What is the best year for a stock Cherokee?

[Joliet Johnny]

I left my 99 at my parents house for safekeeping while on vacation. While I was gone my dad fell in love and wants one and so did my sister only cost me 1/2 tank of fuel. My dad will keep his 100% stock but sis may upgrade. I bought mine cause I thought Cherokees are cool and it was red knowing almost nothing about XJs.

The question is if I gave you $2500 to buy an XJ what year would you buy and why?
Also how many miles is too many?

[LizardRunner]

I love my 95 which Had 230k on it. when we get one for my wife, we will most likely get a newer one, up to a 2001 since they are obdII and her's would be stock. As for miles on the odo, I think it is more important to know how it was maintained than the miles on the clock, mine runs strong and doesn't smoke.

[saar]

Hi,

I don't know the prices in your place (here XJ costs 12K-20K USD)
But I think the best model is 99.
High pinion, distributer and not coil for each pair of plugs (like in the newer models).
Improved interior (compare to the pre 97 models)
Saar.

[bigjim350]

I like 92-95 cause you get high pinion d30, Non-CAD, OBDI, and a HO 4.0. But just about anything 92 and newer is good. In my opinion

[Mudderoy]

Hi,

I don't know the prices in your place (here XJ costs 12K-20K USD)
But I think the best model is 99.
High pinion, distributer and not coil for each pair of plugs (like in the newer models).
Improved interior (compare to the pre 97 models)
Saar.

From the combination of mpg, performance, and negatives like prone to crack heads, and low pinion dana 30, 1999 is the best year.

The only other thing I would look for would be a C 8.25 rear.

$2500 would probably NOT be enough for a 1999.

[cantab27]

anything green........

[4x4Dalton]

If I had $2500 I would get another 95 XJ. In my mind the 95 is the best yr for them :wink: there are so many other vehicle parts that will work on them. Mine had over 300,000 on it when I got it so how many is to many miles would be kinda hard to say.

[hookedonxjs]

It might be easier to tell you years to avoid because of bad engine or trannies or if you have a set amount of money you can spend avoid 84-86 especialy and think twice on 87-89. I agree a 99 is best also look on ebay I see em there all the time my bro has afriend that has a 90 for $750 in so cal.

[xjrev10]

1999 would be my choice. Make it a black 4 door with a 231 case and between 100k-150k miles to spend my 2500 dollars on. No rust too..

[Firemanray]

anything green........

Wayne, you really should seek professional help with this "green" obsession of yours!:D

Haven't owned anything but a 98, it has all the "good" stuff you would want. (high pinion, c 8.25, nice interiror, etc.)

[Joliet Johnny]

Thanks to everyone that responded. Were shooting for June/July on the purchases. I usually end up buying vehicles off my dad when he gets bored of them. I just wish I had known about this forum and asked this question when I bought my 99. I may have paid too much. But my logic was to build credit and why do that with a boring Chevy car?

[JENSSEN]

Renix XJ's seem to rust less. The early HO Jeeps seem to have the best power train (Mine 552,000KMS) , the strongest chassis the the 97-01 XJ.

Or just go MJ ;) then find a 91-92

[PuttingGreen99]

I left my 99 at my parents house for safekeeping while on vacation. While I was gone my dad fell in love and wants one and so did my sister only cost me 1/2 tank of fuel. My dad will keep his 100% stock but sis may upgrade. I bought mine cause I thought Cherokees hid kits (http://motorfiend.com/hid-headlight-kits-c-254_135.html) are cool and it was red knowing almost nothing about XJs.

The question is if I gave you $2500 to buy an XJ what year would you buy and why?
Also how many miles is too many?


Yea as for mileage it really just depends on how the car was driven and maintained so that can vary greatly.

[uberxj92]

I like 92-95 cause you get high pinion d30, Non-CAD, OBDI, and a HO 4.0. But just about anything 92 and newer is good. In my opinion

92 to 95 !!!!!!!!! have a 92 now & she is easy to fix!!!!!! best friend has a 99 pain in a** to fix & electronics always on fritz

[BigJeepBigJeep]

I like my 87... But I have a 8.25 rear end, hpD30, new motor... So I guess it doesn't count. 99 is best, hands down.

Sent from my SGH-T839 using Tapatalk

[Mudderoy]

1999
1. HO 4.0L Engine
2. 97+ Body Style and trim package (metal back hatch, open coolant system)
3. HP Dana 30
4. 29 spline Chrysler 8.25 axle (If not equipment with Dana 35)
5. Increase air flow in redesigned intake (for increase in horse power)
6. Distributor, no coil pack. (double check this, I think this is right)

[xj4life2]

I like 92-95 cause you get high pinion d30, Non-CAD, OBDI, and a HO 4.0. But just about anything 92 and newer is good. In my opinion

I agree , stay away from the renix years and the four cyl models. Other than that you should be ok

[Metlic53]

hey now, whats wrong with my 90 renix? :(

I've got a 97 and 90. they both run excellent. the 90 gets better mpg, 3.55 vs 3.73 gears though. i'd say 97-99 are the best years.

[xj4life2]

hey now, whats wrong with my 90 renix? :(

I've got a 97 and 90. they both run excellent. the 90 gets better mpg, 3.55 vs 3.73 gears though. i'd say 97-99 are the best years.

Same thing thats wrong with mine lol lol

[jccatt]

My 99 also has the updated inlet manifold