Never give up your search becuase you never know what is out there. I looked for a '99 Cherokee for well over a year for both of my XJs. My second one popped up on CL and I could not get to it fast enough. Thankfully I was the first one in line and bought it on the spot.
The ironic thing was that months would pass before I saw anything worth looking at. Then all of a sudden, 5 or 6 worthy XJs came available all at once. It was like a spawn of Cherokees on Craig's List.
Now that my name is black and my life has changed, I should just sell you my '99 Classic and be done with it...
I got my 97 last year for 2700. had a 3 inch lift 31inch procomps xterrains and a highlift on the bumper. It needed some engine work but I only put about 500 in it and that included a new three core radiator. It runs like a champ now. I'm turning 200,000 now.
I picked it up in sac. There are alot more cherokees up in the hill country.
Not what I would do either... It is actually a really nice truck even with the damage. For the money I am super pleased. More importantly Dad's a hero!