I have a 99 without the 0331 head, I felt like I got lucky with that. Manual 5 spd and np231 transfer case. Love it. My friend is searching and is considering any Cherokee he sees in his price range, so for someone who know everything about the different years and pros and cons, what year is the best to search for if he wants to have a small lift for some offroad fun, and obviously reliable (I think they all are though). Theres also something about the frame changing in '99, they made it stronger? Anyways, if you were looking for one, what year would you look for and why?

 

This is about the 10 millionth thread about this, there will be a page or two of debating and by page three, most will agree on a 99.

 

Mine. For sale for $50,000

 

HAHA ya I noticed that, but I'd like to know if you had the money and if every trim level in every year was available to buy, all for the same price let's say, which would you buy? I have a 99 sport gunmetal color. I'd stick with a 99 because of engine/head but I would look for a Cherokee Classic because it came with heated seats and key fob and all that, mine is bone stock except for air conditioning

 

50,000? Well that's a steal of a deal! Do you take mailed personal cheques? LOL

 

I don't think there was any one year of cherokee better than the other, they all sucked !!!

its just a matter of preference and condition of the one he finds...

 

I'd stick with my 95, it's a sweet spot, year after has the OBD ll computer and I don't want the government sticking it's nose up my butt, (Can't get an inspection sticker in my county if CEL is on on 96 and up), and the year before has that crappy looking steering wheel with no airbag.

I like the old body style, the 97+ kinda looks better but the 96 and back look tougher, like an old tank.

 

And I'd stick with my color white cause it makes the black tires, flares, mirrors, door handles and trim really stand out.

 

Ya, right now it's slim pickins in Canada because everyone wants one for winter, but in spring usually theres more, but at higher prices :-(

 

I looked for 1995, 1998 and 1999. I feel like those are the best years as far as build quality / reliability goes. IE no new parts were put in that year. Obviously check for rust and maintenance which can turn a Ferrari into a dodge dart

 

Ya I agree with the look, I like the look of the newer ones but the older ones look tougher, more manly haha. I'd go 96 and newer just because I already have an OBDII inspection tool LOL. I think white is my favorite color as well, with some black rims and trim that'd look pretty good. The only thing I'd look for are more amenities inside, cuz most that you find are so plain jane for extras. I'd like at least cruise control lmao

 

Ya, do you know if all years are the same as far as rust on the roof goes? Cuz all the 99's and up I looked at had rusty roof's, which is a pain in the ***. Maybe older models don't have that issue?

 

Also, I know this is sacrilegious here but If I was looking for one again I might look for a Cherokee with the selec-trac transfer case so I can use it when the roads are half ice/ half dry pavement (weird but it happens in Canada, it's a pain in the ***)

 

Yea, mines an SE I guess, base model, it came with cruise control and the rear wiper though, , and the roof rack, I switched to the upgraded gauges with the tach and I have all the amenities I need.

And of course the 4.0 with automatic.

 

I like my NP242 =] Full time 4wd is pretty nice for the semi ****ty days. And I have cruise control, rear wiper, overhead inaccurate mileage computer, and a stock cd player. It even works! Now...all the speakers working is a different question