hey guys,
I've been in the market for a jeep for the last two years and had a deposit on a 2012 base jeep liberty sport back in sept, But a great lease deal came by on a Mercedes that was so good I couldn't pass up. I've been regretting this car ever since and cant wait to give it back in a month or two for a jeep! I am currently looking into a few left over new 2012 liberty's. I am looking at 3. The first one is a base mineral gray sport. The Second one is a Black sport with the popular equipment group and third is a Silver latitude. < Which is my favorite but most expensive. My main question is should I be concerned with buying any of these jeeps since they have been sitting so long? Can anything go bad? oil? engine? 4x4? etc... especially in the long run? Lastly I've been toying with the idea of grabbing a 05-07 kj limited and not having a loan... anyone own one before the kk? Should I stay away from the kj all together?
Sorry for the lengthly post hopefully I can get some help!
Thanks so much
Mike

No worries about the vehicle sitting.
If it needs a jump, insist on a new battery.
My latitude came with the skid plates and tow package and part time 4wd.
You can insist on skid plates and tow hitch being added by the dealer as condition of the sale. Just get it in writing as a "we owe" document.

I would recommend getting the one with Select trac (the one with 4WD Auto/4WD Low). It can be used on slightly wet streets or anytime you don't want to actually lock the center diff (would prefer AWD) or are just not sure if it should be locked. It has also has a locked 4-Lo if you ever need it. The way I see it if you need to lock your transfer case you should probably be in 4-Low anyway. The only time I see the 4 Lock/4High being useful is in sand, but my 4-Auto works fine for that too.

As far as color goes, I love the darker colors (ie. Forrest green), but If you plan on wheeling it, you'll find they show every little scratch(lesson learned ).

I would also prefer to get one with 16" wheels. There is a much better off road tire selection for what we can fit under us with 16" wheels.

Also keep in mind a dealer added Mopar hitch is not the same as a factory tow package. Factory tow package comes with Trailer sway control, and supposedly a heavy duty transmission cooler, that allows you to tow up to 5K lbs. You can add or have the dealer add the Mopar hitch but you won't have the tow package listed above. You would then have a recommended towing limit of 3.5K lbs. (also learned from experience )

But overall, make sure it has 4x4 . If worse comes to worse most everything else can be added later (except transfer case, sun/slider roof, and tow package etc.).

I'm pretty sure the tow package can be added. The A/C condenser has the tranny cooler in it. I had the parts guy look it up but I think it's the same for either option. I think there's a clutch fan that needs to be added as well and I'm pretty sure it's a bolt on addition. The fan shroud is already there and I've had some luck finding the parts.

Yea this keeps coming up, the sway control is a safety feature. jeepNCrowd what did you tow? what happened?

Thanks for all the help guys! It's virtually impossible to find a liberty with the full time 4wheel drive ... part time should be fine. I Also will not be twoing so no big deal.. The skid plates was a good idea though! I'll mention it when I go thursday to test drive it again. The power seat in the latitude is a nice touch being that Im only 5'5''... The sport one in my opinion sits way to low.

No worries they both have the same capable 4-Low that you will need on the trail. It is nice to get most of the off road goodies in the price of the vehicle though, adding it on afterwards seems to hurt the pocket book more. Don't forget to try to get front tow hooks (and a rear tow hook if you don't have the towing equipment.)

Nothing happened, I just thought I could just add the Mopar tow hitch, and tow 5K lbs. My dad has a boat right at like 4.5k lbs or so. I did try though and I can I just didn't do it on the high way. I don't know how that would work with such a short wheel base without the Trailer sway control. Don't really want to try it.