I'm new to this board, and would like some advice on my next vehicle purchase. I've owned a 1987 YJ, a 1991 XJ, a 1993 ZJ, and am now driving a 2009 WRX (Subaru). The Subie is fast and fun, but it's not great to take into deep snow or gravel on mountains in the PNW where I ski and backpack year round.

I miss my XJ a lot, and would like to own one again, for both DD and fun and adventure use. I don't need a lift, or big tires.

I'm looking at a few used XJs, and am having a bit of a quandry. I've found 2 1999 SEs that are very clean, as they were used by school districts in Washington. Both have ~150-160k miles. Cars have been well maintained and don't seem to be leaking much aft/oil at all. Anyway, they have no rust on the unibody, tho a bit of light surface rust on drip rails, hatch tops, etc.. One has power locks/windows, the other is fully manual.

It would be great to have the cool overhead console, tinted power windows, nice stereo, power locks, leather, etc... that I've had on previous Cherokees, but I don't want to spend my time dealing with the gremlins that can accompany such things.

Are XJ power windows/locks very robust? Would an SE that doesn't have an anti-theft system hugely benefit from one?

What do you guys think? Any thoughts would be welcome.

Thanks,

Tim

Oh yeah, if you're selling a 1997-99 XJ, give me a shout. I can't post in 'Wanted' until I get a few posts under my belt.

 

1999 is a prime year for an XJ. Some say the best. As far as the luxuries you mention goes you can add them later. Just recently some here did ZJ seat swaps and overhead consoles. PLENTY help and how to do's here.

 

The power windows and locks are a pain, in my opinion. I'd love to have manual since I've had one working window and no power locks all summer. I think working locks are better than an anti-theft system.

 

I have a Desert tan cherokee for sale here in Washington. It's a 1999 classic. Pm me for more details. I know it's color is not for everyone.

1999 is one of the best years. It's not difficult to fix windows and lock. The windows usually just have the lock switch fail. The window motors themselves seem to last.

I have also installed the overhead console in my cherokee that didn't have one before. Relatively easy to do

 

ive yet to replace the passenger window regulators

but both my 98s have new drivers regulators

 

do these 99s have coil packs or distributors?

if coil packs, you know aboot the 0331 head and its issues?

 

If I'm not mistaken, almost all of them have distributors. I think some of the later 99s came with the coil packs and 0331 heads.

 

yeah, thats why i was asking him

 

All of them have distributors and the improved intake starting in 99.