I am in the market for a Cherokee (after I sell my Honda Civic, or trade for one) and am wondering what the best year is?

I read that the newer ones have head gasket problems. The 96 model has a shotgun facing you (manual airbag, I had one lol) and older ones have oil blowback problems that require an oil catching contraption to stop it (I know this as I had a 92 that I built an oil catcher in). Also the older ones, unless perfect and/or lifted, do not value the same as my car.

Is there a single year that has the best of all other years? I know there will not be a "perfect" year but there has to be a sweet spot. I didn't see any posts on this using search on this forum either.

 

97-99 with the 8.25.

 

My 92 has 200 miles on it and only thing I've ha to replace was a starter

 

With just 200 miles on it I'm surprised you needed a starter

 

gonna be personal preference. axels and everything can always be swapped later.

i personally hate having too many electronics or "luxury" items that can malfunction...so i love my 89 would love better gauge cluster but that will come later ha

 

98-99 are the best years to be honest. OBD2 system, 8.25 rear axle, bugs and bastard items from the 97 update were worked out, still have the 0630 head casting, still have the high pinion D30 front axle...you should be catching the idea by now.

 

Its the 00-01 ones that had the head problems,But the head problem was due to being drove while over heating.You know how some people are they do no maintenance at all and wonder why their car breaks down and or dies.

 

IMO the early years I love my 89

 

Renix all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Really any rust free that run good in your budget is what you should get.

 

87-90 are the best imo. Ive had 3 of the Renix Jeeps now, I love them (87 2 door XJ, 90 2 door XJ, and 89 MJ). Simple, but reliable, and old enough to be exempt from emissions testing here. I have no desire to own a 91+ XJ, unless I can find a 2 door with a 4.0, AX-15, NP231, 8.25 rear axle, for under $1500.
No matter what though, 00-01 XJs are what you want to avoid like the plague. Head problems, and the switch to low pinion front axles are enough to make me stay away from them. Any 87-99 XJ will be a good one.

 

Wow, just to clarify (and stick up for us 00-01 model years) the head is a potential problem, but if you're looking for the lowest mileage XJ your best bet is to pick up a later mode & like stated above axles are direct swaps for pennies.

In sayin that, I feel that the 98-99 years are the best since they do have the better axles. I couldn't find one with less than 150000 miles on them.

 

Hell ya simple and easy lol

 

Agreed. My 00 was mint when I picked it up, 88k on it, minty interior, etc..
However both my 98s ive owned were an ideal setup with the Hp30 and updated interior/exterior.

 

95 for the upgraded steering wheel with the 1st gen interior and i do like the 01 feels got my peep from stock