Pre 97 or 97+ Cherokees, Whats Your Opinion?
11-30-2011, 10:00 PM
#31
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Year: 1996
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2L
I have one... Green, lots of rust. Gonna get stripped and scrapped in spring.
I absolutely HATE 97+
I dont like the rounded off look... The ugly plastic trim that fades is a big turnoff, though the door moulding is easy to tear off and makes them look alot better. Annoying beeper for the doors/key in ignition, cant just pull out a buzzer like-97. Cheap plastic inside with too many rounded off lines, harder to reach heat controls. The risk of airbags going off when you go wheeling, etc.
I absolutely HATE 97+
I dont like the rounded off look... The ugly plastic trim that fades is a big turnoff, though the door moulding is easy to tear off and makes them look alot better. Annoying beeper for the doors/key in ignition, cant just pull out a buzzer like-97. Cheap plastic inside with too many rounded off lines, harder to reach heat controls. The risk of airbags going off when you go wheeling, etc.
you cant reach HVAC controls? are you like 4'6"?
12-01-2011, 01:01 AM
#35
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Location: Maine
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Indeed.
I prefer 97+.... and I love the 00/01 being distributorless. The cracking heads is something that is greatly exaggerated IMO, the number is few percentage wise, and most that have will be out of the buying pool.
I love the steel hatch, the better taillights (because honestly the old ones look like they were designed by a five year old who's only materials were legos), the smoother front clip, and the more elegant flares.The interior has more creature comforts (except the seats, they still suck) and I do like the extra power
The 97+ have a beauty that the earlier models do not, however, many exterior excessories look awful on 97+.. Especially bumpers. Bushwacker cut outs are another.
The 97+ look better in every regard until you give it to someone who cares naught for body damage. Then the pre 97 looks better... probably because I care less about them being trashed.
Id still love to grab an older cherokee with a diesel in it...
I prefer 97+.... and I love the 00/01 being distributorless. The cracking heads is something that is greatly exaggerated IMO, the number is few percentage wise, and most that have will be out of the buying pool.
I love the steel hatch, the better taillights (because honestly the old ones look like they were designed by a five year old who's only materials were legos), the smoother front clip, and the more elegant flares.The interior has more creature comforts (except the seats, they still suck) and I do like the extra power
The 97+ have a beauty that the earlier models do not, however, many exterior excessories look awful on 97+.. Especially bumpers. Bushwacker cut outs are another.
The 97+ look better in every regard until you give it to someone who cares naught for body damage. Then the pre 97 looks better... probably because I care less about them being trashed.
Id still love to grab an older cherokee with a diesel in it...
12-01-2011, 08:54 AM
#37
CF Veteran
96 is the year for me! 97+ are too rounded and Jeeps aren't meant to be curvy. I'm happy with the rear hatch, and I prefer the interior. Lets face it, neither interior is modern so it's personal taste and I prefer the old school feel of the original 
12-01-2011, 09:16 AM
#38
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Year: 87-99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Having owned both, (went from a 92 to a 97, now back to an 88), IMO, chryco really screwed the cherokee up in 97. Everything they changed on the inside (with the exception of the cup holders, those were perfect) made me want my old one back. I wouldn't consider myself tall at 6 1, but in order to keep my knees off the dash I had to put my seat back and reach for the steering wheel more than I would like, seemed like the column was too short. Seats were terrible, uncomfortable, and too tall for the jeep, my head was barely off the headliner, it just felt cramped (I somewhat solved these issues with putting AMC cherokee seats in, gotta love rocking chair buckets, lol). Center defroster vent, this was a dumb idea, absolutely hated it. My heat worked awesome, it'd bake you right out, but there was always two dead cold spots on the windshield where ice would build up and would remain fogged (yes, I let my vehicles warm up in the winter). One of those spots was right in front of me 
I don't enjoy leaning into the center of the jeep just to be able to see. The full windows, at first I like the idea, then I realized in order to not get an ear ache with the window down, I had to have the back window down as well. Didn't really care for the interior styling and materials used, kinda cheap and chinsey, looking and feeling.
Sorry for the rant, lol
I did however like the exterior styling changes, it's a bit prettier than the earlier ones (with the exeption of the Wagoneer Cherokees, those are just awesome, lol). The doors worked better and easier, the gate handle was a big improvement. Far less end gate rattle with the 97+ too. The axles were improved so that was a big plus. The engines were improved on the bottom end, so there's no complaint there. At the end of the day though I still choose pre 97, mainly due to that they are more ergonomically correct for me.
I don't enjoy leaning into the center of the jeep just to be able to see. The full windows, at first I like the idea, then I realized in order to not get an ear ache with the window down, I had to have the back window down as well. Didn't really care for the interior styling and materials used, kinda cheap and chinsey, looking and feeling. Sorry for the rant, lol
I did however like the exterior styling changes, it's a bit prettier than the earlier ones (with the exeption of the Wagoneer Cherokees, those are just awesome, lol). The doors worked better and easier, the gate handle was a big improvement. Far less end gate rattle with the 97+ too. The axles were improved so that was a big plus. The engines were improved on the bottom end, so there's no complaint there. At the end of the day though I still choose pre 97, mainly due to that they are more ergonomically correct for me.
Last edited by Shaggimo; 12-01-2011 at 09:19 AM.
12-01-2011, 01:22 PM
#41
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Having owned both, (went from a 92 to a 97, now back to an 88), IMO, chryco really screwed the cherokee up in 97. Everything they changed on the inside (with the exception of the cup holders, those were perfect) made me want my old one back. I wouldn't consider myself tall at 6 1, but in order to keep my knees off the dash I had to put my seat back and reach for the steering wheel more than I would like, seemed like the column was too short. Seats were terrible, uncomfortable, and too tall for the jeep, my head was barely off the headliner, it just felt cramped (I somewhat solved these issues with putting AMC cherokee seats in, gotta love rocking chair buckets, lol). Center defroster vent, this was a dumb idea, absolutely hated it. My heat worked awesome, it'd bake you right out, but there was always two dead cold spots on the windshield where ice would build up and would remain fogged (yes, I let my vehicles warm up in the winter). One of those spots was right in front of me I don't enjoy leaning into the center of the jeep just to be able to see. The full windows, at first I like the idea, then I realized in order to not get an ear ache with the window down, I had to have the back window down as well. Didn't really care for the interior styling and materials used, kinda cheap and chinsey, looking and feeling.
Sorry for the rant, lol
I did however like the exterior styling changes, it's a bit prettier than the earlier ones (with the exeption of the Wagoneer Cherokees, those are just awesome, lol). The doors worked better and easier, the gate handle was a big improvement. Far less end gate rattle with the 97+ too. The axles were improved so that was a big plus. The engines were improved on the bottom end, so there's no complaint there. At the end of the day though I still choose pre 97, mainly due to that they are more ergonomically correct for me.
I don't enjoy leaning into the center of the jeep just to be able to see. The full windows, at first I like the idea, then I realized in order to not get an ear ache with the window down, I had to have the back window down as well. Didn't really care for the interior styling and materials used, kinda cheap and chinsey, looking and feeling. Sorry for the rant, lol
I did however like the exterior styling changes, it's a bit prettier than the earlier ones (with the exeption of the Wagoneer Cherokees, those are just awesome, lol). The doors worked better and easier, the gate handle was a big improvement. Far less end gate rattle with the 97+ too. The axles were improved so that was a big plus. The engines were improved on the bottom end, so there's no complaint there. At the end of the day though I still choose pre 97, mainly due to that they are more ergonomically correct for me.
Im short so your problems with the seat dont apply to me. Cant really complain.
12-01-2011, 02:14 PM
#42
CF Veteran
98-99 were what I decided on when deciding another XJ was in order, heres what brought me to the decision.
97-99 has the updated styling with the newer interior (I gotta have cup holders and comfort) a steel rather than fiberglass hatch, the beefier Chrysler 8.25 29 spline rear, HP D-30 and a little more rounded look which I just prefer.
97 was out simply because history has taught me not to buy the first year of a model change, I was probably being paranoid, but thats just my rule.
2000-01, all the styling and comfort upgrades as the 97-99's, but.... head problems, distributorless ignition = problems and cost IMO. Too much damn emission garbage introduced as Chrysler faught to keep the Feds happy in the last two years of production and I did'nt want a low pinion front diff. So, those years were out for me.
I went with the 98, my son with the 99 and we could'nt be happier, and I have a place for my coffee cup to boot, Lol!
97-99 has the updated styling with the newer interior (I gotta have cup holders and comfort) a steel rather than fiberglass hatch, the beefier Chrysler 8.25 29 spline rear, HP D-30 and a little more rounded look which I just prefer.
97 was out simply because history has taught me not to buy the first year of a model change, I was probably being paranoid, but thats just my rule.
2000-01, all the styling and comfort upgrades as the 97-99's, but.... head problems, distributorless ignition = problems and cost IMO. Too much damn emission garbage introduced as Chrysler faught to keep the Feds happy in the last two years of production and I did'nt want a low pinion front diff. So, those years were out for me.
I went with the 98, my son with the 99 and we could'nt be happier, and I have a place for my coffee cup to boot, Lol!
I can also do 100 MPH.
However, changing the fuel pump is no joke and it costs more.
I had a 93 High Output, by my 98 had more punch than it.
The 97+ has better comfort on the inside, but when I was in my 93 I felt more adventurous due to the styling. I guess you could say I felt more in the rough with it due to the lack of creature comforts.
I had the AX-15 with the 93 and I certainly missed that. I like being in control of the gearing. 97+ seems to rarely, if at all, have the AX-15.
The "distributorless" styles, if the heat shield isn't installed per the recall from the factory, can leave you stranded when you turn it off after it's heated up.
12-01-2011, 06:13 PM
#43
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Location: Columbus, Ohio
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, comp cam, 99 intake, apn header, neon injectors, Thunderbolt 2.5" High Flow Cat
lol, I have a 97 with the AX-15... I was certainly glad to have found one.
12-01-2011, 06:27 PM
#44
CF Veteran
