jamesbernatchez

What up I am looking at a '96 XJ or a '00 Wranger Saraha. I would buy the XJ outright while I would finance some of the Wrangler. I like both so I would be happy with either.

The XJ is a '96, auto, 68k miles on it and body looks great! Looked in wheel wells and underneath for bad rust, etc. and didn't see any. Just some surface rust underneath. Interior looked good and didn't see under the hood as the place was closed when I got there.

They wan't $3995 for it. Thoughts or things to look for?

The Sahara is a '00 with 79k on it, 5 speed, both hard and soft top, really clean inside and out and underneath. Dana 35 rear axle. Asking $9990

Clearly this is the XJ forum so I know what answers to expect but really, what do you think is the better deal? Are both asking too much, little, just right, etc?

What to look for on the XJ also. I am trying to make the best decision possible.

Any help is appreciated.

96 XJ Sport

I don't know anything about the Wranglers, but I'm all about a cash deal anyway, so go for the XJ! Some will say that $4K is way too much for a 96 XJ, but I personally would have paid up into the 3s for my 96 if it had had only 68k miles...WOW! I paid $2,700 for mine last fall with about 130k. I was pleased with that given its history and condition.

Need more details to accurately price it though. 4x4? What rear axle? (pics of axles in forum sticky "Helpful Links") It's either going to have a Dana 35 which is weaker or a Chrysler 8.25" which is a little stronger. May not matter depending on whether you plan to wheel it or not. The AW4 auto tranny is supposedly bulletproof. Obviously, get back there and check all the fluids for evidence of changing and test drive that thang

89Cherokee

Both are way too expensive!! I would stay away from dealers as you get the same warranty on used cars as you would with a private party - none!

Plus, dealers are better at covering up problems so they don't have to fix it.

IMO!!

a1racer

yeah both are way to much the wrangler should be about 5 to 6 if it is in good condition and the xj should be around 2 or so you could get a 1997 to 2000 for around 2.5 to 5 grand. just a thought but it is up to you what your budget is

a1racer

sorry i say the wrangler was a 2000 it will probably go for the 9 grand price tag

jamesbernatchez

LOL, I was gonna say that there wasn't any way the wrangler would be 5 or 6. The wrangler doesn't seem too bad. I am hoping to get it for high 8s or low 9s as long as nothing is wrong with it. Most of the wranglers up here are selling in this price range.

The XJ on the other hand KBB says it is about $4100 or so as far as a clean retail goes. I personally wouldn't pay what they are asking, even if it ran awesome. Most i'd be really looking to spend on it is $3k or less. Gotta factor in sales tax, reg, etc.

I need to see what axle is in the XJ anyways. Will probably go back Saturday to really look the XJ over.

Any links as to what to look for when buying a used XJ?

Thanks everyone!

jamesbernatchez

It is 4x4, 6 cyl, and I am pretty sure it is the Dana 35 from the quick glance that I took.

On either vehicle I would plan on going with a tire size of 33"x12.50" with a 15x10 wheel. Lift would depend on what is needed...3.5" - 4.5".

Also a SYE and CV driveshaft would be done also. I'd wheel it like that for a while. If I ended up wanting to swap in a D44 I would have to have the local Jeep shop do it for me. I probably wouldn't do any crazy wheeling. Just some light trails, bit of mud, etc.

LazersGoPEWPEW

I got a warranty from my dealer on my 2001 XJ. Albeit it is through a warranty company and not through that particular dealer.

That 00 Sahara is way overpriced though. My uncle got his 01 Sahara Wrangler in like 2003 for 12000.

Get the XJ.

96 XJ Sport

Sounds like a great plan. Hopefully it has the 8.25 and you could get by on that for a while. I still say that $3K+ is not out of the question if it's cherry, but that's just me. I'm planning to go 4.5" on mine with 31s, but I don't want to do any trimming yet. With 33s at 4.5", you'd have to trim from what I'm hearing on this forum. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

mustlovemud

XJ, wish mine had under 70K. But that would imply that I don't have fun with it. It's definitely high priced but if it's in good condition it might be worth it to save yourself the headaches of fixing every nit-picky thing. My '98 was $5K with 91K miles on it. But it came with lots of goodies. Probably could have bargained him down a little more but I was happy to get it. Hindsight is always 20/20. You'll never get the best deal out there, just be happy with your purchase. My jeep runs like a champ and it's straight bad***. It's cheaper and easier to fix up something in good condition than to have to start with the basics.

jamesbernatchez

Found a listing with photos of it. Only issue with the interior that I could see through the windows was that the right side near the gear levers the plastic is messed up.

http://www.bargainnews.com/viewad.cf...TheDealer=2195

juicy_j

I don't know man, personally I'd try and talk him down to somewhere in the 3300 neighborhood. That thing looks cherry and has all it's service records which is a huge (possibly unquantifiable) pro for this vehicle. It's so frustrating buying a used vehicle and having no idea what has been done to it in the past. 4k is a little steep in my opinion but ultimately given that it is in cherry condition you might just have yourself a good deal there. I'd probably jump on it if I were you.

jamesbernatchez

I think I am passing on this. I just checked the auto place out on the BBB and they have 12 complaints against them with a rating of an F.

Not worth the possible hassle even though the Jeep looks clean.