Jeep Buying Advice- XJ vs. ZJ

[ReallyDirtyThirty]

Dearest R3V Brethren,

I'm looking to add an SUV to the fleet for the fall/winter and I think I'm settled on either an Jeep Cherokee (XJ) or a Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ). I know a bunch of you have had experiences with both, so I thought I'd post here to get your opinions. It would primarily be a DD so I don't need/want giant mud tires or a six inch lift kit, gas mileage doesn't really matter to me because truck, it definitely needs to be 4x4, I'd rather it be an automatic so my girlfriend can drive it when I'm too drunk to drive home from places, and I want to spend around $3k-$4k. Any opinions, thoughts, or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.

ZJ


XJ

[ST1G]

Ideally a 4runner. But if you must jeep, go with XJ

[Jorgen]

XJ hands down that was the only other jeep I was really considering when I stumbled on the deal for my current WK2

[slammin.e28]

RRC has way more room than a Jeep, and V8 powah, and auto trans, and more capability....



Get an XJ.

[theevildoodlebob]

I would vote XJ, loved driving in the snow in VA when I had my old one. Only got stuck when I had the original tires I bought it with that were bald. The bigger thing for me to be that whatever you get make sure it has a 4.0, you cant kill those but you can kill the V8's. I drove my old one from NY to Roanoke and right before I got to the WV welcome center learned that I had zero oil pressure. Turned out I had almost zero oil. Added a few quarts and finished my journey. Have a second XJ now and still love it, parts are super cheap and the vehicle is easy to work on. There is also a lot more aftermarket and community support to the XJ than there is the ZJ.

[BobombETA]

ZJ will be more comfortable... Coil springs at all 4 corners, leather interior (on the limited model), a little roomier. Though I hear they are a little less reliable than an XJ.

[Jb325is]

ZJ is basically an XJ with better rear suspension.

[myinfernalbmw]

Ideally a 4runner.

I'm with this guy^

[kway]

Never tried me a ZJ, but my XJ was the shiznat. I still get misty thinking about it.

[Stanley Rockafella]

XJ all tha way!

[mitch500]

get a XJ! JUst drove mine 2000 miles without any problems. Dont get a renix xj ( pre 1991) or a 1999-2001 xj because all of the heads crack for those years.

as for the 4.0 and AW4 transmission the are bullet proof! mine is a 1991 XJ 4.0

[flyboyx]

i've never owned either, but to me the zj looks about 10x better. i have ridden in both. in my estimation, the grand cherokee limited drives down the road about 3x beter. if it was me i would buy the zj.

[JoeMadoo]

I vote ZJ. V8 > straight 6, smoother, heavier, faster, just as capable. Mine had the 5.9L and hauled ass.

[dirtbag30]

Ideally a 4runner. But if you must jeep, go with XJ

this.

[codrum]

get a XJ! JUst drove mine 2000 miles without any problems. Dont get a renix xj ( pre 1991) or a 1999-2001 xj because all of the heads crack for those years.

as for the 4.0 and AW4 transmission the are bullet proof! mine is a 1991 XJ 4.0

It's the 2000-2001 years that have the head cracking issue, the '99s are the golden year XJs that you really want if you're going for the face-lift model. I have a 2001 and worry a bit about the head cracking but I think the issue is drummed up more than necessary. Just keep an eye on temps and try to find one with the tow package ideally so you get the HD cooling.

Also if you're going to be commuting in snow I'd recommend finding one with the NP242 transfer case so you can throw it in full-time 4 and go crazy.