on a side note...how is your Liberty going? i've been taking notice of them on base a lot...i'm starting to think maybe it would be a nice vehicle to have. what have your MPG's been averaging so far?
When we got the Liberty, with about 3,000 miles, my wife was averaging a little of 18 MPG. It now has a little of 4,000 miles and she is averaging a little over 19 MPG. By contrast, the JGC I drive to work has been averaging between 19.3 and 20.4 MPG.
I'm surprised at how many people feel the 3.7L is underpowered. Either they have way too high expectations or they haven't driven a Jeep powered by it. Speaking for the Liberty, it is an excellent engine. While the Liberty isn't as quick as the XJ, let there be no mistake, if you don't want grass to grow under the tires, it is very capable. Yes, I am still biased toward the 4.0L, but the 3.7 is a nice substitute. I want to see the new Phoenix engines starting next year.
It is a very nice riding vehicle. I now can see why most people who buy the new Liberty like them. The steering is nice and crisp with a tight turning radius (but not as good as the XJ, but better than the JGC that I am now driving). The seats took a little adjusting to, but now I like them. Brakes are very good.
Haven't had the opportunity to take it off-road, but I will before the snow starts flying to make sure everything checks out. It has hill descent control, which I would like to check out to see if I like it better than manual braking.
BTW, my son is in the process of putting a new (used) engine in the XJ. He is buying it off us and has changed all gaskets and other odds and ends before installing it the vehicle. Glad to see it will be back on the road.