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Better (Best) Year for Used?

23K views 42 replies 21 participants last post by  JTS97Z28 
#1 ·
I'm finally getting ready to upgrade from my 2000 WJ Laredo V8 with Selec Trac to a WK2. My WJ has 218K on it and though it still runs well, I'm starting to feel that it will be needing a lot of little things soon. Leaking oil in several areas, needs new lower control arm/bushings, head cover gaskets, etc. Its really been a great vehicle with no major issues, just minor normal repairs for the most part. Radiator, heat/ac control, rear ball joint, front driveshaft, starter, alternator, two driver door window regulators; shocks, camshaft sensor, flash relay; front half shafts. That's about it off the top of my head. Most things not done until after 150K. Not bad!

I was wondering if there are any particular reasons to look for a particular MY over another. I am focusing mostly on the 2011-2013 MYs for a couple of reasons: Flipper glass ( I actually use this), Instrument panel (I like the more conventional analog dials); and cost.

Are there any major issues with the new digital instrument panel/speedo? Seems like an area of possible issues, but I don't have anything to base that on.

I'm leaning toward the V6; figuring that the new v6 will feel roughly similar to my 2000 4.7; if I do end up towing it won't be often or very heavy. Is the new transmission in 2014 a good enough reason to look to MY 2014?

Also looking for at least the Limited trim package and QTII transfer case.

Thanks for any input.
 
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#8 ·
It depends on the warranty. We bought ours as used with 21k miles and the remainder of the factory warranty. We bought it from a GMC dealer that also has a Jeep dealer. They didn't certify it and I'm not sure why. They said it wasn't worth the extra 12 months/12k miles. I think that if you buy a certified unit, you can add the MOPAR lifetime warranty. I could be wrong, though. I didn't even know that MOPAR had a lifetime warranty until a few weeks after our purchase.

We bought a warranty from Fidelity through the dealership that covers it for an additional 5 years, or up to 96k miles, whichever comes first. I did this because ours has the Quadralift system and some other stuff that are $$. The Fidelity warranty is transferrable or cancellable.
 
#4 ·
IMO you can get great deals on used 14's and the difference is night and day! 8 speed tranny, 8.4" touchscreen and mid-model re-design is all I have to say. Coming from an 08' I understand the flipper glass, but the old Nav unit is so out-dated that I would take a hard look at used 14's. I bought mine with 4k miles on it and saved almost $20k off MSRP...just a thought. GL
 
#5 ·
Well, after reading so many horror stories(very few about the 13s)about 14s and 15s, I decided to get a 13. Totally satisfied with it so far. Paint, V8 engine, 6 speed transmission, etc were some of the reasons I chose mine.

Dan
 
#6 ·
If I were dead set on the V6 (which is a fine engine) I would probably go for a pre-'14 model as the Chrysler built 8 speed has had a few issues. However, the ZF built 8 speed combined with the V8 in the '14's and up is a match made in heaven.
 
#7 ·
I recently replaced my 2004 Grand Cherokee Laredo with a used 2013 Grand Cherokee Overland. Reasons were similar to yours - flipper glass, more analog controls, hard drive storage/cd player. I chose the 013' because I would still have about a years worth of driving under the Chrysler new car warranty while most used 011 and 012 are over the initial warranty mileage and I assumed the early model issues would have been mostly resolved three years into the production run. So far (5000 miles since purchased) it has been trouble free and exactly what I wanted.
 
#23 ·
I recently replaced my 2004 Grand Cherokee Laredo with a used 2013 Grand Cherokee Overland. Reasons were similar to yours - flipper glass, more analog controls, hard drive storage/cd player. I chose the 013' because I would still have about a years worth of driving under the Chrysler new car warranty while most used 011 and 012 are over the initial warranty mileage and I assumed the early model issues would have been mostly resolved three years into the production run.

Good move!!! IMO

Make sure you get all the latest flashes/updates for the engine and trans,you'll be glad you did.

Also check for rear end noise.
If these are all done you are laughing.

The 14/15s are nice but the shifter,flipper glass and odd rear spoiler ruins it for me.

I well trade my 2012 Limited when FCA addresses those issues.

In a perfect world, I take only the steering and the infotainment faceplate from the 14/15 and put it in my 2012.

8 speed is nice but not going to scarifice for it.

Enjoy your new truck.
 
#9 ·
Thanks for the replies. I've been looking online and can see a couple of decent deals on Limiteds (2011 - 16K miles, 2012 - 37K miles) with V6 and towing package. I didn't realize it would be relatively rare to find the V6 with the factory towing package.

Any considerations for a 2011 besides mileage?
 
#10 ·
Well unless you get a 4x4 the towing package is just the htch, wiring, and full sized spare.

That said my '12 V6 is the best tow car I ever had but is also the lightest (4475 lbs) GC made.

Two caveats:
1) Make sure all recalls have been pulled. Am still waiting for an alternator but mine is OK so far.
2) Make sure if the driver's side cylinder head has not been replaced that the special warrenty applies. (At just under 23k on my '12, I am starting to see some misfire counts on #2, runs fine but monitoring)

For my needs the German 5 speed is fine.
 
#11 ·
So I'm slowly convincing myself that the way to go is with the 5.7 Hemi. Reasons are because I know I want a factory tow package and the Off Road Adventure group for skid plates. Hard to find a V6 with those two things. Though I guess I could buy and install the skid plates?


So I've located a 2011 Limited, Blackberry Pearl, with all the things I;m looking for, and only about 16,000 miles. Seems to be in good shape. KBB price puts it at $32-$34K, but its listed at $29.9 K or so. I'm thinking that's a little high even with such low miles. $27K seems more like it at the most. Any opinions?


Anything to watch for on a 2011? I'm seriously considering this one.
 
#13 ·
So I'm slowly convincing myself that the way to go is with the 5.7 Hemi. Reasons are because I know I want a factory tow package and the Off Road Adventure group for skid plates. Hard to find a V6 with those two things. Though I guess I could buy and install the skid plates?


So I've located a 2011 Limited, Blackberry Pearl, with all the things I;m looking for, and only about 16,000 miles. Seems to be in good shape. KBB price puts it at $32-$34K, but its listed at $29.9 K or so. I'm thinking that's a little high even with such low miles. $27K seems more like it at the most. Any opinions?


Anything to watch for on a 2011? I'm seriously considering this one.
You can add the skid plates there are a fairly easy bolt on. All 5 OEM plates will run you around $450 if you do it yourself.
 
#12 ·
Another question: As I'm looking and trying to come up with the color and options I want I started widening my search to the Overland. I notice that the Quadra Lift is standard on all Overland and see some people are a bit wary of this system.


Is this something to stay away from on a used GC?
 
#16 · (Edited)
If you are getting used and plan to keep it for a long time I would avoid QuadraLift (especially if you won't get extended warranty) and large sized sunroof.

What many people don't seem to know is that Quadralift is a closed system. That is it runs on nitrogen, not on air. So if there is even a small leak compressor will not be able to "just pump more air in" - leak needs to be fixed and system needs to be re-filled by dealer using special equipment. Plus if you lose too much of nitrogen your car switches into "limp" mode where you can't drive faster than 25 MPH (or something like that) so that you don't damage your suspension.

Large sunroof has been reported to cause leaks and rattles.

I personally custom-ordered my '11 Laredo X with no sunroof at all and no quadra-lift.
 
#17 ·
Thanks for all the input. Still a little undecided on many aspects. I did read that the quadralift was a closed system, but hadn't found that it was nitrogen charged.

I haven't seen many posts here about sunroof problems. Is that a big issue?

It's nice that the WK2 is holding its value, but is it just me or are they asking a little too much for even 2011's that have fairly high mileage? It's been a while since I've dealt with a dealership (not since buying my 2000 WJ) any tips for negotiating a deal on a used WK2?
 
#18 ·
Thanks for all the input. Still a little undecided on many aspects. I did read that the quadralift was a closed system, but hadn't found that it was nitrogen charged.

I haven't seen many posts here about sunroof problems. Is that a big issue?

It's nice that the WK2 is holding its value, but is it just me or are they asking a little too much for even 2011's that have fairly high mileage? It's been a while since I've dealt with a dealership (not since buying my 2000 WJ) any tips for negotiating a deal on a used WK2?
QL is nitrogen charged, early QLs had some issues they made changes in the 14 and above and not many issues reported on those. QL is generally an expensive system to fix if you have issues. If it breaks you can drive it doesnt strand you and it doesnt go into limp but it is a rough ride and something you need to get fixed as soon as you can. I havnt heard of many sunroof problems on here, any sunroof could leak but its not a big problem point on here.
 
#19 ·
So, just to continue this thread a little more.....


I found some time this week to drive a couple of GC's. A 2012 hemi Limited, a 2012 Laredo X V6, and a 2015 Limited V6. Wasn't all that impressed with the Laredo V6, a little more impressed with the 2012 Hemi, though it was a "questionalble" used one. Possible accident on Carfax, seemed a little abused on the interior. But the 2015 V6 was quite impressive. As one poster said previously, the new transmission really wakes things up. Answers a lot of questions (for me anyway) on the need for a Hemi or not. Seems to be pretty quick and responsive, at least as much so or more as my old WJ with the 4.7.


So now my search may be changing toward the 2014/15 years. If I stick with 2011-13 seems I would probable be happier with the hemi, though not so happy with the mpg's.


Are the problems with 2014/15 model years mostly resolved or limited to a certain build date? Are the transmission problems for 2014 all resolved with sw/fw updates?
 
#21 ·
So now my search may be changing toward the 2014/15 years. If I stick with 2011-13 seems I would probable be happier with the hemi, though not so happy with the mpg's.


Are the problems with 2014/15 model years mostly resolved or limited to a certain build date? Are the transmission problems for 2014 all resolved with sw/fw updates?
Yeah for sure stick with the 2014/15 models. That refresh is like an entire new vehicle and the interior doesn't even compare. The only things I have heard people say was if possible to avoid the earlier built 2014's but I forget what date that technically goes to. For some reason I recall August of 2013 being that month where after that a decent amount of changes were made in the assembly line. I bought a late built 2014 Summit V8 (april 2014 build) a few weeks ago and this car just blows my mind how amazing it is. Just less than 800 miles on it now and no issues. Although I suppose with only 800 miles on it one would expect no issues lol.
 
#20 ·
I have a 2011 6-slinger 4x4 Laredo and love it... Bought it used and now have 64,000 miles on it. Only problems I've had is the Jeep recalls. If I ever get rid of her I'll buy another wk2, possibly a 8-cylinder for better towing.
 
#22 ·
Yeah, mid august 2013 the MY14 had a whole lot of updates and bug fixes. So go for a sept 2013 or later build date if you really want the 8 speed. As someone already said, the 8 speed on the v6 has been having issues (rough gear changes), so watch for that too. That tranny is a modified design built by chrysler, the 8 speeds on the diesel and v8 are built by ZF.
 
#24 ·
^^^ what's weird about the spoiler? I had a 2012 and now a 2014 and if they are different that's news to me lol
As for the shifter it does take some getting used to, but once you do it's like anything else...normal.
The 8spd is amazing!! I had a 2012 Overland V6 and the tranny and overall driving experience was pretty poor. That thing shifted at the most horrible times and I couldn't stand it. Engine was good and the tranny I'm sure was as well, but it was programmed to drive and shift vey poorly and not when you would want it to. I'm sure the Hemi was better for it. Now the new 8spd I can't get enough of it. Hearing that Hemi go through those gears is music to my ears and it shifts so nicely. And best of all if you want a little more fun turn eco off, and for even more fun pop it into sport.
 
#25 ·
Thanks for the input. Like someone else said, I wish I could take some parts of a 2013 and 2015 and merge them together. But it's sounding more and more like a 14 or 15 is the way to go. Would really like that flipper glass though!
 
#28 · (Edited)
Maybe I'm just misunderstanding you, but the 11-13's had a power liftgate in addition to the flipper glass. Maybe just base models didn't get the power liftgate.

Anyone else not crazy about the goldish tint to the interior accents? Not a deal breaker, but I liked the silver accent and wood trim colors from '11-'13 better.
I love them! It's not gold enough to where it stands out as gold, it's just enough to give it a rich feel, but yet isn't too bright like silver and chrome is. I think it's very classy looking. Obviously it's all personal preference, but having both, I can't think of a single thing I liked more from the 11-13's. Well I take that back the flipper glass was nice, but in the year I owned my 2012 I used it once, so not even close to a deal breaker.
 
#31 ·
I'd get a 14 built after august 2013.
The dashboards look so dated compared to 14's
99% of the issues with the transmissions was firmware.

better radio, better transmision, better acc, better mpg.
 
#34 ·
MY 2014 has a built date of Oct 2013. Picked her up last June. No issues at all.
 
#36 ·
And yes, mine has the flipper glass too. Doubtful I'll ever use it though.

Dan
 
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