KF2M

If you are willing to forgo getting a XJ, you could go with a WJ. These are newer, and probably have less miles on them. I picked up a 2002 WJ with 97k on the clock for under $8k. It needed a little work (IAC, steering damper, and brakes). Otherwise it's in very good shape, and runs well. Bear in mind it took me a couple of years looking for the right one (condition, mileage, and price).

wifin

Man overheating just seems to be a good friend of yours Atmos haha.

Well one thing that you could say about the Jeep is that it is an easy car to maintain. You're not buying a car with tons of electronics and unnecessary gadgets and gizmos. You will be able to fix most things yourself in the drive away. This forum was what motivated me to get one really, because of the huge amount of info on it and how incredible of a machine it really is. They're cheap, reliable, easy to maintain, and has the 4x4 feature without gas guzzling like a V8. So it's also a vehicle you can use year round.

K2dark_xj

personally, I don't like wj's as much, but if you get a grand cherokee, zj or wj, definitely get the 4.0l. but my last xj (1996) i bought already built and the guy had beat the crap outa it and it rode like a dumptruck. So I sold that pos and bought a 1999 stocker. It has 165k on it which doesn't bother me at all. There is not one single speck of rust. took me 5 months to find it. yes they exist even in new england. and I maintain mine. I get crap from people at school for keeping my lifted jeep cleaner than most vehicles in the parking lot. but, I wheel it and wash it. I don't drive around for 2 weeks with 3 inches of mud on it. and not only does it look nice, but it has stayed nice.