Triple Crown

I'm looking at a 1996 4x4 with 110,000miles and new (stock) rear differential, wheels & tires and a 2000 4x4 with 65,000.

Same trim level, both look great (but the older one has freshly painted bumpers & wheel well fairings)

Both are really clean with no damage anywhere.
The asking price is $6500 for the '96 and $7500 for the 2000.

Which should I get?

Pat Vogt

That is wayyy to much money for the 96 in my opinion.

Go for the lower miles that the 2000 has, or just keep looking.

hitalonit

go for the 2000... the 96 is way overpriced... the 2000 will last you longer.. also depends on what you want to do with it....

gpXJ

I got a 2000 limited with 92k miles. Only flaw was small rip in driver's leather seat and dent in front bumper. I paid $4700 for it. Negotiate on that 2k if you opt for it...definitely don't pay that for the 96.

Triple Crown

Thanks.

Initially it will be a daily driver with some fire-road type mild offroading. Later I want to lift it and get bigger tires. Maybe 3" lift with 31" tires.

Planning to add accessories as I can afford them.

GreenClassic

Given the choice between those two, I'd go for the 2000. Almost half the miles.

84zmyfavorite

Try talking the 96 owner down $5000 to $1500. Maby $2500 if its in good shape. $4000 to $5500 sounds about right for the 2000 .

91 limited owner

My '91 Limited with 67k on it. Only Blue Books at $2500. And that's is only because it is a Limited. So yes that '96 is way over priced.

jiffy

i'd go for the 2000 model.

jeepkid03

See if you can talk the guy down on the 96. 2000's have the head cracking problem and that mileage on the 96 is nothing for a 4.0L. I think the 96 will have less issues. My 2000 has lots of little stuff that breaks on it. My '90 XJ with twice the miles was more reliable.

89Laredo

thing to keep in mind: 2000s are known for head cracks.

Honestly, I hate the look of the 97+ cherokees.
I would talk him down on the 96, it will be better for you.
They have the body strengthening of the 97+ models, most have the stronger 8.25, OBDII (if youre into that), and my girlfriends 96 has been one of the most reliable things Ive ever seen. We take it everywhere, beat on it and it never complains. 110 is nothing, my girlfriends is close to 230.

jeepkid03

x2. I've owned a '90 and two 2000 models. My friend has an '89 and my dad had an '87 for 15 years. The newer ones look nice, but I honestly think the older ones were built better. The newer ones seem to have a lot of little things that go wrong like the grand cherokees do, such as electrical gremlins.

PolarXJ

'00 Model The other guy is smokn' something for that price. I paid less than that for my '95 almost ten years ago.

Custermustache

I just bought a 96 4X4 with 105k for $2800 1.5 months ago.

GreenClassic

My '99 seems built pretty well. Only major issue has been the transmission (dealer probably had it flushed, which is definitely NOT recommended).

Only minor issue is I can only roll down windows from driver's switch, but this is a common issue on pre-'97 XJs, too. Other than that I have no electrical issues. The '97-'01 are just as reliable as the pre-'97. The heads on the '00-'01 are known to be a little weaker, but you can always replace it with one from another year.