Any opinions on these two? One is a 94 Grand with the 4.0 and the other is an 88 XJ. I tried to do some research on these older XJ's and most I could find on here was the Renix vs newer 4.0 debates. And opinions about the 5spd in these being junk.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/cto/4513045440.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/4545592021.html

The 88 is Renix era, a different beast. And he wants too much.
The ZJ is heavier and the 4.0 works harder to compensate. The larger tires and lift make this even worse.
If it's a 4.0 ZJ, stock would be better. But the 5.2 seems better fitted for the ZJ.

Great, thank you!

Look like a good start?

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/4516450118.html

91 is old! But it does 'look' taken care of (maybe that is just the Arizona climate). I would offer $1500. I assume it has no rust?
I had a 91 for nine years. Never had trouble with it. Just routine maintenance. It still ran good when it was lost at sea.

Ouch, how did you manage that one?

Not sure on the rust, still waiting to hear back from the owner. Figured 153k on a 91 was good. And doesn't look abused. A few spots on the dash looked rough, not sure if it was a bad repair attempt or what.

Bah, it sold

I would go with a XJ, that is unmolested. I heard good things about the I6 XJ's lasting past 300,000 miles. That way when you get on your feet, you can mod it yourself without dealing with other people may have done incorrectly. I wanna say the 99-01 came with the 0331 head and they are prone to cracking? Just from what I read. 98+ had steel hatches I think. Also read that the AW4 automatic trans would outlast any of the manual transmissions.

XJ sleeper.

XJs look pretty pricey in your area on CL. 2wd will save gas and still be pretty capable.

Yeah XJs are frikkin pricey in your area. Watch Craigslist like the stockmarket until you run outta time.

Tried Pheonix listings?

2-door? Read somewhere it is the same size just bigger doors.

Another 2-door. He dropped the price $100 and says it is his daily driver and looks like a decent neighborhood, 91 though.

Camper on top included 97. no mileage posted though, and its a dealer who posted in the owner section. Might be worth a look though if you can get out there.

I would aim around 96+ so you can have obd2 and stop by and have problem codes read for free at advance auto.

Leave yourself maintenance money and try to get low miles less than like 150k since people are getting past 300k with proper care.

XJ all day man. I have a XJ(obviously) and I absolutely love it. It had some paint problems on the hood, a dent in the rear, and my drive door speaker is the only one working ATM, but aside from that this thing is THEE best car I could ever ask for. I've never drove a Grand Cherokee (think they're YJ's) (correct me if I'm wrong) but the XJ is unkillable. This thing stock has been through some **** I didn't think I would get out off by myself. To the 0331 head cracking issue that's on the 00-01 (I'm 99%) sure. I own a 99 sport and that's one of the things I looked into before I bought my XJ. I was lucky and snagged my XJ for $2500 with 165,500 miles on it, but I ended up having to put brand new tires on it with in a 100 miles of buying it. So came out to about $3100.

I've owned a 97 ZJ and now my 99 XJ. Both 4.0s. The grand was much roomier and comfortable on the inside. I think your best bet is get the cleanest stock vehicle you can find. Stay away from the 00-01 XJ's, but any other XJ/ZJ would do you fine.

^^^^ listen to this guy. I posted my first reply before I read your post and what you'd been using it for. I hope you find something man best of luck.

-Moose

Thanks everybody I appreciate the input. I have been watching CL like a hawk. Most of the sites are pretty bare unless I want to spend 30k.

I started looking into any Cherokee in my price range til folks started advising against it because of mods and other stuff. Now I'm only looking at stock 4x4 (4x4 because of the snow up there) XJ and ZJ's.

Biggest problem I have been having is getting people to actually respond when I call or text. Trying to be smart and not just jump on one, but time is running out on me. I only have til the end of this month to find something. Would help a lot if I could find something sooner than that.

What do you think this one is worth? SteveMongr mentioned he wants too much for it. If I could get him to come down on his price, where do you think a good amount is to start with?

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/4545592021.html

I don't know prices well SteveMongr might be right. But honestly that thing "looks" like there is NOTHING wrong with it. It's the same price as my jeep was and it's paint is in good condition, has decent tires. (Should last you another 10-15k miles at the least I suppose), think he mentioned a newish or new clutch, has working radio, 4x4 he says is flawless, rebuilt tranny, has a 3" lift already installed( not that you need that, it might cause you get whiplash driving over speed bumps depending on the lift lol) and he said the ac is working, also it has a roof rack . I think it's well worth the $2500 I would have snagged that thing the second I saw it if it was here... That's a nice looking jeep man.

-Moose