Hey guys,

I am a newb and this is my first post.

I have been wanting to buy an XJ for a good while now.

My question is....what is the best year (best bang for the buck) for an XJ that will be a all purpose weekend wheeler.

I want something that I can drive out to the trails and then drive back.

Either is stock form...or later...customized.

However, there are a couple of things that are appealing to me:

* Automatic
* V6
* Somewhat cushy....the girlfriend wants some creature comforts.

I appreciate any and all advice.

Thank you...

 

I prefer the 1999's built later in the year. Thats when they gave em' more power with the rounded intake runners. You can find parts cheap on Craigslist for these.

 

v6 is out of the question. straight 6 and 4 banger is all they come with. go with the 6. as far as cushy your def looking at later years like 99 and up. if its just a toy then i wouldn't mind mileage. 4 door def. 3" lift off ebay and 31's would do it good. you'd have a pretty good little offroad rig with all that.

 

I'd say go for a 4.0 L. inline six not the 2.8 L v6 (I think they were in the mid 80s). 91 or later with the 4.0 high output. Automatics are good, as there are a lot of them out there. As for "cushyness" there are many levels throughout the years. I do think carpet in Cherokees is bad though.

 

DO NOT get a 5spd if its the ba10, its my $1500 fail

 

Thanks for the input!

 

1999 is deemed the best overall year.

 

jus curious what is the difference between my 2000 and a 99??

 

Both of mine are 89 and 88 4.0 Auto and 5spd and they are the most reliable vehicles I ever owned. I don't think I'll ever get rid of either one.

 

x2 on the ba-10, I'm $1200 into an ax15 swap. (ba-10 has a split down the case from front to back)

 

Why do you say that 99 is the best year?

Thank you...

 

i think 99 is the best year for me still has the Dana 30 with the high pinion still had a distributor and is the new body style i like. this is the year i wanted but could not find one when looking

 

lmfao I agree with that!!

 

Go here, read... learn...

http://www.oramagazine.com/pastissue...rticle=finesse

It has a good run down of the differences between the various years of Cherokees.

 

Thanks for the link...very good stuff!

Anything else I should know good or bad about these rigs?

Thank you...