Just so you know, the Liberty is not half bad offroad. No question that the Wrangler is better and has more potential as well, but lots of guys run Libertys into places that one would not expect.

 

hdffr
I think you might be reading into the posts more then you should. Not everyone is having all these problems. My hardtop has shown a drip of water at the joint of the front T-top part. i have had no other issues. I took the top off the other day, put it back on and hosed it down. No leaks now...... For what its worth.......

 

skibum,

I've had mine only a couple weeks. I'll wait and see if I get the stall problem, but I'm not anticipating it. I'm not closing my eyes to problems, I'm dealing with it relative to probability. You think everyone has the stall problem? Really? Just like everyone has the soft-top leaking problem that I don't have (and I have been in some pretty harsh rain thus far), everyone has had the paint/dent problem that I don't have.

I'm no young pup, I've owned a lot of vehicles, both foreign and domestic. Every one has had their nay-sayers, every one has had their problems of some small or large nature.

For me, I'll stick with the Jeep, and not compare it to a Honda.

 

Like you, I'm retired Air Force and no "young pup" either. I'm a gearhead from way back and have owned everything from russian motorcycles to italian cars to this Jeep. Please don't misunderstand the point I'm trying to make. I love this vehicle. Seldom have I had any more fun on four wheels.

I am however, dissappointed in DC and the american automobile industry in general. There is no reason that DC or any of the other american manufacturers can't compete quality wise with Honda, Toyota, etc. Failure for them to do so, will see this industry move offshore just as shipbuilding, steel production and so many others have. I don't want to see that happen so I am going to do my best to hold DC's feet to the proverbial fire. As someone else here said, "this is a good vehicle, with the potential to be great". Emphasis on "potential"

As to the other brands and their nay-sayers, I did spend a significant amount of time on some Toyota FJ sites (since this was the other vehicle I considered buying) and the major complaint seemed to be visibility (not stalling, dents, tranny problems, broken axles, hood lift, etc.)

 

Wish I could argue against the quality issue. Although I haven't seen any leaks (we took the hard top off within the hour of getting home but the soft top doesn't show any signs of leak yet) - we do have the dents and many plastic issues (all that I would consider minor) but you are right on with the disappointment with a vehicle that has sooo much potential.

In the 30+ vehicles we've had through the years - the only one that I would rate lower in "off the assembly line" quality was a Chrysler Mark Cross Lebaron convertible. We too have owned many foreign vehicles (several models each from Honda/Acura, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Toyota/Lexus, BMW, MB, Land Rover) and all were much better in their overall quality control than any of our American vehicles (Ford Falcon, F 150, Chrysler Lebaron, Buick LeSabre, Dodge Grand Caravan, GMC Suburban and now the Jeep) - regardless of price. However, when the BMW needed a new engine after 3k miles - I can't say I was too pleased - but the dealership made it right and made certain I was taken care of while they corrected it - and didn't make excuses - they just corrected it.

Don't get me wrong - I love my Jeep but couldn't dump the Lebaron soon enough! Our Jeep already has its own Christmas stocking...

Unfortunately - none of this bodes well for DC and I hope my return to the dealership with our minor issues concludes with things being made right.

As many have stated, the hinge dent (and others) and the light paint in many areas, and the poor plastic attachments leave a lot to be desired. While we haven't been stranded, little things including very rough running - near stall - in steep downhill attitudes and the check engine light being on are a bit disconcerting. We've just been too busy out having fun.

I've never trusted any of the other vehicles to take my family and I on the trails we are now able to enjoy (the Land Rover never received as much as a shopping cart dent let alone a branch scratch!)

Quality - 0 -- Emotion - 1 -- Dealership remedy ??

...but we'll see what the dealership trip has to say - I took pictures the day of delivery that clearly show the dents and light paint...it would be a shame with such a great platform to not provide it the support it deserves.

 

BRILLIANT!!!! Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

Having to much fun,...love it, & it's perfect> (am I blinded by the shear love of a vehicle) He$$ ya.
Toyota HuH! FJ Cruiser > broken winshield's at a horrible rate, cheap plastic scatch's very easy, , paint chipping, front leans/droops 1" on drivers side, winshield wiper design usless, factory roof rack screws stripped, very cheap crossbars on roof rack, FJ lunges forward when a/c kicks in or out(foot tight on brake), the clevis pin then can fall out (without warning), effectively disconecting the clutch pedal from the master cylinder, wiper motor horribly load, FJ Transfer Case left left a few stranded, rear window leaks,
tramission's been replace already, transmission wierd noise, steering wheel vibrations at speed, rear diff lock not working, strange noise under glove box, CK Engine, VSC Light, ATRAC Lights On All The Time, vibration in steering column at 2100 rpm , Fuel Filling Problems, factory sound system problem.......Done, Toyota Quaity HuH!
Buy the JEEP!

 

Yes, mine had the leaky Freedom Top and some cheap plastic, but I would do it all over again if I had to. Most of the little problems with my early (1 Nov 2006) built JK have been fixed by DC and by the dealer with mine. I had a 98 and an 04 Wrangler, both had minor faults. When I went Japanese with a $35,000 Nissan Murano, the interior had squeaks, electronic problems with the DVD nav screen, etc. There is no "perfect" vehicle out there...

But... that first day I popped the top off the Wrangler and took it off the pavement, all the faults faded away! Yes, the Wrangler is an emotional vehicle. Look at the hundreds of ways you can configure it, suspension, appearance, etc. If a Wrangler is what you want, a Liberty or a Patriot won't give you the top and doors off fun!

 

Ah well, I'll consider myself in the fortunate minority to have a vehicle without any of the "standard" problems (that don't reallyl seem all that standard when looked at objectively), so far the refuel issue (that is being remedied by the dealer no questions asked) and I couldn't be happier. A major part of that is having a dealer that is standing behind what he sells.

Hope you work out the issues and can get back to enjoying your vehicle.

 

ME TOO !!! or, want to trade? mine only has 2000 miles on it and most of those have been back and forth to the dealer.