Manual XJ’s???
 

Hello, I’m looking for a 2001 XJ for my first car and i really want a manual, but i am having a hard time finding one for sale... any help or suggestions.?.?.?.?

Don't buy an 01. Should be plenty of options opening up for you after that.

Look for a 97-99 and you will find a lot more. 00 and 01 are less desirable years

The 00-01 years got a cylinder head that can crack,Unless you have 100% proof the head has been replaced i would pass on it unless its cheap and you can replace the head yourself.

00-01 also has a low pinion Dana 30 verses the high pinion. Unless you are going to install diff axles from the get-go.

I like my 98 XJ, been very dependable and has most of the newer comforts as well (plus, only 2 o2 sensors instead of 4 on the newer XJs)

To me 91-99 are the best years to look for.Most on here say 97-99 because of the updated body and its odb2.And 96 is kinda the mutt year a lot of one year only parts on it.

FYI, the auto trans used in the XJ is bullet proof. No reason to avoid it just because it's an auto.

Go for the older ones, more of a classic style. OBD 2 is for sissies.

Manual is more fun. Auto is more practical.

The Auto trans is really strong, but the AX-15 is really strong as well. Uses the same sized clutch disk as my Mustang (which has about 500 more horsepower to the wheels, lol)

Off road auto is more practical.

Auto is too easy.

The draw back to the 91-94 is the single diaphragm break booster and the weaker u-joints in the Dana-30 that the later models would have.


I love my 5spd XJ. works great.

Also I believe the 99 was the last year for the AX-15, 00-01 used the NP3550.
As far as finding one, I hunted on several websites for a month or so before I found the 95 I wanted with an AX-15. It would have been nicer had it not been in south texas but the shipping charge wasn't bad, on the flip side the only rust mine has was not from road salt. I chose OBDI for the sake of simplicity, I've also heard that 00-01 have a lot more emissions than older years.

NV3550 (New Venture) was used in 00-01 xjs and also TJs for a few years. I actually have one swapped I to my 97 and love it. Very similar to the ax-15