High fuel prices are making the crd appealing

previous comment taken from
http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=102605

2005 JEEP LIBERTY LIMITED
D
ON SALE: Now
AS-TESTED PRICE: $31,405
POWERTRAIN: 2.8-liter, 160-hp, 295-lb-ft turbodiesel I4; 4wd, five-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT: 4296 lbs
0 TO 60 MPH: 10 seconds (est.)
FUEL ECONOMY: 23.0 mpg (EPA combined), 23.2 mpg (AW observed)


The American model is stronger than the Euro version we drove a little over a year ago. That one got to 62 mph in 13 seconds; the U.S. model gains about three seconds. Plus, our version is more responsive in the crucial 60-to-80-mph zone on the freeway. It’s all about enhanced torque and gearing in the five-speed automatic.

EPA ratings are 17/21 city/highway for the 3.7 and 21/26 for the
D. We saw 17.7 mpg in the V6 AutoFile test and 23.2 in the
D, an improvement better than 30 percent.

I read today's article about two entry level Jeeps. Seems one will be shorter and sportier and one will be taller, more SUV like. Maybe those "Compass" spyshots from last week are the taller Jeep and we have yet to see the sleeker shorter, more wagon crossover Jeep. Apparently, both were shown to a select few journalists at NAIAS 2005. I guess for feedback and not for publication since since we havent read anything about it. At least not officially. Hope we see more pictures soon.

here is my comment I just read over on Autoweek.com that there will be two diferent small Jeeps. I drove a diesel Liberty and thought it was alright. I,also, would like it with the 6-speed. The auto, although it had some nice features, just didn't pick the correct gear as well as I would have. The transmission didn't down shift to the lowest gear when I floored it at 35 mph. It seemed to stay one gear higher than most auto's would but acceleration was still pretty good. 1750 rpm's @60 mph. The fan noise was way more obtrusive that the rattle of the engine itself. I either read here or on allpar.com that the small Dodge and Jeeps would come with a diesel and have been seen to have a manual tranny.

RUBICONTRAIL.NET, Greg, Mike, and others.....thank you for your very insightfull comments and info. That is what keeps me coming back to this site besides the news info. I, like most everyone on here, agree that Jeep has the capability to screw up the whole product line up but from what I can see so far and the future plans, it looks like Jeep is definately on the right track. The Liberty is the first we have seen from the Mercedes/Chrysler colaberation (hope my spelling is right) and it has certainly turned out to be a very fine vehicle and completely fullfills it's intended and claimed capabilities and purpose. I have no doubt that the new GC is just as good if not better although I haven't had a chance to test it myself or get any first hand comments on it. As I said before, Jeep is definately doing the right thing by targeting specific markets with specific vehicles rather than trying to make a few vehicles fit every market. We all know that Jeep is the first name in 4WD although they haven't always earned that name. Lot's of other vehicles at times have been as good if not better than the Jeep and Jeep sort of dropped the ball a few times. A few have fell by the wayside such as Toyota but don't expect them to stay there. Land Rover has been owned by just about everyone which has really stunted their growth at times but they seem to be on their game and Ford, thus far, has definately not hurt them. The new Defender will be out in a few years and I really expect it to try to knock the new Wrangler off it's block. We all know that the Range Rover is a very good vehicle but Land Rover has sort of fell behind in the traction control area. I know that price really doesn't put them in the same catagory and some buyers would buy the Land Rover just for the prestige aspect but I really think most buyers would take the GC or Commander over the Range Rover if they both prove to be quality vehicles and offer a very upscale interior. I'm not a basher of any vehicle but I think Hummer has sort of painted themselves into a corner that they can't get out of. The design is just way too extreme for most consumers and other than the H1, offroad ability of the other Hummers just don't match their far out design. Plenty of tests have proven that. All that said....Jeep is doing well and running down the field smoothly. Just don't run out of bounds or get a penalty.

As much as I like the Compass concept, I also doubt it will be the WRC vehicle we were hoping for. Even if it was perfect for WRC, it doesn't mean Jeep would enter it. But rally "influenced" is still a must. The concept accomplished that, whether the production model keeps that feel, we shall see. But I am still very interested in the Compass. Just have to wait and see what it looks like, what options/engines it has, price point, etc.

I really don't think the Compass is going to be the "Rally" car everybody thinks it will be.

Manual XJ Guy, when I referred to there not being enough demand, I was referring to a manual transmission in the US-versions of the WK and XK.

I DEFINITELY agree and think there is enough demand for the diesel / manual combo in the Wrangler (and the Gladiator, if it is ever produced.)

I think there will also be enough demand for a manual in the Compass as it will be an economical entry vehicle. The Compass will be an AWD vehicle. My guess iw that it will use the QuadraTrac I system, which offers no low-range. I am also guessing we would see the 4-cylinder global engine from Mitsubishi as the entry level engine (this is a must if it is going to be able to serve as a Rally vehicle like so many are hoping) and the 3.7L as the top-end engine.

Onlyonejeep,
You must have misunderstood my comments. I never said Jeep has not made capable off road vehicles. As a matter of fact, on other posts, I have said the oposite. Jeep's Offroad capability has never been a problem. It has always done at least as good or better than the rest. My comments were concerning other features such as reliabilty and other on road features that some other SUV's (Toyota in the past)were offering while at the same time giving very good off road performance. Concerning Jeep not always being the benchmark, I think Land Rover proves that. We all know that Land Rover was a copy of the Jeep but if you want to talk about purist vehicles then Land Rover has held the mark much longer than Jeep. The Series Rovers and Defenders running so long have more than proven that. Of course, Land Rover has been forced to fall in line like the rest to keep up with consumer demands of having a vehicle that performs as good on road as it does off. Make no mistake, I am a Jeep lover and long time owner. I am also a realist too. The "my vehicle is better because it's the one I own" mentality or the thinking that change always has to be for the worse just doesn't cut it with me. Proof is in the pudding no matter who's name is on it.

The second entry-level vehicle was what as I was referring to with "It also remains to be seen what the rest of the Jeep lineup plays out to be. Will there be another entry-level model or is the Scout name just another possibility for the Compass design?"

There were rumors that surfaced a couple of months ago that a boxy entry-level vehicle was displayed along with a model that was most likely the Compass we saw in the recent spy shots.

Two New Jeeps? I thought they were only introducing one.

Anybody have info on this?

I think we all like C.R.D DCX is using in the KJ and would probably agree that DCX has a chance to something big with this engine and others like it. The question that we have in the back of our minds is "How are they gonna screw this one up?" DCX, here are some of the mistakes we are afraid you might make:

-C.R.D. never makes it to Wrangler (TJ or TK)
-C.R.D. never gets paired with a manual, in any DCX vehicle
-New TK gets watered down
-New Compass/Scout isn't at all true to Jeep and is front wheel drive and not 4-wheel drive (basically a 7 slot next generation Neon)
-Gladiator or similar jeep truck never sees production.
-Jeep listens to the "Doom Sayers" on this site and just gives up even thought it currently makes 3 great off road SUV's.


Again, if you're reading DCX, this is what NOT to do!

If I'm missing something somebody, then add your opinion. And for some of you I should emphasize the word OPINION.

Although Europe, Africa, etc have the crd and six speed manual, my email response from Jeep indicated that the crd and manual tranny is not planned for the US.

That sure as hell better have not been another rip on the KJ. If my KJ's a cute-ute, then my old YJ and many of your current YJ's are Jeeps cute-utes from the early 1990's. Wangler has been, is, and will always be a chick magnet and have yuppie appeal ... I think this has already been over discussed and I would agree that as long as there are yuppies, there will be yuppies driving jeeps. That said all Wranglers and KJ's are capable off-roaders, even if Barbi drives a pink wrangler and some soccer Moms drive KJ's.

I agree that jeep needs to get that diesel in the TJ in the worst way, but it realistically probably won't happen until the TK comes along.

Keep buyin' those C.R.D's! If there's a demand, then DCX will supply it and hopefully see the benefit of putting the diesel in other Jeeps.

Now that we've seen spy photos of Compass, I'm really hoping they roll out a test Gladiator diesel one of these days soon. I think if they're going to produce something on the lighter side of the spectrum they should introduce something beefy too.

I beg to differ, several car mags (including C&D, Motor-trend) say if the demand is there they intend to bring Manuals in for the C.R.D. engine

So stop trying to ruin my day :)

I agree with the SFA comment for the KJ, I never liked the idea of going to IFS. CV joints are nothing but expensive pains as the vehical crosses the 100K mark on the odometer.

I still think Jeep should offer up a Rubicon package for the KJ that gives more adventuous people what they are really after. Like a C.R.D. Manual, big 31" or even 33" tires & maybe an optional SFA. Oh and maybe square up the front end a bit so it looks a little more aggresive instead of cute (sorry KJ guys, it is a cute-ute regardless of ability or name)

Greg,

A big "Wangler" is always a chick-magnet. :-)

Ha-Ha. Let her rrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiipppppppp!

One more comment....your wishing that Jeep would stick with 3 vehicles is nuts. If you want to see Jeep get closed out of the market then that is definately the way to do it. Also, your always talking about newer Jeeps not being real Jeeps...put Chrysler in a position where you have to try to grab the whole SUV market with just a couple of vehicles and I can promise you the most watered down Jeeps in history not to mention Jeeps inevitable demise.

Sorry DMoore; you are highly mistaken on your comment of Jeep NOT being capable, sometimes in the past, of being the "benchmark" of 4X4's.

This statement makes some of my so-called "idiotic" posts pale in comparison!

I might be leary and hestitant of Jeep's future; but I would NEVER say that uptil now Jeep was uncapable of producing some of the BEST 4X4's the world over!

Are you sure you don't presently drive a R A V 4? Huh?

Sorry Marty, still no offical or rumors that a Manual will be availiable. I checked out that webstite, "Auto only". Believe me, I think that this diesel deserves a manual and a chance to enter into all future Jeep vehicals.

From the spy shots it looks like the Jeep Varcity... the Compass Concept was pretty cool looking compared to the Varcity Concept. The Varcity looks like a mini-van or a watered down Subaru Tribica

"Doomsayers" like me WISH....*WISH* Jeep would stick with THREE models...Maybe 4- if you change the name of the new Commander to Wagoneer; like it should have been.

3 models served the purpose of Jeep fine.


Too many cooks spoil the soup..GM is figuring THAT out 40 years too late.

HUMMER Brand is how Jeep should be modeling itself after; they're distant cousins anyway.


If Jeep wants to make a vehicle for EVERY seat; well then I say Kill It Now...It will be the downfall of a once Proud American Icon- Instead being the new "it" thing for the new "in" crowd; that doesn't even know what a transfer case is!

Dammit, quit raining on my parade :(

The Manual Will be paired with a Diesel... What demand?? I Demand it! And if they don't pair up that good ol C.R.D. with a manual... well I'll have to just pair it up myself. Anybody know where I can get a C.R.D. crate engine? lol

I highly doubt you will see a stock solid-axle on the Liberty. The 4-Door Wrangler will fill the need for those that need a Liberty-sized vehicle with a solid axle.

The Liberty will be paired with the Grand Cherokee and Commander as the off-road capable luxury SUVs (much like the old Wagoneer was marketed). This is already evident with the newest Liberty ads which tout it luxury interior along with its rugged engineering. These vehicles are sold primarily as near-luxury / luxury SUVs that are very capable off-road (best-in-class). They are great for Jeep enthusiasts who wish to remain loyal to the brand even when it comes to the family hauler and for those who live in areas that experience rough roads or harsh winters.

The Wrangler, 4-Door Wrangler (and hopefully a Gladiator-like pickup version) are the vehicles that will be marketed as rough and rugged vehicles. These vehicles will go beyond best-in-class and instead will be best-in-the-world.

So just between these two lineups Jeep should be able to satisfy most people. I know personally that I like this concept. I am looking to purchase both a nice luxury SUV that can also handle some of the rough desert roads plus I am looking for a daily driver that can also be used on the trails during the weekend. For the first I plan to go either with a WK or XK. For the second I will use my XJ until it dies. However when it does pass on to the great Jeep place in the sky, I will go with a TK (or Gladiator if it is made).

We have yet to see how the Compass will be marketed. A lot of this will depend on the engine available and the base-price.

It also remains to be seen what the rest of the Jeep lineup plays out to be. Will there be another entry-level model or is the Scout name just another possibility for the Compass design? Will the Rescue see production at all?

I also wonder what DCX's plans are when it comes to supplying the world's military. With the redesign of the G-Wagen the military-spec G-Wagen is a world apart. Will it remain in production or will it be ceased? If so, will DCX use the Jeep lineup to build a new military vehicle to replace the Hummer and Stryker's?

I do think more diesels will appear in the US Jeep lineup but I do not think you will see a manual transmission in the WK or XK (the market is just not there). The Liberty was a great test bed for the diesel and after the 2006 low-sulpher diesel rules kick in I believe the diesel will expand to more of the lineup.

I don't think chrysler knows what to do with a successful idea. Sure a 6sp manual would be cool to have. So would a VM 2.8Lcrd in a dakota, wrangler, dodge caravan and gladiator. Plus maybe for even better fuel mileage from light vehicals like the wrangler, bring over the VM 2.5Lcrd with the 2.8Lcrd improvements.

If Jeep put a straight axle under the KJ they wouldn't be able to keep up with demand. As hungry as Jeep fans are for diesels in their TJs, this would make a decent substitution...but it would have to have a straight axle.

I test drove one, I really liked it and want to buy one. It sounds like a diesel, but it had great acceleration, no smoke, and I am sure it can pull a serious load.

This is very positive. If the enthusiasm for Diesel SUVs grows, Jeep will definatly see the benefits of making it available for all thier other models. THey better do it soon, though, because I;m getting the feeling that many other car manufacturers are going to offer diesels for thier sport utes soon. Wouldn't it be nice if Jeep had a head start? And for god's sake...would people please stop shitting on the KJ and Jeeps with airbags? AIRBAGS ARE NOW THE LAW, IT'S LIKE A SEATBELT, SO LIVE WITH IT...If jeep never changed with the times, they wouldnt exist...they NEED to make thier vehicles safe if they want to remain in existence. And another thing, aside from the fact that the LIberty looks a little rounder than the XJ, it's STILL the most capable 4x4 of class STOCK. The Blazer can't do it, the Jimmy can't do it, Escape can't do it, Tribute can't do it, etc..etc...So if still hate the newer Jeeps, then simply don't drive or buy one...there are plenty of rusted old CJ's in scrap yards across north america just waiting to be re-built by people who just can't let go.

Well,Transpower the crd will be the only problem with what you are looking for....... Overland will be out in the fall

OneOneJeep, drive of a cliff already ...

... we know airbags won't save you, so you better hope your wind bags do.

"latest Jeep technologies and benefits including a Mall-Rated badge, weak IFS, and cute-ute design"...
Hahaaaa!

Put one in a wrangler, i'd buy it!

2006 will bring the reurn of the Overlander model and DHS to the Grand Cherokee.

so... Manual & When!
With such strong demand they have got to be considering it now

I'm waiting for the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a) the V-6 Diesel engine with as much torque as the Hemi;
b) Dynamic Handling System; and the
c) Overland model

How much longer will I have to wait?