tax/title, it'd come to about 13,500.

It was one owner who worked for Ohio Edison, and was in charge of troubleshooting over 3 states, so all the mileage is highway miles. The vehicle is in excellent shape... just a few minor stone dings on plastic front bumper, small dent (which they would repair for us), and that's about all that's wrong with it.. looks almost like new.

I looked it up on Kelley Blue book when I got home with the features it has, and their price lists it as suggested retail of 15,100 (with correct mileage on there).

My questions are, is this considered high mileage for a jeep? It's higher than we wanted, but have never owned a jeep, and had heard Jeeps can get good mileage before going kaput.

Also, our friend had suggested we buy an extended warranty, and the brochure his boss gave us lists a 4-yr/48k mile warranty for 2200... this seems expensive to me.. for our van, 6 yrs ago, we bought one for 1200 for a 5-yr/60k (although that was adding on to the original 5-yr warranty at the get-go for a new car)

Just trying to determine if this is too good of deal to pass up, or if we should just hold off and go with our original plan and buy toward end of year (but possibly paying a lot more).

Thanks for any input or opinions,

I would check Consumer Reports first for the ratings of this model,we always look there first.I got my Toyota extended warranty(100,000 mile )for around $900,and they started at $1500 or so...i bet they will haggle on warranty price.Also,you could ask your regular mechanic what he has to say about that model,pro or con. I've heard a lot of negatives about Jeeps,quality wise, but the few folks I know that own one(all Commanders) seem to like them.

 

[denise5374]

We just bought a 2006 Jeep Libert in November 09. It had 26k miles and we paid $17k for it, which was inline with Kelley blue book.. This is DHs car and he loves it. Our concern was low mileage because DH drives 80 miles a day commuting.

We haven't had any problems so far but the gas mileage is pretty bad, about 17 highway. It was a shock because DH was driving a 99 Cavalier that got about 30mpg.

 

[mrudman]

Thanks for the replies! Dh has been researching it (i think on consumer reports), and what he's found so far is good reviews on '07 models or later, earlier models seem to have more bad reviews.

We'll definitely be talking to our mechanic about the warranty.. see if it would be worth it, or if we should just put aside 2k and take a chance we'd never need that much in the 4 years.

One main reason we're looking at this is to tow a camper.. been towing it with a kia sedona so far, which has been working ok, but we're right at the limit weight-wise, so this would give us more breathing room in that department. Plus dh's car (ford focus), is about on its last legs, so we're replacing that car.

 

[burnsoc]

Research the warranty online. I told the dealer about the warranty price I found online and they matched it. If they won't match it then I would purchase it online. They definitely have room to haggle on warranties.

 

[jedijill]

I have an 2005 Liberty that I bought new and it has 75K miles on it. The gas mileage sucks. (I have the V6 4x4 Limited). I am lucky to get 16.5 in town and 21 on the highway. I love my Jeep...no major mechanical issues but definitely not great gas mileage.

Jill in CO

 

[js]

Thanks for the replies! Dh has been researching it (i think on consumer reports), and what he's found so far is good reviews on '07 models or later, earlier models seem to have more bad reviews.

We'll definitely be talking to our mechanic about the warranty.. see if it would be worth it, or if we should just put aside 2k and take a chance we'd never need that much in the 4 years.

One main reason we're looking at this is to tow a camper.. been towing it with a kia sedona so far, which has been working ok, but we're right at the limit weight-wise, so this would give us more breathing room in that department. Plus dh's car (ford focus), is about on its last legs, so we're replacing that car.

Hi. Not so sure about the ratings for 2007 but I can tell you the newer models did terrible in Consumer Reports.
My dh and I went out to look at the Jeeps since I am looking for a new truck and I loved the Jeeps but they got a terrible write up on CR.
For that reason, I decided not to purchase a new one and now looking for something else.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

I own a Liberty and like it, but let me caution you, the gas mileage is HORRIBLE! I get about 14 MPG city. I can get about 20 MPG highway. Mine is a 2005.

 

[Bunnyfeather]

I have an 04 Jeep Liberty. I agree that the gas mileage is awful! Also, our window motors all broke (and the windows fell down into the car doors) a few weeks ago and our mechanic said that frequently happens around 75K miles on Libertys. I was not amused.

 

[momto1]

I havea 2003 Jeep Liberty with 176,000 miles. I drive 64 miles a day. I don't get good gas mileage either but seem to get better mileage if I keep the tank half full or more. I haven't had any problems with the windows. I did have to have the water pump replaced. It makes this wierd screech in the really cold winter when it first gets turned on. I have been pleased with the performance.
Lori

 

[matt98378]

We have a Jeep (although it's not a Liberty). It's 12 years old and has 145k miles on it and it still runs great. No major problems other than having to replace the air conditioner a couple years ago. The motor did go out in one of the windows. Overall, we've been very satisfied.

 

[pixidust77]

I have a 2008 Liberty and love it. Gas mileage is right around 20mpg. They're a lot of fun to drive. Did not bother to consult consumer reports though. HTH.

 

[MinnieGi]

Have you driven it? I ask this as I own a Toyota Sienna but last summer vacation I rented a car from Port Canaveral (after a great cruise) to drive to HHI to meet DH. I asked for a small suv as it was just me and my kids. They gave me a Jeep Liberty and I was so excited. Have always loved how they look! Well after driving the thing for 5 hours I was NOT impressed in how it handled or the gas mileage! My DH had driven our Sienna down and I couldn't wait to drive it around again!!

 

[Shmily1]

Extended warranties are most often not worth it. They cover only select parts, and usually, the parts they cover are not the ones you should worry about. If you are seriously thinking about buying a vehicle, read the fine print and what it covers and any deductibles, if any, before you buy the warranty.

On the other hand, we love Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep vehicles( currently have 2 Durangos, one Ram Daytona, and one Sebring convertible) and DD19 is looking at the Liberty's to trade her Mustang for. If she chooses a used one, we will check on NADA and KBB websites for the costs they should be before we talk to the sales person about them. We will also be looking for one with 50,000 or less miles if she wants used.

 

[mrudman]

Well, we bought it, hope I don't regret it, lol.

But seriously, he gave us an offer we couldn't refuse, and with him being a friend and telling us this is a great car, he wouldn't lie to us.
KBB has it priced at 15,100 and we got it for 12,300 out the door (with a trade-in of our junk car).

I've seen the consumer reports ratings about them, and to me, it looks like they've rated all SUV's poorly and regular cars decently, so don't know about those.

They're giving us a 90-day warranty as part of our deal, so at least if anything shows up in the first 3 months we can get it taken care of.

Now we just have to really decide if buying an extended warranty would be worth it. I keep thinking we should just put aside the $2k and chance that we won't need it in the 1st 3 yrs.. but then dh is worried about possibly needed repairs that cost in excess of the $2k. It's a gamble either way, so we'll have to think about if it'd be worth it.

I'm having him call the insurance company that we have our other car's insurance through to see what their price would be, etc...

But thanks for all your help everyone, really appreciate it!

 

[Huff]

A 2007 with 70K is high mileage and I believe makes it inelgible for a Chrysler factory brand extended warranty. I would be VERY leary of any aftermarket 3rd party warranty. I got burned on one a few years ago when the company folded up and I was out quite a bit of $'s! This has happened to several 3rd party warranty companies.

Chrysler does offer the certified used car extended warranty for vehicles bought from a Chrysler dealer so I'd check with your dealer on that route if you bought from a Chrysler dealer.