ok so my xj which i love is basicaly running on prayers right now its got over 340000 miles on it and its lived a ruff life. so now my dilema: do i drive it till it dies and have the engine replaced(something that i could not come close to doing myself) or do i look into purchesing a grand cherokke for sale in my town any advice???

I think depending on how the body is I say you put a new engine in it. I bought my 96 cherokee classic off of my uncle 4 years ago and I love and will never get rid of it. The body is in great shape and so is the inside. It has 127000 miles on it and I hope it last for another 100000 that would be great. I have only had mine for 4 years and other vehicles just are not the same for me. I went and test drove a F-150 because I thought it was nice looking but it just didnt do it for me. Like I said I know I will never get rid of mine but as far as your case what is the body like? What does the inside look like? If you are still satisfied by it I say go with a new engine and keep it alive!

New engine in an old XJ > Grand Cherokee. Unless it's a SRT8 ...

This. Just keep driving it. You might think it's about to die, but you never know it could last another 100k+ if maintained properly.

my buddy's 96 has been dying for the last 40k miles. he has the same problem... he doesn't wanna replace it unless it's toast. so far, he's been ******* it, and it ain't dead yet.

Im running mine till it dies... 285K

what do you mean by str8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Grand_Cherokee#SRT-8

nope i think its an 02 or somethin like that real clean and great shap. you can tell its been treated well