I say anything with less than 200k
Clean
Owner doesnt seem like a total retard
4.0
4x4 (Both the NP 231 and NP 242 are great transfer cases)
Clean title
Runs/Drives good

Year doesnt mean much.. I owned an 88 as my first xj..most reliable one ive had thus far..and it had 235k on it.

If you find one with a dana 35 rear end its not a big deal..They can handle 33s if you dont beat them..plus, its super easy to find a Chry 8.25 to swap in...hell, there are several XJ Dana 44s local to you (d35 to rear d44 is a good upgrade, did this in my 88)..
My favorite years are the newer body ones (97+)
Ive owned an 88 98 and now a 2000
People will say dont go for a 00-01 cause of the 0331 Head which is prone to cracking..but again..its a toss up. 00-01s do have LP D30s..but thats not a big deal unless you plan on a big lift.

I bought my 00 for the low mileage (90k) and because it was clean.

Do some looking and driving, and haggle.

 

Seems priced way too low to be legit for SoCal and be that clean. Definitely worth a look though. If it's legit I'd jump all over that, esp being a 2 door.

 

Lmao so true

 

jealous of the 2 door, i only know of 1 here wish i could find one for myself!

 

i think am buying this 2 door today gonna test drive it around 4pm http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/3523176102.html

talked to the guy and its a 4 cylinder 5 speed... wish it was 4.0 auto..

is there many known problems with the 4 banger 5 speed?

 

Do the 4 cylinders have a reputation of pushing a lot of miles like the 4.0?

 

Eh not really. But i would only buy an i6.

 

The 4 cyl would really limit you. I've never even ran into a 4 cyl in my 6 jeep career. Seen them in Wranglers but not a Cherokee.

Like previously mentioned I would only go with the 4.0

 

i am not gonna be doing any hardcore Off Roading... just gonna take it to local 4x4 trails and maybe to the mountains when it snows...

should i still look for a 4.0 or will i be ok with the 4 banger for my needs?

 

I would look for a l6 but that's just me. It's probably a rare find to even come across a 4 cyl so chances are if you found that you can find a l6. My buddies yj has the 4 banger/5 speed and it holds its own. But he is on his second engine. If his yj had a l6 it would probably be the original.

I found a really clean zj on the cheap but I turned it down when I found out it was the 8cyl. Not because the l6 is a gas sipper bc its anything but that. But because I've always had the l6 its a beast and I've been around them since I got my license.

 

X2.. I still say look for an I6..the 4 isnt a bad engine..its just not an I6 lol

 

My 01 doesn't have the head issue it doesn't have that casting number head . Build date is late 01 . I like the 99 up front ends . Don't have to upgrade the intake.

 

i think ill buy this 4 cyc and see what happens.. i can always sell it.. plus later down the road i can alwasy do a swap right?

this is not gonna be my daily driver

 

I would go after the white four door that has the rear 44. I'll bet he'll take about $3500, $3600. Plenty out here though. I found mine in the OC. 96, 113k miles, fully loaded for $1100. Wouldn't pass smog. Fortunately, father works at Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Recall on the cat, new exhaust manifold, now passes smog with flying colors. Shop around and you can easily find what you want for under 4k. PS that rear 44 with disc brakes has been on the market for months...probably sell it cheaper. I've spoke with the guy, but I was not able to do anything financially. He seems REALLY motivated, and I'm not being sarcastic. Get yourself the I6 too!

 

That 2 door is very clean! There's another one out there, white 2 door lifted for less.