I owned 3 cherokee's all different years. I am a loyal Jeep girl, for sure!

I have had an 88, an 89 and now a 96! I loved them all just the same. I liked the 88 and 89 mostly for the automatic trans but the 96 would be my favorite due to the lift and huge tires. It is a stick shift (downer cause I am lazy) but if the 88 and 89 were set up the same I would not be able to pick a favorite. My 96 has air which works as the others did not. Oh and they are definitely good for 350,000+ miles if you take care of them!

You will certainly fall in love with any year especially if you get a good deal on a 4x4 and it runs good (with minimal rust)!

 

A 96, 4.0, and a stick? Be still my foolish heart! You've probably got a Selectrac also, huh? A perfect platform for longevity. Don't beat it and it'll serve you well.

 

It would be the "WJ's" and to be more specific my 2004 Overland Edition it has everything style, comfort, good looks, all options. IMHO the 04's were the last year GC's were a good 4x4 in fact I wish that I would have built a WJ for my off road instead of my XJ because of the comfort factor.

 

yes it is! you make it sound like its rare or something but it has been very good to me so far. Well except for the huge job i just had done replacing the clutch and that was because i had a cracked exhaust manifold (teehee) so I decided to do it all since it was all going to be right there! did a slave and master also. Ran me $1000 and I supplied most of the new parts! Other than that I have had just awesome luck with it both on and off road.

Selectrac is that the shifter type for the 4X4? Its like the 88 and 89 just lift the L shaped handle? Goes in nicely.

 

I seem to be mistaken. I was thinking you had a Grand Cherokee, and stick shift ZJs are not rare, but not so common. My WJ is a DD snow beast, but if I wanted to rough it, I'd buy a Cherokee.

 

I'd say there's no "year" but "generation"... any '99-'04 WJ with the 4.0L I6, 42RE 4-speed automatic, and Selec-Trac 4X4 is a great combination, and is what my 2002 WJ Laredo is. The 4.0L I6 is the best engine Jeep ever made, I wish they wouldn't have discontinued it.

Worst generation is the '05-'10 WK, especially with the 4.7L V8, 545RFE automatic, and Quadra-Trac II 4X4. My dad has a 2005 WK Laredo that we've had since it was brand new, and it's had many, many issues in the past, the 4.7L V8 is, in my opinion, the worst engine Chrysler ever made.

 

I thought 93 was the only year for the manual transmission in a ZJ. I have only seen two in my life and they were both 93's.

 

Hows this I have a 96 Grand Limited v8, leather runs great small BB and 31's I LOVE IT also have an 02 Laredo 4.0 and 242 transfer case I LOVE IT too! I couldn't get rid of either of them. My wife says its a very bad habit that costs. We have 4 grands and a Comanche between my kids and myself. Love them all and trying to get more.

 

Hahah yes that comment about the 4.0's

cheers!

 

My favorite year is 93-95 because of the 8slotted grill! Sounds dumb but eh. But mostly because I own a 93 woody haha