What's with the '06 model?

[The Jeep Driver]

We are looking to but a used Liberty, and checking Consumer Reports, they have the 2006 listed as a "Do Not Buy." There weren't many details as to why. Can anyone shed some light?

[the Captain]

its because they suck, but the mag didn't know it till '06 :22:

[tomsjeep]

I own an '07. I was not aware that Libby's suck. In fact, I could point you to a couple of Libby's that could crawl right over a CJ with no trouble at all!

For the OP, in '06, there were some changes made to the Libby (also present in the 07) that were supposed to be working out bugs in the design. I'm going to have to plead unsure as to what the big differences are, although I'm sure if you dig around through LostKJs you'll get some more definitive info.
Most people look for the older ones that are considered "pre-lowered" (that is, before they were lowered in ride height to combat potential rollovers).
I happen to like mine as a daily driver, it has good road manners, handles well on the highway and gets better gas mileage than my '02 TJ. And when it snows, it's still a Jeep, so you can cheerfully chug along and wave at the Honda Accord drivers sitting there alongside the road and waiting for the snowplow to come by so they can navigate the 8" of snow on the road.
Are looking for something to wheel or something to commute in?

[Toralf]

I second Tom here. In 06 they made some changes, so you got new taillights, new suspension (yes, the ride was lowered in that effort to make it safer on the road but so it lacked even more ground clearance than the old one) and the interiour got some changes.
For Europe the diesel got another layout providing more torque and add some ponies. We got new options over here and lost some colors :sad6: and the Renegade package...

[tomsjeep]

It has seemed to me for years that CR has it "in" for Jeeps anyway, so I wouldn't be at all surprised about their rating.
They rated the Wrangler poorly too. And suggested some Japanese mini-SUV instead. Yeah, like that's a good plan!

[The Jeep Driver]

Thanks for all of the helpful replies. :hakinghe:


Are looking for something to wheel or something to commute in?
Just for commuting. This is going to replace my wife's Grand Cherokee. I dobut she will be wanting to go off road.

She is determined to get a Renegade. Did they also do away with the light bar in '06?

[tomsjeep]

Thanks for all of the helpful replies. :hakinghe:


Just for commuting. This is going to replace my wife's Grand Cherokee. I dobut she will be wanting to go off road.

She is determined to get a Renegade. Did they also do away with the light bar in '06?
She'd be very happy with a Libby, then.
As far as I know they did not do away with the light bar in 06. It was available for the 07s, but I declined for reasons that escape me now... it may have been part of the haggling process trying to get a Jeep I wanted at a price that I wanted. In the end, I didn't go for a Renegade, although now I keep thinking about adding the light bar now (although I'm broke, and the light bar is like $1,000).
If you are buying used, double check the front ball joints before you do anything else. It's a traditional weak spot on Jeeps in general, and specifically for Libby's. It's got the same engine as the Wrangler, but is much more a comfort vehicle EXCEPT the freakin' seats... the Renegade had better seats, so that's a definite plus. Mine are like sitting in a bucket of packed sand.
:idiot:
You'd think I'd know better at my age.

[The Jeep Driver]

As far as I know they did not do away with the light bar in 06. It was available for the 07s

Then some Renegades have the bars and some don't...? I always thought it was part of the package, but I just came across an '05 without one.

[tomsjeep]

Then some Renegades have the bars and some don't...? I always thought it was part of the package, but I just came across an '05 without one.
Like you, I thought it was part of the package. I've never heard of one without it. Mine is one step below the Renny, with most of the goodies, but lacks some of them including lacking the light bar. Any chance it was removed and not replaced (trail damage?)??
I was also wondering why you're looking at an '06? Why not just get a new one? Deals are have-able.
My Libby is the result of going in thinking I would look at a Patriot... and the sales guy (being what sales guys are) ended up wheeling and dealing. It might be worth a look (and no, you don't have to publicly comment on your financial status, etc.).

[The Jeep Driver]

Like you, I thought it was part of the package. I've never heard of one without it. Mine is one step below the Renny, with most of the goodies, but lacks some of them including lacking the light bar. Any chance it was removed and not replaced (trail damage?)?? I don't think it ever had one. In the several months we've been looking, I've seen several Renegades without light bars, but we didn't look at them since they were out of our price range. I just came across the '05 that we could afford, again without the bar, so that prompted the question.


I was also wondering why you're looking at an '06? Why not just get a new one? Deals are have-able.
We're not looking only at '06s; that was the only year (from 2002 - 2007) that Consumer Reports said not to buy, I believe based on customer feedback. I wanted more info, as most of the used Liberty's at our main Jeep dealer are '06s. I need to get back to the Library and re-read the article.
Why not just get a new one? Deals are have-able. With the economy as unstable as it is, I am not taking out a loan. We are paying cash for whatever we get, so that does limit our selection.

[tomsjeep]

Well, you can always order a bar, or better yet, install a real one instead of the plasticky stock one. It's like a $1000 for that thing.

And I can understand not wanting to take out a loan.

02 to 05 parts all fit one another (so I understand) and 06 and 07 has some different parts, including a redigned front end that relocates the fog lights. Then comes the 08 and the 'new' squared front end.

Main things to look for on these are the front ball joints.

[The Jeep Driver]

Thanks for the info! I emailed the dealer, let's see if they want to deal!

[tomsjeep]

OK, I have some addl' info for you...
there is a TSB issue with the valve locks in the '05 and '06 models causing premature valve wear.
Here's a copy of the info (courtesy of one of the L.O.S.T. Jeepers):
http://home.comcast.net/~merchjo/jeep/jeeptsb-page-1.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~merchjo/jeep/jeeptsb-page-2.jpg

[The Jeep Driver]

the Renegade had better seats, so that's a definite plus. Mine are like sitting in a bucket of packed sand.
What years were you comparing? The 3 dealers we talked to yesterday said they were unaware of any differences in the Renegade seats, other then the fabric. They didn't have any for us to look at though...

OK, I have some addl' info for you...

Thanks, that is great! I'll read it all!

So far all we've found that we like is an '06 65th anniversary edition. The Renegade was sold before we could get there. :(

[tomsjeep]

What years were you comparing? The 3 dealers we talked to yesterday said they were unaware of any differences in the Renegade seats, other then the fabric. They didn't have any for us to look at though...

Thanks, that is great! I'll read it all!

So far all we've found that we like is an '06 65th anniversary edition. The Renegade was sold before we could get there. :(

I was referring to the fabric, based on sitting in it. It's true I didn't sit for a long time, so I presumed (wished/prayed for) better seats in somebody's Jeep!
That'll teach me!
:idiot: