Centralgrand

Owned and built ZJs prior to my xj... I still got a place in my heart for Grands but not in my wallet...

XJs are much more simple... I prefer the low maintenance of Leafs in the back and the stability with the least amount of work/effort... all my grands have had LAs and although performed amazing the up-keep on bushings, loose jam nuts, rattling/noises, greasing drives me nuts as I do it every time before it leaves the shop to hit the trail.... Plus Grands are heavier....

I like cherokees mostly because I can sleep in 'em and carry enough gear comfortably for 2-4 days. With the weather conditions I enjoy wheeling in.... No sense in puttin up a tent in 40mph winds when it's 5deg out and your in a blizzard.... The Wrangler boys don't like to come on those trips...

That's the jist of it for me....

roadraje

I was researching pre-owned cars for my daughters 18th birthday. I knew I had to get her a 4X4 but didn't want to get her a cheesy import. I wanted something I could work on and maintain. I drive a Navigator and I don't do anything to it besides take it to my mechanic. I saw some pictures of lifted XJ's and I was hooked. I knew she would only drive it for a year or two before she wanted something more economical and commuter friendly and I would end up with the XJ. The best part is I get to work on it in the meantime. I found her (me) a '99 Limited, black on black with 150K miles for $2500. It is completely stock, rust-free and everything besides the drivers seat heater works. I have big plans for it but for now I just want to make it as dependable as possible for my daughter. I'm actually heading over to Evans 4X4 in Bay Shore in a little while. I want him to do a complete inspection/assessment so we can prioritize any work that needs to be completed. I am looking forward to the day when I can post some pictures.

s346k

I bought mine bc I've always liked them. my dad bought a new one in 96, red 2 dr 4wd just like mine. kinda had a soft spot for them. I wanted a 4wd vehicle that was not a truck, not huge, and easy to maintain. I ran across this one and bought it. 129k state owned vehicle. gave 2600 for it and have a total of 3200 or so in it thus far including purchase price...and proud to say it needs nothing now. it needed an alt when I bought it, nothing else. it even had new tires on it.

simple response. it was the perfect vehicle for what I wanted and the price was right.

so glad I bought one, I wish I would've done it sooner.

Rogue4x4

X2...always liked the body style, and the fact that you can stow gear and passengers easily...and my mind was made up on my first trip to Moab, one of the guys that went with us (friend of a friend) had a pretty sick XJ that was killing it on some obstacles that other people were having trouble on. That was when I told myself, oh yeah, I want one. Bought mine a few years later and love it...

95Cherokee

As a kid I always thought Cherokee's were just unattractive little boxes, a Jeep station wagon, I wanted a Camaro or a Trans Am...........then one day I saw one with a lift and mud tires......

NCBobD

The xj is a great American vehicle. As a nature and wildlife photographer I spend a lot of time on back roads, forest service roads and occasional jaunts off road. The xj seemed the perfect 4x4 for my needs. Now if I can get most of the bugs ironed out I'll be in good shape. (2000 for $1800... 154k miles...Yes I stole it).

McCaffrey

Most YJs I've seen in Ca for sale are 4 cylinder and zero with a hardtop. Often no top at all. Plus comparing year for year and same condition the "Wrangler" was almost always $1,000-2,000 more. At least when I was looking for a Jeep last year there's no way a comparable YJ would be anywhere near an XJ.

YJs are cool and given similar running gear I could have lived with shorter wheelbase, 2 people and some camping gear or 2 people and 2 kids with no gear, 4 cylinder engine, no hardtop, front leafs, manual transmission, but I couldn't live with the hit to my budget.

jeepman465

My brother bought a new one back in 99. I really loved the way it looked. First time he let me drive it I knew I had to get one. I've always had a love for jeeps. The Xj is and always will be a awesome machine!

DieselDaze

This may sound ghey but I actually like having the original cd/tape player in it too... although I really only have a few tapes left anymore, really will only replace it if/when I need to .....

seen one sell on ebay the other day for $78 and $16 to ship... so yeah its worth a few coin...

emptypockets

I was about to lift my truck and needed something to drive while it was down. I picked up my XJ for $300 and planned to sell it after I got my truck rolling again. Finished the lift on my truck, but hardly drove it. Now I hurl money two fisted at my '86.

Atmos

I have this sort of nostalgia too. I overspent on my latest one because it had every factory piece I wanted/didnt want. no airbags, manual windows and doors. and the dash and headliner are mint! if only it was a 5 speed..

dont know what it is about these stupid cloth seats and gray plastic interiors that I love so much

1994 / 200k / $1900. most cherry one I've ever seen and it doesn't overheat. I had to have it

95Cherokee

One time I let a girl at work borrow my XJ to go get lunch, 2 weeks later she traded her old Explorer in for a Compass, maybe just a coincidence but I don't know.

95Cherokee

Your XJ is in amazing condition for an 86

Teej

My grandfather runs a charity ministry (where used furniture is collected and donated to those who need it), and has many people volunteer to help him move furniture. One of his volunteers wanted to sell his '01 XJ, and so my grandfather put it in his newsletter. My mom saw it, and decided to check it out, since I was just about to turn 16 and get my permit. The guy came over with the XJ, and the only problems were a cracked windshield and broken A/C. He's was moving to work on Wall Street, so all he wanted was $600 for it. My mom ran inside, got me, and showed me my new Jeep.

As for money put into it:
$600 purchase
$1000 repairs
$2600 lift parts/rims/tires
TOTAL
$4200.

Considering my sisters each spent around $4500 on their first cars, I can't complain about the price, especially considering where my XJ is now. I'm also super happy that I got this XJ, because had I not gotten it, I'd be driving the 1998 Honda Accord that is now my stepbrother's.

Gatchmo5710

X3