I wanted a 97 but got a 92 4.0. I would get the 6 and not the 4 cyl. I have put some money into the 92 but worth it. I would say it depends on the condition of the veicle and not the year it was made. go with the 4 x 4.

 

I agree with the rest. go with the 6 cyl. open system is better and go for the one that has the best condition. I think that all jeeps are great whether 4 or 2 doors. Get it checked for u joints and other probs and check the 4 x4 on dirt or something when you test drive it. Check the brakes and look under the hood for leaks or anything wrong. Look it over good or get it up on a rack. good luck. check the flow in the coolant too. I have spent a good 1k on my 92 since I got it about a month ago just to get it drivable. Next is a new rad and water pump. parts are cheep.

 

I have a 01' and haven't had any problems with it as of yet. What should I be on the out look for to prevent small probs form becoming biguns'?

 

I have an 87 Renix with 260,000 going strong.Its a Jeep what else could you ask for.

 

lol @ jepp

 

My first Cherokee was an '88 4X4 I6 5-speed with 260k. It ran like a champ. I sold it only because it started rusting on the bottom rear panel behind the rear wheels. I didn't want to deal with the rust repair. Otherwise, it was a solid running Jeep that had plenty of service life left.

I just recently purchased another Jeep, except this is a '99 with 280k on it. It, too, drives and runs perfectly. I like it because the interior is a little more nice and refined than the old one, although the dash is still hard plastic. hmm... The exterior of the '97-'01 looks much cleaner, in my opinion.

Final verdict:

'97-'01!

 

check all hoses to rad and heater for wear. get a trusted mech to put it up on a rack and inspect all u joints and drivetrain. check for wear in wheel bearings. check brakes and condition of valve that goes to heater core. mine broke while checking it and spent hard time and money on it and hoses. I have replaced all hoses myself and had the front u joints and bearings changed. had back brakes replaced with new shoes and cylinders. New thermostat and v belt. new rad and water pump soon. I will give you a history of my new (old) 92 xj since I got it about a month ago;

Found out the front u joints were shot and the spindles were resting on it.
The wheel bearings were shot.
Rad hoses were shot and leaked for three weeks until i found the thermo was sticking and had to replace all hoses and heater valve.
Just had the rear brake cylinders and back brakes done since the passenger side shoes were missing. The drums were on there for ages.
Rad cap still leaks sometimes and am going to change rad and water pump.
had new v belt put on.
I have spent 1 thou on parts and labor for a 1725.00 plus tax xj.
The only thing I am worried about before winter is the new rad install and water pump. We will be using it to haul a trailer and moving.
I went to bone yard and got a used drivers seat for 50 bucks.
Mirrors are worn and passenger side is loose but will wait till later.
This jeep was what I could find in my area for the money. They are selling like hot cakes here on craigslist. I did replace rotor and cap which cost some bucks too. Plugs and wires next.

 

cool corrected. xj thing. no problem.

lol @ jepp

 

I've narrow things down to an 89 or 93. the others i looked at were v8's. I could wait another week to find on but i'd like to just get started renovating it.

I have 2 '89s with an i6, 136k miles and 255k miles. ones all powered doors etc and ones plain jane. what issues do the 89's have most often?

the '93 is at 225k. the back hatch door leaks as it doesn't fit close to the body anymore (someone hit it). it's beat up inside so i'm not to stoked about it but it is newer...more miles though.

 

My 96 has been good to me, last before Chrysler really started messing with stuff. Got the Chrysler 8.25 rear (measure axle tube its 3 inch, Dana is 2.62), Dana 30 in front, 4 speed auto, NP232 T case and 4.0. With a little bitty lift (3 inches) for $158.00 from JC Whitney and 31's, this beast ain't let me down.

 

go for the plain jane 89. power anything will break, its just a matter of how long

 

Something I've always done when buying a vehicle is make sure its not the first year body style of the model. <until i bought my XJ> 97 is first year for updated bodystyle.

 

Wow, If nothing else, I must have good timing. I just joined today. This is exactly the type of info I was looking for.

Thanks!!!

 

who cars if it breaks.. if your a real jeeper then your gonna break stuff anyway when you go wheelin. Its not a big deal having to fix stuff.. i usually have to fix something or tighten something back up once a week.. its a jeep thing.. i guess some ppl just dont understand

 

you know i know what your saying, as an owner of an 89 with 312000 kms on it i work on my jeep daily, not weekly. What i am saying is that jeeps are terrible for wiring and the more add on crap you have the worse its gonna be, id give my left arm for manual windows in my heep