2010 Jeep liberty Toad option

[Effy]

I am at it again. Many of you chimed in about my search for a 4 down toad a while ago and that was very helpful. However we still have not found "the vehicle" Looked at many many Wranglers. At the end of it all while we liked the wrangler we just thought they were way overpriced for what you get and it didn't seem ideal as a daily driver. Add the inability for DW's mom to get in it for appointments and such and it just wasn't practical. Don't get me wrong, we loved it. Still milling about the CRV which is a respectable toad but frankly we aren't in love with it. Fits the bill for our range, usability, makes for a good trade from our Civic but we just don't love the CRV. While looking around DW stumbled on a 2010 Jeep Liberty Sport 4wd with 60k miles for $15k. I know very little about this vehicle. I know it can be towed 4 down. It's a 6cyl and seems to be well taken care of. I know it's a bit piggish at a about 4k lbs, over the CRV which is closer to 3k. NADA has clean retail at $16k. Planning to go look at tomorrow. Any thoughts?

[et2]

Effy wrote:
So this is it guys, what we are going to look at today.

Liberty

I'll know better in person but looks like it's worth checking out. I have researched and confident it is towable 4 down - please someone chime in if it isn't. Their advertised price seems ok but I may work them a bit on it. Also depends what they give us for our '12 civic which has lost value quicker than my AZ oceanfront property.

MM, The CRV is actually the perfect vehicle for us, we just don't love it. Can't give real specific reasons why, it just doesn't give us the warm fuzzy. Still a contender from a practicality standpoint. But I have a hard time spending cash on something that I'm really just not feeling it.

Jeep has a larger engine so that's a plus despite the lower MPG. And it has a hitch, another plus for bike racks and such. Not that one couldn't be added to the CRV but it's there on this Jeep and it's tow capacity is much higher.

Lots to consider, aside from the normal stuff, DW's mother has had a stroke so any vehicle needs to be easy to get in and out of for appointments etc, 02 bottles, wheelchair... DW also works with mentally disabled citizens, again loading wheelchairs and getting in and out of. So it's not just about us a fam, it's also about considerations for the people she cares for. This was the biggest reason the Wrangler didn't work. Love the wrangler although too expensive IMHO. If it weren't for those considerations we would have gotten one.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback gang!

It has the correct trans to tow 4 down. As far as your MIL riding in the car, the rear door can be somewhat tight to access the rear seat. Putting her in the front might be easier. It's a rugged vehicle dependable vehicle.

[Effy]

So this is it guys, what we are going to look at today.

Liberty

I'll know better in person but looks like it's worth checking out. I have researched and confident it is towable 4 down - please someone chime in if it isn't. Their advertised price seems ok but I may work them a bit on it. Also depends what they give us for our '12 civic which has lost value quicker than my AZ oceanfront property.

MM, The CRV is actually the perfect vehicle for us, we just don't love it. Can't give real specific reasons why, it just doesn't give us the warm fuzzy. Still a contender from a practicality standpoint. But I have a hard time spending cash on something that I'm really just not feeling it.

Jeep has a larger engine so that's a plus despite the lower MPG. And it has a hitch, another plus for bike racks and such. Not that one couldn't be added to the CRV but it's there on this Jeep and it's tow capacity is much higher.

Lots to consider, aside from the normal stuff, DW's mother has had a stroke so any vehicle needs to be easy to get in and out of for appointments etc, 02 bottles, wheelchair... DW also works with mentally disabled citizens, again loading wheelchairs and getting in and out of. So it's not just about us a fam, it's also about considerations for the people she cares for. This was the biggest reason the Wrangler didn't work. Love the wrangler although too expensive IMHO. If it weren't for those considerations we would have gotten one.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback gang!

[Mr_Mark1]

Bill Satellite, the Jeep Liberty's lost the rear hanging tire in 2008. The 2007 Jeep Liberty was the last year of the tire on the tailgate. The Honda CR-V's lost the hanging rear tire in 2007.

MM.

[milkman41]

Clearly an unscientific study, but when DW and I are in a campground walking the dogs, we notice what is being towed. Clearly jeep Liberty is the winner.

[Mr_Mark1]

It looks like the new 2015 Honda CR-V will go to a variable speed transmission which make it not towable four down. In the future, we'll probably move to a Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee or maybe a Cadillac SRX.

I wouldn't mind a Honda Fit (if towable) but I want something that sits higher to avoid the rubber gators in the road. And, I like towing a light weight vehicle if I have the choice.

MM.

[93mastercraft]

Effy, It's nice to reply to you when it's not a Palazzo problem involved! 🙂 I personally tow a Jeep wrangler 2 door and absolutely love it. I just wish I had a 4 door. With that said I know I really can't give you advice other than to say if you like the Liberty, it has a clean record, no wrecks and has been well taken care of, then I think I'd go for it. As you have already figured out, a lot of folks use them for toads. They seem to fit the bill well as the Wranglers.

[mike_brez]

I purchased my older son a 03 Liberty that I just sold last week. He had it for seven years and not one problem and he took it off road all over Ct. and were he went to school in Vt. He was also a snowboard instructor at Killington mountain so drove in some pretty nasty weather and road conditions. I also purchased my younger son a 2008 Liberty in 2010 it had 80,000 miles on it and was/ is in awesome shape I picked up the 08 for 13k. I have a Wrangler that I use just to plow with and for a toad. Actually all three have never been to the dealer or needed repair.
This is a pic of the 03 the day it left the house.

[Bill_Satellite]

The CRV is a very nice tow vehicle as well. I wonder if you can get a lifetime Honda warranty on that used CRV? :W

[Mr_Mark1]

My brother and his wife tow a 2008 Jeep Liberty. It tows well and they like it. It is heavier than a CR-V by about 700 lbs. and gets worse gas mileage (6 cylinder) 16 city vs. 22 city with the Honda (4 cylinder).

Effy, I'm not sure why you don't like the CR-V as it, to me, makes a perfect tow vehicle. We don't go off road although we have the AWD version. The small limitations are insignificant (65 max mph, start engine and move through the gears every 8 hrs. of towing). We generally travel at about 60 mph and never drive for 8 hrs., usually 6 hrs. max. And I start the Honda at the end of each day (good habit).

The Honda seats five, gets good gas mileage, good storage, has a great nav system, easy to park, what's not to love? It has more rear storage area than the Jeep (comparing my brother's '08 to our '07 (traded) and '13. The floor of the Jeep in the rear area is really high.

In the car business they say, 'Buy and drive what YOU like'.

MM.

[JerryofWV]

I have the 2012 Liberty. Like everyone has said, it makes a great toad.

I really like the fact that you can remove the key while towing. That way you don't have to worry about battery drain.

I added the ReadyBrake system and am happy with it.

[Bill_Satellite]

Effy wrote:
I am at it again. Many of you chimed in about my search for a 4 down toad a while ago and that was very helpful. However we still have not found "the vehicle" Looked at many many Wranglers. At the end of it all while we liked the wrangler we just thought they were way overpriced for what you get and it didn't seem ideal as a daily driver. Add the inability for DW's mom to get in it for appointments and such and it just wasn't practical. Don't get me wrong, we loved it. Still milling about the CRV which is a respectable toad but frankly we aren't in love with it. Fits the bill for our range, usability, makes for a good trade from our Civic but we just don't love the CRV. While looking around DW stumbled on a 2010 Jeep Liberty Sport 4wd with 60k miles for $15k. I know very little about this vehicle. I know it can be towed 4 down. It's a 6cyl and seems to be well taken care of. I know it's a bit piggish at a about 4k lbs, over the CRV which is closer to 3k. NADA has clean retail at $16k. Planning to go look at tomorrow. Any thoughts?

We just bought a 2012 Liberty and absolutely love it. We also looked at a '10 but we really liked the spare tire being gone from the rear of the car and the options for opening the back end with no tire there. Additionally, if your Jeep has less than 48,000 miles you can add a Chrysler lifetime warranty to the purchase for just over $2000. Those 2 things was enough for us to make the 2012 purchase. I installed the Blue Ox base plate myself (very easy with very few tools) and I ran the suggested wiring package in about 2 hours. The Jeep even has a location located in the tail light housing where you drill a 1" hole and install the enclosed light bulb and housing. It simply could not be easier.
We did make the first tow without a braking system but we will take care of that soon with an M&G braking system as that's what I had on my last toad so all the connections are already there (and it's the best).

[2gypsies1]

We also love our 2004 Liberty which we bought new. It now has 175,000 miles on it with absolutely no major problems - just routine stuff. We found it to be very comfortable and roomy for the size and tows great. It's a fun 4-wheeling vehicle, too, and we took it on trails that the souped up Wranglers went. We raised it slightly and put bigger tires on it so that we could do those hard trails. We would have bought another new but they are discontinued and have been replaced by the Cherokee (not the same as Grand Cherokee). The new Cherokee is a gorgeous nicely-appointed vehicle but expensive.

[cwit]

I have an 06 liberty for a toad, it is great. My wife loves her liberty, just the right hight for her.

[imgoin4it]

I towed a jeep liberty for about 12years and over 100,000 miles. Loved it. Got rid of it when it started costing lots because of age and miles. You probably won't like the gas mileage one gets, but other than that don,t think you would ever regret getting and towing a jeep.

[AZAmmochief]

We have an 05 Liberty. Love it. Tows well, hardly know it's back there. Great for the off road adventures as well as highway travels as well. Hooking, as said earlier, a piece of cake. I modified mine with an on-board brake system that works with the MHs brake light system. Really helps. Can't go wrong with the Jeep.