webmaster
uh... no.. I didnt know, I'll take a closer look...
kwc
having the Compass up another 3-4 inches puts it roughly on par with the Liberty, and I don't believe that's the intention behind the Compass ... it's different and meant to appeal to a different clientele.
You are right. It is for another clientèle
Let's not forget something. In CDN$ my 2003 liberty limited with selecttrack transfer case (2 wheel, part-time four wheel, full time 4 wheel and low) and with NO ESP cost 35 000$ and today it's almost 40 000 CDN$. So it's unfair to try and compare both on a equal footing.
The Liberty is a rock solid truck with very impressive features. It's towing capacity is incredible and I had very little repairs on it. But when I did have repairs done on it, it was very expensive. Changing the brake pads and rotors cost 870.00 CDN$. If I had the money I'd still have one.
I drive around 400 km a week. The liberty's 3.7 litre motor costs me around 55 to 60 litres of gas to fill up at that mileage. So let's say 60 x .92 = 54.60$ at the tank. On the 25/01/2007 I filled up my compass at 362 km for 37.6 litres. so 37.6 x .91 = 34.22 $
Liberty 2003 54.60 / 400 = 13 cents a kilometre
Imagine price at pump is steady
Yearly gas 54 * 52 weeks = 2808 CDN$
Compass 34.22 / 362 = 9 cents a kilometre
Imagine price at pump is steady
Yearly gas 34 * 52 weeks = 1768 CDN$
This isn't scientificaly accurate but it demonstrates that if you want a Jeep liberty you can have one, for the right price.
I changed from a Liberty to a Compass. I live in the country and was mainly concerned for snow and icy roads. So for four years I ran a 3.7 litre motor all year just for the opportunity to have Jeep four wheel drive. I did travel in gravel roads a few times, mostly when I went on fishing trips near my home. I often thought that it was overkill for
MY needs.
So when I sat down and analysed what I wnated from a car I found the Compass to be a good solution. It DOES have a better ride than my liberty, costs less on gas, it's reasonnably roomy and it costs 12 to 15 000 CDN$ less than my liberty did. I now have features that are hard to find in other cars for 25 000$ CDN$.
Four wheel drive,
ESP, ABS, 2.4 litre world motor. A transvers bar(for stability) in the center of the car. a comfortable ride...
It is not a liberty, it does not even pretend to be one. But I find it is a well featured four wheel drive car offering good advantages for the price. I do believe it is not well marketed and that Chrysler is of the mark on their audience. But then that's part of why they are not number one.
Sorry for this long winded comment.
2007 Compass North 4X4 Silver