[sqenixs]

I recently purchased a 2019 cherokee trailhawk elite at what seemed like a pretty good price. I was told that it was an "executive demo" car owned by FCA that had never been titled, and that it was probably a company car driven by an employee or their wife. It was never listed for sale and had no sticker, since it was owned by the manufacturer. This didn't bother me much at the time. During the purchase the finance manager and I got into a conversation about a list of options on the car for my records so they printed out a copy of the build sheet with every code on it. Well a week goes by and I re-read the build sheet since I was researching something on the car and I notice a code 489 for "Press B Preparation Tracking". Does anybody know what this code represents? When I went online to research about press cars I found out that they are usually beaten to ****. I'm now concerned I may have bought a ticking time bomb of a cherokee.

At this point I still don't know for sure if it was a press car or not. However the one thing that seemed odd to me when I bought it was that there seemed to be a lot more wear in the interior that I expected for such a new car. At this point I am just speculating but I will need to go to a dealer and get some more information.

Since I'm stuck with the car at this point, if it does turn out to have been a press car, are there any things I should get done? Full inspection? Pay to get it certified? Buy the extended warranty?

The dealer didn't disclose that the car was a press car (if they even knew), but I don't think they are required to either.

 

[jsmit86]

I’d only be concerned if was used by CNN. >

 

[GomerPyle]

I wonder if it was one of the cars they used at show events, you know like when they introduce a new car and they let the public drive it on one of those indoor/outdoor 4 wheel drive courses? Might explain the wear and tear on the interior?

 

[kingfr]

Or maybe a car that they let the press take on the Rubicon trail!

 

[3Rivers]

What was the mileage when you bought it? "Press car" or not, that's still the single most important piece of information you have about past use.

 

[sqenixs]

What was the mileage when you bought it? "Press car" or not, that's still the single most important piece of information you have about past use.

4700 miles. MSRP right around 40k, got it for 29k. Seemed like a good deal.

 

[sqenixs]

Or maybe a car that they let the press take on the Rubicon trail!

I've noticed that the crevices and hard to reach areas of the car interior have some dirt on them that is more orange in color, which is not the color of most dirt in my area. Both A-pillars have a mark on them, as well as the headliner in one spot. Perhaps where they attached cameras lol.

 

[longbowhntr]

Might be one of them they took to Moab,Ut for the press to drive and test explains the orange dirt and camera mount marks.

 

[IKZZR1100]

If it runs well and still looks good...I'd say you're ahead of the game and got a good deal to boot...If it makes you feel any easier, go get a free oil change, as I assume you got the full warranty with the vehicle

 

[CrazyFritter]

My dealership has just bought some of those. Mostly Gladiators but still. I sell them all the time and these are the best CPOs to sell. They are driven more respectfully than any rental. You did great on the price and I guarantee that it hasn't been beat to the point of problems.

 

[sqenixs]

My dealership has just bought some of those. Mostly Gladiators but still. I sell them all the time and these are the best CPOs to sell. They are driven more respectfully than any rental. You did great on the price and I guarantee that it hasn't been beat to the point of problems.

Yeah no problems so far except I noticed that the gear display next to the shifter is loose (I can press on it and it goes into the console, might be a broken plastic clip or something) and the headlights/tail lights fogging up quite a bit on the inside. I think I might go to the local dealer and see what they think of those two issues.

 

[JeepCares]

Yeah no problems so far except I noticed that the gear display next to the shifter is loose (I can press on it and it goes into the console, might be a broken plastic clip or something) and the headlights/tail lights fogging up quite a bit on the inside. I think I might go to the local dealer and see what they think of those two issues.

Hi sqenixs,
If you need any assistance while working with your dealer, please send our team a PM.
Alex
JeepCares

 

[ArizonaFred]

The foggy taillights is a known issue. I’m sure both will be repaired at the dealer under warranty.


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[sqenixs]

The foggy taillights is a known issue. I’m sure both will be repaired at the dealer under warranty.


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The dealer did repair the drive indicator under warranty, but would not replace the tail lights. They said the fogging was normal but to come back if it gets worse as I now have a record of it. They have some sort of test where they let it run with the lights on for like an hour to see if it dissipates. Kind of disappointing but nothing I can do. Plus new tail lights might have done it too.

 

[cobra7]

The dealer did repair the drive indicator under warranty, but would not replace the tail lights. They said the fogging was normal but to come back if it gets worse as I now have a record of it. They have some sort of test where they let it run with the lights on for like an hour to see if it dissipates. Kind of disappointing but nothing I can do. Plus new tail lights might have done it too.

Yikes, I just ordered a 2020 TH and I can guarantee you that if my lights are fogging, I will be raiding a stink and I don’t want to hear “it’s normal”, because it’s only normal for crap lights that aren’t manufactured correctly, and this car is too expensive for that.