Macbook Pro Display Looks Washed Out

I just bought a used (mid-2009) 15" 2.8Ghz C2D Macbook Pro to replace my 2008 unibody body Macbook.

Everything is great except the display looks totally washed out and colors aren't very rich. When put side by side with my old 2008 Macbook the 2009 15" looks awful. Any ideas on why this is happening? Was this a common problem back then? The model for the screen in it is "9CA3"

I have even tried downloading custom color profiles for my particular display and they still don't look as good as my uncalibrated 2008 Macbook.

Have you tried messing with the Display settings in System Preferences?

It sounds like the 2009 MBP you purchased used may have had the display replaced at one time. And if it was replaced, could have been replaced by an inferior substitute. Also possible.... the backlight may be failing.

^
Backlight seems to be fine but I am slightly afraid of the former.

When I go to system prefs > Displays > Colors > Open Profile and look at the model info it says "Manufacture: 00000610" and "Model: 00009CA3" which is one of the displays Apple used during that time. But what I don't know is if that is actually detecting the display thats plugged in or if its just part of the default color profile.

Is there anyway to check what model display is being used on my machine other than the method I posted above?

Meh, after hours of searching I found someone with the exact same problem and it looks like this particular display is just somewhat well-known to be a bad panel

2011 Macbook Pro screen feels less-vibrant compared to Late 2008? - MacRumors Forums

What do you guys think my odds of getting a free-replacement from Apple are? 1 in a billion?

Your machine is probably long out of warranty and even if Apple replaced the original display panel, it's only warranted for 90 days. Unless the original owner had extended Apple care and he bought the machine in late December 2009, Apple won't replace it for free.

Yeah the guy I bought it from is willing to let me return it so thats nice, live and learn.

To anyone in the used market: Avoid 9CA3 displays if you can.